I vacationed this past week in my home state of Ohio and had an opportunity to chat with a friend who drives a Tesla. He and his wife were among the first to buy a hybrid Toyota Prius 13 years ago. I asked him how he likes his electric car and he just went on and on about it. He has taken long trips with it and experienced no problems. With just one moving part—the motor—electric vehicles are very reliable and certainly a threat to businesses used to profiting from the repair of gas-powered vehicles. Eventually they will have to adapt.
I have been noticing Tesla being mentioned more and more in hotel press releases lately. In May, Hotel Ivy, based in Minneapolis, announced it is partnering with TREVLS, a Tesla car rental company headquartered in downtown Minneapolis. Guests now have the opportunity to reserve a Model S or X during their stay. TREVLS will pick up and deliver the choice of Tesla vehicle directly to Hotel Ivy.
Also in May, British Columbia’s first all-electric taxi fleet launched its Tesla service at the award-winning green Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites with Tesla Supercharger stations. “We’re excited we can now offer guests an eco-friendly alternative for taxi transportation,” said Brenda Rayburn, Director of Sales & Marketing at the hotel in Kelowna, B.C.
B&Bs & EV Stations
In March we ran an article about B&Bs in Virginia offering electric vehicle charging stations. At Oak Grove Plantation in South Boston, Va., shiny new electric charging stations are powered by the inn’s 48 solar photovoltaic panels. “We are hoping to appeal to visitors who are conscious of their lodging’s carbon footprint,” says innkeeper Pickett Craddock. She offers a third night free for electric vehicle and hybrid owners.
Tesla Motors supported the effort and installed the stations for free in 2016, aware of the inn’s rural location far from most other charging stations. The chargers work on Teslas and on all electric vehicles now sold or in development by every automotive manufacturer.
At the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, complimentary rides in Tesla electric vehicles are offered to guests. Last fall, six Tesla vehicle specific charging stations were installed at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento in California.
Tesla Destination Charging at Winvian Farm
Winvian Farm, Morris, Conn., the award-winning AAA Five-Diamond resort and restaurant, and New England’s only property with an organic working farm, has teamed up with Tesla Motors to provide Tesla Destination Charging, which allows guests to charge up in several hours or overnight (the Tesla Supercharger takes just 30 minutes).
Director of Sales & Marketing of Winvian Farm, Win Smith III, states, “Winvian Farm is constantly evolving our services to heighten our guests’ experiences year after year. In combining the forward-thinking Tesla with the immersive experience in nature that is Winvian Farm, we only further our commitment to providing outstanding services and earth-friendly offerings. Both guests and their vehicles now have the opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate.”
According to Tesla, there are now hundreds of Destination Charging sites around the United States, including at many hotels. Qualified properties can join the Destination Charging network and receive their first two Wall Connectors at no cost on the condition that they are installed in visible or convenient locations. In addition, they will benefit from visibility in the charging maps on the Tesla website and in-vehicle navigation. It is a great way to attract new and repeat customers. Click here for more details.
If you have a Tesla (or other electric vehicle story) to share, send it my way. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
How to Search on Our Website
Similar to other search engines you find online, a search using one word will produce articles with that word included. If you would like to search for something that is more than one word long—ozone laundry, for example—you will need to put quotation marks around the words or phrase. Ozone laundry would then be “ozone laundry” in the search.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2017?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2017. Many excellent spots are available on our new website, in the weekly e-mail newsletter, and Green Lodging Survey. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2017 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 9,465. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail editor@greenlodgingnews.com to be added to our list.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,751 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 852 Facebook likes.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
