OTTAWA, ONTARIO—More than 500 hotels and counting. That is the number of properties that have signed up for the Hotel Association of Canada’s (HAC) Green Key Eco-Rating program. According to Anthony Pollard, president of HAC, another 450 are in the pipeline and a total of 1,200 should be signed up by the end of the year.
The program, which rates hotels with from one to five green keys, with five keys being the best, has been blossoming of late for several reasons.
“In Canada, the No. 1 issue by far is the environment,” Pollard says.
The Canadian government also has been driving the trend because many of its departments require employees to stay at Green Key rated hotels. According to recent polls in Canada, consumers also are making their purchasing decisions based on environmental policies. One recent poll showed 75 percent of consumers intend to switch to green products and services, even if they have to pay more.
Pollard says meeting planning organizations such as the Association of Corporate Travel Executives now ask for Green Key ratings in their requests for proposal. Companies like Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Days Inns-Canada, Atlific Hotels & Resorts and others are making Green Key part of their organizational standards.
To reach out to hotels in Canada currently not participating in Green Key, HAC recently sent out a direct-mail piece to general managers. Pollard says the mailing was a success.
Patience Pays Off for HAC
“Our Green Key program is becoming a standard across Canada,” he says. “After running the program for 10 years, it is now taking off like gangbusters. We would like to see this used as a model around the world.”
HAC has invested about $500,000 in the program that enables interested hoteliers to apply for participation online. Hoteliers must pay a fee—$350 for an independent property and $300 for hotels that are part of a franchise or chain—and answer 140 questions.
To achieve a Green Key rating, hotels must excel in areas such as energy management, water conservation, waste management, indoor air quality and community involvement. Performance in other areas also is considered. Each of the 140 questions has a value assigned to it.
After an application is submitted, HAC reviews it and determines the hotel, motel or resort’s rating. HAC then provides a report that details how to maximize additional opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impact through reduced utility consumption, employee training and supply chain management. Strengths and weaknesses are highlighted in the report. Even though the program does not require an onsite inspection, HAC does conduct spot audits.
Throughout the year, Green Key participants have access to tips and other resources such as articles and case studies at the program’s website. Each year, HAC sends out plaques to newly rated properties. Getting to promote the fact that one’s hotel has been Green Key rated is an important benefit.
HAC is in the process of expanding its environmental programs beyond Green Key. It is exploring program opportunities with Earth Day Canada and carbon credit initiatives with the Canadian Standards Assn.
Go to www.hacgreenhotels.com for more information.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
