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News & Features

Whether an industry announcement, or a hotel accomplishment, Green Lodging News reports on the most up-to-date news and offers a unique perspective on trends—all with the purpose of making your company more profitable. Got news or a story idea to share? We frequently post contributed articles here. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

News & Features

Home News & Features
Whether an industry announcement, or a hotel accomplishment, Green Lodging News reports on the most up-to-date news and offers a unique perspective on trends—all with the purpose of making your company more profitable. Got news or a story idea to share? We frequently post contributed articles here. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

New Mexico Tourism Department Unveils Ecotourism Pilot Projects

SANTA FE—New Mexico Tourism Department’s Ecotourism Program, in partnership with EcoNewMexico, announces the launching of the first-ever “fast track” pilot projects, targeting the Gila Wilderness and surrounding areas; and the wilderness areas and native lands surrounding Taos. “The pilot-project designation means these two areas will become the focus of our ecotourism initiative,” said Jennifer Hobson, deputy director of the Tourism Department and director of the program. “All our efforts will be dedicated to transforming these two destinations into truly unique and innovative ecotourism destinations. That is not to say that the other communities and areas are any less important, but...

WTTC Announces 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Award Winners

BEIJING—The four winners of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards were announced during the 10th Global Travel & Tourism Summit at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Of the 12 finalists, Emirates Hotels & Resorts, Whale Watch Kaikoura, Accor, and Botswana Tourism Board were crowned the winners for their successful work in advancing sustainable tourism best practices in different parts of the world. “We are seeing a new horizon in the global travel and tourism industry where more and more companies and destinations, both large and small, are leading the way forward...

Wind Turbine is Symbol of Resort’s Green Commitment

WHITEFIELD, N.H.—Visitors to the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in New Hampshire’s White Mountains can’t miss the 121-foot wind turbine that stands like a tall white tree behind the 144-room hotel and adjacent to the on-property nine-hole golf course. The 100-kilowatt system has been up and running since late last September. According to Gene Ehlert, marketing manager for the resort and spa which sits on 1,700 acres, it is too soon to know exactly what percentage of the property’s electricity needs it will eventually meet, but he said the $500,000 turbine has been meeting about 15 percent of...

Yosemite Lodge Unveils Two Prototype Eco-friendly Guestrooms

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF.—Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, a popular year-round lodging destination in the heart of Yosemite Village, unveiled today two prototype guest rooms on the cutting edge of environmentally-friendly interior architecture and design. The two rooms at The Lodge are the first of their kind in Yosemite National Park. Reflective of Delaware North Companies’ award-winning GreenPath environmental stewardship platform, the two eco-friendly guestrooms were designed with an eye toward an eventual rollout throughout the Lodge’s 245 rooms. Every design selection, from insulation and paint to textiles and light fixtures, was evaluated based on its proximity, sustainability, recycled...

Starwood Kicks Off Meetings Initiative with $50,000 Donation

NEW YORK—Frits Van Paasschen, president and CEO of Starwood hotels and Resorts, made his way to a park in New York’s East Harlem neighborhood last week to launch a new initiative that offers meeting planners savings and incentives—and the chance to win one of four $50,000 grants for charity and other prizes. The initiative, called “Get More for your Meeting, Give More to Your Community,” was kicked off with a $50,000 Starwood contribution to Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project (which reclaims and restores city parks); in addition, an employee volunteer event to restore three of the project’s community gardens...

New England Eco-Hospitality Expo Wraps Up in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H.—Greening a hotel or restaurant takes a great deal more than changing out a few light bulbs and hanging a green logo on the door. Many New England tourism-based businesses have made sustainability a priority for years; others are just getting started as they realize that green is not a fad, but a true trend. On Tuesday, May 25, hospitality professionals gained new insights and inspiration from speakers at the New England Eco-Hospitality Expo held at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, N.H. The goal of the eco-expo is to bring hospitality professionals together with peers, eco-hospitality experts and...

World Tourism Day 2010 to Celebrate Tourism & Biodiversity

MADRID, SPAIN—As the world comes together to celebrate 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity, the United Nations World Tourism Organization announces that the World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations, hosted officially this year by China, will take place under the theme of “Tourism and Biodiversity.” The theme provides a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity to tourism and the role of sustainable tourism in the conservation of life on Earth. Biodiversity is a key tourism asset and fundamental to its sustained growth. Intact and healthy ecosystems form the cornerstone of thousands of tourist enterprises and...

Motel 6 Partners with Ronald McDonald House Charities

DALLAS—Motel 6 announced the launch of a sponsorship with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). As an extension of its mission of hospitality, Motel 6 will provide support to RMHC and the Ronald McDonald House program in doing what they do best: providing a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill or injured children who must travel far from home for medical treatment. “We are proud to support Ronald McDonald House Charities and its mission to improve the lives, health and well-being of children,” said Olivier Poirot, CEO for Accor North America, Motel 6 and Studio 6. “This sponsorship...

Organizations Step Up Efforts to Collect Partially Used Soap, Shampoo

ORLANDO, FLA.—Thanks to organizations such as Clean the World and the Global Soap Project, recycling partially used soap and shampoo has become much easier for lodging establishments. In a little more than a year, Orlando-based Clean the World, which was started by Shawn Seipler and Paul Till, has more than 200 properties in 25 states participating, almost 90,000 guestrooms represented, and 18 employees working. The Atlanta-based Global Soap Project, also launched last year, has 50 properties participating—all in the southeastern United States. The Global Soap Project was founded by Derreck Kayongo, a humanitarian relief expert whose Uganda-based family fled...

NSF Accredited to Test Plastic Products for Biodegradability Claims

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International, a leading provider of sustainable business solutions, announced that it has earned accreditation from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) to test plastic materials and products for compostability. “Accredited testing services such as NSF’s evaluate and authenticate green claims, including compostability, helping to cultivate trust and eliminate greenwashing in the marketplace,” said Tom Bruursema, general manager of NSF International’s Engineering and Research Services, which offer research and development testing, validation of product claims, and certification to several protocols. NSF International’s Sustainable Services group verifies environmental claims for consumer products, which includes certification for green chemicals, sustainable furnishing and...