SEATTLE—Reflecting the new realities of unprecedented economic, climatological and geopolitical shifts, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) for 2009 has introduced a unique array of thought leaders representing the fields of entertainment, astrophysics, architecture and new media, among others, to inspire tourism executives at the October 19 to 22 Adventure Travel World Summit. Keynote addresses at ATTA’s 2009 Summit—themed “Out in Front”—in Charlevoix, Quèbec Province, Canada, will be delivered by famed Quèbec natives Daniel Gauthier and Sir Hubert Reeves. Daniel Gauthier, co-founder of Cirque de Soleil and president and chief executive officer of Groupe Le Massif, will discuss the reinvention...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—People are buying more green products—8.4 percent more last year than in 2007. But shoppers are confused and frustrated by false and misleading claims and indecipherable ingredient lists on labels. With this in mind, Green Seal has developed a standard to help consumers identify what is really green and what isn’t when shopping the personal care aisle. After 18 months in development, Green Seal announced that products can now be Green Seal certified under its environmental leadership standard for soaps, cleansers, and shower products. It’s the first-ever standard to comprehensively address the health, environmental, and labeling concerns...

BROOMFIELD, CO.—RockResorts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vail Resorts, announced a commitment to a minimum 10-point program of initial environmental standards that will be applied to every guestroom brand-wide. Building on the basics, highlights from the standards include: terry (towel) and linen reuse program; in-room recycling program for newspaper, beverage cans, glass and plastic bottles; energy-efficient lighting and electronics; use of low flow water conserving fixtures; custom formulated all natural, essential oil-based amenities; use of environmentally preferable and safer cleaning products; conversion to low- or no-VOC paints and finishes; reusable and renewable jute newspaper bag; entirely smoke-free facilities; and voluntary...

HEATHROW, FLA.—Green Lodging News has learned that AAA will include an “eco” icon in its 2010 TourBook editions to indicate properties that promote environmental and energy conservation. The “eco” option will also be included as an advanced search option in AAA’s hotels section on its website. Only those properties that are AAA approved or Diamond rated will be eligible. Properties must also be a certified green lodging site as part of one of a number of state or national green lodging programs. For example, in order for a property in Florida to be included, it must be not only...

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.—Green building has become a global phenomenon, driving innovation in the products that are used and the buildings in which we live and work. What started with a handful of government buildings utilizing first-generation sustainable building products is now a worldwide movement, with commercial construction and residential building moving to the fore in sustainability. Voluntary standards and government mandates are driving growth in green building, as awareness of environmental issues has increased in developed and developing countries. The global green building materials market continues to grow, despite the global economic downturn. The worldwide green building materials market was...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, Inc., announced that its Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour and Crystal Shores on Marco Island properties are the first resorts within the Marriott Vacation Club portfolio to achieve the Florida Green Lodging Program designation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Having met all of the requirements to officially become part of the association, the brand’s two largest vacation resorts in Orlando and latest resort offering in Southwest Florida see their “One Palm” designation as a winning combination for everyone. “Now, more than ever, environmental stewardship is...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) has forged a new partnership with Pamela Lanier’s Bed and Breakfasts, Inns and Guesthouses International (BBIGI) to further enhance the attendee profile of the industry’s premier event, taking place November 7 to 10, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The marketing partnership is one of several established between the IH/M&RS and key hospitality associations representing culinary, lodging and military professionals, that foster networking and business opportunities among the 1,000 exhibitors and 35,000 attendees. Founded in 1982 by Lanier, BBIGI is one of the largest bed and...

FREEPORT, MAINE—Travelers took advantage of greatly reduced room rates to support Habitat for Humanity in record numbers this spring according to Greg Dugal, executive director of the Maine Innkeepers Assn. (MEIA) The Sixth Annual Hospitality for Habitat, a program designed by MEIA to raise funds for Maine chapters of Habitat for Humanity, logged its most successful year ever despite a challenging economy. This year 37 MEIA member properties, with support from their guests, raised $16, 275 to help fund housing for Maine families. The annual Hospitality for Habitat program offers visitors to Maine a 50 percent discount...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Doubletree Hotel Portland announced that it has been selected as the third place recipient in the “100 Best Green Companies to Work For in Oregon,” as well as one of the “Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work For” in separate rankings by Oregon Business Magazine. Both awards were determined by an anonymous employee survey, coupled with an independent assessment of the employers’ sustainability practices and employee benefits program. The survey then ranks companies by their relative scores, and shares the results with the participants to help inform future workplace practices. According to Oregon Business, the 100 Best Green...

GATLINBURG, TENN.—The Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg, adjacent to The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, is on its way to becoming the first LEED certified hotel in Tennessee. The 118-unit property opened on May 28. According to Logan Coykendall, part owner of the hotel and owner of Hospitality Management Solutions, the Sevierville, Tenn.-based management company that operates it, the Hilton Garden Inn should achieve a “solid Silver” LEED rating later this year. LEED, a certification program for new and existing buildings run by the U.S. Green Building Council, offers four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The decision to...