LAAMU ATOLL, MALDIVES—Six Senses Laamu commemorates the one-year anniversary of its Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL), highlighting the resort’s steadfast dedication to marine conservation and environmental education. In March 2023, Six Senses Laamu unveiled the SHELL on its sunset beach, marking a pivotal milestone in the journey toward fostering environmental awareness and education. The 2,336 square-foot (217 square-meter) immersive exhibition space invites resort guests, hosts, and Maldivian residents to explore and learn about the colorful and vibrant local marine life. Investing further in marine conservation, the SHELL houses a working marine laboratory run by the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI),...

NEW YORK—The Hospitality Show, the industry’s leading technology and operations event produced by Questex and The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), announced a slate of sustainability programming and initiatives for this year’s event, including the co-location of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Autumn Summit at The Show, which will be held in San Antonio, Texas, October 28 to 30, 2024, at the Henry B. González Convention Center. World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Autumn Summit will convene senior leaders from across the global hospitality industry, including CEOs and C-suite members from leading hotel companies, real estate owners, investment funds, technology companies, procurement specialists and...

1 Hotels & Treehouse Hotels 2025 openings were announced. 1 Hotel Melbourne is opening in March 2025. Situated on the Yarra River, 1 Hotels & Homes Melbourne, the brand’s first location in Australia, will feature 277 guestrooms and 114 hotel-branded residences. The luxury property will also feature several dining options and a stunning lobby bar with breathtaking waterfront views. Other amenities include Bamford Wellness Spa, an indoor pool, a large function center and access to a 3,500-square-meter public park. The property’s biophilic design, which will include recycled and reclaimed timber from the site’s heritage wharf & shed as well as other...

BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA—Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa is now open, emerging as the newest and most captivating retreat in the luxurious Bora Bora. Having recently completed an extensive property-wide renovation and rebrand, The Westin Bora Bora is nestled at the base of the majestic Mount Otemanu, boasting the largest collection of overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, alongside expansive beachside villas. “We are excited to unveil this property as the first resort to open in Bora Bora since 2017, bringing the dream of Bora Bora alive like never before,” said César Marques, General Manager of The Westin Bora Bora Resort...

Travel, tourism and hospitality (TTH) industry firms are accountable and must take the changes taking place seriously, from Greta Thunberg’s movement to new priorities in the World Economic Forum´s agenda or the ever-growing list of world moguls taking on a leading role in the fight against climate change. For that reason, we have identified 10 sustainable tourism trends that will influence business strategies right now and the best practices that can be implemented. Each trend is an opportunity for TTH firms to provide services that align with consumer values, the Sustainability Development Goals agreed by the Member States of the United Nations as part of the...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Accor, a global leader in hospitality, has entered into an industry-pioneering three-year partnership with World Monuments Fund (WMF) to protect cultural heritage and strengthen local communities. Through this partnership, Accor will work with WMF to share their expertise, resources, and global presence on projects that enhance destinations, connect with communities, and support long-term resilience. The travel and tourism industry plays a critical role in the global economy, accounting for up to 10 percent of global GDP—and as much as 70 percent in certain countries—while supporting 10 percent of global employment. At the same time, the consequences of climate change and the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data newly released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms that solar has continued its decade-long streak as the nation’s fastest growing source of electricity. In its latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through April 30, 2024), EIA says the combination of utility-scale and small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar increased by 25.4 percent in the first four months of 2024 compared to the first third of 2023. Small-scale solar alone grew by 19.3 percent while utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic expanded by 28.4 percent—substantially faster than any other energy...

NEW YORK—Preferred Travel Group, parent company of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Beyond Green, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, PTG Consulting, and Beyond Green Travel, is reaffirming its commitment to sustainable tourism and climate action with the development of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP). Created in partnership with the Travel Foundation, a prominent international sustainable tourism organization, this initiative builds on the organization’s signing of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. It underscores Preferred Travel Group’s proactive role in leading by example to drive necessary change within the travel industry. Acknowledging the urgent need for climate leadership, scalable...

NORTH BETHESDA, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world’s largest hotel companies, has installed three beehives at its corporate headquarters at the Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda in collaboration with Bee Downtown to promote sustainability and local biodiversity. Pollinating a 3-mile radius from their hives, the estimated 150,000 honeybees housed at Choice have the potential to positively impact 18,000 acres of surrounding land. A colony can produce over 100 pounds of honey in just a matter of months. Choice associates had the opportunity to vote on the design concepts for the beehives and selected a “Bee Hotel” design...

BOYERTOWN, PA.—In its continuing efforts to enhance clarity, transparency and impact in the critical fight against climate change, ClimeCo, the leading global decarbonization and environmental solutions company, has created a new online tool to match organizations with fully vetted, high-quality nature-based solution (NBS) projects in line with their specific goals, budget and priorities. Aimed at companies, foundations and investors, ClimeCo NatureLink will reduce confusion in an over-saturated marketplace, allowing concerned organizations to pursue their sustainability goals with confidence. The online questionnaire takes about 15 minutes to complete. Based on answers surrounding offtake and structure, geographic and project type preferences, use of...