OTTAWA, ONTARIO—More than 500 hotels and counting. That is the number of properties that have signed up for the Hotel Association of Canada’s (HAC) Green Key Eco-Rating program. According to Anthony Pollard, president of HAC, another 450 are in the pipeline and a total of 1,200 should be signed up by the end of the year. The program, which rates hotels with from one to five green keys, with five keys being the best, has been blossoming of late for several reasons. “In Canada, the No. 1 issue by far is the environment,” Pollard says. The...

BOULDER, COLO., NEW YORK—The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., the largest global luxury hotel brand, announced the launch of the Leading Green Initiative. This innovative program will enable and encourage guests to make a conscious decision toward greener travel by actively supporting Sustainable Travel International (STI), a leading nonprofit organization focused on responsible tourism. The Leading Green Initiative is a carbon neutral program whereby The Leading Hotels of the World will directly absorb the cost to offset guests’ energy consumption for stays at any of its 440 hotels worldwide. “We are extremely proud to be the...

NATIONAL REPORT—Six prominent spas are forming a network dedicated to bringing environmentally sustainable operating practices to the burgeoning spa industry. The Green Spa Network (GSN) seeks to help spas and spa professionals reap the financial and social benefits from implementing environmentally friendly business practices. The intention of the organization is to synergize greening efforts among network members as a way to support spas in reducing their ecological impact, while improving energy efficiencies and reducing operational costs. With nearly 14,000 facilities generating $9.7 billion in annual revenues, spas are a leading leisure industry and naturally suited to be at...

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...