LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has been named among a select group of leading international hotel companies that will work together to standardize carbon footprint measurement and communication within the hospitality industry. The Carbon Measurement Working Group includes members of the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). At present, customers, guests, investors and other stakeholders are unable to compare the environmental impact of different hotels. MGM Resorts was asked to be a part of this select group of hoteliers that is undertaking the groundbreaking work to develop a single method for calculating and communicating the carbon footprints of hotel and meeting customers.
In May 2011, WTTC held its annual summit at MGM Resorts’ ARIA Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. ARIA is a LEED Gold Certified and Green Key Global 5-Key rated facility. By selecting ARIA, the summit substantially reduced its environmental impact.
“Thanks to MGM Resorts’ efforts in measuring and reducing the environmental impact of the Summit, and the energy efficiency of the infrastructure that hosted the Global Travel & Tourism Summit, we have reduced the Summit’s estimated environmental impact by 40 percent compared with the similar event in 2010,” said Tony Thompson, director of Events for WTTC.
As part of its overall commitment to environmental sustainability, MGM Resorts is providing convention and meeting customers with facilities and services that help reduce the footprints of their stays.
Validation of Environmental Commitment
“Environmental responsibility is a core company value that we weave into our culture and business operations,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. “Being invited to participate in the Carbon Working group with other leading environmentally responsible hospitality companies is validation of our commitment and accomplishments in this important area.”
“This group is helping to lay a foundation that will allow customers to more easily distinguish companies with legitimate environmental commitments as a part of their corporate responsibility values,” said Cindy Ortega, senior vice president of Energy and Environmental Services for MGM Resorts International. “Our efforts will also set an environmentally responsible path, which we hope will encourage others in our industry to follow.”
In addition to MGM Resorts International, the Working Group includes Accor, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International Inc., Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., Premier Inn (Whitbread Group) and Wyndham Worldwide.
The Group is soliciting input from a cross-section of stakeholders and hopes to have standards available for the 2012 RFP season. The phase one methodology includes feedback from Greenview Consulting and has been reviewed by the World Resources Institute.
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