GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—The sand is golden, the water is blue, and the rest of the destination is going green. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with the Board of Broward County Commissioners, and in conjunction with private and public sector partners in the hospitality industry, is transforming Greater Fort Lauderdale into “Greener” Fort Lauderdale. The CVB is contributing by creating an environmentally-friendly in-room card for hotel guests and working with the hotels to become Florida Green Lodging certified. “Greater Fort Lauderdale is actively making a commitment to preserving our water resources and sensitive ecosystems...

ATLANTA—The industry’s most comprehensive mandatory certification program of green practices by limited service hotels has been launched by America’s Best Franchising Inc. on behalf of its two brands—America’s Best Inns & Suites and Country Hearth Inns & Suites. “Improved environmental performance makes both dollars and sense,” explained Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of Atlanta-based America’s Best Franchising Inc., which is paying for the entire certification program on behalf of its 98 America’s Best properties and 90 Country Hearth properties. “We’re requiring all our franchisees to implement simple practices which will generate savings of between $1 and $3 per night in...

BETHESDA, MD.—With more than 35 million U.S. consumers spending $209 billion annually on socially and environmentally responsible products, Marriott becomes the first hotel company to offer its customers organic and sustainably-grown flowers for their events and meetings. Through a partnership with Organic Style Ltd., customers can get these flowers for their weddings, meetings and other events at prices competitive with comparable, high-quality, non-organic flowers at participating Marriott and Renaissance Hotels in North America. “Our customers want to do business with companies that share their values,” said Robin Uler, senior vice president, lodging operations. “They are asking more and more what...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Finding energy efficient schools, supermarkets, offices, and other facilities throughout the country has become even easier for Americans interested in being green. Now they can find the Energy Star not only where they live but where they work, shop, play and learn. The number of commercial buildings and manufacturing plants to earn the Energy Star for superior energy efficiency is up by more than 25 percent in the past year, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced has reached an all-time high of more than 25 billion pounds. “From a historic office tower in the Big Apple...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that its Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton hotel brands will implement a smoke-free policy at more than 300 hotels and resorts throughout the United States, Caribbean and Canada. Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton have begun converting all smoking guestrooms to nonsmoking in preparation for the new policy. In addition, all public areas will also be 100 percent smoke free. Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton hotels’ decision to go smoke free reflects both brands’ commitment to providing guests with a clean, comfortable and healthy stay. The new policy also...

SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS—Social consciousness, including environmental issues, was a hot topic in 2007, and according to a recent Travelocity poll, the trend among travelers shows no sign of slowing down in 2008. With 38 percent of respondents planning to dedicate at least some portion of their vacations this year to volunteering and nearly 80 percent willing to spend more on an eco-friendly destination or business, 2008 is truly the year consumers plan to travel responsibly. Travelocity’s Travel for Good program is designed to help them do just that. “There are limitless opportunities to minimize the negative impact of our travels...

TORONTO—The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) is gearing up for its annual conference on February 25 to 26 at the Hilton Toronto Hotel. More than 350 hoteliers are expected to attend. The program will include several important green elements, including a plenary session entitled, “How Big is Your Carbon Footprint and Who Really Cares?” and a special Green Key room where a select number of HAC Green Partners will be on hand. More than 750 hotels have already signed up for the highly successful HAC Green Key Eco-Rating program. The “How Big is Your Carbon Footprint and Who Really Cares?”...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In response to EPA’s nationwide challenge issued in December 2006, 53 Fortune 500 corporations are now collectively purchasing more than 6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. These purchases surpassed the goals set by EPA’s Green Power Partnership by 130 percent and equal the avoided carbon dioxide emissions of more than 570 million gallons of gasoline each year or the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 670,000 average American homes annually. Aramark Parks & Resorts is among the top purchasers of green power. “EPA applauds our Fortune 500 partners for protecting our environment by...

CELEBRATION, FLA.—The Mona Lisa Suite Hotel, the new 240-room all-suite luxury hotel scheduled to open next month in Celebration, Fla., revealed the steps it is taking to make the hotel a leading choice for guests who seek luxurious, high-touch accommodations while minimizing their impact on the environment. To validate its dedication to being environmentally friendly, the hotel will seek certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Lodging Program. According to hotel executives, the move is part of the hotel’s commitment to serving the best interests of hotel guests, the neighboring community and other stakeholders. ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. —EPA has announced a revised Energy Star specification for televisions. Effective Nov. 1, 2008, TVs that carry the Energy Star label will be up to 30 percent more efficient than conventional models and will save energy while they are on and when they are off. The new modifications are expected to prevent greenhouse gas emissions while offering U.S. consumers the very best in terms of feature-rich, high-quality TVs. “Energy Star’s new specifications for televisions are turning the channel on energy guzzling sets—making them go the way of rabbit-ears and the black and white TV,” said EPA Administrator...