In case you did not notice the recent articles appearing in Green Lodging News, you should know that in just the last six weeks, five states and one city have launched green lodging certification programs. I know there are those out there who are not happy about the addition of more green lodging certification programs to our industry, but I am excited for New York, Oklahoma, Indiana, South Carolina, Maryland, and Buffalo, N.Y. Congratulations to those who have worked so hard to put together these programs. According to my count, there are now 23 states and three cities that offer some type of formalized assistance—not always including certification—to those interested in greening up their lodging operations. (Click here to see that list.)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation got the ball rolling with its announcement in late September about that state’s program. The New York State Green Hospitality and Tourism Partnership, a combination of state agencies, business associations, and academia, worked together to initiate it. Lodging establishments will be certified through Audubon International’s GreenLeaf program. Less than a week later, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department unveiled a new travel initiative called ECO—Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma—which promotes, educates and encourages sustainable travel in that state. It includes education, green certification and marketing support for tourism industry partners. The Oklahoma Tourism department kicked off the ECO program with seven pilot programs.
In early October, the State of Indiana announced it will adopt the Green Key Eco-Rating Program as its official statewide environmental initiative. The certification program will be managed via a partnership between the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) and Green Key Global, whereby the IHLA will promote the program to lodging properties within the state. Indiana’s announcement was followed in late October with announcement of the expansion of the Buffalo Green Hospitality Initiative. As part of a program called Green & Mean (It), a lodging certification program was introduced. Almost 50 people on five sub-committees were involved in putting together the certification program and corresponding workbook.
Green Hospitality Alliance Forms
At the very end of October, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the South Carolina Hospitality Assn. announced the formal rollout of the South Carolina Green Hospitality Alliance. The program, developed in partnership between DHEC and the South Carolina Hospitality Assn., recognizes and certifies facilities for environmentally friendly efforts with an annual certification. The South Carolina Hospitality Assn. reviews all certification applications and rates facilities—from One Palmetto Tree to Three Palmetto Trees—based on a facility’s green practices.
Just this last week, Maryland’s Office of Tourism—in partnership with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Maryland Tourism Council—launched “Maryland Green Travel.” The initial stage of the program will create an online, self-certification application for the lodging sector that uses environmental guidelines adopted by the American Hotel and Lodging Assn. and the best practices of MDE’s Green Registry. A similar process will be implemented for restaurants, attractions and other tourism businesses during 2010.
Once again, I applaud those industry representatives who have dedicated their time—often on a voluntary basis—to put together the programs described above. The programs are great marketing vehicles, motivation to reduce waste, energy and water consumption, great for the environment, and a positive influence on those managers and associates involved in the greening process.
If your state or city is currently working on a program similar to those described above, give me a call at (440) 243-2055, or e-mail me at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
GLN Welcomes Reel Mowers, Etc. as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Reel Mowers, Etc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Reel Mowers specializes in reel mower sales. The company’s quiet, non-polluting manual reel mowers provide a superior scissors cut, save money, and are safer and easier to maintain than power mowers. Reel mowers are available in different sizes. Reel Mowers, Etc. also sells other products including blade sharpening kits, wagons, garden cultivators, compost bins, and grass catchers. For golf course putting greens, the company offers several mower styles. For additional information, call (888) 384-1033, e-mail marjorieking@reelmowersetc.com, or go to www.reelmowersetc.com.
An October to Remember
Continue to spread the word to your colleagues about Green Lodging News; it is working. In October, 54,389 total visitors stopped by the Green Lodging News website, up from 23,417 in October 2008. Last month the Green Lodging News website generated 154,186 page views, up from 91,111 in October 2008. Thank you for your continued support of Green Lodging News.
Have a Product You Would Like to Feature?
The Featured Product Spot in the Green Lodging News weekly e-mail newsletter is available December through March. Interested in having your product featured there? Call me at (440) 243-2055, or contact me by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Additional ad spots are also available for the remainder of 2009. Both 2009 and 2010 media kits are available by request or by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Green Lodging News Blog & Twitter
Be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. The address for the blog is http://greenlodgingnews.blogspot.com. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also now on Twitter. To follow my postings, go to http://twitter.com/greenlodging. Be sure to add Green Lodging News to those tweets that you follow. Green Lodging News now has 289 Twitter followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
