LINCOLN, NEB.—The Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is commemorating the planting of the 60 millionth tree in the United States’ forests. Since 1990, the Arbor Day Foundation has been replanting on state and national forest land through the Replanting our Forests program—an initiative to revitalize forests devastated by natural disaster.To honor this milestone, a tree recognition ceremony was held in Washington D.C. on June 21 with special remarks by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Forest Service Acting Associate Chief Dan Jirón and President of the Arbor Day Foundation Dan Lambe. Additionally, partners will...

BONAIRE, DUTCH CARIBBEAN—In observation of World Oceans Day, Harbour Village Beach Club, Bonaire’s only luxury resort, announces a partnership with noted filmmaker, explorer and ocean preservationist Fabien Cousteau, the grandson of famed explorer Jacques Cousteau, in an effort to raise awareness for ocean conservation efforts among discerning Caribbean travelers.“This partnership perfectly complements Harbour Village’s ongoing conservation efforts,” said Frank J. Gonzalez, Managing Director of Harbour Village Beach Club. “As recipients of the PADI Green Star Award and proud members of Project Aware, we’re excited to supplement our legacy as an environmentally-conscious resort by working with Fabien Cousteau, ultimately achieving...

ITHACA, N.Y.—Even though growth in China has eased, the nation’s hotel industry continues to expand at a rate far exceeding other parts of the world. However, many of the new hotels in China do not meet international sustainability standards, according to a new analysis published by the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. The report, “Environmental Implications of Hotel Growth in China: Integrating Sustainability with Hotel Development,” by Gert Noordzy, Eric Ricaurte, Georgette James, and Meng Wu is available at no charge from CHR.“The Chinese government is on board with sustainability, and we...

HOUSTON—Inns have always served not only as havens for weary travelers, but also as centers of community life. At the local inn, business was done, information exchanged, meetings and celebrations held. From its inception, the U.S.-based hospitality management company, Benchmark Hospitality International, has honored this tradition, giving back to the communities in the 40 domestic and global destinations it serves.Now, through its corporate outreach program, Hometown Hospitality Caring for Our Communities, Benchmark will partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) in a nationwide initiative to support the nonprofit organization’s efforts to help children reach their full potential...

NEW YORK—Wild mason bees, some of the most effective pollinators on earth, can now visit 10 new luxurious bee hotels to rest their wings in the United States. These new oases were developed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in partnership with Pollinator Partnership to serve as habitat for nesting and reproduction. Habitat loss is a leading cause for the decline in wild bee populations, which are responsible for the pollination of one-third of the food produced in the United States.“Fairmont is the industry leader when it comes to supporting honeybee health and has been leading this charge over the...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide reinforced its commitment to the environment by announcing multi-year sustainable seafood goals on World Oceans Day. In collaboration with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Hilton has committed to implementing strong, global sustainable seafood goals in conjunction with the company’s Travel with Purpose strategy, which was launched in 2011 to use Hilton’s passion for hospitality to make a lasting, positive difference in people’s lives and the wider world.Hilton’s sustainable seafood goals will comprise the global ban of procurement of endangered species as identified by WWF, and the transition of its seafood purchasing to sustainable and responsible sources. By...

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—Each summer, Houston-based Valencia Group embarks on a community initiative that seeks to connect guests and its national portfolio of hotels with deserving beneficiaries. Beginning on June 1, Hotel Valencia Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose, Calif., Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston, Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., and Lone Star Court in Austin, Texas will be asking travelers to “Give Us the Shirt off Your Back.”The campaign, which will run June 1 through August 31, will serve as a major drive for Dress for Success and Career...

SAN FRANCISCO—Leaders from Philips Lighting met with energy ministers attending the seventh Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM7) summit in San Francisco last week, where the company announced a commitment to sell more than two billion energy efficient LED light bulbs by 2020. Reaching this goal is estimated to save an amount of energy equivalent to that generated by 60 medium-sized coal-fired power stations with emissions equivalent to those from 24 million cars by 2020. The company also reaffirmed its pledge to make its global operations carbon neutral by 2020 and said that it expects electricity for its U.S. operations to...

HAVANA, CUBA—The President of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), Karolin Troubetzkoy, joined by several members of CHTA’s executive committee and prominent regional hoteliers, visited Cuba for meetings with Cuban and international officials during the UNWTO and FITCuba events held in Havana last month.Troubetzkoy applauded Cuba’s Minister of Tourism Manual Marrero Cruz, on his opening remarks for the FITCuba event, where he indicated that tourism is a key economic sector critical to Cuba’s socioeconomic development.Marrero cited the range of tourism-related investments that are planned and the need for companies operating in Cuba to consistently provide quality services and...

NEW ORLEANS—The National Farm to Table Alliance has launched. It is a collection of organizations interested in the production, use and benefits of sustainable local farm fresh seasonal products and supports the important exchange between practitioners, policy makers and consumers while promoting food safety.The Alliance was started by the organizers of the annual Farm to Table Experience. Formation of the Alliance was supported by Mike Strain, Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, which is a founding member joined by the Arkansas Agricultural Department, Bonterra Organic Vineyards, Centerplate, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Slow Foods USA, and the National...