LANCASTER, PA.—Lancaster, Pa.-based High Hotels Ltd.’s Homewood Suites by Hilton Harrisburg-West in Mechanicsburg, Pa., has earned the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification. Located in the Rossmoyne Business Center, the property is one of 12 hotels in Pennsylvania that currently holds Energy Star certification according to the Energy Star website directory.The property joins several other High Hotels properties that have been awarded Energy Star certification. Additionally the hotel’s owner, High Hotels, is recognized as a Green Plus-certified company, the Institute for Sustainable Development’s highest level of recognition for triple-bottom-line sustainability.“High Hotels is committed to providing environmentally sound options for...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC), being held this year in Monterey, Calif., from September 17 to 19, features a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be part of sustainability leaders from around the world, including featured keynote presenters: Sydney Allicock, executive director, Surama Eco-Tourism (Guyana); Trip Van Noppen, president, Earthjustice (USA); and Amy Carter-James, co-founder, Guludo Beach Lodge and Nema Foundation (Mozambique).“By bringing together industry professionals and community stakeholders from around the world, the ESTC helps strengthen opportunities to learn from experienced ambassadors working directly with communities and conservation programs,” says Dr. Kelly Bricker, chair, The International Ecotourism Society...

NEW YORK—Barclay the Bee has landed in the InterContinental New York Barclay’s guestrooms with a question—“to wash, or not to wash”? The hotel’s friendly messaging mascot is highlighting an important aspect of the InterContinental New York Barclay’s sustainable initiatives—water savings—with a new “Don’t Wash” symbol and fun in-room message delivery. A Bee-shaped cut-out sign designed to sit in a holder on nightstands features Barclay the Bee holding a message advising guests of the hotel’s commitment to every-other-day sheet and towel washing. Guests who desire every day service simply remove the bee card from its holder and place it on...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program launched the 2012 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings with a record 3,200 buildings across the country going head to head to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs and protect health and the environment.Commercial buildings in the United States are responsible for about 20 percent of the nation’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion annually in energy bills. In 2011, the 245 participants saved $5.2 million on their utility bills and prevented nearly 30,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced the results of its recent elections for five open positions on the Board of Directors. The new members of the board are Dr. Jiwei Xu, Chair of the Mt. Huangshan Administrative Committee; Heidi van der Watt, Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism-South Africa; Gwen Migita, Vice President of Sustainability for Caesars Entertainment; Clara Torres, Deputy Director of Public Relations for the Mexico Tourism Board; and Guy Chester, Director at EcoSustainAbility. In addition, Jennifer Seif—Executive Director of Fair Trade in South Africa—was elected certification representative. These newly elected officials bring...

DURHAM, N.H.—Hotels looking to attract “green” consumers must not only practice sustainable business practices and be committed to sustainability as an environmental goal but should effectively communicate those practices to green consumers who exhibit specific behavior patterns and characteristics when compared with consumers in general, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Whittemore School of Business and Economics.“Green consumers are reasonably distinct in terms of identifiable characteristics and behavior patterns,” said Nelson Barber, associate professor of hospitality management at UNH. “Targeting specific marketing strategies to potential green consumers is likely to be more effective than...

TYSONS CORNER, VA.—Guests of Tysons Corner Marriott can charge their vehicles for free while they recharge themselves with an overnight stay. Tysons Corner Marriott now offers guests complimentary vehicle charging at two 30-amp charging stations recently installed in the lower level of the hotel’s parking garage, making it one of about 100 charging locations in Virginia. The hotel received the stations through Nissan North America, Inc.’s charger donation program that promotes the adoption of energy-efficient electric vehicles.“We’re delighted to provide our guests with a convenient way to charge their electric vehicles,” says Shelly DiMeglio, general manager, Tysons Corner Marriott....

ORLANDO, FLA.—The voice of the consumer just got louder during the only comprehensive North American hotel inspections and ratings performed by experts. AAA has updated its Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines for lodgings, the blueprint for assigning ratings of One to Five AAA Diamonds following successful on-site inspections at more than 30,000 hotels throughout North America. The new guidelines incorporate member expectations regarding hotel fees, recognize emerging shifts in design trends and reflect a more personalized approach to enhancing guest comfort and satisfaction.“Traveler expectations and travel industry capabilities continue to evolve,” said Michael Petrone, director AAA Tourism Information...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the total footprint of commercial projects certified under its LEED green building program surpassed two billion square feet. An additional seven billion square feet is currently in the pipeline across the globe as registered projects.“In communities around the globe, leaders from every sector of the building industry are reinventing their local landscapes with buildings that enliven and bolster the health of our environment, communities and local economies,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. “The journey to this milestone has energized our economy-funneling $554 billion annually into the...

NORWALK, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts chairman Gary Mendell announced the addition of a corporate social responsibility initiative to their Managers-In-Training (MIT) Program. As part of the comprehensive training program, the managers-in-training will complete a project focusing on one of the key areas of HEI’s corporate social responsibility platform.“To HEI, hospitality means much more than just providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for our guests,” said HEI chairman Gary Mendell. “We passionately believe in actively supporting the communities in which we work, caring for our associates, building meaningful relationships with our partners, and reducing our impact on the environment. As...