NAPA, CALIF.—Francis Ford Coppola’s resorts in Belize, Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn, have formalized two strategic alliances that further the company’s commitment and dedication to fostering best practices in ecotourism and sustainable travel. Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn have joined the Sustainable Tourism Program led by the Rainforest Alliance, the international nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to helping businesses develop and implement practices spanning sustainable forestry, agriculture, tourism, climate and education. The two Coppola properties have also joined forces with one of the early leaders in the sustainable travel movement, Sustainable Travel International’s global Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP. “The Coppolas...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts is making significant progress toward reaching environmental goals outlined in its 2015 Environmental Vision, a set of aggressive environmental performance goals. The operator of lodging and concessions in national parks and resorts around the country spelled out its progress using environmental performance metrics, called “Ecometrix.” The company’s achievements and measurable progress toward its environmental goals are detailed in the company’s fourth Environmental Sustainability Report. In the report, Xanterra’s president and CEO, Andrew Todd, wrote about the devastation brought about by recent environmental disasters, such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Todd cited Xanterra’s...

ATLANTA –ASHRAE has published its first ever eBook for use on the Apple iPad. The third and latest edition of “ASHRAE GreenGuide: The Design, Construction and Operation of Sustainable Buildings” is now available in an eBook format to allow iPad users convenient access to the book’s guidance, which covers each stage of the building process, from planning to operation and maintenance of a facility, with emphasis on teamwork and close coordination among interested parties. The eBook follows ASHRAE’s latest mobile apps on duct fitting databases and Standard 62.1, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. The GreenGuide eBook includes embedded links...

ITHACA, N.Y.—A study of more than 500 business and leisure travelers, which appears in the August 2011 issue of the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly (CQ), is one of only a few studies that capture leisure travelers’ preferences regarding sustainability in hotels. However, the study found few preference differences between business and leisure travelers. Top on the list of features for this group of travelers was green certification. The article, “Hotel Guests’ Preferences for Green Guest Room Attributes,” by Michelle Millar and Seyhmus Baloglu, is available at no charge, by arrangement with Sage Publishing, which publishes the CQ on behalf of the...

BOQUETE, PANAMA—Sometimes the cold weather can be just too much. When Gina Cronin, a Cleveland, Ohio area native had enough of the long northern Ohio winters, she headed south—far south—to the Boquete area of western Panama. After helping to run a successful business and then selling it, she and her business partner at the time decided they not only wanted to move but also start a resort. It took time to find the right property, but now, approximately seven years after the move from the United States, Cronin owns and operates the nine-villa Rancho de Caldera on 50 acres...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Since first establishing its sustainability program in 2006, Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, is measuring positive trends in reducing its environmental impact around the globe. The results are reflected in two new sustainability reports released by the company this month— Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reports, reflecting the strategies, efforts, and results across the company’s diverse businesses. With a wide and growing range of businesses, Wyndham Worldwide includes Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company based on number of properties; Wyndham Exchange & Rentals, the world’s largest member-based vacation exchange...

LAS VEGAS—For the third consecutive year, Caesars Entertainment Corp. is sponsoring Dartmouth College’s Big Green Bus tour across America. The converted Greyhound bus, operated by students, will run on recycled waste vegetable oil (WVO) as it travels the country educating individuals on best sustainability practices. The 11-week, 12,000-mile journey will take the 13 students through 31 states and will make refueling stops at Caesars resorts including Harrah’s New Orleans (July 23), Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino (August 3 in Las Vegas), Harrah’s Rincon Hotel and Casino in North San Diego (August 5), and Cleveland Thistledown (September 3), among other scheduled...

ITHACA, N.Y.—Travelers and other consumers increasingly want to know about the carbon footprint and other sustainability information connected with their hotel stay. In response, most hotel companies have developed methods to answer this question—but so far, no single method for calculation has been widely adopted. As a result, travelers find it difficult to compare one hotel to another, and many industry leaders have called for a uniform method of reporting on the many items relating to sustainability. A new report from the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) analyzes the wide diversity of sustainability factors, and explains how those measurements...

BETHESDA, MD.—Leaders in the recently launched Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium welcome its newest member, Contract Decor International, a source for high-quality, custom-manufactured window treatments and bedcovers. The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium, led by MindClick SGM, is working collaboratively to develop an industry-wide Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI). HSPI will help hotel owners purchase products that both reduce their properties’ environmental impact, and contribute to guest comfort, health and well-being.“We recognize and fully support the Consortium’s commitment to greening the hotel industry through purchasing,” said Michael Handler, CEO of Contract Decor. “Working closely with designers, brands, purchasing firms and owners...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International this week debuted the company’s first electric vehicle charging station and the first such facility on the Las Vegas Strip for environmentally conscious consumers driving the cleanest, most advanced vehicles on the road. This new charging station is located at the valet entrance to The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, between Mandalay Bay and Luxor resorts. Charging service is available free of charge to retail and resort customers driving personal electric vehicles, like the Nissan LEAF and the Chevy Volt. “This is a tremendous first for The Shoppes and our customers,” said Brian Robison, vice president and general...