AUSTIN, TEXAS—Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and the GUESTROOM 2010 Task Force, a group of hospitality technology leaders and experts, are conducting a comprehensive global search for the hospitality industry’s most innovative technologies to be exhibited in GUESTROOM 2010. The 2008 version of GUESTROOM 2010, a model guestroom of the future featuring some of the latest and near-future technologies for the modern hotel room, will be unveiled at the 2008 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) and will be on display at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas from June 16 to 19. “Since its inception in...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—How safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals are working to eliminate or reduce risks connected to greening efforts are featured in the new American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) Hospitality Branch’s Safety Implications of Greening white paper. “Safety, health and environmental professionals must understand the implications of this increased focus on environmental concerns,” ASSE Hospitality Branch Chair David Natalizia, of Costa Mesa, Calif., said. “Efforts to make an operation more green can also result in improved safety and health for workers involved and for the general public. Greening efforts eliminate or reduce some traditional risks, but may increase...

NATHROP, COLO.—Real West Travel Inc., a Colorado-based Internet travel service, will go "live" on February 15 with an online booking system for eco-friendly lodging based in the western United States. The company will provide end consumers the option of booking direct with eco-friendly lodgers while promoting the benefits of becoming eco-friendly to other lodging businesses. The new reservation system will list qualified properties that show they are making a positive effort to help the environment. Real West Travel works on a commission-based model, and listing and setup are free. All hotels, B&Bs, ranches and other lodges in...

NATIONAL REPORT—Somewhere between 60 percent to 70 percent of U.S. hotels now use compact fluorescents (CFLs), one lodging industry expert estimates. There is no doubt that number is going to grow. On December 18, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Within that bill, there is a call for the phaseout, beginning in 2012, of the incandescent bulb. It is only a matter of time before CFLs totally replace the technology invented by Thomas Edison. Given the inevitability of CFLs, where do they stand today in regard to pricing? Quality? Technology? What can hoteliers expect in...

CHICAGO—The Hilton Chicago is hosting a hospitality “Green Day” on Friday, February 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Northeast and Northwest Exhibit Halls which will allow more than 140 vendors to showcase their environmentally friendly products and services. The exhibits will be broken down into the following categories: chemicals, maintenance and janitorial supplies, paper products, office supplies, energy conservation and consumer food products. All hospitality organizations within the Chicagoland area, Hilton properties nationwide, along with the general public are encouraged to attend and participate in the showcase. The idea of going green has gone from a trend...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the world’s largest and oldest ecotourism association dedicated to socially, ecologically and economically responsible travel, is partnering with FUNDEMAS to help further establish and strengthen ecotourism and sustainable tourism in El Salvador. FUNDEMAS, the Business Foundation for Social Action, is a foundation that promotes sustainable development through socially responsible business practices, entrepreneurial values and philanthropic initiatives. A strong advocate for sustainable tourism development, FUNDEMAS has been a member and collaborating partner of TIES since August 2006. As an upcoming international and regional tourism destination, El Salvador holds unique cultural and...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.—PGA National Resort & Spa, which is nearing completion of the first phase of a multi-million dollar renovation, was recently welcomed into the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging program. The Florida Green Lodging initiative provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. In addition to meeting the DEP’s Green Lodging requirements, PGA National Resort & Spa has instituted a resort-wide environmental policy, signed into action this summer by property managing director, Joel Paige. The policy requires that the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has compiled a Green Best Practices list for hoteliers taking steps to cost-effectively “green” their own operations. Available on AH&LA’s website, the section features a growing list of actionable strategies, case studies, and timely green news from AH&LA members leading the way to a more eco-friendly hospitality community. Several notable Green Best Practices include: • Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, running eco-friendly and responsible kitchens worldwide; • Colorado’s Devil’s Thumb Ranch, the only U.S. property to be recognized for its...

PLANO, TEXAS—At the close of 2007, the 176-room NYLO Plano at Legacy became the first loft lifestyle hotel to open in the United States, according to executives at NYLO Hotels. The pioneering hotel, NYLO’s inaugural property, is in North Dallas. As a brand, NYLO features unique gathering spots, whimsical décor and myriad amenities for tech-savvy travelers. Stepping into the NYLO Plano lobby, for instance, guests see pod chairs hanging from high ceilings and signs for free WiFi. Chandeliers are made of glass shaped like antlers. With singular style and amenities, Atlanta-based NYLO is giving the mid-priced hotel category a...

SANDUSKY, OHIO—Several hundred waterpark resort developers from across the United States, Mexico and Canada are expected to meet in Sandusky, Ohio on February 27-29 to learn about developing and financing indoor waterparks as part of mixed-use resort projects. Saving energy will be the No. 1 topic on the agenda. Waterpark industry consultant Bill Haralson of William L. Haralson & Associates in Alto, N.M., and retractable roof expert Bart Riberich of Uni-Systems LLC of Minneapolis, are co-producers of this third annual event called “Developing & Financing Hotel Waterpark Resorts.” “Tom Kiser, known as America’s energy coach, is the keynote speaker at...