TORONTO—Almost 400 people attended the Hotel Association of Canada’s 2008 Conference this week at the Hilton Toronto Hotel. Green hotel trends and operations were highlighted in a session entitled, “How Big is Your Carbon Footprint and Who Really Cares? How Can Going Green Make Some Green?” The session was moderated by Allan Gregg, Harris/Decima Research Inc. Panelists included: Bruce Cords, Vice President, Environment, Food Safety & Public Health for Ecolab Inc.; John Lambert, Direct Energy Business Services; Ted Manziaris, Turtle Island Recycling; Vince Quattrociocchi, Vice President of Operations, Metro Toronto Convention Centre; and Michelle White, Director, Environmental Affairs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Gregg began the session by summarizing current Canadian sentiment toward the environment.
“It is quantitatively and qualitatively different than it ever was before,” Gregg said. “Especially for young people, concerns about the environment are more widespread. Seventy percent of Canadians overwhelmingly believe that climate change is happening today.”
Panelists Weigh In on Trends
Panelists each discussed what environmental trends they are seeing in their businesses.
“If you don’t have green programs in place, it negatively affects your business opportunities,” Fairmont’s White said. “Group business will not book.”
“There is definitely money to be made in going green,” added Ecolab’s Cords, referring to the cleaning chemicals his company produces. “They can help conserve water and energy and they do not cost more. We have some customers who are saving $200,000 a year.”
John Lambert, Direct Energy Business Services, made the following prediction: “In five to seven years, in Ontario, energy prices could be 70 percent higher.”
Added Turtle Island Recycling’s Manziaris: “Landfill fees could double in the next five years.”
An Innovative Cooling Method
Vince Quattrociocchi discussed the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s zero waste meeting efforts and its deep lake water cooling program that utilizes cold water from Lake Ontario to help cool the Convention Centre. Fairmont’s White discussed how Fairmont motivates its employees to reduce waste and conserve energy and water.
“We created an “Environmental Hotel of the Year” program,” White said. “We also have green teams at each of our properties. Young people want to work for companies that share their own values.”
Ecolab’s Cords talked about the confusion in the marketplace in regard to what is green or not green.
“The word ‘natural’ does not always necessarily mean ‘good,’” he said.
When asked what hotels could be doing but currently are not doing to reduce waste, Turtle Island Recycling’s Manziaris said more could be reducing guestroom waste.
“What it comes down to is cooperating with housekeeping as well as other related areas of operations,” he said.
Travel Intentions Survey Results
Gail Haarsma, Senior Vice President at Fleishman-Hillard, presented the results of the 2008 Hotel Association of Canada/Fleishman-Hillard Travel Intentions survey. A total of 1,008 leisure travelers and 503 business travelers were surveyed late last year. When asked how much more they would be willing to spend to make their stay more eco-friendly, 29 percent of business travelers and 21 percent of leisure travelers said 5 percent.
When asked if they sought out properties with strong green practices, 52 percent of all travelers surveyed said occasionally or as much as possible. Forty-six percent said rarely or never. When asked if they were familiar with the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating program, 91 percent said no. When asked if their organization has a green travel policy, 60 percent said no, 8 percent said yes, and 32 percent said they did not know.
Energy & Environment Awards
At the Hall of Fame Awards Gala Dinner, Energy & Environment Awards were presented to the Delta Sun Peaks Resort, Sun Peaks, British Columbia, and the Island Lake Lodge, Fernie, British Columbia. The Delta Sun Peaks Resort received a 4-Key rating in 2007 from the Hotel Association of Canada as part of its Green Key Eco-Rating program. The resort has taken many steps to reduce its environmental impact. The Island Lake Lodge distinguished itself by implementing a micro-hydro system that allows it to generate 100 percent of its electrical needs. The lodge is also a 4-Key property.
Green Key Gains Momentum
In an interview with Green Lodging News, Walter Willett, Director of Business Development for the Hotel Association of Canada, talked about the growth of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating system. He said the program now has 740 participants, up from 620 in November 2007. Willett said that Howard Johnson Canada has just announced that all of its Canada-based properties will participate in Green Key. The announcement follows Travelodge Canada’s November 2007 commitment to have its properties participate.
“InterContinental Hotels Group is also looking at Green Key,” Willett said.
The Hotel Association of Canada’s goal is to reach 1,000 properties by the end of this year. That number would represent 30 to 40 percent of all hotels in Canada with 50 rooms or more. Each participating property is listed on the Hotel Association of Canada website.
As part of the Green Key program, hotels face the prospect of a random audit. Audits are not required for certification. According to Willett, the Hotel Association of Canada recently started auditing Green Key properties. With each hotel’s listing on the Hotel Association of Canada website, it will be noted whether or not that hotel has undergone an audit.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
