TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—With the addition of a dozen hotels to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging program, there are now 650 hotels in the program. The 650th property to join is the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Clearwater Beach.
“Florida’s Green Lodging Program encourages and enables vacationers to be environmentally conscious even while they are relaxing on a getaway,” said Deas Bohn, DEP director of sustainable initiatives. “While Floridians are vacationing, they can also be conserving water and energy while protecting the state’s natural resources.”
To become a designated member of the voluntary program, lodging facilities adopt cost-saving green practices that conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality and reduce waste. The Florida Green Lodging Program includes facilities of all sizes, from local bed and breakfast inns to resorts with thousands of rooms. All Florida State Park cabins have received Green Lodging designations.
In addition to the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Clearwater Beach, the other hotels that have just joined the program include: Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown/Southbank, Jacksonville; Homewood Suites Jacksonville Downtown/Southbank, Jacksonville; Residence Inn by Marriot, Gainesville; Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Tallahassee; Fairfield Inn and Suites, Melbourne; Fairfield Inn and Suites, Titusville; Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista; Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, Vero Beach; Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Clearwater Beach; Hampton Inn, Tamarac; Sherry Frontenac, Miami Beach; and the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Naples.
Launched in 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for lodging facilities to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As incentive for the designation, the state recommends the designated Green Lodging properties to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscientious lodging and convention facilities. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
