MADRID—In the framework of the International Year on Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is launching a consumer-oriented campaign aimed at raising awareness of the value and contribution that sustainable tourism can make towards development. The “Travel.Enjoy.Respect” campaign wants to engage tourists in making the sector a catalyst for positive change. The main message of the campaign is summarized by the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai: “Whenever you travel, wherever you travel, remember to: respect nature, respect culture, and respect your host. You can be the change you want to see in the world. You can be...

NEW YORK—In celebration of September’s National Honey Month, New York Hilton Midtown is welcoming 450,000 adopted bees to the hotel’s fifth floor, 16,000-square-foot green rooftop, five blocks from Central Park’s bevy of nectar. The six buzzing hives were escorted via a vintage yellow taxi to the hotel where hotel team members awaited their colleagues’ arrival. The Italian, Russian and Carniolan honeybee queens—one for each hive—have been named Shelby, Ruby, Phoebe, Suite B, Beatrice, and lastly Connie as a tribute to Hilton founder, Conrad Hilton. As important as VIP guests, theVIBees will quickly become part of the landmark hotel’s ecosystem with...

ODESSA, FLA. & SINGAPORE—September 18, 2017—Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, and Greenview, a leader in advancing hotel sustainability, have released the Green Lodging Trends Report 2017. The second annual report details the results of the Green Lodging Trends Report Survey and is available at no cost by clicking here. The report is based on data from 2,093 hotels in 46 countries and provides industry trends on topics ranging from energy management to communication to—for the first time in its own category—Health & Wellness. The report includes results of 110 best practices in 12 categories. Sponsors this year...

BAAR, SWITZERLAND—Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts recently called on guests and residents to help families in need around the world as it launched its 2017 “Kilo of Kindness” charity drive. This global campaign, which marked the UN International Day of Charity on September 5, asked for donations of food, clothing and educational supplies to help support the communities that are home to Mövenpick properties. Big-hearted guests and visitors were invited to drop off at least one kilo of supplies at any participating hotel, with 46 Mövenpick properties around the globe involved in the campaign. Educational supplies in demand include books, notebooks and stationery...

ATLANTA—The Green Spa Network (GSN) is now accepting recommendations for its annual Sustainability Awards program. The awards recognize innovations and outstanding accomplishments in the spa industry that contribute to a vital planet and vital people. An independent judging panel, made up of experts in the sustainability, spa and wellness industries, evaluates and awards brands that are leading the way in social and environmental responsibility. GSN aims to discover, recognize and celebrate significant accomplishments in sustainability within the spa industry. GSN is currently seeking recommendations for leaders in the following categories: Sustainable Building Award—Recognizes properties and brands that utilize sustainable building practices...

GATLINBURG, TENN.—The last thing a hiker wants to encounter is a haze of smog that diminishes the view from atop a picturesque vista. With more than 11 million visitors annually, Great Smoky Mountains National Park strives to maintain its pristine natural beauty by adopting practices that reduce the park’s environmental footprint. “At Great Smoky Mountains National Park we have implemented a comprehensive strategy to limit our environmental impact and reduce carbon emissions,” said Brian Bergsma, Deputy Chief of Facility Management. “Biodiesel and Bioheat are front and center in that effort.” In 2016, the park used 43,085 gallons of biodiesel (B20) resulting...

MONTEREY, CALIF.—Leading chefs on five continents have pledged to keep Pacific bluefin tuna off their menus until there’s effective international action to manage the fishery in ways that reverse a precipitous decline in the bluefin tuna population. Nearly 200 globally prominent chefs and culinary leaders—including Brazil’s Alex Atala, James Beard Award nominee Michael Cimarusti of the United States and Annabel Langbein of New Zealand—say that Pacific Rim nations must act immediately to recover Pacific bluefin tuna. Bluefin tuna is among the planet’s most iconic and prized fish. In recent decades, global demand for Pacific bluefin tuna has driven the population down...

DANA POINT, CALIF.—The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel presents a curated exhibition of marine life art by renowned artist Wyland. The exhibit, titled “Hope for the Ocean,” recognizes his foundation’s new partnership with the United Nations Environment Program in support of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. On display from September 1 through January 4, 2018, the exhibit is open to the public and includes 25 original oil paintings, Chinese sumi brush paintings, giclees on canvas, aluminum, watercolors, a bronze sculpture, and a mixed media coffee table. “We are thrilled to welcome Wyland back to the resort,” said Shannon Gilbert, Director of Sales...

MIAMI—The Global Wellness Summit, the annual event that attracts international business and industry leaders focused on the growth and opportunities to be found in today’s $3.7 trillion global wellness economy, released the agenda and speakers for its 2017 conference, taking place at The Breakers Palm Beach, Fla. this October 9 to 11. The theme of this year’s Summit is the business of “Living a Well Life,” and the three-day event will feature a lineup of over 50 speakers and presenters, each sharing his or her unique insights on how—and why—wellness is changing the way business is done and what the...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Clean the World Foundation, a leader in global health, and Guest Supply, an industry leader in hospitality supply manufacturing, have partnered to provide 60,000 hygiene kits and linens to Hurricane Harvey victims in Houston. Guest Supply is a subsidiary of Sysco, which is headquartered in Houston and employs 3,000 people in the area. “With a long-standing relationship with Clean the World, coupled with our personal connection to the people of Houston, we are honored to join forces to get hygiene supplies and linens to those in need,” says Paul Xenis, President of Guest Supply. “We manufacture some of the most needed products...