NATIONAL REPORT—Over the past few years, eco-friendly technology has continued to progress, with many new inventions being introduced into the market. Hotel companies have begun to take advantage of these technologies and have been amazed with the effects it has had on their business so far. In this article, we will talk about the five reasons why eco-friendly technology is helping hotels. Less Money Spent on Water & Electricity Bills When you take into consideration how many guests can stay in your average-sized hotel, you can just imagine how large the electricity and water bills must be. However, green technology can...

Name: Jeffery Smith Title: Vice President Sustainability Company: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas Years in Current Position: Two Years, Six Months Primary Responsibilities: Managing operational impacts across 18 hotels and 32 spas, while supporting sustainable development for a pipeline of projects that grows the brand to touch on six continents. Organization’s most significant accomplishment in global corporate responsibility: “We eliminated plastic amenity bottles in 2003, plastic straws in 2016, and have been using coral safe sunscreen since 2019. Also, in every hotel there is a provision for funding to be spent outside the hotel operation. It allows each hotel to decide what is locally...

There are many sides to sustainability. The concept is most associated with being earth-friendly: mindful use of renewable resources, attentive recycling practices, and limiting energy use in an effort to put less stress on the environment. In the hospitality industry, sustainability generally refers to sourcing green materials and engaging in energy-efficient practices, from recommending the reuse of towels—the better to save water and power—to shutting down conference rooms when not in use. But sustainability is also about putting people first. In the hospitality industry, this attitude comes naturally: the guest experience is always the priority. Nevertheless, lighting control is often overlooked as...

ASPEN, COLO.—The COVID-19 crisis has been profoundly disruptive for the hospitality industry, so it’s not the time one would imagine a resort would be enhancing its focus on sustainability and environmental initiatives. But the Aspen Meadows Resort isn’t a typical hotel. As the original home to The Aspen Institute—which gathers leaders, scholars, and others to address some of the world’s most complex problems, including climate change—the Meadows is able to leverage the Institute’s guidance to operate more harmoniously with nature. The Aspen Institute’s Energy and Environment Program and its Green Team, a volunteer committee focused on implementing sustainability initiatives within the Aspen...

In Japan, Toshiba is using its advancements in hydrogen energy in an innovative “Hydrogen Hotel” project, to help Kawasaki City overcome the city’s pollution problem. Opened on June 1, 2018, the hydrogen hotel in Kawasaki City is an innovative project, where the hotel creates hydrogen from waste plastics to supply about 30 percent of the energy the hotel needs. In the first year after its opening, the hotel ran a test in which it recycled even the amenities used in the hotel rooms (toothbrushes, hair combs) as feedstocks for hydrogen production. Headquartered in Kawasaki City, and having researched fuel cell...

CINCINNATI—The Procter & Gamble Co. announced a new commitment to have its global operations be carbon neutral for the decade through a series of interventions that protect, improve and restore nature. Recognizing the next decade represents a critical window for the world to accelerate progress on climate change, P&G will go beyond its existing Science Based Target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by additionally advancing a portfolio of natural climate solutions. These efforts will deliver a carbon benefit that balances any remaining emissions over the next 10 years, allowing P&G operations to be carbon neutral for...

SINGAPORE—The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Greenview Portal for the Hospitality Industry has become a “GSTC-Recognized System”. It is the first time that a sustainability management system has achieved this status. Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC said: “This is a significant moment for GSTC as we expand our recognition program to apply to not only standards but also management systems. Last year we welcomed Hilton LightStay becoming GSTC-Recognized for its own portfolio, and this helped pave the way for expanded use of GSTC. By using GSTC-Recognized systems, hotel and tourism companies will now be...

HARRISBURG, PA.—Hersha Hotels and Resorts (Hersha Hospitality Trust) has released its 2019 Hersha EarthView Sustainability Report. The 35-page report summarizes Hersha’s 2019 impact and the strides it has made in its environmental, social, and governance efforts towards a more sustainable, connected, and inclusive world. For those of you not familiar with Hersha, a Real Estate Investment Trust, the company owns and operates 48 upscale, luxury and lifestyle hotels in urban gateway markets and coastal destinations. Hersha’s EarthView program has existed since 2010. According to Hersha, $100 million in portfolio value has been attributed to EarthView as of 2019. EarthView has...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—After 10 weeks of exploring the oceans around Six Senses Laamu, the first series of the online Junior Marine Biology program has made a satisfying splash. What’s more, it is not too late to dive in, as all classes were recorded, which means they can be taken any time, and in any order. The online Junior Marine Biology program is a series of free web-based classes, made up of short informative videos, activities to do at home and one-on-one feedback by the team of 10 marine biologists at the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI). Each class explored a different topic, from...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Clean the World Foundation, a global leader in water, sanitation, hygiene and sustainability, has partnered with Las Vegas Sands to facilitate The Drop by Drop Project. A collaboration between Clean the World Foundation and initiative co-founder Sands, The Drop by Drop Project will reinvest capital from water stewardship efforts into innovative projects supporting local water champions in Macao, Singapore, and Las Vegas. Managed and operated by Clean the World Foundation, The Drop by Drop Project will be supported by water savings from Sands’ conservation programs. Drop by Drop supports water programs and nonprofit organizations focusing on four key areas:...