STONE MOUNTAIN, GA.—The Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort, a Stone Mountain hotel surrounded in natural wooded beauty and lush greenery, has received designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS). As the only hotel in America certified under Audubon International’s Business Program, the Georgia resort joins a renowned, worldwide environmental initiative by eco-aware businesses and Audubon International. “The Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Business and Corporate Properties gives people an opportunity to do something good for the environment where they live, work and recreate,” says Shawn Williams, staff ecologist for Audubon International. “The system...

NEEDHAM, MASS.—TripAdvisor announced the results of its ecotourism survey of more than 1,000 travelers worldwide. Eleven percent of respondents have taken and one-quarter are considering going on an ecotourism trip. Thirty-eight percent of respondents said that environmentally-friendly tourism is a consideration when traveling. Thirty-eight percent of travelers surveyed have stayed at an environmentally-friendly hotel, and 9 percent specifically seek out environmentally-friendly hotels. When asked what qualities are most important to making a hotel eco-friendly, conserving energy ranked number one, followed by conserving water and using recycled paper. Seventy-eight percent of travelers said they decline to have their...

CHICAGO—Orbitz has added an eco-travel microsite to its website. The company’s intent is for it to be a comprehensive resource for travelers who want to find everything from eco-friendly hotels to environmental volunteer opportunities. Travelers who visit the Orbitz eco-travel microsite (http://eco.orbitz.com/) will have access to the following information and tools: • Articles on eco-travel, how it effects local environments and communities throughout the world, and how everyone can make a positive impact while traveling. Read articles from the experts at Away.com and Gorp.com to expand your knowledge on this important topic. • Top eco-friendly destinations. Editors...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The historic Heathman Hotel in Portland, Ore., is inviting its guests to travel responsibly with their newest guest package—the “Go Green” package—in honor of Earth Day. For every guest that chooses the package, the Heathman Hotel will plant a tree in conjunction with the Portland-based Friends of Trees. The nonprofit organization inspires community stewardship of the urban forest by bringing people in the greater Portland area together to plant and care for city trees and urban natural areas. Guests will also receive one night’s deluxe accommodation, a full continental breakfast at the award-winning Heathman Restaurant, and a...

BETHESDA, MD.—In honor of Earth Day and Environmental Awareness Month, Marriott International is hosting its first green products fair for more than 3,000 employees at Marriott headquarters. The event will be held Friday, April 20. Local vendors—EcoLab, Whole Foods, Eco-Coach, Green Living, Clean Energy Currents, Starbucks, Clean Up the World and more—will showcase their latest eco-friendly products from paint, carpet and flooring to green travel, recycling and organic food. Associates will also have a chance to check out the latest hybrid cars from Toyota and Ford. Elected officials have also been invited. Guest speakers include: Dennis Dimick, Executive...

BASKING RIDGE, N.J.—The Olde Mill Inn here is now offering its guests a healthier night’s sleep with PURE rooms from Pure Solutions NA, Cheektowaga, N.Y. The inn is the first hotel in New Jersey to offer this special service. A PURE room is one that has been professionally treated to minimize irritants, contaminants, and odors. PURE allergy friendly rooms are the most complete allergen-resistant hotel rooms on the market. Each PURE room is treated extensively, ensuring a comfortable and inviting stay every time. In addition to PURE guestrooms that feature air cleaners, eco-friendly items such as Energy Star...

AMERICAN CANYON, CALIF.—The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa, now open in American Canyon, Calif., has installed a GreenTouchscreen from Quality Attributes Software to educate visitors about the numerous green aspects of the facility. Gaia’s GreenTouchscreen educates guests by displaying the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) checklist. Historical electricity, water and CO2 graphs compare this efficient facility to an average hotel to educate users of the energy saving benefits, and a system animation demonstrates how the hotel uses a photovoltaic array to help generate electricity. Multiple screens around the lobby and a channel on every hotel...

CHICAGO—With more than 67 percent of Americans placing importance on the eco-friendliness of a destination, this market segment has a growing future ahead of it, according to a recent Orbitz survey of 320 adults ages 19 to 65. Travelers are reassessing how they travel, where they stay and the impact they leave behind when on vacation. Conducted by MarketTool’s Zoomerang’s polling service, the Orbitz survey found that: • More than half (65 percent) state it would somewhat impact their decision to stay at a hotel if they knew the hotel was using solar or wind energy to supplement...

PORTLAND, ORE.—According to recent research, 67 percent of meeting and incentive professionals have taken environmental considerations into account when planning a conference or incentive program (IMEX 2007). The corporate model is fast changing to one where sustainability is no longer fringe, but mainstream. This year promises to be an unprecedented year for the global meetings industry. In response to this trend, the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) is helping to prepare meeting professionals to meet the challenges of a sustainable approach and experience how greener meetings are creating better meetings. On the heels of a successful annual...

NEW YORK—The deluxe Premier Hotel in Times Square, a Millennium Hotels and Resorts property, is breaking new ground and changing the quality of travel and wellness of its guests with the introduction of its new “Premier Pure” rooms which feature an allergen- friendly environment. The Premier Pure rooms are 98 percent free of bacteria and viruses which are eliminated via a special purification technique. The hotel is also introducing therapeutic natural skin care products by LATHER as its bath amenities. The Premier is the first New York City hotel to introduce allergen-friendly rooms utilizing an innovative, one-of-a-kind high-tech...