ST. JOHN, USVI—March 30 marked two years since the US Virgin Island’s Toxic Sunscreen Law went into effect, the country’s first and most far-reaching ban on sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, which are devastating to coral, marine life, and human health. In recognition, a group of 20+ stakeholders including Senator Marvin A. Blyden, Senator Steven D. Payne Sr., VI National Park Superintendent Nigel Field, DLCA Commissioner Richard Evangelista, Frank Cummings of C.O.R.E., Lisa Hamilton of the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association; Kitty Edwards of DPNR, Oriel Blake of VI Professional Charter Association and three scientists specializing in coral:...

BETHESDA, MD.—Curator Hotel & Resort Collection announced a new partnership with Tayst Coffee Roaster to provide premium and sustainable coffee products to its members. Through this partnership, members can provide the highest quality coffee to guests using products like sustainably sourced beans from South America and 100 percent compostable single-serve pods, capsules and packaging. “At Curator, we believe in helping our members provide quality experiences that leave guests feeling good about their choice to stay at our properties,” said Jennifer Barnwell, President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection. “To successfully achieve this, we know that providing thoughtful products and services are...

Amid one of its most transformative periods in history, the U.S. lodging industry has an opportunity to enact real change through a renewed commitment to sustainability. As the world looks to reduce its carbon emissions, hotels play an important role as they are the most energy- and water-intensive of any commercial building type globally. Not only will a commitment to sustainability help to slow climate change, but failure to do so has the potential to result in lower asset value, increased operational costs and decreased consumer demand. Following the pandemic’s unprecedented impact on lodging demand, which was worse than that of...

HONG KONG—Regal Hotels Group announced its entrance into the metaverse with MetaGreen, a project to develop an ESG (environmental, social, and governance) themed plot of “LAND” in The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming virtual world and subsidiary of Animoca Brands. As an estate LAND NFT within Mega City 2, MetaGreen will be the Sandbox’s first green metropolis and represent an ecosystem that will positively harness blockchain, tokenization, GameFi, play-to-earn and NFTs. Scheduled for completion by October 2022, MetaGreen aims to promote eco-friendly choices and foster a sustainable community to support a circular economy. Ms. Poman Lo, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, has appointed Megan Brumagim to the newly created role of Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). In this new role, Brumagim will lead Choice’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives, championing the pillars of environmental sustainability, human rights, diversity and inclusion, philanthropic and community engagement, and corporate governance. In addition to furthering the company’s existing mission-driven initiatives—from its key partnerships such as with Operation Homefront to support service members and their families to its industry-leading efforts to enhance opportunities for minority-owned businesses and more—Brumagim will continue...

SEATTLE—New research released by Expedia Group Media Solutions, the global travel advertising platform connecting marketers with millions of travelers across Expedia Group’s brands, reveals that although 90 percent of consumers look for sustainable options when booking, 70 percent feel overwhelmed with navigating options and making the best choices to be a more sustainable traveler. In parallel to this increase in more mindful travel, Expedia Group is reaffirming its commitment to the planet by joining two initiatives focused on accelerating a more environmentally responsible tourism industry. Expedia Group has joined the Travalyst Coalition in support of its mission to empower travelers with...

SOUTH WALTON, FLA.—Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the all-encompassing resort located along Northwest Florida’s coast, introduces an array of family-friendly activities for a weekend-long celebration of Earth Day. Centering around turtle protection and preservation of the natural setting, guests of all ages are invited to take part in the interactive experiences available onsite from April 21 to 23, 2022. “Our team is continually looking for ways to celebrate the naturally pristine landscape we have the pleasure of welcoming guests to,” said Gary Brielmayer, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa General Manager. “We take pride in introducing initiatives...

CORK, IRELAND—Johnson Controls, a global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, released its 2022 Sustainability Report along with the following message from George Oliver, Chairman and CEO and Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer: “As we look back on the unfathomable events unfolding in Ukraine, Johnson Controls recognizes how important it is for countries, communities and world leaders to unite in solidarity during such momentous times. We will continue to collectively uphold our own company values and remain committed to leading with integrity, respect, unwavering moral purpose, and humanity. We stand in solidarity with people around...

MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA—Hotel Belmar, a family owned and operated boutique hotel that is a leader in responsible tourism, launched a new carbon negative initiative that encourages guests to participate in the Offset Your Footprint program by matching all donations. Created by the Monteverde Community Fund, the program offsets the impact of tourism, growth, and environmental changes by equipping the community of Monteverde, where Hotel Belmar is located, for challenges associated with change by planting and protecting trees and the local biodiversity as well as preserving water in the region, to name a few. “Since opening our doors more than 35 years ago,...

BOSTON—Vicinity Energy, a national decarbonization leader with the most extensive portfolio of district energy systems, announced it has launched eSteam, a new innovation designed to rapidly decarbonize the highest source of emissions in major cities, commercial buildings. Vicinity is the first in the United States to electrify its operations, offering renewable thermal energy by installing electric boilers, industrial-scale heat pumps, and thermal storage at its central facilities starting in Boston and Cambridge, with its other districts to follow. “We’re thrilled to be the first district energy company in the United States to bring renewable thermal energy to our customers. Our operations are...