ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL—Octant Évora, located on 27 acres within the UNESCO-listed city of Évora in Portugal’s Alentejo region since 2021, opens now its doors to the Perdiganito Reserve. Nestled amidst the stunning landscapes of Europe’s largest reservoir, the expansion project covers six hectares and offers an array of new features designed to preserve the natural reserve’s authenticity while offering unique experiences for couples, families, and children. The Land of Explorers The first stop is the Land of Explorers, an imaginative space dedicated to the hotel’s youngest guests, designed to help them foster a deeper connection with nature. This area offers interactive experiences such as stargazing, a story tree,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Ambitious climate and decarbonization efforts have heightened the demand for electrified and energy-efficient buildings. Regulatory frameworks are evolving from simple incentives to stringent compliance measures. Recently, states and cities have enacted building performance standards (BPS) that mandate energy performance and emissions reductions, as well as implementing benchmarking and transparency policies. As a result, real estate operators must meet these standards to mitigate financial risks associated with non-compliance, further motivating them to enhance performance. Simultaneously, utilities and third-party program administrators are tasked with meeting multi-year energy savings targets, concentrating on initiatives like peak demand reductions. This alignment of incentives fosters...

Las Vegas Sands was recently recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), with placement on both DJSI World and DJSI North America for the fifth consecutive year. To learn more about Sands’ initiatives, I took a look at its latest ESG report that covers activities through 2023. The company’s commitment to sustainable development and operations is reflected in the People, Communities and Planet pillars that make up its corporate responsibility platform. For this blog I took a look at the progress Las Vegas Sands is making under its Planet pillar. Emissions & Energy Efficiency Compared to its 2018 baseline, Las...

NEW YORK—Preferred Travel Group is proud to announce the official launch of its Climate Action Plan, a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the climate crisis and driving meaningful change within the travel and tourism industry. This plan, created in partnership with the Travel Foundation, a prominent international sustainable tourism organization, underscores the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions and engaging associates in climate action at every level of the organization. Building on the Preferred Travel Group signing of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, the Climate Action Plan aims to reduce the company’s carbon emissions by 50 percent by...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands was again recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), with placement on both DJSI World and DJSI North America for the fifth consecutive year. Sands China Ltd., the company’s Asian subsidiary, was named to DJSI World and DJSI Asia Pacific for the third consecutive year. Sands and Sands China are the only two companies out of 18 invited to participate in the Casino and Gaming category listed on DJSI World this year. Sands is the only company in the Casino and Gaming category listed on DJSI North America, and Sands China is one of only two companies in the Casino and...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced the appointment of Trinidad and Tobago national Narendra Ramgulam as its new Sustainable Tourism Consultant. Ramgulam brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position, focusing on advancing sustainable practices across the Caribbean region. As a leading regional tourism development agency, CTO is committed to promoting sustainable tourism that benefits the Caribbean people economically and socially. Ramgulam’s appointment aligns with the CTO’s mission to create a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector in the Caribbean. His expertise in sustainable tourism, coupled with his passion for the region, will be instrumental in driving...

LOS CABOS, MEXICO—With the season of giving upon us and as part of an ongoing commitment to responsible tourism, Los Cabos announced its partnership with Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back community impact program. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, as Los Cabos becomes the first destination partner in Mexico and Latin America to join the initiative, empowering travelers to support community wellbeing, environmental initiatives, and animal causes in Los Cabos through travel choices that benefit the local economy. Kind Traveler is an internationally awarded, responsible travel platform that empowers travelers to create positive change in local communities by supporting environmental and social initiatives through their stay with participating lodging...

NEW YORK—Continuing its steadfast commitment to sustainability and innovation, leading performance textile and faux leather manufacturer Nassimi announces the release of its second annual sustainability report. As a recognized thought leader in environmental stewardship, Nassimi has spent over two decades embedding sustainability into every aspect of its products, processes, and partnerships. This year’s report outlines notable accomplishments, including significant strides in phasing out PFAS, and advancing Science-Based Targets (SBTs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while taking measurable steps towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050.  Reflecting on Nassimi’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, social impact, and responsible governance, the report emphasizes the company’s...

RICHMOND, VA.—Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. published its annual Corporate Responsibility Report, which details the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, strategy and initiatives and features its commitment to environmental sustainability, corporate employees, hotel associates and guests, communities, and other stakeholders. Justin Knight, Chief Executive Officer of Apple Hospitality, commented, “Our hotels span a vast array of urban, high-end suburban and developing markets that offer guests a wide variety of reasons to travel. Whether our guests travel for business, leisure or small group gatherings, we are dedicated to providing outstanding accommodations while remaining mindful of our environmental footprint and ensuring...

NATIONAL REPORT—ADA Cosmetics has been awarded the prestigious EcoVadis Gold Medal, which honors consistent efforts in sustainability and social responsibility. As a manufacturer of high-quality hotel cosmetics and 100 percent hygienic dispenser systems, ADA Cosmetics ranks among the top five percent of companies worldwide assessed for sustainability performance by EcoVadis last year. The EcoVadis sustainability rating evaluates various criteria, including the development of company-wide labor and human rights policies, as well as the transparent documentation of environmental issues. ADA Cosmetics scored an impressive 78 out of 100 points, upgrading last year’s EcoVadis Silver Medal to this coveted Gold status. Sustainability Achievements...