HARTFORD, CONN.—The estimated $7 trillion travel industry has been among the first to respond to consumers’ demands for environmentally responsible options. Mainstream brands across all categories will have the opportunity to learn how lessons from the green marketing success of the eco-travel industry can be applied to their own green marketing strategies during Good and Green—The Green Marketing Conference, November 29 to 30, 2007, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Led by Kathy Dragon, founder of ActiveWoman.com and recognized travel expert, the panel will include travel industry leaders Hank Stewart, vice-president of Green Team USA; Dave Pflieger, general counsel for Virgin...

BOSTON—Seaport Boston, comprised of the Seaport Hotel and Seaport World Trade Center, has launched its Green Wedding Package, allowing brides and grooms to honor their commitment to the environment while celebrating their commitment to each other. The package is the latest initiative in the property’s Seaport Saves program, a comprehensive program which allows Seaport to continually source and execute innovative ways to improve its operation in an environmentally responsible manner. The Green Wedding Package features a customized seasonal menu showcasing a selection of hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts made with fresh and local organic ingredients by Executive Chef...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News has added its second case study to its new Vendor Case Studies section. The case study focuses on the Best Western Executive Inn and Best Western Loyal Inn, both in Seattle, and how they have successfully implemented Upland, Calif.-based Green Suites International’s EcoRoom® program. EcoRooms® feature more than a dozen different environmental products. They include: compact fluorescent light bulbs; low-flow showerheads and sink faucets; nightlights; digital thermostats; non-toxic cleaning chemicals; Nature’s Mist deodorizer; a linen reuse program; and lotion and liquid soap products dispensed from refillable containers in the shower and at the sink. A pre-installation analysis...

NEEDHAM, MASS.—TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community, announced the results of its annual travel trends survey of more than 2,500 travelers from around the world. Top trends identified in the survey are concerns about germs, the growth of green tourism, and opposition to cell phone use on planes. Eighty percent of respondents are concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling. Airplanes are the biggest concern, according to 28 percent of those polled. Public transportation was next, followed by restaurants, hotels, and airports. Respondents outside the United States were particularly worried about the risk of germs at restaurants, while...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—This winter, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is inviting guests to travel green, escape to the Sonoran Desert’s warm weather and learn about local conservation efforts during private, half-day guided hikes as part of its new Sonoran Eco-Education Package. During their trek with an expert guide from 360 Adventures, guests will learn first-hand about the flora and fauna of the region and will be treated to an “insider’s” view of the desert to learn not only about its ecology, but also about conservation and how to enjoy nature while “leaving no trace.” In addition to the hike, this package features...

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.—Although environmental conservation is an important topic across the globe and, in response, many hotels have implemented environmentally friendly programs at their properties, nearly one-half of European hotel guests are unaware of them, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. The study found that a large majority of hotel guests (77 percent) who are aware of the environmentally friendly programs their property offers say they willingly participate in them. However, while 49 percent of European hotel guests say that they knew of their hotel’ conservation programs during a recent stay, almost...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center announced that the property has won the Grand Prize at the 2007 Metafore Innovation Awards. This prize is awarded to the company that offers product and service innovations for reducing or offsetting climate change through new methods and processes. The prizes recognize companies across the United States and internationally. The awards were announced at the 2007 Corporate Climate Response Conference in Chicago. This two-day conference included a panel discussion by the awards finalists, as well as presentations on sustainability and climate change strategy by experts representing companies such as Ford...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Applications are now being accepted for the prestigious IMEX Green Awards, developed by IMEX and the Green Meeting Industry Council to recognize environmental excellence and innovation within the meetings industry. The IMEX Green Awards are the only awards of their kind for the meetings industry. The IMEX Green Meetings Award will go to a meeting planner that has made a significant effort to reduce the environmental impact of a particular event or meeting. Applications for the IMEX Commitment to the Community Award are welcome from anyone involved in a meeting or event that demonstrated innovative efforts to benefit a...

LONDON—Travel and tourism can be (and in an increasing number of destinations already is) a catalyst for economic prosperity, nurturing the natural and cultural environment. The World Travel & Tourism Council is delighted to invite those who adopt in these principles to participate in the 2008 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards—the highest accolade in sustainable tourism. There are four categories for entry, allowing for applications from tourism destinations, businesses and organizations. The categories include: • Destination Award: for destinations of any size that show a commitment to responsible tourism development;• Conservation Award: for any tourism organization committed to the protection of natural...

BOSTON—Three additional hotels in the Boston area have earned an Energy Star label by documenting superior energy performance and efficiency. With the new designations, there are now eight hotels in the Hub metropolitan area that have made sufficient energy improvements to achieve an Energy Star label. At an event on Thursday, October 4, EPA honored Boston area hoteliers, recognizing each for their facilities’ superior energy performance. Together with Boston Green Tourism, the agency lauded local hoteliers for improving energy efficiency and implementing high quality measures that ultimately improve the guest experience. “We’re excited to see Boston’s hospitality industry take a...