NATIONAL REPORT—With electricity and natural gas prices about to follow gasoline prices into the stratosphere, there is no better time to consider combined heat and power (CHP) as a means to lower utility bills—especially with CHP system providers offering so many attractive financing options. In fact, with some vendors you can have an on-site utility (power plant) installed with no upfront capital cost. CHP is ideal for hotels with 100 rooms and above. CHP, also known as cogeneration, is generated onsite by a plant powered by any number of systems: fuel cells, reciprocating engines, turbines, or microturbines. Electricity generated is...

NEW YORK—The creation of a Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC) moved a step closer to becoming a reality recently as a coalition of international organizations agreed to establish a body that will increase credibility around sustainable tourism certification programs, and ultimately help protect the environment, rights and livelihoods of local communities. The United Nations Environment Program, the United Nations World Tourism Organization and the United Nations Foundation are among the supporters of this initiative. As part of this joint scheme, they will work with the Rainforest Alliance, an international environment organization, and other NGOs and industry groups, to raise...

LEAVENWORTH, WASH.—Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat, long known to visitors for its sustainable and ecologically-minded practices, is now pursuing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance certification. Guestrooms and the Kingfisher Dining Lodge will also receive soft-goods upgrades throughout 2008, including fresh paint, works of art and more luxurious furniture. “This certification will truly underscore the commitment Sleeping Lady has had to the environment since opening in 1995,” said CEO and owner Harriet Bullitt. “Everything we do here, from our sustainable cuisine, to using paints that do not off-gas, to the very buildings...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The EPA is accepting nominations for the 2008 Water Efficiency Leader Awards to recognize organizations and individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in water efficiency. Winners will be chosen by a panel of national water experts and based on three criteria: leadership, innovation, and water saved. “We encourage organizations and individuals who are saving water, energy and money for our nation’s families and communities to apply for the 2008 Water Efficiency Leader Awards,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA’s assistant administrator for water. “Together, we are proving innovative technology and environmental stewardship can help conserve our country’s greatest...

MINNETONKA, MINN.—Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Hubert Joly of Carlson, a global hotel, marketing, restaurant and travel company, are among 100 influential, top executives who have endorsed a comprehensive climate change plan being considered by global leaders this week in Japan. Nelson, Carlson’s chairman of the board, and Joly, Carlson’s president and chief executive officer, have signed the climate change recommendations, which urge adoption of a rapid and fundamental strategy by governments across the globe to bring about a low-carbon world economy. The “CEO Climate Policy Recommendations to G8 Leaders” call for both long-term and practical medium-term targets, such as aiming to...

MAUI, HAWAII—Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, announced plans to expand its portfolio of resorts in Hawaii with the development of its third vacation ownership resort on Maui. The new property, expected to open fall 2011, has been designed to achieve certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the nationally accepted benchmark for green buildings. “SVO is proud to be the first stand-alone, full-service resort in Hawaii to be developed with this coveted certification in mind,” said Matt Avril, president and managing director of operations,...

ATLANTA—According to the latest analytical data from PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR), U.S. hotels could face a decline in lodging demand greater than that experienced during the turmoil following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Under a worst-case scenario, a 1 percent decline in the number of seats flown within the United States will result in a 0.39 percent decline in the demand at the nation’s hotels. These findings come from an in-depth econometric analysis performed by lodging experts PKF Hospitality Research. “Many industry participants have been speculating about the spillover effect a deteriorating airline industry will have on hotels,”...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 150 hospitality leaders from industry, academia and the trade media gathered last month to hear a panel of experts address the need to further develop sustainable business practices. Hilton Hotels executive and panel member Christopher Corpuel framed the discussion by presenting his definition of sustainability. “’It is addressing your needs today, without negatively impacting your needs for tomorrow,” said Corpuel, vice president of global sustainability for Hilton. “As we question why we do what we do, we must always ask, ‘Is there a better way?’ said David Stipanuk, associate professor at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration and...

PHOENIX—The Lodging Conference 2008, which will be held September 23 to 26 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix, will have a touch of green this year. Two think tank sessions, each with a green theme, are scheduled during the 14th annual event. The first session, Eco-friendly Design Concepts and Product Trends, will be moderated by Julia Monk, partner with Brennan Beer Gorman Monk/Interiors. The second session, Green Hotels Workshop: Initiatives That Save Money and Conserve Resources, will be moderated by Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor of Green Lodging News. The following is the description of the design...

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.—A large majority—85 percent—of gaming customers at Indian casinos in Southern California report that they would prefer a smoke-free environment in these casinos, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study. The inaugural study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in five key measures (listed in order of importance): gaming (33 percent), facility (27 percent), cage cashier/ticket redemption machine (17 percent), arriving/parking (15 percent), and beverage service (9 percent). “Most casino customers have grown accustomed to dealing with large volumes of cigarette smoke in the air, but an overwhelming percentage indicate...