LAS VEGAS—A total of 270 people attended Hospitality Design’s Green Day here at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on Tuesday, May 14. Even more—450—attended the publication’s third annual Green Luncheon, at which environmental lifestyle expert Danny Seo provided the keynote speech. The strong turnout was proof that lodging’s design community is eager for green learning and networking opportunities. Green Day kicked off with a session entitled, “Why Go Green?” Tode Rubenstein, president, Ecodynamix Consulting, Inc., emphasized that green practices are most definitely not a trend. For hoteliers, he said, the benefits to greening operations include cost reductions, increased revenue,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Reflecting Americans’ increasing exasperation at the pump, the latest Access America Travel Frustration Index—a quarterly barometer that tracks a range of factors that impact both business and leisure travelers—jumped three points in the first quarter of 2008. Almost nine in 10 respondents to the national survey (88 percent) reported frustration with gas prices, up from 78 percent in late 2007. The increased frustration prompted a three-point jump in the aggregated Index hassle-factor. Among leisure travelers, a whopping 90 percent reported frustration with gas prices during the first quarter of 2008. Business travelers were not far behind at 86 percent....

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A leader in sustainable hospitality, the Willard InterContinental in Washington D.C. has unveiled its Willard Green Meeting, a multi-optional, eco-conscious meeting structure which incorporates environmental considerations throughout all stages of a meeting, minimizing negative impacts while raising awareness. Crafted to planner’s specifications, the Willard Green Meeting offers sustainable food, beverages, supplies, amenities and team-building eco-opportunities—all within a luxurious, urban environmentally-friendly hotel setting. “As many organizations undertake numerous corporate social responsibility efforts, the Willard Green Meeting serves to reflect our clients’ objectives by helping to neutralize environmental footprints and enhance consciousness,” said Hervé Houdré, general manager. “We have designed a...

LEXINGTON, KY.— As part of the National Tour Association’s (NTA) first green convention, NTA will donate $1 to the Arbor Day Foundation’s National Forest Replanting project for each delegate who registers May 20 to attend the 2008 Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, Nov. 15-19. “NTA Convention delegates have a great opportunity to help the national forests and the planet overall just by registering on May 20,” said NTA chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher, CTP. “The Arbor Day Foundation says that every $1 donated will result in one tree planted. That one tree will produce nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year...

LISBON, PORTUGAL—The speed of technological innovation, growing realities of environmental sustainability and more demanding, value conscious customers are some of the most key near-term decision drivers for the hotel electronic distribution industry. These challenges and their various impacts were examined and debated during the final day of HEDNA’s recent 2008 EMEA Conference, held at the Corinthia Lisboa Hotel. The next 18 months will be some of the most challenging for the hotel business since 2001 due predominantly to economic concerns and the rapidity of technological evolution, said Dr. Lalia Rach, renowned dean of New York University’s Tisch Center for Hospitality,...

BATTLE CREEK, MICH.—Deep Lake, a wellness resort planned here, will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The Battle Creek township has approved the Planned Unit Development for the resort which is situated on 300 rolling and wooded acres with five lakes. The plan includes multiple conference rooms, wellness center, spa, dining room, and 122 guestrooms. The Village at Deep Lake, a community of 137 homes, will surround the resort. Guests, villagers and area residents will have the convenience of a wellness facility lead by a physician trained in a holistic medicine. There will...

KNOXVILLE, TENN.—The Great Smoky Mountains Sustainable Tourism Summit, designed to kick off and honor the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, recently brought together more than 500 community leaders and tourism professionals for two days of “green” discussions. Governor Phil Bredesen provided key remarks during the opening session, which included the participation of Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Tennessee Congressman John Duncan, North Carolina Congressman Heath Shuler, Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. “Across the state, we have made land conservation a priority,” Bredesen said. “We are blessed with some of the most beautiful...

LONDON—VisitBritain aims to encourage a rapid, widespread and significant increase in the adoption of sustainable tourism principles, while avoiding the burden of too much bureaucracy and, as part of a three-month pilot, is waiving the usual $48 cost for the first 500 businesses to register for the program. Participation in Green Start provides tourism managers and operators with a stepping stone towards accreditation by a validated sustainable accreditation scheme. “VisitBritain is committed to encouraging sustainable businesses,” said Jason Freezer, VisitBritain’s sustainable tourism project manager. “However, nearly two-thirds tell us they need more guidance on developing their business in that...

MCLEAN, VA.—The themes of economic downturn and corporate social responsibility were prevalent during the recent eighth Annual Resort Conference held at Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. The event was presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the University of Denver’s School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management. Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, opened the conference with a general session on ways to build loyalty among travelers and employees. “In the era of the Internet, customers have a lot more choices available to them so they are less loyal,” Conley said....

SAN FRANCISCO—Eager to support the growing numbers of businesses wishing to incorporate “green” principles into their corporate meetings, San Francisco’s Hotel Vitale has announced a new initiative that provides innovative green meeting packages to its corporate clientele. The new packages introduce eco-friendly practices into every aspect of meetings and events and align the hotel with the social responsibility practices already in place at many companies. “Since its inception, Hotel Vitale has been committed to sustainability and to eco-friendly practices, and these meeting packages are a natural extension of that commitment,” said Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre...