WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is launching a Webinar program to further compliment the association’s wide array of existing educational offerings that help members operate more efficiently and profitably. The first three trainings—presented in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program—will run in April, May and June, and focus on the keys to a successful energy management program that improve property efficiency and financial performance. Topics include: How Does Your Hotel Measure Up—April 4, 1 p.m. (EST) Explore the financial and environmental reasons why hotel operators should measure, trace...

NATIONAL REPORT—Lighting plays a key role in the hospitality experience, from enhancing architectural effects to providing security and directional functions. Recent technological advances in the lighting industry have also made it an increasingly important consideration in sustainable design and building practices. New light sources have emerged that are both cost-effective and that perform up to or better than older technologies. While some of the newer light sources may cost more initially, the resulting electrical and maintenance savings often equate to an impressive 30 to 600 percent return on investment. The energy programs and policies of any hotel, motel or resort should...

SAN JUAN, P.R.—Key players from the U.K. tourism industry had the opportunity to exchange views on climate change with the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), its environmental division the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) at a meeting held in London last week. The encounter, organized by the Caribbean Council for CHA and CTO, enabled representatives from tour operators, airlines, travel associations and government officials to exchange views on how best the industry in the Caribbean might develop a carbon-neutral approach. CAST Director Deirdre Shurland set the stage by tabling two fundamental...

BERLIN, GERMANY—World Travel and Tourism is expected to generate in excess of $7 trillion in 2007, rising to over $13 trillion over the coming decade according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) research, sponsored by Accenture and prepared by Oxford Economics. The new TSA results show strong performance for travel and tourism demand in 2007, growing at a rate of 3.9 percent. This forecast points to a mature but steady phase of growth for world travel and tourism in the short and medium term, averaging 4.3 percent per annum, between 2008 and...

DALLAS—In January, when Pineapple Hospitality and Lodging Hospitality revved up their planning for their first Green Hospitality Conference, they expected about 75 people to register. On Wednesday, March 14, however, about 175 people attended—many signing up the day of the event. That surprise surge in attendees proved that owners and operators are hungry to learn about environmental trends and how to operate more profitably while conserving natural resources. “We were extremely pleased with the attendance,” says Ray Burger, President of Pineapple Hospitality, Saint Charles, Mo. “The number of hotel companies represented was impressive and we appreciated the support...

SAN FRANCISCO—The Serrano Hotel in San Francisco’s theater district has partnered with two unique Bay Area green businesses—3 Phases Energy and DriveNeutral—to offset its output of carbon dioxide and support renewable energy efforts. “We are totally committed to making effective changes in our environmental and socially responsible practices, without compromising the quality, service or integrity of the experience we provide our guests,” says Michael Pace, general manager at the Serrano Hotel, one of 41 Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants throughout the country. “Renewable energy and offsetting our CO2 output are two effective ways for our hotel to make a...

ST. PETE BEACH, FLA.—Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection welcomed the TradeWinds Sandpiper Hotel and Suites to the Florida Green Lodging program. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. “The TradeWinds Sandpiper joins its sister property, the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, as two premiere St. Pete Beach hotels committed to the state’s environment,” said DEP Southwest District Assistant Director Michael Farley. “These facilities serve as great examples to hotels across the state to adopt innovative green practices that conserve natural resources for...

BERLIN, GERMANY—The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) says that the world must respond in a holistic way to the twin challenges of climate change and poverty and that the tourism sector can effectively contribute to the solutions. UNWTO issued a statement at the opening of the ITB international tourism fair in Berlin. “In recent years world leaders have identified a range of challenges of truly global impact with extreme poverty and climate change as the most trenchant issues,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli in his keynote speech at ITB. “They require innovative and changed behavior to effectively...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is conducting a comprehensive global search for the industry’s most innovative technologies to be exhibited in GUESTROOM 2010, a model guestroom featuring some of the latest and near-future technologies for the modern hotel room. The 2007 model of GUESTROOM 2010 will be featured in the exhibit hall at the 2007 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC). HITEC 2007 will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., June 25-28. In order to design the 2007 version, HFTP is seeking new and upcoming technologies for the hotel guestroom....

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.—The California Hotel & Lodging Assn. (CH&LA) recently announced its Stars of the Industry award winners at the Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort Hotel in Santa Barbara. Among the Stars of the Industry awards, presented by USA Today, were two in the environmental category for Good Earthkeeping. These awards were presented to the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square, San Francisco, and the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego. Good Earthkeeping awards recognize lodging properties that have developed a culture toward integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and...