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...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—A new guide offer hotels simple energy-saving tips that can cut costs while increasing aesthetics and comfort. Flex Your Power, California’s energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign, has released its Hotels Best Practices Guide. Tips come from all aspects of hotel operations, covering lighting, water, HVAC, windows, roofs, restaurants, laundry, vending and ice machines, office equipment, exercise rooms, pools, saunas, hot tubs and demand response programs. The guide was designed with the easiest and most cost-effective strategies in mind, providing information on how hotel operators can make changes on their own or with the help of experts. Aside...

DENVER—The Colorado Hotel and Lodging Assn. (CH&LA) hosted a “Green Practices for the Hotel Industry” workshop for 150 participants last week. It was the second in a series of five workshops aimed at helping businesses in the Denver area and across Colorado create sustainable business practices. Denver is the host site for this summer’s Democratic National Convention, and the workshops help further the host city’s goal of making the August convention the greenest political event in history. The workshops also help Denver build momentum for its Greenprint Denver program, which works to create innovation and provide leadership around improving the...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—Dr. David Suzuki, one of the world’s most celebrated voices on preserving the environment, will deliver the keynote address at the 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development to be held April 28 to May 1, 2008 at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa (by Sandals), a Green Globe Certified hotel. The conference, organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Assn., is designed to provide attendees with information on the development and implementation of tourism practices in a responsible manner. Many experts have identified...

LOS ANGELES—The credit crunch, a weak U.S. dollar, new construction, green building, globalization and rapidly shifting U.S. demographics are all factors that will shape the U.S. hospitality sector in 2008, according to a report released this week at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) by Ernst & Young. “Conventional wisdom might suggest that the U.S. hospitality sector is likely to suffer if we head into a recession, but the unique fundamentals of the hotel industry over the last few years suggest otherwise,” said Michael Fishbin, Hospitality & Leisure practice director for Ernst & Young U.S. Fishbin points to a supply growth...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Brigitta Witt to the new role of vice president, environmental affairs. Witt will assist with the development of a corporate environmental policy that addresses Hyatt’s commitment to minimizing the impact that its hotels have on the environment. The policy she creates will focus on awareness and education to promote and reinforce a culture of environmental consciousness throughout all facets of Hyatt’s global operations. Witt reports to John Wallis, senior vice president of product and brand development, Global Hyatt Corp. “Brigitta will play a vital role at Hyatt,” Wallis said. “As a...