ORLANDO, FLA.—It is official. As reported in Green Lodging News in July, in response to growing member interest in green hotels, AAA has launched a program to highlight AAA Approved lodgings that have been eco-certified through a well-established government or private program. A bright green “ECO” symbol makes it easy to identify eco-friendly lodgings in the new 2010 editions of the AAA TourBook guides and on AAA.com. Additionally, travelers will be able to customize their hotel searches on AAA.com to show green properties first in their search results. “The new ECO symbol serves as a notice to AAA members that a...

OKLAHOMA CITY—The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department has unveiled a new travel initiative called ECO—Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma—which promotes, educates and encourages sustainable travel in the state. The ECO program approaches sustainable travel from both industry and consumer perspectives. It includes education, green certification and marketing support for tourism industry partners and helps them embrace sustainable travel practices for minimal economic impact with maximum return. ECO will also identify sustainable travel options such as lodging, restaurants and attractions so that tourists seeking green travel will have easy access to this information. “Oklahoma has a legacy of conservation, preservation and innovation—qualities that...

HORSHAM, PA.—The Green Key Eco-Rating Program (Green Key) announced that Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has committed its portfolio in the United States to becoming members of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. The recent launch of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program in the United States signifies the evolution of the program from its Canadian roots to one that serves the needs of conservation-minded properties across Canada and the United States. The partnership between Green Key and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, an environmentally progressive hotel group with close to two decades of experience greening its operations, dates back to the original...

OTTAWA, ON.—The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) is now accepting entries for the 2009 Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence. Now in its sixth year, the Hall of Fame Awards program continues the association’s tradition of acknowledging the strong standards and values of those involved in and with the lodging industry. Each year the Hall of Fame Awards attracts more and more entries from HAC members across the country. The awards program proudly recognizes those individuals, companies or properties that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to the lodging industry in the following divisions:...

ALBANY, N.Y.—New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the launch of a new initiative to certify lodging establishments as “green” for employing environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Forty-three hotels and inns—spread across every region of New York—are the first to sign on for the certification process. “Green tourism is good for our economy and good for our environment,” Governor David A. Paterson said. “The new Green Lodging Certification program will certify and assist New York’s hoteliers in the transition to environmental sustainability, helping them remain competitive and protect our environment at the same time....

HORSHAM, PA.—The Green Key Eco-Rating Program (Green Key), one of the first of its kind to rank and certify hotels and resorts based on their commitment to sustainable “green” practices, has expanded its operations to the United States. The launch of the website www.greenkeyglobal.com signifies the evolution of the program from its Canadian roots to one that serves the needs of conservation-minded properties across Canada and the United States. The Green Key evaluation is a comprehensive 140-question audit that is self-administered by staff at the participating property. The audit covers the following operational areas and sustainable practices: Corporate Environmental Management,...

MURRIETA, CALIF.—Green Globe International, Inc., the worldwide owner of the Green Globe brand, announced an exclusive five-year licensing agreement with UAE-based Farnek Avireal to utilize the Green Globe brand, an internationally recognized certification label in the tourism and hospitality industry, covering tourism properties within 20 different countries throughout the Middle East. More than 800 businesses in 50 countries have so far received the paperless Web-based Green Globe Certification (GGC), and it is the only one globally in compliance with ISO17021. The GGC is a leading worldwide sustainability certification for tourism businesses and the Green Globe Index tool allows clients...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) and Boutique Media Group announced the launch of boutique DESIGN New York, a new hospitality interiors fair that will coincide with the 95th annual IH/M&RS in November 2010. Featuring an edited selection of 200 exhibitors, boutique DESIGN New York will serve as an opportunity for interior product manufacturers to showcase the latest in high-end, unique and innovative design products for hospitality. “This exciting new fair fulfills an industry need for an event that caters specifically to the growing boutique hotel community,” said John Russell, CEO of NYLO Hotels, IH/M&RS board member...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Condé Nast Traveler recently announced the winners of the magazine’s third annual World Savers Awards, naming Washington D.C.’s Willard InterContinental overall winner in the City Hotel category, citing the hotel’s commitment to 100 percent wind energy, the environment and communities in need. Condé Nast Traveler’s World Saver Award honors travel companies from around the world for their leadership in social responsibility in five key areas: poverty alleviation, cultural and/or environmental preservation, education programs, wildlife conservation, and health initiatives. The Willard’s award-winning program, Willard InterContinental—The Next 100 Years, is a holistic plan comprised of interwoven...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart announced the redesign of its website. The new site integrates the Hobart, Traulsen refrigeration and Baxter Bakery brands into one seamless front-end user experience from site to site. The interface uses a tab mechanism that highlights all three brands in a cohesive style so Hobart can showcase its full line of commercial food equipment and unique nationwide network of Hobart Service. “The new Hobart site brings Hobart, Traulsen and Baxter together in one online environment,” said Tom Szafranski, president of ITW Food Equipment Group-Commercial. “The updated site provides a seamless connection between the three brands while giving each...