Sustainability
Travel’s Green Revolution Remains a Work in Progress
Overtourism, flight shaming, climate strikes, and global warming are each major issues with serious ramifications for the global travel sector. Until recently, though, industry leaders haven't had much to say about their efforts to change the status quo.
An Update on Airbnb’s Work to Fight Discrimination
Airbnb has changed the travel landscape by making home sharing easier and more convenient, all while facilitating personal connections. Our mission is to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere, and this means discrimination has no place in our community. In 2016, we announced a comprehensive review of our platform to help ensure we are doing everything we can to fight bias and discrimination. We asked Laura Murphy, the former head of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Washington D.C. Legislative Office, to lead the process, and she issued a comprehensive report. We committed to an Action Plan and were commended by the Congressional Black Caucus, the Human Rights Campaign, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and others. The report and our plan was a good start, but we knew we still had work to do.
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Raises $250,000 for Local Children's Miracle Network Hospital
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: VAC) recently hosted the 22nd Annual Caring Classic charity golf tournament benefiting Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. This year the golf tournament netted a donation of $250,000, bringing the cumulative total dollars raised since the tournament's inception in 1997 to nearly $3 million.
California Bill Moves To Ban Mini Hotel Toiletry Bottles
Do you use those tiny toiletry bottles in hotels? Maybe you take them home and stockpile them. But have you thought about how much plastic that is? Legislators in California have. In April, members of the state assembly voted to replace small plastic bottles with dispensers or bottles larger than 12 ounces. If approved, as expected, by the governor, the bill would go into effect in 2023 — banning little shampoo, conditioner and body wash bottles in hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts and vacation rentals.
MGM Resorts Recognized As One Of The 50 Most Community-Minded Companies In The United States
MGM Resorts has been named an honoree of The Civic 50 by Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.
How Hilton Team Members Pulled Off Heartfelt Surprises in Their Communities to Mark 100 Years of Hospitality
On a rainy May evening, Executive Chef Ruffy Sulaiman and his Hilton Americas-Houston team made the final rounds of a warehouse space they had transformed into a fine dining venue. The team examined the space, making sure that the food was prepared and the tables were elegantly dressed, ahead of a highly anticipated surprise they had in store for a group of deserving volunteers from disaster relief organization Team Rubicon.
Country Inn & Suites By Radisson Announces Partnership With The USO
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, a hotel brand inspired by a sense of belonging, community and shared experiences, has named the USO as the official partner of its Military 1st program. Guests of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in all United States locations will be able to write a note of thanks to service members, which in turn will be mailed in care packages delivered to USO locations around the globe.
Hilton Celebrates Renewed Partnership With The U.S. State Department's Global Equality Fund
This year Hilton celebrates its 100th anniversary and partnership with the Global Equality Fund (GEF), managed by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, by calling on the travel and hospitality industry to join them as a GEF partner. To inspire other companies to join, Hilton will be hosting an event with the Global Equality Fund highlighting the work of GEF-supported activists and grantees. The Global Equality Fund, funded by more than 25 governments, foundations and corporations and, provides critical emergency, short-term, and long-term assistance to advance and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons in over 90 countries worldwide.
HSMAI Foundation Partners with Hiring Our Heroes to Tackle Hospitality Industry’s Employment Deficit
Mclean, Va. - After recently announcing a new $3 million capital campaign and renewed mission to serve as the hospitality industry's unofficial employment brand, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation today introduced a new partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative (HOH), in a joint effort to establish workforce development initiatives for military spouses. Both organizations will work together to identify new hospitality career opportunities and implement a new fellowship program, which will allow select military spouses to participate in a six-week experiential learning program with leading hotel brands, providing insight into the dynamic career opportunities that exist in hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue management.
Choice Hotels Commits $25,000 in Grants to Franchise Business Owners Who Serve Their Local Community
On the first day of its 65th Annual Convention, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) announced it will recognize and help support its hotel owners' service efforts with the Your Community, Your Choice. Choice Hotels Local Business Grant Program, which will award a total of $25,000 to five franchisees who plan to make a positive difference in their community.
Modular Hotel Construction Building Momentum
In recent years we have seen modular hotel construction follow a similar trajectory as online shopping: At first each was viewed with quizzical amusement, followed shortly thereafter by a traditionalist's disdain for the new technologies and then, ultimately, an understanding and even appreciation.
Going Green: Are restaurant owners, managers, and consumers on the same page?
"Americans crave foods that not only nourish them but also help sustain the planet."
RCI® Affiliates Recognized for Best Sustainability Practices
RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange, announced the most recent winners of the RCI® Green Awards program.
Teneo Hospitality Group Begins New CSR Initiative with Kids in Need Foundation And Society B to Provide School Supplies to Kids Across America
Teneo Hospitality Group, the premier group representation firm, is teaming up with the Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) and Society B to give back to communities where they host events. The program, created by Teneo, includes an innovative approach to raise funds for KINF to provide school supplies to students and teachers across America.
Booking.com Reveals Key Findings From Its 2019 Sustainable Travel Report
Nearly half (45%) of U.S travelers report being more determined to make sustainable travel choices than they were a year ago, but barriers include a lack of knowledge and available or appealing options when trying to put this into practice.
Booking.com Shares New Research on Canadian Travellers' Interest In and Barriers To Travelling Sustainably
Almost three quarters (70%) of Canadian travellers report being more determined to make sustainable travel choices than they were a year ago, but barriers include a lack of knowledge and available or appealing options when trying to put this into practice.
IHG Owners Association's Decade-Long Fundraiser Hits $1Million Goal for Give Kids The World Village
Don Berg, CEO of the IHG Owners Association has announced that the organization has met its ambitious fundraising goal of $1 million to help make dreams come true for children with critical illnesses, benefitting Give Kids The World (GKTW) Village. "The IHG Owners Association has been a dedicated advocate of Give Kids The World from its inception 30 plus years ago," explains Berg. "As we crossed the $1 million donation mark this year, the result of ten years of efforts, we are so pleased to deliver our pledge in time for the holiday season. We are appreciative of the generosity of our owner members to help us achieve this ambitious goal." The relationship with Give Kids The World has a deep history that began with the creation of the partnership with Holiday Inn®. "Association members are passionate about supporting Give Kids The World Village and its families," Berg continues. "It's truly a joy for the Association to be able to continue this support year-after-year, and we look forward to helping create many more memories." "Words cannot begin to express how grateful we are to the IHG Owners Association for this incredibly generous donation," said Give Kids The World President & CEO Pamela Landwirth. "The Association has been a treasured partner since the founding of Give Kids The World, bringing happiness and hope to the precious children and families we serve. We are honored by their ongoing love and support." Give Kids The World offers a cost-free, weeklong vacation that includes whimsical villa accommodations, delicious meals, nightly entertainment and all of the ice cream that guests can eat from sunup to sundown. Working with nearly 240 wish granting organizations, Give Kids The World welcomes children and their families from all 50 states and more than 76 countries. Approximately 8,000 families per year arrive and are given a weeklong vacation. For more information on GKTW's mission, visit www.GiveKidsTheWorld.org.
Prince’s Trust Canada and Marriott International Announce National Partnership on New Youth Employment Initiative
Prince's Trust Canada, a national charity established by HRH The Prince of Wales, and Marriott International, a leading global lodging company with more than 6,700 properties across 129 countries and territories, announced a new Canada wide partnership today that will support youth employment and grow the hospitality-talent pool nationally.
MGM Resorts Makes $1 million Gift to Scholarship Program for Children of Employees
MGM Resorts International announces the re-establishment of the MGM Resorts Scholarship Program for Children of Employees with an initial gift of $1 million beginning in 2019. The scholarship is intended to help such high school graduates increase their access to post-secondary opportunities, including universities, community colleges and recognized certification programs.