NATIONAL REPORT—The wine industry is making a concerted effort to adopt environmentally responsible practices but sees a need for better education among both consumers and professionals on many “green” issues, according to two surveys of wine industry professionals and executives conducted by Robert Smiley, professor and director of wine studies in the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis. “These industry leaders are very concerned that their firms authentically ‘walk the walk’ when it comes to environmental issues and that they not be accused of just greenwashing their businesses,” Smiley said. He added that while survey participants...

MIAMI—El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels, by Karisma, a premier collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties along the Riviera Maya, Mexico, announced the launch of Pasión por el Medio Ambiente (“Passion for the Environment”), a program derived from the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI), designed to encourage guest and staff participation in environmentally sustainable practices. With its commencement, El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels sets the standard for environmentally-conscious tourism in Riviera Maya, encouraging other area resorts and hotels to do the same. “As a destination priding itself on beautiful surroundings, El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels is taking the necessary...

NATIONAL REPORT—Hotels cannot escape the fact that asbestos was widely used in construction materials throughout much of the twentieth century. In fact, any hotel built or remodeled before or in the 1980s is likely to contain asbestos-containing materials. The use of asbestos was so widespread that the large majority of materials used for constructing hotels contained the toxic substance. Contractors used asbestos because it was lightweight, durable, an excellent insulator, and provided effective fireproofing. Some common materials that may contain asbestos and have the potential to release toxic fibers include floor tiles, textured paints, walls, ceilings, insulation, and roofing...

AVON, COLO.—The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Vail Valley’s newest green resort, has opened here in Colorado. The upper-upscale resort offers scenic views of Beaver Creek Mountain, access to the Eagle River and signature Westin services and amenities. The Westin Riverfront is on track to be the first upscale resort in Colorado to achieve coveted LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Unique green programs include guest recycling stations on every floor, preferred parking for hybrid vehicles, an on-site organic garden and the protection of open space through the donation of a five-acre park to the Town of...

NATIONAL REPORT—A new study released by PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR) revealed that demand for U.S. hotel rooms will contract for the next two years. Compounding the negative impact of declining demand is a projected concurrent increase in supply. PKF-HR is forecasting a combined net increase in 2008 and 2009 of nearly 275,000 new hotel rooms compared to year-end 2007. This represents a 6.2 percent jump in accommodations over this two-year period. With supply and demand levels moving in opposite directions, occupancy rates are projected to decline in both 2008 and 2009. Considering the 0.3 percent occupancy decline reported by Smith...

PHOENIX—The day one general session at The Lodging Conference here at The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa featured frank talk about the state of the economy and occasional banter about green hotels. The conference also included a well-attended session focused on “Eco-friendly Design Concepts and Product Trends.” More than 1,400 people attended the conference, a sellout for the seventh consecutive year. “The hotel industry remains fundamentally sound,” said Harry Javer, president, The Conference Bureau, who opened the conference. “Balance sheets are in a much better shape when compared to the last down cycle. We have a much smarter industry with...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—EPA has revealed a new online tool, Energy Star @ Work, to provide Americans with tips and information on how to save energy and protect the environment in the workplace. Energy use in commercial buildings and manufacturing plants accounts for nearly half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 50 percent of energy consumption nationwide. With the average American worker spending almost eight hours a day at their place of employment, the workplace offers a unique opportunity for people to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change. “Millions of Americans are already doing their part...

SAN FRANCISCO—Investing in renovations that make hotels more sustainable will increase their value, slash operating costs and attract customers who are trending toward more sustainable hospitality experiences, PKF Capital managing partner Henry Bose told a conference here on green hotels. “For every dollar you can add to the bottom line of a San Francisco hotel, more than $11 is added in value,” Bose says. Bose said that so far there are too few hotels that have earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification to compare their financial performance against traditional hotels. But he indicated that his firm, in conjunction with...

DALLAS—The Fairmont Dallas has unveiled the new Pyramid Restaurant & Bar. It features contemporary décor and new organic, sustainable menus created by Executive Chef j.W. Foster. The new Pyramid, at more than 7,000 square feet, resonates with a modern, sleek, contemporary look evoking a stylish vigor and energy. The look and feel are imaginative and engaging and feature a color palette in rich tones of celadon, taupe, gold, and moss with accents of polished bronze, walnut and mahogany against a backdrop of earth-toned wall coverings and dark mahogany flooring. Since his arrival in Dallas last year from his native Canada,...

ROSEMONT, ILL.—Chicagoland’s new eco-savvy and luxury destination hotel, the 556-room InterContinental Chicago O’Hare, is going above and beyond in its quest to lighten businesses’ impact on the environment. Not only does the sophisticated, design-forward property utilize 100 percent renewable energy credits from wind, but the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare also features a green roof, recycles all materials used throughout its hotel and convention area, and helps businesses and organizations support sustainability with its “Green Meetings” program. “The InterContinental Chicago O’Hare is dedicated to significantly lessening our carbon footprint on the earth, as well as raising awareness in our community about...