BORA BORA—InterContinental Resort and Thalasso Spa Bora Bora, the newest resort in one of the world’s most idyllic locations, is now open. The property features an environmentally friendly seawater air-conditioning system, cooling every part of the resort with deep sea water and reducing electricity consumption, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Every one of the resort’s 80 rooms sit over the clear waters of a lagoon and features more than 100 square meters of floor space. Each bungalow features its own expansive private terrace and separate bathing deck. The May opening is a precursor to the official September opening...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Everyday in America each man, woman and child generates nearly four pounds of trash. That’s more than one trillion pounds of solid waste or 365 trillion pounds each year. In an effort to teach kids about the power of environmental education in their own communities, Doubletree Hotels has announced its third-year commitment with The National Arbor Day Foundation as a continuation of the brand’s successful Teaching Kids to CARE program. This spring, more than 10,000 first through fifth grade students in 150 communities across North America are expected to participate in activities and events that empower a...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts, operator of concessions in national and state parks and resorts across the country, has been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the “2006 Performance Track Corporate Leader.” Xanterra was the only company to receive the recognition this year and is only the fourth company to receive the designation since its creation in 2004. The EPA’s Performance Track program recognizes top environmental performers that voluntarily go beyond compliance with environmental regulations and publicly commit to specific environmental improvements over a three-year period. Xanterra’s operations at Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon (both...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced its latest award for its environmental initiatives. At the Sixth Annual Global Travel and Tourism Summit held in Washington, D.C. in April, the luxury hotel brand was named winner of the 2006 Global Tourism Business Award. The award was presented by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTCC), the global business leaders forum for the travel and tourism industry. The award recognizes and promotes the world’s leading examples of best practice in responsible tourism development. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have been dedicated environmental stewards since 1990 with the development of the company’s...

KOHALA COAST, HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND—Governor Linda Lingle, in partnership with the State Department of Health and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, recently presented the 2005 Hawaii Green Business Award to Hilton Waikoloa Village. In attendance were Hilton Waikoloa Village resident manager Simeon Miranda, Hilton Hawaii regional public relations coordinator Tran Phan and Dolphin Quest director of education Beth Thomsen. In a related presentation, Senator Lorraine Inouye (Senatorial District One) recently awarded Hilton Waikoloa Village a certificate of appreciation from The Hawaii State Senate, recognizing and commending the hotel and staff for receiving Hawaii’s Green Business Award and...

OTTAWA, ONTARIO—The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) recently announced that it has launched its “Canada Goes Green” initiative. At a press conference held at the Marriott Chateau Champlain, Montreal, the HAC, accompanied by lodging and energy representatives from across the country, declared that as one of the largest industries in the world, it is time to make changes to the way in which it consumes energy. Lodging properties make up the fourth most energy intensive type of commercial space. Through the Canada Goes Green initiative, hoteliers will commit to making a significant and positive environmental impact by improving...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Hotel Vintage Plaza and 5th Avenue Suites Hotel, supporters of Eco Friendly practices, are recognizing guests who drive hybrid vehicles by cutting the standard $25 per night parking fee in half, to $12.50 per night. Guests who qualify are informed by the valet and guest service staff upon check-in and the discount applies to each night the guest stays at the hotel(s). “We appreciate the efforts of our guests to be eco-conscious by choosing to drive a hybrid vehicle, and wanted to recognize that effort,” says Marianne Moisant, Assistant General Manager of the Hotel Vintage Plaza....

OTTAWA, ONTARIO—The Environmental Choice Program (ECP) has launched a new Web site. Located at www.ecologo.org, the site is bilingual to accommodate both English- and French-speaking visitors. Founded in 1988, ECP is an independent, third-party organization that certifies green products and services, including those used by the cleaning and building industries. The organization also provides market incentives for North American manufacturers and suppliers, encouraging them to develop environmentally preferable products and services. By placing ECP’s EcoLogo on their products, consumers can identify products and services that are safer to use that negatively impact the environment less. Take...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Green Mountain Energy Co. is providing a cleaner, 100 percent renewable electricity product for two Hyatt hotel properties in Dallas—Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion and Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport. These two signature Hyatt hotels in Dallas are now the nation’s largest hospitality industry purchaser of renewable energy and one of two of Dallas’ commercial purchasers of 100 percent renewable electricity. This seminal partnership underlines clean electricity’s mainstream acceptance as the economical and responsible source of commercial energy. Renewable energy comes from less-polluting sources and is replenished naturally—examples include wind, solar and low-impact hydro facilities. The energy...

Throughout 2005 we all heard the news of oil prices lingering above $50 a barrel and gasoline exceeding $3.00 a gallon. For long-term lodging industry participants, vivid memories of the gas lines and high inflation of the 1970s resurfaced. Understandingly, hotel owners and operators feared that a falloff in travel would cause occupancy to decline, and rising utility costs would kill profits. Looking back at 2005, it appears that the U.S. lodging industry was able to withstand the spike in energy costs. By year-end 2005, PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR) estimates that U.S. hotels enjoyed significant increases in demand that led...