SAN JUAN, P.R.—As part of their commitment to the sustainable development of Caribbean tourism, the Caribbean Hotel Assn. (CHA) and Skyauction.com have agreed to extend their successful room exchange program to Caribbean hotel members who wish to participate in the upcoming Green Globe International & Caribbean Green Tourism Conference. The event will be held November 1 to 3 at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica. “This is great news, especially for the small properties, given the interest many of them have showed, and the potential benefits for them,” says Deirdre Shurland, director of the Caribbean Alliance...

BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Travel International (STI) announced that it has expanded is services related to greenhouse gas (GHG)/carbon offsetting in response to growing consumer and industry demand for market-based systems and related programs that help to curb global warming. STI has developed a user-friendly guide called, “Choosing a Greenhouse Gas Offset Program.” Designed for both businesses and consumers who are unsure about carbon offsetting and want to more easily determine the best services available in the marketplace, the guide is available from STI. This informative document includes a synopsis of factors to consider in choosing an offset program, a...

EXCELSIOR, MINN.—Sustainable Lifestyles introduces its line of natural fiber rugs and carpet. The flooring products do not off-gas like those made from synthetic materials. The raw product for the company’s flooring is sustainably harvested. Sustainable Lifestyles offers a large variety of Sisal, Seagrass, Mountain Grass and Sisal Wool styles. The rugs come in standard and custom sizes, shapes and borders. Wall to wall carpet is available. The company will be exhibiting at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York, November 11 to 14, at booth No. 4011. Go to Sustainable Lifestyles.

ARLINGTON, VA—Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings Inc. and a supplier of renewable electricity in the Mid-Atlantic region, announced that it has been awarded a contract to supply wind power to The Fairmont Washington, D.C. The three-year contract calls for Pepco Energy Services to supply the 415- room Fairmont Hotel with more than 3 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity generated from renewable resources. Beginning in March 2007, 10 percent of the energy will come from wind farms located in the Mid-Atlantic region. “Pepco Energy Services is pleased to be supplying environmentally friendly wind energy...

AMERICAN CANYON, CALIF.—Imagine a hotel with the sound of birds chirping on a green roof, swans gliding across a half-acre lagoon and koi swimming in a pond. Designed to appeal to eco-tourists who want luxury and comfort, Napa Valley’s first environmentally sustainable hotel, Gaia Napa Valley, will open next month. Cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technology was used in its construction and will be applied in the daily operations. Gaia Napa Valley will offer the ultimate experience of harmony with nature. The hotel is pursuing gold LEED certification. The lagoon has its own eco-system, is surrounded by a lush...

CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE—The Inn By The Sea, here in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, is not a bad place to stay, especially if you happen to be a bird or a bug—the good kind, that is. The luxury property, which includes 43 suites and cottages, is two-thirds surrounded by a state park and is adjacent to a bird sanctuary. Management at the Inn By The Sea takes its responsibility to maintain its surroundings seriously. Over the years, the need for chemicals has been reduced by replacing exotic plants with indigenous species that not only create a pleasing landscape for guests, but also...

DENVER—National park and resort concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts has received the National Park Service (NPS) 2006 Environmental Achievement Award for its performance at the Zion Lodge in Zion National Park. The NPS Environmental Achievement Award recognizes superior accomplishments in environmental stewardship. Zion Lodge also received the award in 2004. Xanterra also has received National Park Service Environmental Achievement Awards for environmental stewardship at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The 2006 award was presented by Fran Mainella, director of the National Park Service. “Xanterra at Zion...

SAN JUAN, P.R.—“Enhancing the Business of Tourism—The Path to Sustainability” is the general theme of the Green Globe International Conference and the Green Tourism Conference to be held November 1 to 3 at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The conference is a joint staging of the second biennial International Green Globe Conference (the inaugural edition was held March 2004 in New Zeeland) and the third biennial Caribbean Green Tourism Conference. The 2006 edition is being organized by the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) with the assistance of its parent organization, the Caribbean Hotel Assn.,...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has issued a call for entries for the 2007 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The awards, now in their third year under WTTC stewardship, promote and reward best practices in travel and tourism all over the world. There are four categories for entry, allowing for applications from tourism destinations, businesses and organizations. The categories are: • 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 and cultural heritage; • Investor in People...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Vail Resorts Inc. and the National Forest Foundation have partnered together to raise money for conservation projects in the White River National Forest in Colorado and the national forests of Lake Tahoe Basin in California and Nevada, where Vail Resorts operates its five mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly. Throughout the 2006-2007 winter season, Vail Resorts will offer guests at its five mountain resorts the opportunity to participate in a special fundraising effort by contributing $1 on season passes, $1 on online lift ticket transactions, and $1 per room night at its Colorado-based...