PALMA, SPAIN—In celebration of World Oceans Day today, Iberostar is creating a digital space for NGOs and industry alike to discuss why responsible seafood consumption is critical to the wellbeing of our planet. In its online conversation series “Riding the Wave,” these discussions will immediately follow Iberostar’s announcement of its roadmap for 100 percent responsible seafood consumption in its operations by 2025. The roadmap is one of the tourism sector’s most ambitious yet, not only valuing high-volume certified seafood but also building pathways for higher transparency in supply chains, elevating gastronomical excellence, supporting local fisheries, and engaging millions of...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—The Red Sea Development Co. (TRSDC), the developer behind one of the world’s most ambitious tourism projects, has shared details of an activity to identify the location of its overwater assets around four key islands at the destination. This activity informs the positioning of overwater assets, including villas, restaurants and hotel arrival points for two hyper-luxury hotels and one luxury hotel on Sheybarah South and Ummahat Al Shaykh islands. It marked the location of the assets in accordance with the destination’s approved Master Plan and took around three weeks to conduct. “The marking of locations for our overwater assets...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Usually around Earth day, the conversation centers around sustainability targets, taking on more environmental responsibility, and raising awareness of the dangers of waste and pollution. This year, things have been different. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many plans, and people celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day at home. The entire planet is going through an uncertain period, and although other health and economy headlines are under the spotlight, climate actions remain just as important. According to the UN’s Emissions Gap Report 2019, global CO2 emissions need to drop by 7.6 percent this year if we want to keep global heating...

Name: Theresa van Greunen Title: Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications Company: Aqua-Aston Hospitality Years in Current Position: Two (with Aqua-Aston since 2015) Primary Responsibilities: “I play a unique role. The company has allowed me to carve out my own initiatives. I often partner with the operations team. I have been able to create new initiatives. Strategy is a big part of my job and keeping my ear to the ground and knowing what we can make positive change around.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in global corporate responsibility: “Developing the corporate social responsibility program, Advocate with Aqua-Aston, and most notably, the #ForOurReef campaign.” Organization’s most significant...

MEMPHIS, TENN.—FedEx Corp. recently announced the release of its 2020 Global Citizenship Report (GCR), which details  the company’s corporate social responsibility strategies, goals, programs and progress. The 12th annual report includes updates on the progress of the company’s citizenship goals in FY19, which ended May 31, 2019, and focuses on how the company connects the global economy through innovative technologies, pioneering approaches, and customer-facing solutions. The release comes as the company continues to use its global network to keep commerce and aid moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights from this year’s report include: Multiplying Growth The company’s network connects people with possibilities...

ATLANTA—Throughout the current pandemic, Atlanta’s historic Stonehurst Place has continued to provide a safe place to stay for travelers in search of boutique luxury—all with a dose of eco-friendliness thrown in. The eight-suite property, owned by Barb Shadomy and first constructed in 1896, has features including a solar thermal system for water heating, a greywater recycling system, and rainwater purification system. “My partner and I purchased Stonehurst in 2007 and after 14 months of intense renovation, I returned the grand old lady back to her youthful self—with a few modern and green improvements,” Shadomy says. “We have not closed during the current...

​​​​ORLANDO—Clean the World Foundation, a leader in global health dedicated to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and global sustainability, has joined forces with Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming to fight the spread of COVID-19. The organizations donated 350,000 bars of soap to Clean the World Foundation, which will be used to provide life-saving soap to individuals and families across the globe that are most vulnerable to hygiene-related illnesses. Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming currently participate in Clean the World’s Hospitality Recycling program. Through this program, room attendants collect the soap and bathroom amenities left behind by hotel guests and ship them...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Part of managing a hotel or string of properties involves listening to guests. When they give feedback, that data must result in real-life changes. At the same time, people don’t always fill out feedback surveys or give clear-cut opinions. Hoteliers also have to research and stay ahead of their needs. In the past few years, travelers have become more attuned to how they can be sustainable. Even when they’re on vacation or traveling for business, people want to help the Earth and other people by staying with brands that give back. When management gets creative and partners with good...

STOCKHOLM—ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions has announced its latest achievement in maintaining a priority on sustainability and transparency with the recent publication of third-party certified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for 18 of its security-based solutions. ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions worked with Sustainable Solutions Corp. to conduct the Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and publish the EPDs. With the publishing of the EPDs, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions can provide its customers with complete transparency in how the life cycle of each certified product impacts the environment and affects a building’s sustainability goals. As part of the EPD process, the LCA report and EPDs...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—Starting early last month, budding conservationists began getting ready for a new type of home school program where turtles are teachers and reef fish can be made out of egg cartons and bottle tops. Sad to not be greeting their usual students on the beautiful shores of Six Senses Laamu, the resort’s team of marine biologists are hosting short videos and demonstrate activities that anyone can try at home. The course is open to everyone and there is content available and suitable for all ages. The team is expecting some very special events on the island, including turtle hatching this...