PRESS RELEASE -
The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the most dynamic hotel companies in the world and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as a 2016 World’s Most Ethical Company® for the 7th consecutive year. Additionally, since four years it is the only Belgium company who has achieved this status.
PRESS RELEASE -
A successful seven-year collaboration between EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification, and advisory group, and properties in the Carlson Rezidor Asia Pacific portfolio has achieved US$6.9 million in savings and an overall environmental footprint reduction of 23 percent.
Today, eight of the group’s properties including its Singapore-based Asia Pacific headquarters have been awarded EarthCheck Gold Certification, and a further eighteen properties have been awarded Silver Certification.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Climate change is threatening Sweden’s highest peak. The glacier atop Mount Kebnekaise, the country’s tallest mountain, has been shrinking by an average of a meter a year for the past 15 years due to rising temperatures. As a symbolic gesture, artists Mats Bigert and Lars Bergström installed a reflective blanket to keep the mountain top's snow a little colder and prevent it from melting.
COLLABORATION -
In recent years, the travel and hospitality industry has smartly identified the business case for investing in the preservation of popular destinations around the world, and the environmental and social ecosystems that comprise them.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Circular and sharing economy models are the latest trend in sustainable fashion – it seems there are new initiatives popping up all the time! Just last week, we covered startups reKindness and Hubbub, which are making clothes swapping easier in the U.S. and U.K., respectively.
PRESS RELEASE -
In 2015, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group became a founding member of a new, public-private partnership of government and corporate employers combatting sex trafficking. The partnership, BEST Employers Alliance, was launched in Seattle by Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to aligning and equipping business leaders to use the power of their businesses to prevent human trafficking.
WASTE NOT -
Energy, water, waste, chemical consumption and support for local communities are now issues that hotels may take into consideration when adopting a sustainability approach, whether they do so for ethical, financial, or branding reasons. However, one fundamental aspect of hotel operation remains neglected - one with a staggering environmental impact that’s not included in the criteria for the most advanced green hotel certification schemes. And it can cause tremendous damage to a hotel’s income statement. Too often considered a necessary evil by hoteliers, food waste is the elephant in the room that the vast majority of operators still try hard to ignore.
PRESS RELEASE -
MINNEAPOLIS, BRUSSELS AND SINGAPORE (Oct. 26, 2015) -Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today shared highlights from its 2015 Responsible Business Action Month activities around the globe. Now in its 12th year, 1,100 of the group’s hotels organized more than 1,300 activities, committed more than 37,000 volunteer hours and raised a total of 360,000 USD for the World Childhood Foundation and other local charities.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Greenwashing practices, combined with claims of corporate social responsibility, have reduced the trust of U.S. consumers who are increasingly recognizing hotels’ green claims may be self-serving, according to a new study in the Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, as reported by Eco-Business. All of this could cause hotels to lose valuable repeat customers.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Gaming, hotel and resort company Caesars Entertainment Corporation released its sixth annual Corporate Citizenship Report, Inspiring Citizenship, this week. The company achieved most of its 2015 targets early and has established new interim targets for 2020 in accordance with their goals for 2025.Highlights of environmental progress include:
PRESS RELEASE -
Three of Caesars’ most active volunteers are coming to Atlantic City as recognized guests to share best community engagement practices with the Atlantic City region and the 2015 Caesars Client Educational Experience guests. Over the next 4 days, follow Brid’Jette Whaley, Janice Miller and Joan Bish as they attend the exclusive Caesars Meetings and Clients events in Atlantic City. Bridjette, Janice and Joan were selected as HERO Stars by Caesars’ based on the impact they’re making in their communities through their volunteer efforts. They will join this one-of-a-kind experience and indulge in spectacular venues as well as the celebration surrounding the unveiling of Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City’s Water Front Conference Center.
NEW METRICS -
After meeting its initial goal a year ahead of schedule, Carnival Corporation has renewed its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from its 2005 baseline by 2020, according to a recent announcement of the travel and leisure company’s 2020 sustainability goals.As part of the effort, the company and its 10 global brands have developed strategic energy reduction and conservation initiatives, many of which exceed current laws and regulations.
PRESS RELEASE -
Report chronicles the company's gains in Diversity, Philanthropy and Sustainability among employees and communities Las Vegas, Sept. 8, 2015 – MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) employee volunteers build a house from the ground-up, and hand over the keys to an elated single mother and her children. Tens of millions of dollars are spent conducting business with minority- and women-owned enterprises, supporting the company’s strategic objectives and commitment to diversity. MGM Resorts and NRG Renew partner to install one of the nation’s largest rooftop solar arrays at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, stretching a massive 20 acres.
PRESS RELEASE -
The Caesars Entertainment Code of Commitment states that we have a commitment to our communities to help make them more vibrant places to live and work. We encourage all of our employees to volunteer in civic and charitable causes. A Caesars Entertainment HERO Star is a service-driven team member who goes above and beyond in giving back to their community. This quarter we recognized Brenda Heiselt, Mesa Grill Team and Adam Web for their dedication to bringing Caesars’ Code of Commitment to life and awarded them with $500 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Learn more about Caesars' HERO Star program: http://bit.ly/1HC6Nly
CLEANTECH -
Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest travel and leisure company, announced Monday it has signed a multibillion-dollar contract with German shipyard Meyer Werft to build four next-generation cruise ships with the largest guest capacity in the world. The four new ships will also be the first in the cruise industry to be powered at sea by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) — the world’s cleanest-burning fossil fuel.The company said two of the ships will be manufactured for AIDA Cruises at Meyer Werft's shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Additional information about the ships, including which new ships will be added to each brand, will be made available at a later date.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Carnival Corporation has launched a new brand that enables customers to choose “social impact travel” for their next getaway. Carnival says fathomTM will partner with community organizations in destination cities, offering travelers the opportunity to work alongside locals for social causes.Starting in April 2016, fathom will lead 7-day voyages during which passengers can choose from a range of social impact activities according to their passions, skills and interests. The new brand appeals to a growing segment of consumers who desire the ability to positively impact others’ lives, according to Tara Russell, who will serve as President of fathom and as Global Impact Lead for Carnival Corporation.
NEW METRICS -
Ireland has made positive strides in sustainable tourism in the last decade, including the development of a globally recognized tourism eco-certification program and the Wild Atlantic Way touring route filled with agritourism food trails, naturalist-guided adventure activities and environmentally conscious boutique hotels.
COLLABORATION -
Hilton Worldwide today announced an initial three-year commitment with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to reduce its impact on the environment.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
This week, W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, became the latest company to jump on the plastic-waste-to-fabric train when it announced a new partnership with global music artist and entrepreneur will.i.am and The Coca-Cola Company, to bring the EKOCYCLE™ brand to W Hotel rooms around the world.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
At the World Travel & Tourism Council 2015 Global Summit in Madrid today, Sustainable Travel International (STI) unveiled an industry-wide campaign, entitled “10 Million Better,” to monitor and scale up social and environmental benefits from travel and tourism.The 10-year initiative convenes leading tourism corporations, organizations and destinations around the globe with the goal of tracking and demonstrating improvements in the lives of at least 10 million people and their families by 2025. Improvements to be monitored include growth of income and opportunity, and better protection of destinations’ natural, cultural and heritage sites.