NATIONAL REPORT—A new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlook shows that many coral reefs across around the world will likely be exposed to higher-than-normal sea temperatures for an unprecedented third year in a row, leading to increased bleaching—and with no signs of stopping.While the bleaching event is global, it will hit the United States hard, especially in Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida Keys, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The deeper reefs in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, 100 miles off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico, are...

AMSTERDAM—Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), a confirmed responsible business leader in the travel industry, released its fourth annual Responsible Business Report. The report shows how CWT is leading as an ethical and socially responsible company. It also highlights unique and personal stories from employees around the world, showing how they are bringing responsible business to life inside the company. Kurt Ekert, CWT’s recently appointed President and CEO, commented, “When I joined the company in April, it immediately became clear that Responsible Business is an integral part of the CWT culture and the way we do business. I’m excited about the journey...

NATIONAL REPORT—A majority of travelers in the United States spend more money per trip, travel more frequently and stay longer when destinations offer sustainable practices, according to a report released by Sustainable Travel International and Mandala Research.The 2016 Role of Sustainability in Travel & Tourism report revealed compelling results, most notably that 60 percent of U.S. travelers (105.3 million) have taken a “sustainable” trip in the last three years and that these travelers are extremely valuable to the tourism industry. These travelers spend more (on average $600 per trip), stay longer (seven days compared to four days) and bring...

DALLAS—Just as Omni Hotels & Resorts says “goodnight” to millions of guests every year, the luxury hotel brand will now Say Goodnight to Hunger! For every stay booked directly on the brand’s website, OmniHotels.com, it will make a donation to Feeding America to provide a family of four dinner for an entire week. Donations will benefit Feeding America and local members in the 42 communities where Omni Hotels & Resorts’ 60 properties are located.Omni’s goal is to help Feeding America provide more than 18.2 million meals each year for food banks to feed kids, families and seniors in communities...

PHILADELPHIA—It was just a year ago that Hersha Hospitality Trust released its first Sustainability Report. Last month, Jay Shah, CEO of the lodging REIT, announced the release of the company’s second Sustainability Report. According to Bennett Thomas, Senior Vice President of Finance and Sustainability for Hersha, it is one of only a few lodging REITs to issue a sustainability report. “Hersha is one of the few lodging REITs that report on sustainability,” Thomas says. Hersha’s second report reflects the activities of its 55 owned hotels.Last year was another strong year for sustainability accomplishments for Hersha. For the third time...

SAN PEDRO, BELIZE—Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of the new Resort at Mahogany Bay Village to Curio – A Collection by Hilton. When open, The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village, Curio Collection by Hilton will be the first Hilton Worldwide property in Belize, as well as the first luxury resort from a global brand in the country.The rustic-chic resort destination is located in San Pedro, Belize on Ambergris Caye, about 15 miles from the mainland and 10 minutes from the San Pedro Airport. With 205 cottage and villa-style rooms, the resort sits on a 60-acre property featuring private residences,...

CANBERRA CITY, AUSTRALIA—Research released by The Australia Institute estimates the tourism industry impacts if severe coral bleaching continues on the Great Barrier Reef. Based on surveys of Chinese, U.K., American and domestic tourists, results show that tourism areas adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef risk losing more than 1 million visitors per year, worth over $1 billion in tourism expenditure. This expenditure supports around 10,000 tourism jobs in regional Queensland, which are also considered at-risk.While many potential visitors will seek out other Australian attractions, this research finds that many will choose to not visit Australia at all. Based on...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes 3 Pillar Solutions, LLC to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Auditors/Consultants category. Kathy McGuire is an award-winning Sustainable Development Professional (ISSP-SA) with 10+ years of progressive experience and a proven track record of implementing sustainability projects to reduce waste, engage stakeholders, and increase brand awareness. Her company, 3 Pillar Solutions, specializes in hospitality, golf, sporting events, concerts, fairs and festivals. The company will design a program that will align core business goals with sustainable practices operating as one cohesive unit, which will ensure the...

BANGKOK—For over 15 years the team at Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has been committed to protecting the local environment, communities and culture around each of its hotels and resorts while creating authentic, luxury travel experiences and indigenous adventures for modern travelers. With four luxury resorts in the Maldives—Anantara Kihavah Villas, Anantara Dhigu Resort, Anantara Veli Resort and Naladhu Maldives—guests can take their pick from some of the best locations and experiences in the Indian Ocean, including getting up close and personal with the local marine life and vibrant coral reefs, snorkeling with manta rays in a UNESCO World...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Hilton Prize Coalition, an independent alliance of the 20 winners of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, announced the release of its short documentary film, “On Shifting Ground,” about the disaster relief efforts of development organizations in Nepal following the 2015 earthquake. The film premiered at Devex World 2016 in Washington, D.C. on June 14. On April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. The earthquake and aftershocks killed over 8,000 people and injured more than 21,000. Among those who mobilized staff and resources in the world’s response to this disaster were six Hilton Prize Coalition...