I have a few important items to share this week. First, I am off to Colorado, my favorite state, where I will be attending The Hospitality Show from October 26 to 28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. I posted a preview of this event recently and am looking forward to meeting up with the many suppliers there whose products and services fall into the sustainability category. Be sure to watch for coverage of the show in the coming week.
And, in case you missed it, there was some very good news this past week—timely given the celebration of World Sustainability Day on Wednesday, October 29. Our planet made history in the first half of 2025 when renewable energy overtook coal as the world’s leading source of electricity. This is according to global energy think tank Ember. Electricity demand is growing around the world but the growth in solar and wind was so strong it met 100 percent of the extra electricity demand, even helping drive a slight decline in coal and gas use.
Be sure to share this good news and use it as a reason to step up all you are doing to support and transition to clean, renewable energy. Collective action does matter and it works—even in the face of current U.S. efforts to return to coal, oil and gas.
Every week I learn about new solar installations in our industry. Many of those are listed in our Renewable Energy All Stars section. I will be writing soon about the installations at La Casa de la Playa in Mexico and the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.
End the Government Shutdown
Finally, I join the many industry associations in our country in urging the government to end its shutdown. Is it just me or are we hellbent to do everything possible to scare tourists away from our country?
According to an economic analysis, each day of the government shutdown costs the economy $31 million in activity that would’ve been generated by hotel stays. To date, AHLA estimates that the hotel industry alone has lost $650 million in business.
“The government shutdown is having a devastating impact on the hotel, travel, and hospitality sectors. Economic uncertainty and waning consumer confidence are translating into booking cancelations and discouraging future planning especially as we head into the heart of the holiday travel season,” said Rosanna Maietta, President and CEO of AHLA.
Congress Still Getting Paid
Federal workers are bearing the brunt of the government shutdown, with more than 1 million of them going unpaid. Many are turning to food banks and community organizations for help. And yes, Democrats and Republicans in Congress are still collecting their paychecks. Arrgh. We won’t be seeing them in the growing food lines in Washington, D.C.
According to the National Parks Conservation Association, since January, the National Park Service has lost more than 25 percent of its permanent staff. Across the country, parks are cutting ranger programs, closing visitor centers, and falling behind on critical maintenance and research because there just aren’t enough people left to do the job. Local economies could lose as much as $80 million in visitor spending every day parks are closed.
Be sure to join the efforts of organizations such as AHLA, Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the U.S. Travel Association, and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) in opposing the shutdown.
Your thoughts? I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers, and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Get in our Green Supplier Spotlights!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes the Wednesday Green Supplier Spotlight and Thursday Green Suppliers Spotlight. Green Supplier Spotlight features just one vendor and Green Suppliers Spotlight features multiple vendors. Click here for a Green Supplier Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Both e-blasts that reach 17,800 subscribers have been built to generate quick leads. A report is sent a week after each e-blast that includes the number of e-mails sent, number of opens, and number of click-throughs. Contact Glenn Hasek at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com for more information.
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As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
