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...

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) announced that it has awarded Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc., a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Atlantic City Convention Center (ACCC) to install the largest single roof-mounted solar array in the United States. “With each step we take, the ACCVA continues to embrace green initiatives and stand at the forefront of the environmental movement,” said Jeffrey Vasser, executive director of the ACCVA. “Following Governor Jon S. Corzine’s lead in taking a proactive look at environmental issues, our outstanding team has worked in conjunction with Pepco...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Doubletree Hotels announced that it has received the prestigious 2008 “Promise to the Earth Award” from the Arbor Day Foundation. The Promise to the Earth award is presented annually by the world’s largest nonprofit tree planting organization to corporations for outstanding commitments to environmental stewardship and education. The award also recognizes organizations that support the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission to “Inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.” The Arbor Day Foundation acknowledged Doubletree for their continued and growing dedication to three major projects: • Doubletree Teaching Kids to CARE Community Outreach Program. Since the spring of 2004, Doubletree has...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—With its 10 brands and more than 5,000 hotels open or under development, Choice Hotels International, Inc. is one of the largest hotel franchisors on the planet. As committed as it has been to global growth, Choice has historically not taken the kinds of aggressive environmental stances that some of its competitors have taken. Granted, Choice did convert its Comfort Suites brand to a 100 percent nonsmoking one in 2007, but it has not announced any other major environment-related commitments. That is all beginning to change. As a franchisor, it is not so easy for Choice to mandate...

LEXINGTON, MASS.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. opened the eco-friendly doors of ELEMENT Lexington in Lexington, Mass. on July 1. ELEMENT is Starwood’s newest hotel concept and the first LEED-certified hotel chain in the country. ELEMENT Lexington is making its national debut, offering guests an entirely new extended stay experience that combines smart design, and nature-inspired and eco-friendly touches. Modern amenities range from complimentary WiFi to an international pantry stocked with everything from Korean kimchi soup to artisanal meats and cheeses. ELEMENT Lexington—the first ELEMENT hotel to open its doors to guests—will also serve as Starwood’s green trailblazer with...

WILLIAMSBURG, MICH.—The all new, 360,000-square-foot Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel near Traverse City, Mich., that opened June 17, 2008, is a modern architectural structure. It was designed to appeal to the senses as it evokes the natural environs with facilities and service that bring casino gaming in Northern Michigan to an entirely new level of convenience and comfort. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, who own and operate the new casino and hotel, financed $80 million to construct the unique facility. The tribe made a deliberate decision to create a striking modern design with many organic and...