LAAMU, MALDIVES—Starting early last month, budding conservationists began getting ready for a new type of home school program where turtles are teachers and reef fish can be made out of egg cartons and bottle tops. Sad to not be greeting their usual students on the beautiful shores of Six Senses Laamu, the resort’s team of marine biologists are hosting short videos and demonstrate activities that anyone can try at home. The course is open to everyone and there is content available and suitable for all ages. The team is expecting some very special events on the island, including turtle hatching this...

NATIONAL REPORT—The concept of sustainability finds in business tourism activities a field of many applications. Tourism depends intrinsically on the environment and is an activity that involves large-scale productive and social processes for the communities in which it operates. Observing the interrelationship of these dimensions and seeking action in line with the best practices takes the entrepreneur to another level before his peers and before the whole society. Tourism offers a combination of fantastic elements for sustainable development, linked to the essentially human aspect. It is a force to foster mutual understanding, cooperation between countries and the improvement of...

Name: Yalmaz Siddiqui Title: V.P., Corporate Sustainability Company: MGM Resorts International Years in Current Position: Four Primary Responsibilities: “The main ones are to think about what the company should focus on. What should the company prioritize? To initiate new ideas. To start new things. To integrate the preferable habits and practices so they become normal. Partnering with marketing and social media to communicate.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in the area of global corporate responsibility: “There are many but our decision to create CityCenter—which was the world’s largest privately funded LEED certified development when it opened in 2009.” Organization’s most significant challenge moving forward in the...

SOLON, OHIO­­­­­­—Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, has released its 2019 Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility (CSR) report, now known as the declaration of extra-financial performance (DPEF). Fully audited by an independent third-party organization, KPMG, this report showcases the company’s circular economy commitment, demonstrating how Tarkett has not only reduced its environmental footprint, but also contributed positively to global societal challenges. Download the 2019 CSR Report. “In 2019, we launched our new strategic plan ‘Change to Win’, positioning circular economy at the heart of our strategy,” explained Fabrice Barthélemy, CEO of Tarkett. “At...

“Let me start by making it clear that today and for the coming months every government and industry action must be focused on a total response, repeat total response, to the global enemy of COVID-19. To health issues: livelihood issues: family issues and business survival issues. It is war. Nothing is more important than coherent national and international response, where coordinated, joined up action is the only path open.” As the pandemic crisis intensifies, pulling the world economy towards recession, it’s clear that the travel and tourism sector is in the center of the maelstrom. Airlines are slashing flights. Cruise...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Environmental biodiversity plays an integral role in the hotel sector and is a factor that needs considering at every stage of a hotel’s life cycle—from planning through to closure. Despite their dependence on, and interconnection with, biodiversity, hotels and resorts often have significant negative impacts on natural resources and surrounding habitats. Hotel owners must, therefore, seek ways to protect the biodiversity and natural habitats that their business might impact. How to Minimize Impacts on Biodiversity The potential impact that the very presence of a hotel could have on local biodiversity must be considered by the property owner from the start—before...

NEW YORK—While we currently find ourselves in unprecedented times when it comes to travel, prior research recently conducted by Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, reveals positive trends when it comes to travelers’ ambition to make more sustainable travel decisions in the future. Almost seven in 10 (69 percent) U.S. travelers identified sustainable travel as important to them, while nearly six in 10 (53 percent) said they were more determined to make sustainable choices when looking to travel again in the future. Furthermore, witnessing the impact that tourism has on the environment while on vacation has resulted in 45 percent of travelers making more eco-friendly choices in...

JOSEPH, MICH.—Whirlpool has a long, proud history of environmental sustainability and a strong track record of action and success. In 2019, the company raised the bar on its environmental commitments, and accelerated the progress of its short- and long-term goals that meet or exceed the Paris Accord,” said Marc Bitzer, Chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corp. “As we continue to navigate the impact of COVID-19, the health and safety of our employees and communities remain our priority. We strongly believe that our sustainability efforts are as important now as ever. These efforts are guided by a clear mission to...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes The Sustainable Events Network, Florida & Caribbean (SENFC) to its Green Product & Service Directory. SENFC is the sustainability resource for individuals, associations, corporations, event planners and event venues in Florida and the Caribbean. SENFC initiatives include food rescue, materials re-purposing, energy and water conservation, education, CSR and sustainability best practices. SENFC is affiliated with the Events Industry Council (EICsustainability.org). SENFC actively engages with EIC associations in the region to promote sustainability and provide education to members as well as for individuals independently engaged or wanting to be an advocate of sustainability. Call (954)...

NATIONAL REPORT—Younger generations in the workforce increasingly are committed to making social and sustainable impacts, pushing companies hunting for talented employees to follow suit. Nearly half of millennials and Gen Z are more attracted to making a positive impact in society and communities than starting a family and having kids, according to Deloitte’s 2019 Millennials Survey. Last year around 70 percent of millennials said they prefer to work in a company with a strong sustainability agenda, according to a Fast Company survey. And about three-quarters of them are even willing to take a smaller salary to work for an environmentally-responsible firm. These...