NATIONAL REPORT—You may have heard the adage: what gets measured gets managed. It’s just as relevant today when it comes to more sustainable business travel. As corporations across the world work towards science-based or net-zero targets, many travel buyers are taking a deep dive into scope 3 emissions while looking at their company’s carbon footprint to manage and mitigate travel impacts. Recent legal and regulatory developments around the world, including the European Union Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, require reporting on scope 1, 2, and 3 for certain companies. According to Global Business Travel Association’s 2023 report, The State of Climate Action...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced the publication of its 2023 Social Impact and Sustainability Report. The report details the company’s continuing and steadfast commitment to its Social Impact and Sustainability principles of embracing humanity and protecting the planet and building a legacy for generations to come. The report also highlights strategies, programs and performance focused on creating a more sustainable future and making a positive impact on the lives of employees, guests, and communities. “Our legacy is grounded in being visionaries and working together to achieve the ambitious goals we set as a business,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Under its “Care About Earth” program, Groupe GM, the global leader in sustainable hotel amenities, is enforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship. The company, renowned for its eco-responsible approach, has an ambitious goal of eliminating virgin plastic derived from fossil fuels in favor of more sustainable materials such as recycled or plant-based materials. Groupe GM has introduced several product novelties recently. In a groundbreaking move they have just launched the first cardboard tube for the hospitality sector. This eco-innovative packaging can be customized to meet the specific desires of hoteliers and helps to reduce plastic usage by 99 percent...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—Visit San Luis Obispo is partnering with Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back program to offer new inspiration for eco-friendly travel on California’s Central Coast. Affectionately referred to as SLO, San Luis Obispo’s Keys for Trees program means every guest staying overnight in any of its 42 hotels will contribute to the planting of new trees in the city, bettering the place with each visit. SLO’s partnership with Kind Traveler provides live impact reports and communication tools, making it fun and easy for visitors to see how their travel creates a positive impact and other ways...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—In a significant move that underscores its expanding global influence and commitment to sustainable practices across the globe, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance announces its rebranding to the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance). This historic announcement was made on stage at the prestigious Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, marking a new chapter in the organization’s mission to advance Net Positive Hospitality for people, planet, place, and prosperity. The Alliance, with a storied 30-year legacy, has evolved into a formidable global charity encompassing the entire hospitality value chain. From its inception with 14 members in 2021, the Alliance has seen...

OTTAWA, ONT.—In a significant move to bolster sustainability within the hospitality industry, Green Key Global has partnered with Choice Hotels Canada, one of the country’s leading hotel franchisors. This collaboration extends preferential access to Green Key Global’s esteemed sustainability certification program to Canadian properties. Green Key Global, a best-in-class sustainable certification body for hotels, is powered by the Hotel Association of Canada and the American Hotel and Lodging Assn. The program’s certification process evaluates hotels based on four critical pillars: sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts, and socioeconomic impacts. Green Key Global’s certification process is designed to lend credibility to hotels’ corporate social responsibility...

NEW YORK—A recent forecast from the U.S. Travel Association found that the business travel industry is expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2025. And with corporate travel and business travel spending poised for a full recovery, the business travel industry is rapidly evolving. From sustainable practices to cutting-edge technology, Amex Global Business Travel identified seven travel industry trends that are redefining the future of the travel industry and reshaping business travel solutions. 1. Employee Health and Well-Being are a Priority in the Post-pandemic World—One of the biggest business travel trends to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic is a growing investment in solutions...

LAS VEGAS—Wynn Resorts has released its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report and Corporate Responsibility Review outlining the company’s 2023 responsibility programs. The reports showcase ongoing initiatives including nationwide philanthropic efforts and impactful sustainability practices. The Wynn Resorts ESG Report presents information that references select Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and Sustainability Accounting Board Standards (SASB). The Corporate Responsibility Review recounts commitments to employees, the positive impacts of Wynn’s activities in the communities in which it operates, and long-term goals of doing the right thing for the planet. “If you look at our Core Values and Behaviors in this report, you will see that...

The integration of sustainable elements is on the rise in the hotel industry. Many guests are prioritizing their health and wellbeing, as well as the environment’s. This means they are embracing natural and organic materials and furniture that is sustainably and ethically sourced, and selecting hotels that uphold eco-friendly practices. Hotels and resorts that follow through on their sustainable commitments not only boost their credibility with potential guests, but they help conserve the environment simultaneously. However, embracing sustainable hotel practices isn’t as simple as installing LED light bulbs in every room. To create a holistically sustainable environment, each individual element...

MILAN, ITALY—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its Hotel Sustainability Basics has achieved a significant milestone, with 3,400 properties now verified across almost 80 countries. Designed to help hoteliers on their first steps to improve their sustainability ratings and raise the bar of sustainability across the global hospitality industry, this independent global sustainability verification program is overseen by internationally recognized verifiers Green Key and SGS. It empowers hotels of all sizes to follow a 12-step program aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting nature conservation, and ensuring local communities benefit from a hotel’s operations. This latest achievement marks a pivotal...