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This article is about how technology affects world tourism. Technology plays a major role in tourism and travel and can help to reduce labor costs and bad customer service. On the other hand, because our industry is driven by human interaction too much or misuse of technology can truly hinder service. The article also stated that "technology's growth has allowed worldwide terrorism to to attack the tourism industry". Cell phones can be used to blow up bombs, air conditions, and destroy planes. As leaders in the industry we must decide how far to go with the use technology.

The Grand Cancun has been designed to anticipate natural disasters climate change, as well as incorporated amenities that will make it self-sustaining and even beneficial to the city in which it resides. Including a wind and underwater energy farm, desalination plant, ocean waste facility, wind turbines and solar panels. Not only this but its design will avoid destruction of the underwater ecosystem during development and construction. This is not only a hotel but also it incorporates a facility for marine research. The design appears expensive but it has the opportunity to recapture its investment through the building's own energy savings, the sale of the energy it generates to external users, its ability to remain largely unaffected by rising sea levels or other climate change and the incremental business related to the research laboratories.

In today's society, going green is become more and more important. Especially in the hospitality industry, companies are looking for ways to save a dollar and be more energy efficient. Same thing goes for cruise lines. With so many tourists traveling by ship every year, it is important for these cruise corporations to follow regulations and set their own standards for upholding the law. So far the leader of the pack, Royal Caribbean, has qualified for certifications. They have their staff trained in the company's Environmental Management System. Holland America, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Costa are also following suit by implementing their own green initiatives. 

As the world becomes a darker place with pollution and poverty, younger generations look to better the world with the idea " Going Green". Millennials are not going to spend money with companies they perceive as an enemy to the planet. If businesses want to attract this generations, they will have to prove their sustainability. This article shows hotels that are doing just this. If we stop expecting foods all year round and understand blueberries dont grow in Thailand we can cut the cost of food mileage. We all have to listen to the planet and understands seasons. The fact that just implementing refillable soap containers is thought of a new idea is ridiculous. This is something we should have been doing all along.

This article focuses on the electronic waste epidemic that is occurring all around the globe. Because so many people are clueless on the subject they have listed out the 10 basic things you should know on the subject. 1. Is everything that makes up electronic waste which is just about everything you use and everything in your home including fridges, washing machines, ect. 2. It explains where all of it goes, even though we think it may be getting disposed of properly about 80% is sent to developing nations. 3. It explains that this is extremely dangerous as it has harmful elements that can even cause death when not handled properly. 4. It has the potential to be used again or even made into new things like jewelry. 5. There are trust worthy places you can take your old electronics such as e-Stewards. 6. Ways to avoid giving your old electronics to the wrong person. 7. The reason this is happening is because there really isn't any laws to prevent it. 8. Thankfully now companies are starting to implement trade in programs. 9. China is truly suffering from this problem. 10. Shows just how little people know about E-waste.

AirBnb and City Relay discuss how they are implementing sustainability in the short term vacation rentals that host travellers in their business platforms. Sustainability has become a very important trend in tourism which travellers highly consider and these businesses see sustainability as a way of increasing operational efficiency.

E-waste is an electronic product of a consumer or business which (actual or seemingly) has reached the end of its lifespan. Depending on city regulations and provisions, e-waste can be quite costly if not properly disposed. For instance, hazardous chemicals can seep out of used phones or tablets and pass through our water tables. California, the first US state to have enacted a Electronic Waste Recycling Act in 2003, implemented a legislation to reduce hazardous substance in newly built electronics and a fee for the disposal of larger electronics. This has proven successful in reducing E-waste thus far. Another solution to the E-waste dilemma is to create a market for re-purchase of such materials. Products that are "Designed for the Environment" are to be marketed as preferred and created as such. Therefore, consumers, environmentalists and entrepreneurs reclaim pollution and turn it into profit.

This article introduces what is e-waste and the main reason for the surge in e-waste. It also introduced the current recycling status of e-waste and the harm caused by the informal recycling of e-waste, such as heavy metal poisoning and financial information leakage. In addition, measures to address the proliferation of e-waste were also discussed.

It has become necessary for more proper and formal recycling of e-waste as it is economical and environmentally beneficial for companies. China decided to accept less e-waste from other counties and as a result there is more e waste going to other countries in south east Asia damaging their environments.

And check out this 5 sustainable design ideas for hotels.

This article discusses how the German Town of Herrenberg created a virtual version of itself that will allow to down develop virtual tourism. The reason I view this as a story about Green computer technology is virtual tourism is a very Green environmentally friendly version of tourism. It allows tourist to explore a place with much less environmental footprint. A virtual tourist can explore a town without flying or driving which reduces air pollution. I don't think virtual tourism would replace actual tourism but can allow for the creation of new tourism without the same environmental impact of actual tourism.

This article basically talks about a front-desk bypass solution that allows guests to head straight to their room without standing in lines to obtain a plastic room key as long as a guest has a mobile phone.  To sum up the article, mobile key by Open ways is compatible with any cell phone, as all of the 6+ billion mobile devices in the world. It simplifies hotel Master Key management by harnessing mobile technologies to make all locks 'on line' without the costly infrastructure. It also enhances a hotel's sustainability program because the Mobile key is made only of data and not plastic. Moreover, hotels can eliminate costs originally spent on toxic plastic key cards. It is a creative way to move the technology of mobile keys forward, giving hotels an added dimension to guest satisfaction and a new means of attracting the ever-important business traveler. In my opinion, this solution could be beneficial to hotels' revenue since the system is compatible with not only smartphones but also all kinds of cell phone. It works with all major lock technologies and relies on a combination of text messages and its Crypto Acoustic Credential (CAC) technology. The only modification required to a lock for it to work is the addition of a decoding listening device. I think this is a great convenience for both the hotel management and consumers. Furthermore, there might be a good marketing opportunity here modifying the system to pop up a special offer on a phone once the rock has been deactivated. For example, a free dink at the hotel bar, or a half price meal at the hotel restaurant.

Mobile Key by OpenWays allows hotel guests to bypass the front desk and go straight to their room upon arrival by simply using their cell phone as a room key. Many people do not want to wait in line at the front desk merely to get a plastic key card for their room. As long as the guest has a cell phone and the hotel is equipped with OpenWays they can get secure access to their rooms. Mobile Key by OpenWays is also very beneficial to the hotel as well. Since Mobile Key is only made of data, it cuts the hotel's costs of making room keys out of toxic plastic for guests as well as master keys for employees. The hotel is now "greener," saving money, and improving customer service. With technology growing and customers relying more and more on mobile technology while travelling, Mobile Key creates an easier and more enjoyable way to travel.

In my personal opinion, I love this renovation on mobile key. I don't like to wait a long time for check-in. With the Mobile Key, guests don't have to carry their room key anywhere anytime and if they leave it in the room, they have to wait a long time in the line to the front desk to ask for another one. My favorite part of the Mobile key is that this technology is green. Even though current room keys that used by most hotels made of plastic are reused and recycling, the plastic itself is a material that would pollute the environment. But I still have a question about it that how about guests lose their cell phone during their stay. Does the hotel have a plan B for helping guests to open doors without the plastic key?

Going green is one of the hottest trends in the hospitality industry, but why? General speaking, there are two reasons: Benefit hospitality industry. Through increased efficiency, hospitality facilities can reduce costs, achieve environmental results, gain recognition, win new business, and be more attractive to employees. Protect the environment. Help to conserve natural resources by preventing pollution in regions with a large concentration of hospitality facilities and high resource use. To be specific, there are below several benefits: 1. Cost savings. Going green can maximize energy efficiency and reduce waste. A hotel can reduce its energy consumption by 20-40%. Substantial cost savings can makes hotel more profitable. 2. Competitive advantage. Over time, green practices will be more treasured in the hospitality industry, particularly as the continually rise of non-renewable energy cost. Green programs can also provide a competitive advantage by being recognized for green efforts. 3. Employee retention Environmental programs have proved to be an effective ways of generating enthusiasm and motivating staff to work as a team to achieve a common purpose. The high level of staff enthusiasm and motivation reduces employee turnover rate, in this way, business could save money in training of new staff. 4. Customer loyalty Business which has green practices makes customers feel responsible and reliable. Customer loyalty will increase once they have experienced hotels which have show their environmental commitment. 5. Regulatory compliance Being aware of green and take green practice will avoid potentially higher future costs which may be associated with compliance. 6. Risk management Going green helps companies reduce their environmental risk and potential liabilities. It also can secure investment and reduce their financial and reputational market exposure

7.Cause it's the right thing to do! Business should pay more attention on protecting environment as business growth. Going green is a reflection of business take social responsibility. Larger businesses have been criticized as being the main culprit in releasing excess greenhouse emissions, climate change, environmental devastation, and unfair treatment of employees. The planet is unique, so lager businesses need to increase focus on protect environment.

Going green is definetely a smart move for the above reasons, but it is also a good idea because it is trendy. People want to stay in forward thinking hotels and feel like they are on the edge of technology. Green hotels will get more attention and ultimately more business simply because it is popular. Investors want to put their money towards the wave of the future. As an Oregonian (tree loving hippies, wink) I embrace the attention being given to a greener way of doing business. It is really the best move for all of us, business and society as a whole.

In 2017 the Washington Post introduced green travel in their article "What is 'green travel', anyway? A beginners guide to eco-friendly vacation planning." The article explains the in/outs of traveling by defining green travel as a lifestyle change and listing the steps of accomplishing an eco-friendly vacation. Sweden ranked at the top for eco-friendly travel. My only issue with the article relates to the destinations in which air travel is required. Air travel may not be the most eco-friendly way of traveling because of the fuel pollution in the "friendly skies". However, some airlines make it a point to remain evironmentally-friendly such as Alaska and Delta airlines.

This article addresses the French reparability index which is a relatively new implementation that started in January of 2021, It requires that reparability scores are posted on some major tech products in France in hopes of slowing down planned obsolescence and eliminating tech waste. France is the first country to implement such as mandate and it bringing to light the notion of planned obsolescence to the general public. This article shares some of the major tech brands scores and how they are fairing against their competition.