MADRID, SPAIN—A new United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) project is leading to at least 20 percent overall energy savings and increasing renewable energy use by 10 percent in hotels. It targets particularly small and medium enterprises, which represent the vast majority of hotel rooms in the accommodation sector and which can benefit from best practice trends and technology advances. The project brings together partners from the hotel, environment and renewable energy communities and is supported by the European Union. More than half of the world’s 5.9 million hotel rooms are located in Europe. Ninety percent of those are...

DAVIE, FLA.—With both the environment and the economy weighing heavily on most hotel owner/operators today, the timing is ideal for the introduction of a new air-conditioning process that not only eliminates wasted energy usage but also results in better indoor air quality. This treatment process is being introduced by ChemTron, an industry leader in providing energy efficiency. One of the best ideas for quick cost savings is cleaning and maintaining air conditioners. Air-conditioning represents 50 to 70 percent of a hotel’s total utility bill. ChemTron has been working for 20 years to perfect a cleaning process that makes money for...

LUDLOW, VERMONT— Okemo Mountain Resort’s Jackson Gore Inn was recently designated as a Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State by the environmental business partnership between the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and the Vermont Small Business Development Center. This designation is based on the Inn’s voluntary commitment to sound environmental excellence through the placement and achievement of high environmental standards. The Jackson Gore Inn is one of 64 Green Hotels in Vermont to earn the distinguished designation. “This is an evolving commitment and we believe that eco-friendly operation can be accomplished with no negative impacts on the quality of...

SHEFFIELD, MASS.—Cypress Hotel & Spa, a leading designer and manufacturer of luxury bathrobes, towels, slippers, and sheets for the hospitality and spa industry for more than 25 years, introduced its exclusive new MicroCotton Green EarthTM towels to the spa market during the 2008 ISPA Conference & Expo. The conference was held earlier this month in Las Vegas. The MicroCotton Green Earth towel is engineered to maximize absorbency, durability and eco-conservation. They are made from super-fine, Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton; a variety of cotton known for its sustainable consumption and also recognized worldwide for its superior softness. Green Earth towels are...

ASHLAND CITY, TENN.—In its October issue, Consulting-Specifying Engineer (CSE)—a monthly publication with a circulation of more than 46,000 mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers—named A. O. Smith’s Cyclone Xi commercial water heater as a gold winner in its 2008 Product of the Year competition. “Competition was fierce this year; the judges had a hard time narrowing the finalists down to three for each category,” said Jim Langhenry, CSE publisher. “We take this as a sign that manufacturers are investing more in new-product R&D, which is a huge win for the building industry and the environment.” The innovative design of the Cyclone Xi...

NEW YORK—Business Technology Partners (BTP), a premiere New York City-based IT consulting and managed services firm, announced a strategic relationship with Control4, a leader in IP-based, ZigBee wireless control, automation, and entertainment systems. The relationship enables the companies to provide a complete end-to-end solution, including technology design and integration of entertainment and control systems for hotels and mixed-use commercial developments. The implementation of Control4 technology enhances the hotel guest experience by providing luxury, convenience, and enhanced services options. Through the use of a single remote, hotel guests will be able to operate the television and entertainment options, call room...

NIANTIC, CONN.—INNCOM International Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of guestroom automation systems for the international lodging industry, has enhanced the functionality of its newest solution—a design-centric energy management solution made of recyclable glass that controls room temperature, lighting and more. The complete Glass Series Smart Digital Thermostat, Switch and Tabletop Controller set are on display in booth 3232 at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York. “Since the initial launch of the INNCOM Glass Series in June, we have enhanced this ‘green’ solution to be even more interactive for guests and energy-efficient for hotels,” said INNCOM...

LARKSPUR, CALIF.—Advanced Telemetry, LLC, a company committed to resource conservation, has recently introduced EcoView Commercial, a proprietary, next generation climate control and resource management solution for commercial applications. The EcoView system is designed to help business owners control energy and water costs and reduce the environmental impacts of running their businesses. The simple-to-install system empowers users to easily and effectively monitor and manage resource consumption. “As economic pressures grow, energy costs rise, profit margins shrink, and environmental responsibility becomes more vital, we are offering businesses a solution to easily reduce the costly waste of energy and other resources,” said Gus...

Can older hotels become energy efficient in a simple and cost-effective way? Yes, and it starts in the guestroom with some easily installed equipment that has a fast payback. Using the guestroom keycard to send the room into occupied or unoccupied mode gives the guest the control they expect, while saving properties money in empty rooms. There are a number of ways a 15- or 20-year-old hotel can see increases in the bottom line without major renovations or loss of available room nights. We all know that simple fixes like changing a light bulb can have a noticeable decrease in...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes LEDgen Lighting, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Marion, Ind.-based LEDgen Lighting is a full-service distributor, retailer and installer of decorative lighting products featuring energy-efficient LEDs (light emitting diodes). For holiday lighting displays, the company is featuring innovative LED string lights, rope lights, replacement bulbs and accessories. LEDgen LED lighting products feature commercial grade hardware, designer shapes and colors. For additional information, call (800) 788-9627, e-mail jowen@ledgenlighting.com, or go to www.ledgenlighting.com.