LOMBOK, INDONESIA—Invest Islands, the leading Asian real estate investment company, has unveiled Gran Meliá Lombok, a new beachfront and hillside resort. Conceived by Invest Islands’ project team in conjunction with Bali-based Inspiral Architecture & Design Studios, and managed by Meliá Hotels International, one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, Gran Meliá Lombok is a masterpiece of high-style, low-impact design that weaves seamlessly into its tropical surroundings. It is located at Torok Bay, a sheltered crescent-shaped stretch of sand on Lombok’s secluded south coast, overlooking the Indian Ocean and framed by emerald headlands and rippling rice fields. Guests and...

MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA—Hotel Belmar, a family-owned and operated boutique hotel located in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica’s cloud forest, has won the Silver award at the Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards. Presented by World Travel Market (WTM) recently in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Responsible Tourism Awards showcase best practices in responsible tourism to inspire others across the industry, and Hotel Belmar was recognized for Sustaining Employees and Communities Through the Pandemic. “We are honored to be recognized by WTM for our efforts to support our staff members and our community during one of the most challenging times since opening our doors,” said Pedro...

HERZLIYA, ISRAEL—Caesars Slots, Playtika’s free-to-play social casino game, will be donating a minimum of $17,000 and up to $35,000 to The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as part of a new collaboration to support the charity in its mission to save wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. Caesars Slots players will be introduced to a new in-game character, a cuddly pet panda. Players will name their pandas and enjoy their company while unlocking new features within the game. Throughout the campaign, Playtika will donate on behalf of Caesars Slots players, who will be able to collect balls through...

NEW YORK—The Peninsula Hotels, whose properties around the world have epitomized luxurious elegance for almost a century, will debut an extensive collection of new wellness resources for its guests in early 2022, inviting them to experience “Life Lived Best.” The brand-wide initiative will provide guests at all Peninsula properties with unprecedented opportunities to pursue their fitness, mindfulness, and nutritional goals—and to access those opportunities whenever they wish through a dedicated Wellness Portal and 24-hour Wellness Concierge service. “With this new Wellness program, we are breaking new ground in helping our guests to maximize their health and well-being,” said Gareth Roberts, Group...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced the publication of its 2021 Social Impact and Sustainability Report and significantly refreshed website. The report and website tell the story of the company’s continuing and steadfast commitment to its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles of embracing humanity and protecting the planet. The report and website (mgmresorts.com/ESG) also highlight the company's strategies, programs and performance focused on creating a more sustainable future and making a positive impact on the lives of employees, guests and communities. “Last year was a time of economic change and disruption, but with it came heightened reflection, ultimately resulting in...

CHICAGO—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and JLL released a new major report which addresses what makes a city ready for travel and tourism growth. The report, “Destination 2030: Global cities’ readiness for sustainable tourism growth”, was released during WTTC’s 21st Global Summit in Manila, Philippines. Prior to the pandemic, the travel and tourism sector had been outpacing the global economy for almost a decade, with an annual average growth of 4.3 percent compared to 2.9 percent through 2019, and a contribution of nearly $9.2 trillion to the global economy in the same year. After the damaging disruption caused by the pandemic, the global travel and tourism sector...

WINDSOR, ONT.—EcoVadis recently awarded the prestigious bronze medallion to Tersano to recognize the company’s commitment to driving positive social and environmental change through its business. “We are honored to be recognized by the world’s most trusted evaluator of sustainable business practices, EcoVadis,” states Tersano’s President and CEO, Steve Hengsperger. “Harsh chemical cleaners continue to make the world unsustainable. Our mission is to change that trajectory through the innovation of Stabilized Aqueous Ozone (SAO), a much more responsible alternative to traditional cleaning products.” Tersano designs, manufactures and distributes high-performance devices that create and dispense SAO on demand, a simple, safe, and sustainable...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. released its 14th annual corporate sustainability report. Leveraging results from the 2021 Materiality Assessment and ongoing engagement with customers, key stakeholders and industry partners, the company details progress made toward its 2030 goals. As the company continues its commitment to Cradle to Cradle design principles, it has set new goals for net zero operations and diversity and inclusion as part of its sustainability strategy. “At Shaw, we refer to our sustainability strategy as sustainability—putting people at the heart of all we do,” says Kellie Ballew, Vice President of Global Sustainability at Shaw. “That’s what drives our...

LAS VEGAS—EVolve Rentals, an exclusive Tesla car rental company headquartered in Las Vegas, announced its partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas, introducing the Strip’s first 100 percent carbon neutral car rental service. This collaboration offers travelers the opportunity to conveniently rent a premium electric vehicle during their visit. “Here at Resorts World Las Vegas, we’re always looking for new and exciting experiences to provide our guests,” says Scott Sibella, President of Resorts World Las Vegas. “Giving visitors the opportunity to conveniently rent a Tesla is a great way to enhance their rental experience and add to our overall efforts to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Sustainability Frameworks celebrated five years of successful operations by announcing the addition of two partners, Scott Fulton, and Charles Di Leva. Fulton stepped down this January from his most recent role as President of the Environmental Law Institute to assume an emeritus role. He previously served as General Counsel of the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Agency’s Deputy Administrator, senior diplomat, appeals judge, and enforcement chief. Fulton is also a former partner of Beveridge and Diamond, the Washington D.C.-based environmental law firm, where he advised private sector clients. Di Leva recently left the World Bank...