ST. LOUIS, MO.—The U.S. Green Building Council launched its global economic recovery strategy last month, which outlines a path for how healthy places and LEED will support recovery efforts as businesses prepare for a post-pandemic world. The hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, and as the world prepares to travel again, hotels and restaurants around the globe are looking for ways to evolve the health and wellness of their indoor environments. Hotels have been turning to green building to demonstrate their re-entry plans and safety measures to guests. Green strategies that consider air quality...

TAMPA, FLA.—In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hotels have enacted enhanced cleaning procedures and housekeeping standards, including the promise of cleaning high-touch surfaces. But are those hotels delivering on that promise? AAA—which conducts annual anonymous in-person inspections at more than 26,000 hotels across North America—will now test sanitation levels of high-touch surfaces, as part of its evaluation. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on travelers’ expectations for cleanliness,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Travelers trust AAA for recommendations that focus on their safety and security. The Inspected Clean enhancement to our Diamond Program...

BETHESDA, MD.—Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30 brands and a global hospitality leader in wellness for more than a decade, unveiled a new global study that shows the impact of running and recovery during the pandemic as a means for self-care, just in time for Global Running Day. With 45 percent of respondents saying that focusing on their well-being has given them a new lease on life, Westin is evolving its industry-leading well-being program to bring world-class recovery solutions to travelers’ fingertips as travel starts to resume. Westin has joined forces with Hyperice, the expert in recovery technology...

ADDISON, TEXAS—Industry innovator CASPR Group is literally raising the roof on air and surface disinfection with the introduction of CASPR Blu Tile. This innovative new product offers game-changing simplicity to building managers, owners, and HVAC engineers. CASPR means Continuous Air & Surface Pathogen Reduction, and the introduction of the Blu Tile is representative of the innovative solutions the company has always offered. CASPR’s patent-pending technology converts oxygen and moisture in the air into low but effective levels of hydrogen peroxide, which are dispersed continuously throughout a building, reducing pathogens in the air and on surfaces. This unique technology produces no...

LOS ANGELES—Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable hotels, announced it has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future. “Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles Beverly Hills is proud to be a leader in health and wellness for the hospitality industry,” said Michael Newcombe, General Manager, “This...

AOMORI, JAPAN—Jikeikai Group announced Wellness Hotel Zen-Aomori, Japan’s first wellness hotel. The hotel features a full medical check-up upon arrival, followed by personalized wellness regimens, spa treatments, meditation guidance, nutritional and dietary treatments—and more. To be constructed in the upper levels of the JR Aomori Station Building in the city of Aomori, Wellness Hotel Zen-Aomori combines Jikeikai Group’s 60 years of expertise in hotels and medical facilities in a single purpose-built, world-class offering for those seeking to revitalize their physical and spiritual well-being. Guests begin their stay with a comprehensive health and wellness check. Wellness Hotel Zen-Aomori staff then create a custom wellness program...

PHILADELPHIA—Element Hotels—part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 leading brands and designed for today’s healthy, active traveler—announced the opening of Element Philadelphia, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Developed by Conshohoken-based Chestlen Development, the hotel will be the newest addition to Philadelphia’s reemerging hospitality scene, with travelers planning an average of 2.7 trips this year, according to a recent Visit Philadelphia report. Designed with a focus on sustainability and well-being, Element is ideal for families, groups and business travelers who want to maintain a balanced lifestyle while on the road. “Bringing the Element brand to Philadelphia was a strategic decision to appeal...

BANGKOK—Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Awards spotlight 30 individuals, companies and organizations making meaningful strides in responsible travel and sustainable living. In addition to thought leadership, these changemakers are also proactively protecting communities and environments and inspiring their industry colleagues and travelers to do their part. To arrive at this year’s list of honorees, an esteemed panel of experts across the travel, hospitality, and sustainability industries submitted nominations, which were then narrowed to a select list of finalists vetted by Travel + Leisure editors. Six Senses has been honored as a group for its dedication to sustainability, conservation, and ethical environmental...

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.—The Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) Program announced its new accreditation programs for hotels seeking to enhance the guest experience and safety protocols for wellness and/or medical travel guests. GHA has developed two accreditation programs: WellHotel for Well-being and WellHotel for Medical Travel. Both programs focus on validating the programs hotels provide for these growing niche markets and the accreditation seal builds trust and offers a competitive edge to those hotels that achieve accredited status. According to Karen Timmons, GHA’s Chief Executive Officer, “This year has provided revitalized interest from hotels to reinvent niche offerings to meet the demand...

SARASOTA, FLA.—Pürlin, LLC has hired Eric Eisenberg to serve as Vice President of Hospitality. In collaboration with their University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) partners, the entire team will be working with Eisenberg to introduce Pürlin’s unique closed-loop bedlinen system to the Las Vegas hotel market. “With his extensive background in hotel operations and his professional ties to the business community, we have every confidence in Eric’s abilities to lead Pürlin’s Las Vegas commercialization initiative and to build our South West Regional Sales Operation,” says Pürlin Founder and President, Richard Ferrell. In response to the devastating impact that COVID-19 continues to...