OLD SAYBROOK, CONN.—Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, located in Old Saybrook, Conn., one of New England’s most widely recognized resorts for its environmental and sustainable practices, has launched a Green Meetings program to help meeting planners meet the growing demand for environmentally sound meetings and events. Across its resort-wide operational and sustainable practices, including its 120-slip marina, Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is the first full-service hotel in Connecticut to receive the Energy Star rating awarded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for superior energy performance and is also one of the first hotels in the state to be...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—For the fourth consecutive year, RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality are offering a voluntourism “Give & Getaway” package. This rewarding travel option offers discounted lodging rates to guests who ‘give back’ and volunteer at the company’s eight RockResorts, lodging properties in Keystone and Breckenridge, a collection of accommodations in the Grand Tetons, as well as two of the newest RockResorts in Miami and Breckenridge. More than 15 volunteer projects will be offered this year as part of the Give & Getaway package, all of which are focused on natural resource conservation and preservation near the company’s resorts. “Give &...

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—Adventure Green Alaska (AGA), the state’s first tourism certification program highlighting sustainable business practices, is entering its third year and accepting applications once again for certification. According to Sarah Leonard, AGA board director, nine businesses were certified in 2009 and eight earlier this year. All tourism-related businesses are eligible. The deadline for the next round of applications is June 30, 2010. AGA, which is run by the nonprofit Adventure Green Alaska, Inc., is a voluntary program run by a volunteer board that includes representation from lodging, academia, government and other sectors. Leonard says AGA was several years in the...

HASTINGS, MINN.—The Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Association has launched a green lodging self-certification program for its members. The program, called Green Journey, was introduced at the organization’s recent conference in Minneapolis. Green Journey is the result of a two-year planning process and was put together by a committee of innkeepers representing B&Bs from around the state. According to Peter Torkelson, owner of The Scandinavian Inn in Lanesboro, Minn., innkeepers will have an opportunity to earn from one to five green leaves for their environmental accomplishments. The leaves will appear in each property’s profile on the association’s website. “The more...

PHOENIX—The Doubletree Hotel, Austin, Texas became the 1,200th lodging property to complete iStayGreen.org’s online self-audit, earning a 2 Green Eco-Leaf Rating. The eco-rating allows the public to know the specific environmental initiatives in place at a property, which enables the environmentally conscious traveler to make informed lodging decisions. Properties complete the comprehensive online self-audit and earn a Green Eco-Leaf Rating ranging from 1 to 5 Eco-Leafs with 5 Green Eco-Leafs being the highest level attainable. Ratings are based on environmental initiatives in-place at the property. Only 20 properties have earned the coveted 5 Green Eco-Leaf Rating thus far; 12 in...

FOOT HILL RANCH, CALIF.—Retail and hospitality bedding and bath source Venus Group is giving its customers a concise but close-up window into its environmentally conscious production practices with the debut of its new “Farm-2-Finish” online video. In three and a half minutes, Venus presents its manufacturing process—which it boasts is earth-friendly from when the fiber source is farmed to when the final product is completed. The company’s new marketing message is “Farm to Finish: Quality through sustainability.” “The whole reason we wanted to create this video is because it goes hand in hand with our corporate branding,” said Devanshi Patel,...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide introduces WyndhamGreen Kids, a program designed to teach children ages three to fourteen about the environment, their communities, and the world. Children from all around the world will be able to learn how to take care of the planet using six core strategies: energy conservation, water conservation, recycling/reusing, education, community involvement, and innovation. Wyndham Worldwide celebrated Earth Day by educating kids about sustainability locally at its headquarters in Parsippany, N.J., as well as nationally through the WyndhamGreen Kids website where children can find workbook activities and hands-on activities arranged by their local environmental organizations. “We are proud to...

BELLEVUE, WASH.—To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Expedia.com, the leading online travel agency, announced that it has greatly expanded the company’s Green Hotel program. The new program now offers more than 1,700 green hotels to travelers who prioritize environmental sustainability. These hotels are certified by a cross-section of organizations, including Green Seal, Green Key, LEED and STEP. “At Expedia.com, we realize that green travel is an important offering to a dedicated, passionate set of travelers,” said Tim MacDonald, senior vice president and general manager, Expedia.com. “By offering green-certified hotels, carbon offset options for flights and environmental travel tips,...

ATLANTA—Simmons Hospitality Bedding, a division of Simmons Contract Sales LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Simmons Bedding Company, is making public its findings from a November 2007 survey aimed at gauging the interest of hotel guests in eco-oriented hotel elements and programs. The survey, which Simmons originally conducted for internal research purposes only, involved more than 300 respondents who are members of different hotels’ frequent guest programs. The results show that hotel environmental responsibility gained traction among guests, with 93 percent of respondents aware of hotel programs geared toward conserving water or energy. Simmons’ research also illustrates how hotel eco-elements potentially...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Sonoma Soap Company has added something to its all-natural line of Sonoma Soap Products. Beginning this month, the Sonoma brand began carrying the Clean the World logo on its packaging. The co-branded natural bar soaps are part of a unique marketing effort with the nonprofit, Clean the World. In addition to the awareness generated by the new packaging, Sonoma will donate a portion of the proceeds of each co-branded bar purchased to help in its mission of saving lives and recycling soap. “We are proud of this alliance with Clean the World to generate funds and awareness to help...