Green Lodging News recently featured Pranav Jampani, Director of Sustainability, Las Vegas Sands Corp., in its Personnel Profile section. During my conversation with Pranav, he said the following, “On a daily basis, we proactively try to reduce our environmental impact. Our goal is to align with science-based targets.” In an article posted on Green Lodging News last August, Caesars Entertainment Corp. was also mentioned as committing to science-based carbon reduction goals. What exactly does science-based mean? According to the Science Based Targets website, targets adopted by companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are considered “science-based” if they are in...

ATLANTA—UPS announced plans to significantly escalate its investment in solar energy as an owner/operator of solar assets starting with at least eight of its facilities in the United States. The installations will be completed by the end of 2017. The estimated $18 million investment will provide a nearly five-fold increase in the amount of power generated from solar at UPS facilities today. With more than 2,580 UPS facilities worldwide, UPS is ideally positioned to expand its investment in renewable energy. UPS expects additional solar deployments to occur over the next several years as it identifies suitable opportunities. The completion of these...

LAS VEGAS—The company’s commitment to providing women-owned businesses with opportunities for economic participation and growth is among the reasons MGM Resorts International was named one of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises in 2016. The honor comes from Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a national leader in women’s business development and certification. The annual “Top Corporations” list is the leading national award program honoring corporations for supplier diversity initiatives that reduce barriers and drive growth for women-owned businesses. “Earning this recognition is a great honor for our company,” said Phyllis A. James, Chief Diversity and Corporate Responsibility Officer for...

BERLIN—The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has declared 2017 the year of sustainable tourism. The focus is on the economic, ecological and social objectives pursued by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For many years, ITB Berlin, through numerous initiatives, has campaigned for greater social equality, protecting the environment and human rights. It makes use of its key role to promote a dialogue with companies in an effort to provide economically, socially and ecologically responsible tourism products and services. In this context, the ITB CSR Day at the ITB Berlin Convention is a driving force. On March 10, leading...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—Six Senses Laamu is surrounded by the infinite blue waters of the Indian Ocean and every day the resort is committed to making the operation more sustainable while simultaneously raising awareness, to guests and hosts alike, about the importance of marine conservation. Staying true to the commitment of protecting the marine life of the Laamu Atoll, Marine Biologists Jenni Choma and Oscar Ignetik have started new projects on turtle identification and coral health and recovery. In July 2016, Jenni and Oscar began identifying the Laamu turtle population. A mere six months later, the database currently stands at 138 unique...

SAN IGNACIO, BELIZE—The United Nations’ designation of 2017 as the “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development” can have far reaching positive effects on Belize and global tourism, especially if the industry and travelers embrace the tenets of responsible travel, according to The Lodge at Chaa Creek. Lucy Fleming, who with her husband Mick started Chaa Creek as one of Belize’s first eco-resorts in 1981, said the importance of the UN designation cannot be overemphasized, as sustainable tourism will continue to effect so many people around the world. And, the little country of Belize is a prime example of the success...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—The Wyndham Worldwide 2015-2016 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report reflects the company’s holistic integration of CSR into its business and how CSR continues to be an important driver of its success. Within the last year, the company began tracking progress to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals framework; achieved 22 percent reduction in carbon emissions and 18 percent reduction in water consumption; relaunched the Wyndham Worldwide Charitable Foundation and philanthropy programs to improve future generations around the world; and continued its commitment to diversity with a 16.2 percent diverse spend rate. For the fourth year in a row, Wyndham...

MADRID, SPAIN—His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain presided over an event celebrating the launch of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The gathering was attended by ministers of tourism from around the world. The celebration highlighted tourism’s enormous potential to contribute to the development of all countries within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the need to continue advancing towards a more sustainable sector that generates benefits to local communities and promotes the conservation of cultural values and natural heritage. The event, held in the El Pardo Palace...

SPRINGFIELD, MO.—John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) announced that the company was recently honored with Marriott International, Inc.’s 2016 Spirit to Serve Award during the MINA and Full Service Owners Conference. The world’s largest hotel company recognized JQH’s serving in the community, which aligns with Marriott’s initiatives of: employee volunteerism, in-kind and cash donations, nonprofit organizations supported, and community activities and partnerships. Springfield, Missouri-based JQH is a leading private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, including operating more than 1 million square feet of meeting space. Marriott noted JQH’s efforts to make a significant impact...

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO—The “Beyond All-Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit have been named among Mexico’s most eco-conscious hotels, receiving the Distintivo “S” recognition from the Mexico Tourism Board. The Distintivo “S” award is based on a global criteria of sustainability by EarthCheck and the Rainforest Alliance and is promoted by the World Tourism Organization and The Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The AAA Five Diamond resorts received the award for their best practices involving environmental programs, eco-practices and self-sustainability. With an elite water treatment process and rigorous protection of its current environment, Grand Velas...