TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—The Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Green Lodging Program has released an improved designation application for hotels and resorts interested in going green and joining the program. The updated application comprehensively recognizes lodging properties based on their level of progress towards truly sustainable operations.In an effort to better recognize the state’s lodging properties for their commitment to protecting the state’s natural resources, the Florida Green Lodging Program is incorporating a four-level tiered designation. Facilities will be able to obtain different “Palm” levels based on the total number of points received when implementing criteria to receive their designation.“Green Lodging...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Pursuant to an order from a U.S. District Court and as required by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended new recreational water quality criteria for states that will help protect peoples’ health during visits to beaches and waters year round. The science-based criteria provide information to help states improve public health protection by addressing a broader range of illness symptoms, better accounting for pollution after heavy rainfall, providing more protective recommendations for coastal waters, encouraging early alerts to beachgoers and promoting rapid water testing. The criteria...

UKIAH, CALIF.—In the midst of the recent recession, hotel owner Raakesh Patel was struggling to keep his hotel open. With fewer travelers visiting his part of California—wine country in Mendocino County—and competition from numerous chain branded hotels, he said he had to do something, and fast. What he did was begin to convert his family’s 54-room Super 8 Ukiah to a green lodging establishment, a long path that has resulted in numerous accolades, lots of free publicity, a much stronger bottom line, and an incredible number of more than 41,000 Facebook “likes”—far more than any LEED Platinum hotel in...

NORTHBROOK, ILL.—UL, Underwriters Laboratories, announced the 2012 findings of its annual global study, The Product Mindset, which examines manufacturer and consumer perceptions about how products are made, sold, bought and consumed. This year’s findings, culled from interviews with manufacturers and consumers in the United States, China, Germany and India, show a steep decline in optimism and increased expectations about quality, safety and the environment. These expectations are driving more complex supply chain dynamics, where traceability and sourcing are the tools manufacturers are leveraging to help deliver reliable, cost-effective products that consumers are demanding.“The volatility in today’s world is causing...

SANTA FE, N.M.—The Santa Fe Watershed Association (SFWA) has launched a public-private sector collaboration called the Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative. The initiative is being funded by a $49,700 grant awarded to the Watershed Association by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. SFWA supports Santa Fe’s hospitality industry to save money, conserve water, and decrease chemical pollution going into their watershed. “This is a certification program that helps hotels set achievable goals commensurate with their capabilities,” Watershed Association executive director, Felicity Broennan said. “More than one million tourists visit Santa Fe each year. While they are welcomed and are an...

LOS ANGELES—With the launch of Rooomr, travelers can now book eclectic and boutique properties around the world, all set against a backdrop of arts and culture events. What’s more, with the motto “Book a Room Change a Life,” Rooomr donates 5 percent of their gross revenues to at-risk youth each time a room is booked. Rooomr guarantees price parity with other sites, and passes none of the donation costs on to the consumer.In beta launch now, Rooomr’s focus is squarely on individualistic millennials, a diverse group historically ignored by the one-size-fits-all travel establishment. Rooomr pairs curated hotels around the...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Talk about a power-building workout: Guests of Element Hotels now can pedal their way to a fully charged tablet or smart phone. First announced at the spring 2012 launch of its Miami hotel, the eco-wise, trailblazing brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has installed a stationary bike with a pedal-powered generator in each of its fitness centers. The initiative marries two Element brand principles: providing health and fitness options for travelers and a commitment to green design.  The pilot to Element’s Pedal for Power program, unveiled at Element Miami International Airport’s opening event, saw bicycling enthusiast...

PHILADELPHIA—Hersha Hospitality Trust, a self-advised Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), announced that the company was selected to receive NAREIT’s 2012 Lodging & Resorts Leader in the Light Award; the highest achievement for lodging and resort REITs in the 2012 award competition. This national award, presented annually by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT), recognizes Hersha and its EarthView program for superior and sustained portfolio-wide energy use practices and sustainability initiatives.Steve Wechsler, NAREIT’s CEO, recognized Hersha’s industry leadership in sustainability and presented Jay H. Shah, CEO of Hersha Hospitality Trust, with the Leader in the Light award...

DURHAM, N.H.—The message coming from top name brands is clear: climate change poses a threat to business in the form of increased costs and risks associated with extreme weather. As a result, companies are prioritizing the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lower their carbon footprint. The findings are gleaned from nonprofit Climate Counts’ sixth annual scoring release which rates major consumer brands on their approach to climate change. The latest scoring results show that 66 percent of companies rated have publicly available climate and energy strategies, compared to just 25 percent in 2007, the year the...

LAS VEGAS—Caesars Entertainment Corp. was awarded its sixth consecutive perfect rating from the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index. The Corporate Equality Index scores businesses based on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace policies.“To have received a perfect rating from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on its Corporate Equality Index for the sixth consecutive year is a great honor,” said Fred Keeton, vice president of external affairs and chief diversity officer for Caesars Entertainment. “Our unwavering commitment to diversity initiatives and our industry leading approach to LGBT workplace equality will continue to be a mainstay and guiding principle...