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GREEN BUILDING INCENTIVE database IncentiFind is working with the American Hotel & Lodging Association to assist AHLA members identify sustainability-driven cost savings. IncentiFind provides more than half a million incentives, such as tax credits, grants, fee waivers, rebates, and bill credits. The collaboration empowers hoteliers to access $70 billion in incentives, AHLA said in a statement. AHLA said that these credits bolster the adoption of green initiatives, including energy efficiency, renewables, water conservation, and more. These efforts are aimed at diminishing operational costs for hoteliers, the association said. As part of this partnership, AHLA members will receive special pricing on IncentiFind's VERIFY Report, which identifies rebates and savings for asset upgrades, such as buying energy-efficient appliances or installing solar panels. AHLA's collaboration with IncentiFind represents the association's ongoing efforts to promote sustainability in the hotel industry through the Responsible Stay initiative. This initiative underscores AHLA members' dedication to energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing, the statement said.

What if lush greenery and clear blue skies no longer exist? Guess what - dirty business can actually save our planet!

Freebirdone Catamarans feel proud to join the Spanish Association of Marine Waste (AEBAM) to serve its commitment to conserving Cetaceans and the marine environment. The association aims to establish an associative framework that works towards the prevention and reduction of the waste reaching the marine environment.

RISHI SUNAK MADE his first speech as Britain's prime minister on Tuesday (25), acknowledging the mistakes of his predecessor Liz Truss while vowing to fix the economy, lead with integrity and fulfil the promises of the Conservative Party's 2019 manifesto. Below are the highlights from Sunak's speech: ON THE ECONOMY "Our country is facing a profound economic crisis. The aftermath of Covid still lingers. Putin's war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over." "I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government's agenda. This will mean difficult decisions to come." MISTAKES WERE MADE "I want to pay tribute to my predecessor Liz Truss. She was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country. It is a noble aim. And I admired her restlessness to create change. "But some mistakes were made - not born of ill will, or bad intentions. Quite the opposite, in fact. But mistakes, nonetheless. And I have been elected as leader of my party and your prime minister, in part to fix them."

THE U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION recently launched the Sustainable Travel Coalition to align the travel, transportation and technology sectors to create a more sustainable U.S. travel industry, a statement said. The coalition with nearly 60 member organizations will advise USTA on sustainability issues, opportunities and concerns within the industry. The long-term goals of the coalition include, showcasing innovative technologies and calling attention to the ongoing actions and leadership of travel professionals in the sustainability space, boosting industry goals and commitments to conservation, best practices, waste and emission reductions and both long- and short-term investments. It will also highlight why sustainability matters in the industry and play offense by identifying and promoting proactive policies and defend against harmful policies that slow progress or penalize the industry without progress. A policy committee will monitor regular progress and collaboration.

The index decreased 12.6 percent year-to-date through the first eight months of 2022. In August it also surpassed both the S&P 500, down 4.2 percent, and the MSCI US REIT Index, which dropped 6.1 percent. Also, the hotel brand sub-index fell 2.3 percent from July to 8,959, while the hotel REIT sub-index dropped 3.7 percent to 1,143. "Hotel stocks took a breather in August after July's sharp rebound. Despite the slight decline in stock prices, both the Global Hotel Brands and Hotel REITs outperformed their respective benchmarks in August," said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. "Hotel trends have remained solid throughout the summer months despite all the capital markets volatility and macroeconomic uncertainties. However, investors appear somewhat skeptical about the prospects for a significant recovery in business transient travel post-Labor Day, and hotel stocks appear to be discounting this relatively conservative fundamental expectation, in our opinion."

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association has launched Responsible Stay, an industry initiative to make meetings, events and guest experiences in U.S. hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. AHLA contends that the initiative is meant to unite major hotel companies, including at least two Asian American-owned companies, around sustainability priorities. Responsible Stay is focused on four areas: Energy efficiency: Optimizing energy efficiency through operational improvements and adoption of clean energy technologies Waste reduction: Investing in waste reduction programs and new, innovative alternatives to reduce, reuse and recycle waste across properties Water conservation: Ensuring the reduction of water usage by implementing water-efficient practices in core areas like laundry, food and beverage, and landscaping Responsible sourcing practices: Sourcing responsibly and prioritizing sustainability in supply chains to prevent harmful environmental and social impacts Under the initiative, AHLA and its members will strengthen environmental programs, education and resources to provide a "responsible stay" for guests, protect the future of the planet and support communities across the country, the statement added.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association convened hotel and sustainability leaders in Washington for the second annual "Responsible Stay Summit" on Feb. 28, reaffirming the industry's dedication to environmental sustainability. The summit was part of AHLA's 2022 Responsible Stay initiative and focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and responsible sourcing, AHLA said in a statement. The summit addressed environmental, social, and governance strategies, federal energy policy, and green financing, while offering crucial support to hoteliers in their sustainability efforts, the statement added. This year's summit featured two announcements: AHLA and the Hotel Association of Canada unveiled a partnership to oversee the Green Key Global sustainability certification program in the U.S. and Canada starting April 1. Additionally, AHLA and Procure Impact launched a Dignity of Work Pledge, aiming to generate 100,000 hours of paid employment for underserved populations, thereby promoting responsible sourcing practices.

THE U.S. HOSPITALITY industry faces an environmental wake-up call as guests seek accommodations that align with their values beyond amenities alone. This trend has fundamentally changed how hotels approach sustainability, with many adopting practices such as reduced water consumption and energy conservation. Large hotel chains like Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International have openly declared their efforts to minimize environmental impact. However, achieving meaningful sustainability requires franchise owners and operators to be on the same page. "As a global hospitality leader, Hilton is dedicated to providing exceptional guest experiences," said Jean Garris Hand, Hilton's vice president of global ESG. "However, we also recognize our profound responsibility to safeguard the destinations where we operate for future generations of travelers. Our efforts to reduce energy, carbon emissions, water usage, and waste are integral to Travel with Purpose, Hilton's comprehensive environmental, social, and governance strategy aimed at promoting responsible travel worldwide."