AHLA Partners With IncentiFind to Identify Sustainability-Related Savings for Owners, Operators
AHLA | October 30th, 2023
SH Hotels & Resorts to Open First U.S. Treehouse Hotel in Sunnyvale, California
Treehouse Hotels | September 26th, 2022
Greenwashing, Ecotourism and Sustainability Are Now a Major Concern for Travelers
Alan Young | September 8, 2022
The global eco-wakening is driving a greener future with over 87% of Americans seeking more sustainable hotels and travel By Alan Young There is no denying it. The last two years were difficult for all of us. But as we take a collective breath on the other side of the pandemic and ruminate on the positive takeaways from that time, many of us will settle on the same sentiment – sometimes it’s good to slow down. Our lives, which are so often defined by constant motion, suddenly came to a halt, a change of pace that many of us would never have chosen or stumbled upon organically. As social calendars were cleared of activities, trave...
Why Aren’t Individual Hotels Embracing Sustainable Practices?
Francis W. Purvey | August 22, 2022
By Francis W. Purvey While governments and corporations struggle - unsuccessfully for the most part - with climate change, sea level rise and carbon neutral objectives, individual tourism and hospitality visionaries need to focus on the micro sustainability initiatives demanded by our customers. When asked for sustainability policies by meeting planners and travel agents, hotel sales people invariably have nothing to offer other than potentially “we are looking into it” or maybe “our brand has an aggressive sustainability statement, but we can’t participate because our management company has different policies.” Inevitabilit...
Hotels, Lean In: Sustainability and Wellness Are Leading the Next Generation of Meetings & Events
Amadeus | August 10, 2022
In contemplating the next generation of meetings and events, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: hotels must lean into some of the macro trends shaping our global society, particularly wellness and sustainability. The new world we find ourselves in has propelled us to become more conscious in our daily lives and in the way we work, connect, and travel. The ability to make the future different (and better) than the past, however, requires reflection and innovation. As part of a “New Golden Rules of Meetings & Events” series, we’ve combined insights from global hospitality experts, Amadeus business intelligence data, and k...
U.S. Travel Launches Sustainable Travel Coalition
U.S. Travel Association | July 26, 2022
WASHINGTON (July 26, 2022)—The U.S. Travel Association announced today the launch of its new Sustainable Travel Coalition, which aims to align the travel, transportation and technology sectors in developing and advancing strategies to enable a more sustainable future for the U.S. travel industry. With nearly 60 member organizations at launch, the Sustainable Travel Coalition will serve as an advisory body to inform U.S. Travel on sustainability issues, opportunities and concerns within member organizations and destinations. A dedicated Policy Committee will help drive the broader coalition’s efforts to enable regular progress and col...
Aiden Darling Harbour Opens Its Doors With ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions to Ensure Heightened Hotel Security and Guest Experiences
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions | July 12, 2022
Property blends VingCard Essence locks with VingCard Allure LED panels enabled with Mobile Access, alongside integrations with Telknonet’s energy management system and Liverton’s check-in kiosks/mobile app to provide enhanced security, guest convenience and hotel sustainability. Stockholm –July 12, 2022 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, a leading provider of advanced security technology for the hospitality industry, has announced the adoption of its Mobile Access-enabled VingCard Essence door locks combined with sleek and fully customizable VingCard Allure LED panels at the recently opened Aiden Darling Harbour by Best Western. Lever...
Hospitality PMS Tech Is Helping Hotels & Resorts Go Paperless
Warren Dehan | July 12, 2022
While the benefits of going paperless are clear, getting there isn’t so simple; Independent operators should work closely with their property-management system provider to put a solution in place that can shoulder the burden that comes with a lack of physical paper By Warren Dehan Nine in 10 consumers say they are looking for sustainable options when traveling, according to Expedia’s Spotlight on Sustainable Travel. And, the 2022 Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report reveals that 63 percent of travelers want to make more effort in the next year to travel more sustainably, up 10 percent from 2021. These decisions are setting the pace...
Sustainability Momentum Builds for Corporate Travel and Meeting Management According to New Research From GBTA and Cvent
Global Business Travel Association | May 19, 2022
Alexandria, VA – Sustainability is at the forefront of global business, but have company commitments to sustainability made their way to corporate travel and meetings management programs? What will it take for companies to make business travel and meetings more sustainable? A new report from Global Business Travel Association and Cvent – “The Journey to More Sustainable Corporate Travel and Meetings Management Programs” – surveys corporate travel managers and meeting planners across the U.S., Canada and several European countries about their current sustainability programs and activities. The report reveals where corporate trave...
Eco Badges Will Grow in Importance for Tourism Industry as Travelers Seek Increased Transparency
GlobalData | April 21, 2022
Many travelers now require higher levels of transparency from companies in terms of their environmental performance, with GlobalData’s poll* finding that almost 75% of global consumers agreed that the introduction of sustainability labels on products should be mandatory. The leading data and analytics company notes that these badges help tourism companies to boost transparency, offer responsible alternatives to travelers, and demonstrate positive environmental performance. Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The adoption of badges that denote high performance concerning environmental benchmarks ma...
New Global Research From Expedia Group Spotlights Growing Consumer Interest in Sustainable Tourism
Expedia Group | April 21, 2022
Expedia Group Takes Action to Improve Sustainability in the Travel Industry by Joining the Travalyst Coalition and Becoming a Signatory of the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism SEATTLE, April 21, 2022 – Expedia Group is dedicated to working within the travel industry to make travel more responsible. New research released today 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% of consumers look for sustainable options when booking, 70% feel overwhelmed with navigating options and making the be...
Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton Slated for May 2022 Opening in Connecticut
Tapestry Collection by Hilton | April 20, 2022
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton will soon make history as what is believed will be the first net-zero hotel in the United States. The revolutionary hotel will utilize renewable solar power sources on site to generate the electricity needed for its common areas, restaurant, laundry, meeting rooms and 165 guest rooms and suites. Set to debut this spring, the all-electric hotel is currently accepting reservations for May 19, 2022, and beyond. Hotel Marcel New Haven will operate independent of fossil fuels, resulting in zero carbon emissions. It is also expected to be the first Passive House-certified...
New Report From WTTC and JLL Outlines Global Cities’ Preparedness for Sustainable Travel and Tourism Growth
JLL | April 20, 2022
WTTC and JLL release latest ‘Destination 2030: Global cities’ readiness for sustainable tourism growth’ CHICAGO, April 20, 2022 – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and JLL released today a new major report which addresses what makes a city ready for travel and tourism growth. The report, ‘Destination 2030: Global cities’ readiness for sustainable tourism growth’, has been released during WTTC’s 21st Global Summit in Manila, Philippines. Prior to the pandemic, the travel and tourism sector had been outpacing the global economy for almost a decade, with an annual average growth of 4.3% compared to 2.9%...
Climate, Community and Choice: Booking.com Reveals the Trends Shaping Sustainable Travel in 2022
April 14, 2022
LONDON - April 14, 2022 -Today Booking.com released new research, with insights gathered from more than 30,000 travellers across 32 countries and territories. It highlights that the impact of their trips remains top of mind for many travellers, with 57% of those from the UK saying that they want to travel more sustainably over the coming 12 months. This demonstrates a 27% increase over what was surfaced through the company’s 2021 data. With 71% of travellers confirming that sustainable travel is important to them, almost half of all respondents (42%) cited that recent news about climate change has influenced them to make more sustainabl...
Sustainable Business Practices vs. Business Recovery: HR in the Middle
Thomas Mielke | February 28, 2022
By Thomas Mielke In the current business context, most hospitality organizations are finding themselves wanting to strike the right balance of "building back better" without jeopardizing a speedy recovery and keeping sustainable business practices at the heart of it all. It is important to note that this is taking place at a time when there is heightened interest, as well as public scrutiny, toward an organization’s “footprint” and purpose. For example, stakeholders, as well as shareholders – who have already become more attuned to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles – expect a marked step forward as it relat...
Make Sustainability Your Hotel’s New Year’s Resolution
Cicero Construction Group | January 3, 2022
PLAINFIELD, IL — January 3, 2022 — The pandemic forced hotels to modify how they operate, pushing safety to the forefront of the hospitality community’s consciousness, and derailing a burgeoning industry trend to make facilities more sustainable. Yet, hoteliers would be wise to make sustainability a New Year's resolution, says Sam Cicero, President of Cicero Construction Group, a general contractor specializing in hotel renovation. "Decreasing a hotel’s impact on the environment, no matter its size or location, attracts guests in the short term and saves money in the long term. When customers choose to spend money on a hotel room, ma...
HFTP and GFC Release First Exposure Draft for the USALI 12th Revised Edition — A New Energy, Water, and Waste Section
the USALI | November 30, 2021
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and the Global Finance Committee (GFC) are preparing for the Fall 2022 release of the 12th Revised edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). Prior to publishing the newest edition, HFTP and the GFC have recruited a group of leading industry stakeholders to participate in the review of exposure drafts, requesting comments for consideration ahead of the 12th edition publication. The first exposure draft is for a new section titled: “Energy, Water, and Waste.” “This is the first of many steps as environmental, social and governa...
HVS Monday Musings: Sustainability in the Hotel Industry Is Crucial to Combat Climate Change
Mandeep S Lamba | November 22, 2021
By Mandeep S Lamba, Dipti Mohan Extreme weather, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, storms, and cyclones across the world are undeniable proof of climate change's pervasive influence, which has resulted in massive social and economic losses in recent years. India has not been immune, with devastating floods, cloudbursts, and landslides wreaking havoc in numerous states this year alone. International organizations and governments from all over the world have recognized the crisis and are working together to reduce the impact and safeguard the environment for future generations. At the recently concluded COP 26 UN Climate Change ...
Top Players in Hotel Industry Build Inclusive Sustainability Framework Accessible for All Hotels of the World
November 11, 2021
Shanghai, Paris, Brussels – November 11, 2021 – Jin Jiang International (Holdings) Co., Ltd. including their affiliates Jin Jiang Hotels, Louvre Hotels Group and Radisson Hotel Group, and other leading groups with 25,000 hotels total, launch an initiative to set common definition of hotel sustainability to drive responsible travel & tourism. In a unique cooperation between the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and leading hotel companies, in consultation with distribution partners and key Tourism & Travel stakeholders, the hotel industry celebrates a responsible return to business with an ...
How Addressing ESG Can Also Save Hotels Money
October 7, 2021
Recent weather disasters, social unrest and a heightened awareness of racial bias have prompted hoteliers to double down on their commitments to become better corporate citizens and do more to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. These are moves toward a social good, sure, but also have ramifications on hotel company P&Ls. Marriott International, for one. It recently announced a commitment to reach net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. The pledge follows the previous setting of goals by the massive global company to reduce single-use plastics, cut down on food waste by 50% and significantly amp up the...
BENCHMARK® Raises the Bar on Sustainable Dining, Partnering With Two Environmental Brand Leaders, Verlasso and Revol
BENCHMARK, a global hospitality company | September 27, 2021
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas — September 27, 2021 — Sustainable fish farming in ocean waters, environmental preservation, and a healthful, delicious salmon served on stylish and eco-friendly French dinnerware unite in two new partnerships forged by BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company. Noted brand leaders in sustainable practices, Verlasso and Revol join Benchmark in its ongoing efforts to provide carefully sourced, healthful and environmentally responsible food, coupled with an exceptional guest experience. Verlasso is a salmon brand, sustainably farmed in Chile’s Patagonian region. The company farms salmon by taking th...
Best Circular Economy Practices in Hotels: the Producer and Consumer Perspective
Dr Luciano Lopez | September 22, 2021
What is Circular Economy? One definition of economics is to understand how the economic agents make their decisions to satisfy their unlimited needs under the constraint of limited resources. Even though it has been clear for many decades that resources are scarce and that some will be completely depleted in the coming years, concrete solutions to reduce or optimize consumption and production are still underexplored. For instance, even though the concept of circular economy (CE) has been around for 50 years (Ellen McArthur Foundation), it has become popular only recently. Our preliminary research on the topic of circular economy practice...
Benefits and Difficulties of CSR Management in Travel and Leisure Companies
Dr Alessandro Inversini | September 13, 2021
The Covid-19 crisis has reinforced the strategic importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for all organizations. In particular, the pandemic has fostered awareness that firms must introduce responsible policies and processes that focus management attention on long-term sustainability over short-term profits. Managing CSR issues is a necessary way to build consumer confidence & embrace business recovery Awareness is even greater across firms in the Travel and Leisure (T&L) industries whose business has been impacted dramatically by the crisis, as customers halted their buying decisions and business trips. Yet, academic sch...
Sustainability in Hospitality: Putting Construction Issues First
Dr Ricardo J. Da Silva Lima | September 9, 2021
Dr Steffen Raub & Dr Ricardo J. Da Silva Lima Hospitality firms are increasingly keen to jump on the sustainability bandwagon. However, too often they get lost in the complexity of the subject and limit their engagement to unimaginative solutions such as towel reuse in bathrooms. Much larger challenges loom in the physical infrastructure of the hotel itself. In this short paper we outline some important sustainability challenges for hotels from a building perspective. It’s all about energy When asked about the top three sustainability issues related to commercial buildings, most experts will tell you: energy, en...
How to Communicate CSR Effectively on Social Media?
Dr Alessandro Inversini | September 1, 2021
When a business communicates its practices of corporate social responsibility via social media platforms, how effective and impactful is this communication on its audience? CSR, a relevant aspect for all businesses Academic literature and practical evidence suggests that both large international firms and small privately-owned businesses are investing in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR can be understood and defined as a series of activities and policies that encompass a firm’s responsibility for its impacts on society and the environment. CSR has become popular in the last decades with companies of all sizes engaging...
Sustainable Travel 2021: On the Way to Net-Zero Emissions
July 27, 2021
By Gaïane Herrero Before Covid19, the hospitality industry accounted for around 10% of our global economy. In 2019, no less than 15,000 hotels were in the pipeline attesting to the industry growth and place in our society (Hotel Management). In such a thriving industry implemented changes can have a global impact not only on its activities but also on other industries. As we face difficult times with the Covid19 and the climate change crises, it is time for us as an industry to take a stand and inspire others with our actions. The hospitality industry must change to strive in the long-term and has the chance to inspire others by...
