NATIONAL REPORT—A sense of social responsibility is an important characteristic to possess on personal and professional levels, and now more than ever these values are integral to success in the future. Brand standing is an important marketing trend related to brand authenticity, equality, inclusivity, and social justice. We have been following the #Brandstanding trend for a few years now, and each year it has picked up steam. Over the past few years, major social justice movements have taken place around the county and the world and have made history. Considering the events of the past year and ongoing unrest...

EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS), a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development, announced the launch of its new Zero Waste Standard. This new global certification standard enables companies to demonstrate the degree to which their waste streams are prevented, reused, or diverted from the landfill. It is robust yet flexible to allow companies to demonstrate incremental improvements, and to stimulate participation based on regional supply chain differences. As companies look to improve their ESG ratings and strengthen their corporate messages and investment profiles, this third-party certification will provide assurance year-after-year for corporations...

LAS VEGAS—The MGM Resorts International’s 2020 Social Impact and Sustainability Report is now available. The report solidifies the company’s commitment to creating a sustainable future and making a difference in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates. Through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic and operating challenges generated by the virus, this report offers insights into how the company continued to deliver against extraordinary and extenuating circumstances. Major highlights and accomplishments outlined in the report include: Development of the MGM Seven-Point Safety Plan and training protocols. Procurement of approximately 1 million articles...

Like many of you I am finalizing my summer vacation plans. My family chose a visit to New Mexico this year. I was there before as a single guy and loved the state and am looking forward to experiencing it with my family. Today it will hit 98 degrees in Albuquerque. We are hoping for more temperate weather for our visit. Just over one state, in Phoenix, it will hit 117 degrees today. Yesterday it hit a record 118, breaking previous records by four degrees. Years ago, I was in Phoenix, and it was 102 and it was like being...

DENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM—A new paper co-authored by international property consultancy Gleeds, global engineering and design consultancy Arup, global hospitality company IHG Hotels & Resorts, and energy management and automation specialist Schneider Electric has revealed how the hotel industry can tackle the net zero carbon challenge and save millions in the process. Entitled “Transforming Existing Hotels to Net Zero”, the team compiling the research used a real-life case study to consider what opportunities exist to decarbonize existing hotels and drive operational energy to net zero carbon. With energy consumption typically accounting for as much as 60 percent of a hotel’s emissions...

NATIONAL REPORT—Sustainability in hospitality is good for business. In Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report, 73 percent of global travelers indicated their intentions to stay at least once in a green accommodation within the coming year. Booking.com’s report also revealed that over half (55 percent) of travelers are more set on making sustainable travel choices this year and adopt sustainable travel habits, indicating the increasing call for the bed and breakfast owners to get on board. In response, the company has rolled out its sustainability program and reaffirmed its commitment to help properties make sustainable changes. For the bed and breakfast properties listed and...

CLEARWATER, FLA.—Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club, Clearwater’s first eco-friendly hotel inspired by the resilient star of the Dolphin Tale movies, Winter the Dolphin, announced the addition of all-new family-friendly amenities and on-site educational opportunities through the hotel’s unique partnership with Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA)—Winter’s home sweet home. Furthering CMA’s mission of marine rescue, rehabilitation, and release, Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club now proudly offers permanent, on-site educational opportunities through a designated interactive Education Room, featuring a Lego table, Dolphin Tale memorabilia, marine-themed books, and reading area, as well as interactive tablet stations with CMA educational content, Kids’ Activity Guides available at the front desk, and a mock sea turtle nest....

NEW YORK—New research released from Booking.com, containing insights gathered from more than 29,000 travelers across 30 countries, suggests that the pandemic has been the tipping point for travelers to finally commit to their own sustainable journey, with 63 percent of U.S. travelers believing people must act now to save the planet for future generations. As the world of travel starts to open up again, Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report reveals that American travelers are more committed than ever to do so in a mindful way, with just under half (46 percent) stating that the pandemic has influenced them to want to...

Booking.com just released its sixth annual Sustainable Travel Report (see related article). It is based on one of the travel industry’s largest surveys and worth paying attention to. A total of 29,000 travelers from 30 countries were surveyed. (Click here to access a page where the Report can be downloaded.) “Our research uncovers how the travel hiatus has opened travelers’ eyes to the impact, both positive and negative, that their trips can have on local ecosystems and communities around the world,” said Marianne Gybels, Director of Sustainability at Booking.com. As the world of travel starts to open again, Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel...

PARIS—Accor announces the appointment of Brune Poirson to the role of Chief Sustainability Officer. Poirson will report directly to Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, and will become a member of the Executive Committee. Her role will be to define, drive and monitor the commitments, the strategy and the roll-out of the Group’s action plans in terms of sustainable development. She will also be responsible for the Accor Solidarity Foundation and the ALL Heartists Fund. This appointment became effective on May 5, 2021. Sébastien Bazin, Accor Chairman and CEO said: “For more than 25 years, Accor has been at the forefront...