GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYO.—Taking a green vacation just became easier with Grand Teton Lodge Company’s (GTLC) announcement that it will offset 100 percent of its energy use by purchasing clean, renewable wind-generated energy. By purchasing energy credits equal to the company’s entire electricity use, GTLC becomes one of the largest purchasers of wind power in Wyoming. In 2003, GTLC led the way in promoting alternative energy sources in the state by becoming one of the first Wyoming businesses to purchase wind-generated electricity, securing the equivalent power to run Jenny Lake Lodge annually. The company will work with...

GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND, THE BAHAMAS—As a result of increasing demand from guests, Pelican Bay at Lucaya is now a smoke-free resort and has converted all of its smoking rooms into nonsmoking accommodations. The decision to go smoke free comes as Pelican Bay stays true to its promise to be an island oasis for guests. “The feedback from our guests regarding this decision has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Magnus Alnebeck, Pelican Bay’s general manager. “The number of nonsmoking hotels continues to increase as the marketplace demands it.” In addition to the new smoke-free policy, Pelican Bay has also...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Energy Star label for refrigerated vending machines is now available for thousands of vending machines rebuilt and reinstalled with more efficient components, EPA announced recently. The new Energy Star specification is expected to save end users more than $2 million in the first year alone. Initially, Energy Star qualified rebuilt machines will potentially be an average of 40 percent more efficient than conventional models. Each machine can save end users an average of 1,600 kWh and $130 a year on their utility bill. On July 1, 2007, when more stringent Energy Star requirements become effective, Energy Star qualified...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AH&LA), the voice of the lodging industry, intends to increase the volume of conversation about the environment in the coming year, according to Brad Aldrich, vice president of business development for the Washington, D.C.-based organization. Until recently, Aldrich says, the environment has not been a member priority and response to AH&LA initiatives has been what he calls “lackluster.” In fact, the AH&LA’s National Energy Procurement Program with Ernst & Young Energy Advisory Services was cancelled earlier this year due to a lack of interest. The program’s intent was to leverage AH&LA’s membership base...

BOSTON—David Gibbons has been appointed general manager of The Lenox, a 212-room four-diamond hotel in the heart of Boston’s historic Back Bay. The Lenox, one of the greenest hotels in the United States, is the flagship property of The Saunders Hotel Group (SHG). Gibbons joins The Lenox at a time when SHG is putting the final touches on a top to bottom $15 million capital improvement program at the property, including guestrooms, public spaces and restaurants. “With his global perspective and experience in luxury hotels, we are pleased to have David leading the hotel into its second century,”...

NEW YORK—Starwood’s new aloft brand, a vision of W Hotels, has announced a “see green” program with guest awareness in mind. The program was created to introduce and promote ecologically friendly products and services, and highlights options both inside and outside each hotel. The aloft landscaping plan takes what used to be the standard parking lot and re-imagines it as an outdoor park-like environment, with a variety of deciduous trees and shrubbery. A special area of parking spots will be reserved specifically for hybrid cars, raising awareness of the benefits of environmentally friendly vehicles. The aloft team is...

SAN JUAN, P.R.—As part of their commitment to the sustainable development of Caribbean tourism, the Caribbean Hotel Assn. (CHA) and Skyauction.com have agreed to extend their successful room exchange program to Caribbean hotel members who wish to participate in the upcoming Green Globe International & Caribbean Green Tourism Conference. The event will be held November 1 to 3 at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica. “This is great news, especially for the small properties, given the interest many of them have showed, and the potential benefits for them,” says Deirdre Shurland, director of the Caribbean Alliance...

BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Travel International (STI) announced that it has expanded is services related to greenhouse gas (GHG)/carbon offsetting in response to growing consumer and industry demand for market-based systems and related programs that help to curb global warming. STI has developed a user-friendly guide called, “Choosing a Greenhouse Gas Offset Program.” Designed for both businesses and consumers who are unsure about carbon offsetting and want to more easily determine the best services available in the marketplace, the guide is available from STI. This informative document includes a synopsis of factors to consider in choosing an offset program, a...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Wednesday, September 27 marks the global celebration of World Tourism Day. Sanctioned by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization and recognized for the first time by the Travel Industry Association (TIA), this annual event fosters awareness among the international community of the importance of travel and tourism and how this important industry touches us all. Under the umbrella theme “Tourism Enriches,” World Tourism Day provides a platform for countries and communities worldwide to acknowledge the power of travel on all levels: social, cultural, political and economic. This year’s simple, straightforward theme speaks specifically to tourism’s contributions to...

PALM BEACH, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that The Breakers Palm Beach has joined the Florida Green Lodging Program. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving green practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. “By participating in the Florida Green Lodging Program, The Breakers Palm Beach Hotel is raising industry standards,” says Colleen M. Castille, DEP secretary. “In addition, its dedication is conserving Florida’s natural resources for residents and visitors alike.” The Breakers Palm Beach Hotel is reducing water consumption by not...