NEW YORK—The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), with more than 400 independent luxury hotels in over 80 countries, unveiled their Sustainability Leaders collection. From modern metropolitan towers to tented jungle sanctuaries, the collection was created to recognize Leading Hotels that are committed to preserving the environment and the cherished values and cultural heritage of their destinations. “We are excited to introduce our Sustainability Leaders Collection to celebrate our member hotels who have gone above and beyond to protect their piece of the planet,” said Lauren Alba, Vice President Global Marketing and Communications, The Leading Hotels of the World. “The...

Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies with 28 million reported accommodation listings, just released its seven predictions for travel in 2024. Booking.com commissioned research among more than 27,000 travelers across 33 countries and territories. Not surprisingly, several of the predictions have connections to trends that I cover hear on Green Lodging News. Says Booking.com, “Heat has officially had its vacay heyday, with scorching temperatures pushing the mercury to record-breaking levels and causing heat waves around the world. Sweltering conditions are accelerating a rise in travelers chasing cooler climes to revive and refresh themselves. The majority (51 percent)...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—In a defining moment for the global Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) initiated by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia released the latest industry-shaping Environmental Impact Research data. Last year, during the WTTC Global Summit in Riyadh, the two organizations launched the collaboration and unveiled the inaugural results including the sector’s accurate greenhouse gas emissions for the first time ever. This represents the most comprehensive environmental data in Travel & Tourism’s history. H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, said: “We welcome this...

KALAMAZOO, MICH.—Landscape Forms, North America’s leading designer and manufacturer of premium site furniture, structure, LED lighting, and accessories, continues to expand its commitment to sustainability, announcing its new status as a SITES Community Partner and introducing a groundbreaking embodied carbon Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) initiative. A commitment to continuously improving sustainability and mitigating environmental impact is a cornerstone of all Landscape Forms’ operations, guiding the way in which the company designs, manufactures, packs, and ships its products and informing the way it conducts its administrative processes. From this commitment, Landscape Forms announces two new leading actions from its sustainability program:...

NEW HAVEN, CONN.—Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that the anticipated net-zero energy Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, has achieved Passive House certification from Passive House Institute (PHI). The accomplishment is one in a long series of accomplishments for Bruce Redman Becker, architect and developer of the 165-room hotel that once was the Armstrong Rubber Company Building, aka Pirelli Building. Green Lodging News spoke with Becker to learn about the Passive House certification and to get caught up on how his LEED Platinum building has performed since it opened in May 2022. According to the Passive House Institute,...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced a major new partnership, aligning to establish a structured framework for hotel sustainability, leading to GSTC Certification. The partnership endorses the existing WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics while paving the way for a stepped progression toward GSTC Certification* for sustainable hotels. In an era where sustainability is paramount, WTTC and GSTC are joining forces to send a potent message to the market regarding the coherence and collaboration in the Travel & Tourism sector. The three-stage framework for hotel sustainability will now see the integration between the WTTC Hotel...

Welcome to the mega-solar installation club, Caesars Entertainment. It was announced this past week that DSD Renewables has completed a four canopy, 6.5 MW solar portfolio for Caesars at the gaming company’s Atlantic City destinations. The solar projects will offset approximately 6 percent of energy needs for the resort properties in the area, taking energy load off the utility, Atlantic City Electric, and making energy resources available for other customers. DSD financed and developed the installations and will serve as the long-term owner and operator of the systems. DSD is exploring additional projects with Caesars at other destinations across the U.S. DSD and...

While high levels of tourism are welcomed by governing bodies of most nations due to the revenue it generates, local residents in tourist hotspots aren't so thrilled to have millions of globetrotters on their doorstep. In fact, some countries have had just enough that fines, taxes and bans have been put in place in a bid to discourage visitors. In a new study by MoneyTransfers.com, the most visited cities and countries in the world were compared with the resident population in each to find out where in the world residents are most outnumbered by tourists. The Most Over-Touristed Cities in the U.S. The United States boasts...

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—DSD Renewables has completed a four canopy, 6.5 MW solar portfolio for Caesars Entertainment at the gaming company’s Atlantic City destinations. The installations are across two different Caesars Atlantic City properties and will produce approximately 8.29 MWh of clean energy each year. A fifth canopy is currently under development and is slated to be complete in 2024 bringing the solar portfolio to 7.4 MW. The portfolio supports Caesars’ environmental commitment to promote initiatives and activities that reduce the carbon footprint of Caesars properties. Caesars is one of the largest customers of Atlantic City Electric in Atlantic City—the local utility—and...

BARRIE, ONT.—Forests Ontario has announced a new partnership with Resorts of Ontario aimed at advancing environmental sustainability and forest conservation within Resorts of Ontario’s member resorts and tourism communities across the province. “Resorts of Ontario is thrilled to partner with Forests Ontario to promote responsible and sustainable practices within our industry, and restoration in general within the province,” Kerri King, Executive Director of Resorts of Ontario, says. “So much forest land was impacted in the summer wildfire season. Our association members recognize their roles as stewards of the land, and this collaboration is an important step in making meaningful change...