NEW YORK—As organizations around the world face rising costs related to water damage and increased focus on water sustainability, WINT Water Intelligence is building on its success in 2023 to continue solving these challenges for insurance, construction, facilities, and property management companies. In 2023, WINT helped over 400 leading global enterprises mitigate water damage and reduce their environmental footprint; these customers saved a total of 652 million gallons of water which would have resulted in the release of 22,000 metric tons of carbon emissions. In addition, WINT’s solutions prevented over 900 water damage incidents with a total damage potential of tens...

BETHESDA, MD.—For many years Host Hotels & Resorts has been recognized for its ongoing sustainability leadership, and justifiably so. It was the first hospitality company and one of the first 20 companies globally to have its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). “ is very important,” says Michael Chang, Vice President of Energy and Sustainability for Host Hotels & Resorts. “It is prioritized by the investor community. It signals that your goals are credible.” Of its portfolio of 77 hotels, 11 are LEED certified. “Our sustainable financing strategies enable our responsible investment in LEED-certified...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added a Banyan Water case study to the Vendor Case Studies section of its website. The case study details how Banyan Water was able to help Hospitality Investors Trust, Inc. (HIT REIT) reduce water consumption and costs across its 50 properties. Banyan Water’s ability to track water usage in real time and prevent waste resulted in 10,523,385 gallons of water saved, a 72 percent reduction in water costs, and a two-year expected payback. A total of 514 water leaks were identified. A lack of real-time data, increased systems issues, and untracked water usage left HIT...

Success Metrics:     10,523,385 gallons of water saved 72% reduction in water costs 2-year expected payback Company Introduction: Hospitality Investors Trust, Inc. (HIT REIT) is a real estate investment trust with a diversified portfolio of hotel properties across the United States. Looking for a way to reduce water consumption and cost across their properties, HIT REIT needed a partner who could help them track their water usage in real-time and prevent waste. Portfolio Stats: Industry: Hospitality Active Properties: 50 Leaks Detected: 514 “We clearly see the results and financial benefits of this partnership. We now have unmatched water and system insights into our...

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.—Shashi Hotel, a premier urban resort nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View, California by Shashi Group, announced that it has been awarded LEED Gold certification by USGBC. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operational practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable. “At Shashi Hotel, our goal has always been to provide guests with the best customer experience possible, while also solidifying ourselves as the most disruptive and empowering technologically driven lodging...

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA—IHG Hotels & Resorts introduces the eco-friendly InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort, in partnership with leading Taipei real estate broker Zhancheng Tourism Development, a subsidiary of Sinyi Realty Inc., a listed real estate brokerage company in Taipei. The 450-room new-build beachfront resort, located in Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah state in northern Borneo, marks a new milestone in the impressive growth of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in Malaysia. Opening in 2027, InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort will adopt environmentally friendly practices throughout its design, construction and operations, and provide guests with immersive, close-to-nature stays through experiences that value, protect...

CEDAR CREEK, TEXAS—When the developers of the new eco-luxury hotel located about 20 minutes from downtown Austin describe their new property as being “heavenly,” they are not kidding. The hotel, which consists of 12 dome-style villas, a 200,000-gallon natural water pool, and restaurant is called “The Heavens.” Set to open in mid-2025, each villa is named after a constellation and features handcrafted stained-glass windows, bottle artwork on the ceiling representing the constellation, and reclaimed cedar wood furnishings. Developer Dan Mages says four of the villas are completed and the rough plumbing has been completed for the fifth one. “We call them...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched its new groundbreaking report, “Water Roadmap for Travel & Tourism”, revealing total water intensity by global Travel & Tourism continues to decrease as the sector continues to grow. Despite being one the fastest growing sectors, accounting for one in 10 jobs globally and contributing 10.4 percent of global GDP in 2019, Travel & Tourism’s water usage ranged between 3.5 percent and 5.8 percent of global available freshwater, in 2021 and 2019 respectively. While this is a lower share than other key sectors, such as agriculture and food, which accounted for 70 percent...

WISCONSIN DELLS, WIS.—Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, announced its pledge to bring clean water to one million people throughout Africa in partnership with the world-renowned nonprofit, charity: water. The pledge equates to a commitment of $50 million. Kalahari Resorts is authentically African-themed, inspired by a trip to Africa over 20 years ago by the owners and founders, the Nelson family. Known for their four award-winning waterpark resorts in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, the Nelson family opened the first Kalahari Resort in 2000 and continue to own and operate the resort brand today. Kalahari recently...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Scandic has reached a sustainability milestone by recertifying all of its previously ecolabeled hotels according to the Nordic Swan Ecolabel’s new, tougher environmental requirements. More than 88 percent of Scandic’s hotels are ecolabeled and the company is continuing its efforts to ensure that all hotels are certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is the official environmental certification in the Nordic countries. It updates its requirements approximately every four years, and the most recent update in 2023 included higher environmental goals. To continue to be certified, Scandic’s ecolabeled hotels have now undergone a rigorous recertification process...