BANGKOK—Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has announced plans to open its first resort in Switzerland. Upon completion, the 47–room Six Senses Crans-Montana will operate under a long-term management agreement with 1875 FINANCE, one of Switzerland’s premier finance companies, representing the investors involved in the project. The resort marks a significant milestone for Six Senses development and will be in one of the region’s most prominent ski areas. Located in the canton of Valais, Geneva is located two hours away by car and train. “We are thrilled to collaborate with 1875 FINANCE and are eager to expand our presence in Europe,” said...

BRUSSELS—Radisson Blu is the winner of the 2017 IMEX-GMIC Innovation in Sustainability Award with its Blu Planet program, the responsible business initiative of Radisson Blu hotels around the world. The IMEX-GMIC award celebrates inspiring brands that drive sustainability forward through innovation, collaboration and idea sharing. “We are determined to help protect the Earth’s priceless water supply,” says Inge Huijbrechts, Vice President of Responsible Business for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “We launched Blu Planet to conserve water and help bring safe drinking water and sanitation to communities in need. Blu Planet is a key pillar of our group’s Responsible Business...

NEW YORK—New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (NYCCOC) President and CEO Alan Steel announced the issuance of the Javits Center’s first-ever Sustainability Report, which outlines the efforts to green the largest convention center in New York. The 31-page report details a host of sustainable initiatives implemented at the Javits Center, including a significant reduction in the building’s energy consumption, the creation of a wildlife sanctuary and the establishment of partnerships with educational and community institutions, as well as customers and other government organizations. To read the entire report, visit www.javitscenter.com. Since 2014, 26 bird species have been observed on or...

CORTEZ, FLA.—A new recreational focused resort and marina is coming to Cortez from the developer behind Mirabella, the LEED Platinum certified, 160 home, adult community in nearby Bradenton, Fla. The 148 cottage community, named Hunters Point Resort and Marina, will also feature 49 boat slips, a public marina and community center, all designed to provide a modern, environmentally respectful and energy efficient fishing village style community to the historic town of Cortez, Fla. Of the 148 “Cracker” cottages, 62 are designed as hotel rooms for short term rentals. The development seems to be in line with the long-time quest of...

VISTA, CALIF.—What is likely an example of things to come, the city of Los Angles has recently passed an ordinance requiring buildings of 20,000 square feet or more to benchmark their use of energy and water consumption; disclose (provide) this information to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety; and demonstrate steps being taken to reduce energy and water consumption. In Los Angeles, and likely true in other large urban areas, commercial buildings are the single greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Further, in Los Angeles 4 percent of the city’s buildings are responsible for half of the total...

NATIONAL REPORT—The survey that is the basis for the annual Green Lodging Trends Report has launched and will remain open through 7 p.m. EST June 20. Click here to participate! The Green Lodging Trends Report is the lodging industry’s annual exercise to assess and catalyze green innovation, best practices, and awareness regarding the state of sustainability across hotels worldwide. Participants benefit from a free compare report—an opportunity to learn how their property is aligned with best practices, and where it is behind among peers locally and worldwide. Participants also have an opportunity to discover new innovative practices that hotels are...

LAS VEGAS—This week, MGM Resorts International released its Annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, a comprehensive publication that details the company’s corporate citizenship efforts across the 12 month span of 2016. The annual report, titled “MGM Cares”—the company’s CSR brand—is available now for download at the company’s website. The report describes MGM Resorts’ CSR philosophy, governance and culture, and summarizes MGM Resorts’ developments in the pillars of Diversity and Inclusion, Philanthropy and Community Engagement and Environmental Sustainability. Last year’s CSR efforts were a continuation and expansion of a commitment the company made officially in 2000, when MGM Resorts pioneered the...

Hersha Hospitality Trust recently made its 2016 Sustainability Report (its third annual) available to the public. Results in the report relate back to 2010 when Hersha launched its EarthView program. According to Hersha, it has accumulated $6.8 million in energy savings since launching Earthview. Energy consumption per occupied room has been reduced by 19 percent. Some of those savings, according to Hersha Hospitality Trust CEO Jay H. Shah, are due to the implementation of guestroom energy management systems. Ninety-seven percent of Hersha hotels have been retrofitted with LED lighting. In 2016, approximately 10 percent of Hersha’s hotels had electric...

ST. JOSEPH, MICH.—Whirlpool Commercial Laundry—a family of brands including Maytag Commercial Laundry, ADC and Whirlpool Commercial Laundry—is showcasing its machines to its global customers at this year’s Clean Show in Las Vegas, June 5 to 8 (booth #2615). “We keep our finger on the pulse of the industry through continuous market analysis, which allows us to position our products and innovations to meet existing and anticipated customer needs,” said Trey Northrup, General Manager of Whirlpool Corp. Commercial Laundry. “By strengthening our resources, including expanding our product portfolio, creating a centralized call center, investing in manufacturing facilities and adding new talent,...

Project Planet Save the Planet One Laundry Load at a Time SAVE up to tens of thousands of dollars per year while demonstrating your environmental commitment to guests! Project Planet’s variety of creative & colorful pillow cards, hangers and conservation items promote towel and linen reuse. Promotional materials available in a variety of nature and regional designs. Let Project Planet show you how to reduce water, energy, labor and chemical costs. Project Planet » Email for Details »