COPENHAGEN, DENMARK—BeCause, the Danish start-up transforming how the global hospitality, travel and tourism industries manage their sustainability data, announced that it has secured $1.9 million in seed funding from investors. The round, co-led by Denmark’s Ugly Duckling Ventures and Estonia’s Superangel.io, includes a $708,000 open tail-end and the $1.9 million for strategic investors to join on equal terms. “We have retained the possibility of adding another investor to this round and hope to find a partner that has experience with high-growth startups in the impact space, particularly those with a background in B2B SaaS models, travel and big data API, to help accelerate our mission even further,” explains Frederik Steensgaard, BeCause...

WISCONSIN DELLS, WIS.—Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, announced its pledge to bring clean water to one million people throughout Africa in partnership with the world-renowned nonprofit, charity: water. The pledge equates to a commitment of $50 million. Kalahari Resorts is authentically African-themed, inspired by a trip to Africa over 20 years ago by the owners and founders, the Nelson family. Known for their four award-winning waterpark resorts in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, the Nelson family opened the first Kalahari Resort in 2000 and continue to own and operate the resort brand today. Kalahari recently...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Scandic has reached a sustainability milestone by recertifying all of its previously ecolabeled hotels according to the Nordic Swan Ecolabel’s new, tougher environmental requirements. More than 88 percent of Scandic’s hotels are ecolabeled and the company is continuing its efforts to ensure that all hotels are certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is the official environmental certification in the Nordic countries. It updates its requirements approximately every four years, and the most recent update in 2023 included higher environmental goals. To continue to be certified, Scandic’s ecolabeled hotels have now undergone a rigorous recertification process...

COLOGNE, GERMANY—HRS, the only procure-to-reclaim corporate lodging and meetings platform, unveiled new technology that supports both corporate lodging programs and their hotel suppliers as companies strive to achieve Net Zero operations. HRS’ Emissions Compensation Program (ECP) effectively facilitates an automated process for hotels to compensate for unavoidable emissions related to the stay of corporate travelers. Corporate hotel programs gain from an additional avenue to reduce emissions, while participating hotels stand to gain from more volume as corporations increasingly target properties with the most sustainable attributes. In Europe, requirements tied to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) begin in January. In the USA, the Security...

MONTEGROTTO TERME, ITALY—An eco-friendly approach to hospitality, in full respect of the region and its preexisting elements: the new Green Lodges of the Terme Preistoriche Resort & Spa in Montegrotto Terme, designed by Studio Apostoli, is meant to be a manifesto of zero-emission wellness hospitality. Seven suites are incorporated into four wooden stilted structures and interconnected through a raised system of ramps, walkways, and accessible terraces. They also include a historically preserved villa, the eighth and most extensive offering within this entrepreneurial endeavor. A total of 160 micro piles support the new constructions and outdoor spaces, preserving the roots...

NEW YORK—Boutique Design New York (BDNY) wrapped up at the Javits Center earlier this week. Approximately 650 exhibitors were in attendance. Many of those companies brought along products with strong sustainability stories—products in categories ranging from furniture to bedding to floor coverings and much more. It would be impossible to tell all those stories but here are some highlights from the annual trade fair. bläanks, a women-owned business, featured its textured indoor/outdoor pillow and throws knitted in the U.S. with recycled cotton knit fibers and zero waste. FOH Worldwide displayed numerous collections but its Asheville collection is crafted from sustainable wood, each...

TORONTO—KingSett Capital and Fairmont Royal York announced that the landmark hotel in Toronto has received the Canada Green Building Council’s (CAGBC’s) Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard certification. This $65 million project was completed after close to five years of detailed planning and execution. It will reduce over 7,000 tons of carbon annually or 80 percent of the hotel’s annual carbon emissions, the equivalent of taking 1,558 cars off the road. Jon Love, Founder and CEO of KingSett Capital, said, “Fairmont Royal York’s decarbonization demonstrates the potential to complete a large and complex project in a way that is environmentally impactful,...

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.—The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara–World Animal Protection and World Cetacean Alliance have launched a new global program, Wildlife Heritage Areas, and have named a large portion of The Santa Barbara Channel Islands as the 9th Whale Heritage Area in the World. Santa Barbara local Jean-Michel Cousteau is the President and CEO of Ocean Futures Society and honorary President of the World Cetacean Alliance. The explorer and conservationist has spent over seven decades working on behalf of the planet’s oceans and inspiring people worldwide to protect them and conserve marine life for future generations. This recognition as a Whale...

UMLUJ, SAUDI ARABIA—Enveloped by the majestic Arabian desert, The Red Sea Destination blends visionary tourism with sustainability and heritage. This is where Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea has found its home, inviting guests on an out-of-the-ordinary journey of discovery and enrichment. Inspired by the pillars of innovation, adventure, and heritage, the resort embodies the brand’s trademark wellness formula and respect for centuries past. Fredrik Blomqvist, General Manager of Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea said: “Everything we’re doing here reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and cultural preservation, while also pushing the boundaries of adventure and wellness. This...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—PACE Equity, a leader in PACE financing for development projects, along with decarbonization nonprofit Phius, jointly announced a new compliance path for PACE Equity’s CIRRUS Low Carbon program at PhiusCon 2023. Through the new partnership, commercial real estate projects that are certified as Phius CORE or Phius ZERO passive buildings are automatically eligible for the CIRRUS Low Carbon financing rate when approved for PACE Equity funding. CIRRUS Low Carbon is the only private financial product that provides a lower cost of capital for buildings that are developed or renovated to a lower carbon design. The standards set by Phius...