BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—The Rezidor Hotel Group has published its Responsible Business Report. Included since 2010 in Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies List, Rezidor is committed to being an innovative and responsible hotel company with leading sustainable hotel brands such as Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson.Last year marked another impressive year for Responsible Business at Rezidor with successes in all three core areas of the company’s Responsible Business program. Highlights include energy savings of 22 percent, water consumption reduced by 29 percent, 272 eco-labelled hotels, and Meetings Minus Carbon offsets of 32,000 tons of carbon.Also last year, 65 Rezidor...

BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA—Red Frog Beach Island Resort announced the installation and operation of a 193kW centralized solar power system in Bocasdel Toro, Panama. This system will provide over 332,000 kWh’s per year of sustainable, clean energy to Bocas Del Toro’s most upscale resort. Installed on the roofs of service buildings, these solar panels will provide over 22 percent of the resort’s current power needs and will be expanded as demand increases. Wiebke Krüge, a solar energy expert from SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH, said, “It was a privilege to implement a centralized solar source at Red Frog Beach in such...

AMSTERDAM—GRI has launched a new membership and engagement program, the GRI GOLD Community, building on its collaborative, global multi-stakeholder network. The GRI GOLD Community consists of diverse companies and organizations from across civil society, business, mediating institutions, labor and intergovernmental agencies, united in the belief that greater transparency is a catalyst for change towards a more sustainable economy and world. More than 550 organizations from 69 countries are part of the GOLD Community, representing more than 35 sectors of the world’s economy.“The GOLD Community is made up of leading organizations that are helping GRI shape the future of sustainability,”...

NATIONAL REPORT—Hotels around the planet are lining up activities for Earth Hour. The annual event will take place on Saturday, March 19 at 8:30 p.m. local time. The Earth Hour global initiative, now in its 10th year, aims to raise awareness about climate change and the need to find solutions to the world’s environmental problems. Las Vegas Sands, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide are a few of the companies with properties participating this year.Sands ECO360°, the global corporate sustainability program of Las Vegas Sands (LVS), is launching its fourth annual “I Will If You...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF Sustainability, a division of global public health organization NSF International, has certified Downlite to the Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS). Downlite, a major down and feather processor and supplier of responsibly-sourced performance fills to the outdoor, home furnishings and hospitality markets, is the first company certified to the Global Traceable Down Standard. Certification to the standard enables an organization to demonstrate the down it processes is from farms that practice the highest levels of animal welfare and that the down is fully traceable throughout its supply chain.Downlite is a supplier to outdoor apparel company Patagonia....

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND—The Global Destination Sustainability Index has launched. It is the first-ever sustainability ranking for event destinations worldwide. Initiated by ICCA’s Scandinavian Chapter and MCI, the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI-Index) is supported by IMEX and ICCA (the International Congress and Convention Assn.).The GDS-Index aims to promote the sustainable growth of international meeting destinations, highlighting best practices and responsible business tourism. In a world increasingly focused on responsible business and environmental impact, the GDS-Index helps destinations to engage clients with sustainability, align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and drive the adoption, promotion and recognition of sustainable practices in...

BETHEDA, MD.—Marriott International announced that it will provide “Made in USA” towels and bath mats in every guest bathroom in nearly 3,000 U.S. hotels. Buying “Made in USA” towels and bath mats benefits U.S. manufacturing communities such as Thomaston, Ga., and Union, S.C., where manufacturing company Standard Textile is producing them with 100 percent cotton fiber grown in the United States.Marriott’s commitment to buy “Made in USA” guestroom terry products creates 150 new jobs in Standard Textile’s facilities in Thomaston and Union, as well as at the company’s Cincinnati headquarters and through its supply chain.“As a global company based...

LAS VEGAS—Sands ECO360°, the global corporate sustainability program of Las Vegas Sands (LVS), is launching its fourth annual “I Will If You Will” (IWIYW) global challenge by collaborating with the company’s team members and encouraging them to take action to reduce their impact on climate change. The annual event is held in conjunction with the global Earth Hour celebration organized by the World Wildlife Foundation, which will take place on March 19. The occasion marks one of LVS’ three global team member engagement events that are conducted annually to support environmental sustainability.During the week of March 13 to 19,...

ATLANTA—American Spa Magazine and the Green Spa Network (GSN) have teamed up to produce the 5th Annual GSN Sustainability Awards. The GSN Sustainability Awards program recognizes efforts that positively impact sustainable business in the spa industry and contribute to a vital future for people and the planet.This year’s achievements will be awarded in nine categories ranging from Green Building and Culinary Excellence to Sustainable Manufacturing and overall Spa Sustainability. Nominations will be accepted through June 15, 2016 and can be submitted through the GSN website at http://www.greenspanetwork.org. Any individual, company or product related to the spa, health and wellness...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Since 2012, visitors to Oregon contributed more than $90,000 to enhance communities across the state through an innovative philanthropy program created by Travel Oregon and Sustainable Travel International. Funds are directed to projects throughout Oregon that improve the environment, support local culture and enrich the destination through the Travel Oregon Forever Fund.The Travel Oregon Forever Fund is the first statewide program of its kind. The goal of the program is to improve experiences for visitors and locals by connecting them to participating businesses that directly improve and enhance Oregon communities.“Travel Oregon not only strives to create economic impact...