LONDON—World Travel Market will host a major United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Ministers’ Summit on Tourism and Climate Change, a key part of an international program to widen and deepen the debate on one of the biggest challenges facing the industry. Ministers will be asked to consider and ratify a Declaration recommended by environmental experts at the UNWTO’s Summit on Climate Change in Davos, Switzerland in October. The Ministerial Declaration is to be put to the UNWTO’s General Assembly at the end of November and will be a major aspect of the organization’s submission to the U.N.’s Bali Climate...

PEMBROKE PINES, FLA.—The Chemically Safer Travel Directory, a guide for health-conscious travelers with sensitivities to chemicals, is now available. It features 658 listings (314 of which are new). Each listing represents a less-toxic place to vacation and stay in the United States, Canada and other countries. The “Safer” in Safer Travel Directory was inspired by the 1995 movie “Safe,” in which the main character inexplicably becomes allergic to the 20th century. Twentieth Century Disease (also known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) is a very real disability with no cure. It is brought about by some 60,000 chemicals present in our environment,...

SINGAPORE—As part of the launch of the Energy Smart Building Labeling Program, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) and Energy Sustainability Unit (ESU)—an entity jointly supported by the School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore (NUS) and various Research Partners—has awarded The Regent Singapore, a Four Seasons Hotel, the country’s inaugural Energy Smart Hotel Award. This award accords recognition to buildings (and now includes hotels) in the top 25 percent of their class for achieving exemplary energy efficiency without compromising indoor environmental quality. Since the energy-efficiency label was launched in December 2005, The Regent Singapore has undergone rigorous testing...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—As part of its ongoing program of green initiatives, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will offer complimentary overnight valet parking to guests who arrive in a hybrid vehicle. Beginning August 21, guests who drive a hybrid vehicle will enjoy the convenience of the resort’s overnight valet parking service, valued at $23 per night, for free. “We are excited about including our guests in our environmental programs such as the recycling effort in Willow Stream Spa and our Sonoran Trail eco-tour,” says Bob Foster, the resort’s general manager. “Offering complimentary valet parking is just one more way to encourage green-minded guests...

You may be on a tight budget or just looking to create renewed exposure and interest for your green hotel or B&B efforts, yet cannot seem to find anything newsworthy to report. We’ve all encountered that from time to time. Don’t worry; there is still hope. There are hundreds of ways for you to create some news of your own to get the exposure you need. Here are some of them: Stage a green event. For those of you who are unfamiliar with doing this, you may think it sounds difficult. With a little creativity and proper planning, you can pull...

CALGARY, AB.—More than 75 percent of travellers do not carry laptops, so in an age when Internet access in hotels is expected as much as towels and soap, hotels need to offer computer access to their guests. Userful Corp., a leader in public computing, has a solution for hotels wanting to offer public internet access—EcoPod. Its pay-per-use EcoPod Internet stations are a turnkey, environmentally responsible and headache-free solution for hotels, restaurants and other venues that see large numbers of visitors or tourists. “DiscoverStation is a great way to make money,” says Jude Joseph, president and CEO of Calgary-based Netsys...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—As part of Westin’s ongoing commitment to personal renewal, they are teaming up with SuperFoods Partners LLC, owners of the SuperFoodsRx brand, to become the first hotel brand to create a SuperFoods focused menu for their guests. Superfoods, known for being health-enhancing and rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, will be the main ingredient in Westin signature dishes such as banana oatmeal brulé, green-tea-infused salmon and molten dark chocolate cake. The initiative, which is currently rolling out in 25 Westin hotels in the U.S. and Canada, will go global in 2008 with the introduction of the Westin Signature Breakfast,...

SAN FRANCISCO—Global Hyatt and Tesla Motors are partnering to demonstrate the Tesla Roadster, an electric sports car. The Global Hyatt/Tesla Motors Drive Event will take place on August 29 and 30. The Tesla Roadster will travel from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe in the span of one day. With stops at Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Hyatt Regency Sacramento, and Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino in Incline Village, NV, each stage of the event will include a celebration of the car’s arrival and a preview of the forthcoming 2008 Tesla Roadster. Tesla Motors and Hyatt...

GREEN BAY, WISC.—Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay has received the Focus on Energy Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency for the implementation of innovative energy efficiency projects within its business. With the help of Focus on Energy’s Commercial Sector, part of Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay made a number of energy efficiency improvements including installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, guestroom energy management controls and energy-efficient air-conditioning units. In total, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay saved more than $60,000 in energy costs. Since starting its working relationship with...

CHICAGO—It might be too early for packing bags, but meeting professionals should start making plans now for the Professional Convention Management Assn.’s (PCMA) 2008 Annual Meeting, to be held Jan. 13-16, 2008 in Seattle. PCMA is announcing high-impact General Session speakers, as well as a return to a full Wednesday schedule—which this year includes a general session on Wednesday afternoon and a special closing event on Wednesday evening. “Creating Possibilities” is the theme of this year’s popular education and networking event. “We’re thrilled with the possibilities for inspiring and thought-provoking experiences at our 2008 Annual Meeting,” says Deborah Sexton, PCMA...