PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS—Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas recently completed a successful two day harvesting and out planting of corals to three coral reefs off New Providence that were destroyed last year by Hurricane Matthew. As part of Atlantis’ established commitment to the flourishing Bahamian ecology, this effort continues to expand the sustainability of one of the nation’s natural resources, the ocean. This ongoing project, an initiative of the nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization—Atlantis Blue Project Foundation (ABPF)—helps rehabilitate damaged coral reefs by growing small coral fragments to repopulate reefs that have been eliminated through disease, hurricanes, or bleaching. Since...

PHOENIX—Hotels4Humanity.com, an American hotel and lodging supply company that focuses on win-win bottom lines and community engagement, this week received word that their latest donation of hotel-sized body wash bottles was put to good use for children, teens, and domestic violence victims in the greater Arizona area. Having contributed a plethora of differently sized, durable bottles, Hotels4Humanity.com was able to help the Dream Center in Phoenix, the Salvation Army’s homeless teen outreach and domestic violence shelter, the Canyon State Academy Youth Village in Queen Creek, the Department of Child Safety, one mission church in Chandler, and one church that helps...

ATLANTA—Showcasing the private sector’s power to create a climate fit for life, Interface unveiled a first-of-its-kind prototype carbon negative carpet tile. Interface’s “Proof Positive” tile proves that with new approaches to materials sourcing and manufacturing, it is possible to make a product with the potential to reverse global warming. After the tile is made, there is less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than if it had not been manufactured in the first place. “We created this Proof Positive tile to inspire our customers, our industry, and the world to think more broadly about taking on the climate challenge in a...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide has joined more than 150 of the world’s leading companies in signing on to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Recognizing that stronger business outcomes directly correlate with diverse teams and inclusive workplace environments, the company is further aligning its core values with its business strategy. By signing on to this commitment, Wyndham Worldwide Chairman and CEO Stephen P. Holmes is pledging to take action to continue to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, where employees feel...

BRUSSELS—Radisson Blu is the winner of the 2017 IMEX-GMIC Innovation in Sustainability Award with its Blu Planet program, the responsible business initiative of Radisson Blu hotels around the world. The IMEX-GMIC award celebrates inspiring brands that drive sustainability forward through innovation, collaboration and idea sharing. “We are determined to help protect the Earth’s priceless water supply,” says Inge Huijbrechts, Vice President of Responsible Business for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “We launched Blu Planet to conserve water and help bring safe drinking water and sanitation to communities in need. Blu Planet is a key pillar of our group’s Responsible Business...

MGM Resorts International recently released its 2016 Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report. I recently wrote about Hersha Hospitality Trust’s 2016 Sustainability Report and just posted about the Javits Center releasing its first Sustainability Report. It must be reporting season. MGM Resorts’ report describes its CSR philosophy, governance and culture, and summarizes its developments in the pillars of Diversity and Inclusion, Philanthropy and Community Engagement and Environmental Sustainability. The report is long—173 pages—but MGM has a lot of good stories to tell. For example, in 2016, 5,600 employees donated 103,000 volunteer hours of community service. MGM achieved LEED Gold certification...

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN—Sixteen good practices in Gastronomy Tourism from different countries are showcased in the 2nd UNWTO Report on Gastronomy Tourism, touching on issues such as seasonality, training and innovation, ICT-related initiatives and wine-related itineraries. The publication stresses that in terms of tourist motivations, experiencing gastronomy is now at a similar level to visiting a museum, enjoying music and admiring the architecture of a destination. In this sense, gastronomy tourism has strong potential to improve destination management, promote cultures and contribute to other sectors such as agriculture and food manufacturing. The commitment of gastronomy tourism towards the principles of sustainability...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. announced a renewal of its longtime collaboration with Habitat for Humanity for the remainder of 2017, continuing to provide a new range and refrigerator for every new Habitat for Humanity home in the United States. “We thank Whirlpool for their long-term support of helping families obtain decent and affordable housing,” said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, Senior Vice President of Development, Habitat for Humanity International. “Whirlpool’s generosity has helped families transform their lives, and we look forward to continuing to work together.” For the eighth consecutive year, Whirlpool Corp. will participate in a blitz build with the Kelley School...

NEW YORK—New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (NYCCOC) President and CEO Alan Steel announced the issuance of the Javits Center’s first-ever Sustainability Report, which outlines the efforts to green the largest convention center in New York. The 31-page report details a host of sustainable initiatives implemented at the Javits Center, including a significant reduction in the building’s energy consumption, the creation of a wildlife sanctuary and the establishment of partnerships with educational and community institutions, as well as customers and other government organizations. To read the entire report, visit www.javitscenter.com. Since 2014, 26 bird species have been observed on or...

NATIONAL REPORT—The survey that is the basis for the annual Green Lodging Trends Report has launched and will remain open through 7 p.m. EST June 20. Click here to participate! The Green Lodging Trends Report is the lodging industry’s annual exercise to assess and catalyze green innovation, best practices, and awareness regarding the state of sustainability across hotels worldwide. Participants benefit from a free compare report—an opportunity to learn how their property is aligned with best practices, and where it is behind among peers locally and worldwide. Participants also have an opportunity to discover new innovative practices that hotels are...