NEW YORK—Conrad New York, a luxury waterfront, all-suite hotel located in the heart of lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, has been awarded LEED Gold for New Construction Certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). This is the first LEED Gold New Construction major renovation project certified under the latest rating system in New York. Since its inception in 1998, LEED is the nation’s top rating system for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods.The Conrad New York, having already achieved ISO 9000 certification...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—In honor of Earth Day on April 22, Shore Hotel—the LEED Gold certified boutique hotel located on Ocean Avenue in the heart of Santa Monica—announces the Go Green by the Shore package. The award-winning hotel is one of the country’s leaders in green hospitality infrastructure and services and has created this environmentally conscious package to invite guests to green their stay by the beach.Shore Hotel’s commitment to the environment spans a wide spectrum of features and amenities including utilizing recycled building materials, offering a Green Concierge service to all guests, and implementing energy-efficient and state-of-the-art technologies. During...

HONOLULU, HAWAII—Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, an Aqua Hospitality property, has completed a series of enhancement projects that are equal parts innovation and renovation. Leading the list of projects is a large solar array built over the parking lot, providing cover and shade for vehicles while greatly reducing the popular beachfront hotel’s carbon footprint.“We are blessed with 25 beautiful acres along the coast, so we had plenty of land to erect our solar array,” said David Sosner, general manager of Aqua Kauai Beach Resort. “Our guests suggested covered parking would be a nice addition to the resort, so we’ve met...

ST. LOUIS—Embassy Suites St. Louis—Downtown announced that it has been awarded LEED Silver Certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI,) making it the only LEED Certified hotel in the St. Louis area.  LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.  “This coveted certification is recognition of our commitment to create a sustainable project that redeveloped an important building in an area that connects our region’s convention center with the Gateway Arch and we are pleased to be able to provide...

ITHACA, N.Y.—EarthView, Hersha Hospitality Management’s triple bottom line sustainability program, recently partnered with Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and The Statler Hotel to launch EarthView’s formal sustainability approach. The Statler’s newly formed EcoLeader team, comprised of students in the Hotel Leadership Development Program and professional hotel associates from The Statler, will collaborate with Hersha Hospitality Management’s EarthView team to implement projects and initiatives as part of a comprehensive sustainability program. The partnership will allow The Statler, a leading teaching hotel, to further enrich its educational program while also realizing significant triple bottom line results for the property.To learn...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—Choice Hotels International’s announcement that it will require U.S. Econo Lodge hotels to participate in its Room to be Green program should elevate its overall number of Room to be Green participants to approximately 2,000 U.S. hotels by the end of the year. Currently, Room to be Green is an optional program for Choice’s other brands. Created in 2008, Room to be Green includes three elements: compact fluorescent or LED bulbs in all guest fixtures, excluding ceiling lights; a towel/linen reuse program; and recycling for guests and staff. Choice hotels that participate in Room to be Green...

DAVOS-KLOSTERS, SWITZERLAND—At a time when more than 75 million young people can’t find jobs, and countless more are underemployed, investing in opportunities for youth is not only a critical development issue but also a growth strategy for businesses around the world. In response to this challenge, Hilton Worldwide will announce at the World Economic Forum a commissioned white paper from the International Youth Foundation (IYF) that highlights solutions to youth joblessness that the global hospitality sector is uniquely positioned to provide. The company will also announce the launch of Bright Blue Futures, a global commitment to youth development around...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—National Parks continued to be important economic engines for local communities, with visitors generating $30.1 billion in economic activity and supporting 252,000 jobs nationwide in 2011, according to a peer-reviewed report released February 25 by the National Park Service.“Places like the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty take our breath away and inspire us with their beauty and history, but our national parks also serve as anchors for our nation’s economy,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “People who visit parks need transportation, places to stay, and meals to eat—all of which support businesses and provide...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been awarded the contract to operate hotels, restaurants, gift stores and activities in Yellowstone National Park for the next 20 years. This is the largest concessions operation in a national park with more than 830 buildings, nine hotels with more than 2,000 rooms, more than 30 foodservice facilities, tours and activities.“We are very pleased that the National Park Service has chosen to continue our relationship in Yellowstone, and we are looking forward to implementing numerous initiatives that will enhance the visitor experience,” said Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of Xanterra. “We have managed...

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA—The Cayuga Collection, based in Costa Rica, is looking for qualified interns to help perfect its delivery of higher-end hospitality that combines sustainability, community, and luxury.While age doesn’t matter, attitude does. The Cayuga Collection 2013 eco-internship is possibly the best opportunity for anybody who regrets never having done an internship abroad. And yes, helping with recycling, composting, energy efficiency and community outreach are part of the internship, but so is testing out the softness of the bed linens, quality of the eco-friendly hotel room amenities, sampling as many meals as possible and even partaking in a...