SAN FRANCISCO—For nine hotel and restaurant managers at the Serrano Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in San Francisco, driving to work is now an eco-friendly effort. As the fourth part of a multi-phase rollout of the EarthCare Program, a companywide environmental effort launched in 2004 by the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, the Serrano Hotel has committed to offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions from the cars owned by its top management. This will be accomplished through a partnership with San Francisco’s DriveNeutral, a nonprofit that offers individuals and organizations opportunities to participate in market-based solutions to global climate change. “We are...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Fairmont Washington, D.C. has awarded a contract to Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings Inc., to supply the hotel with 10 percent wind power. Fairmont’s hotels and resorts have been dedicated environmental stewards since 1990 with the development of the company’s comprehensive Green Partnership program, designed to minimize its properties’ operating impacts on the environment. “Every business has a responsibility to be environmentally responsible,” says George Terpilowski, general manager. The three-year contract calls for Pepco Energy Services to supply the 415-room Fairmont Hotel with more than 3 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity...

LONDON—In line with most expert predictions, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) research suggests that global travel and tourism will continue to grow at a steady annual rate of 4.2 per cent over the next 10 years. “Against such an optimistic background, the travel and tourism sector faces new and immediate challenges,” said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC president, at the official opening of a major trade fair in Portugal. “It is time to ask ourselves whether the industry is ready to manage this growth. Are the conditions in place for this growth to generate wide prosperity, or will opportunities...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Vail Resorts Inc. is among the Environmental Protection Agency’s top 25 green power purchasers. The company ranks ninth. Organizations that purchase electricity generated from clean, renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro make up the quarterly list. “These organizations are demonstrating that environmental stewardship and profitable business operations can go hand in hand,” says Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Purchasing green power is good for the environment and supports our nation’s efforts to increase the diversity in our energy supplies with alternative and renewable energy...

TORONTO—Consistently acclaimed for its approach to responsible tourism, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the promotion of Michelle White to Director, Environmental Affairs. The advancement of White, an authority on sustainable operations within the tourism industry and a brandwide ambassador of Fairmont’s award-winning Green Partnership Program, is a testament to the company’s approach of leading by example in the overall movement to green the worldwide hotel industry. “With the state of the environment continuing to gain momentum in society and Fairmont focused on growth, the responsibilities of our environmental affairs division are only going to grow,”...

AUGUSTA, MAINE—Owners Vern and Betsy Cook have always envisioned Maine’s Senator Inn & Spa as a hospitality trendsetter. As far back as 1985, the Maine Lung Assn. recognized the Senator’s restaurant as one of the first in Maine to become smoke-free. In the mid-1990s, the Cooks began construction on the first hotel spa in the state. Now, they are continuing the tradition by taking part in Maine’s Green Lodging Certification Program. The program, administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), awards points to lodging operators for making green-friendly changes inside and outside their properties. Once a...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Oasis West Realty, LLC, the owner of The Beverly Hilton, and Hilton Hotels Corp. announced the first new west coast Waldorf=Astoria hotel as part of their $500 million long-term plan to revitalize the nine-acre hotel property at the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards in Beverly Hills. “Bringing two legendary hotel brands together in Beverly Hills will create a new legacy of luxury for The Beverly Hilton property,” says Beny Alagem, chairman of Oasis West and owner of The Beverly Hilton. “Together, The Waldorf=Astoria Beverly Hills and The Beverly Hilton will create a one-of-a-kind hotel property that...

WEST ORANGE, N.J.—The Inn at the Manor, a 128-suite Marriott Residence Inn, has completed the installation of a solar electric generating system. The solar arrays are installed on southeast and southwest facing roofs, and include 700 Sharp and Sanyo photovoltaic modules. The Solar Center, a Denville, N.J.-based solar energy company, was selected to design and install the 108 kW system. “The system was recently started and it worked flawlessly,” says Dennis Wilson, the president of The Solar Center. “Over the system’s 30-plus-years lifespan, it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 3,000 tons, equivalent to planting 43 acres...

NATIONAL REPORT—Foodservice operations are notorious for generating a lot of waste. Oftentimes, this can mean higher hauling fees, labor costs associated with trips to the dumpster, poor indoor air quality and a greater likelihood for pests and their related costs. Fortunately, equipment such as disposers and in-kitchen composting machines are available to reduce foodservice waste. According to Bill Sobanski, general manager for InSinkErator, Racine, Wisc., most hotels with some type of foodservice operation use disposers. Larger facilities often will have multiple disposers for food waste. With running water acting as the means for removal, disposers pulverize the waste. It ultimately...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) announces the launch of the GMIC Green Meetings Discussion Forum. The discussion board for green meeting professionals can be found at: www.greenmeetings.info/forum/. The GMIC is providing these moderated forums as a means for meeting professionals to network with each other to share information and expertise in support of a greener meeting industry. Meeting professionals are invited and encouraged to seek help and provide assistance to each other through these forums. To view the forums, click on the “Register” link in the top toolbar, left-hand side and fill in your information....