BETHESDA, MD.—In a move to help improve the climate, Marriott International, Inc. is launching a new way for guests to “green” their hotel stays. Now, when guests book rooms on Marriott’s website, they can offset the carbon generated during their stay for as little as $10, or $1/day for 10 days. As part of Spirit To Preserve, Marriott’s five-point environmental strategy, guests can contribute to a Brazilian rainforest preservation fund already supported with a $2 million commitment by the company. “Conserving rainforests—the lungs of the Earth—is one of the most important things we can do to improve the climate,” says...

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.—A new company, Cozy Green, is providing new life to old hotel towels and linens. Cozy Green utilizes spent hotel pool towels, spa towels and linens to create logo recognized, contemporary retail products. Ideally, the company seeks towels with logos on them, and then “upcycles” them to new branded product for their hotel partners. Cozy Green specializes in totes, hooded sweatshirts, slippers, pillows and recently introduced pet beds. These products could replace the standard robe and slippers currently found in hotel rooms. “Our business model is to create a partnership with resorts which clearly meets their sustainability goals,” according...

ROCKVILLE, MD—Clean Currents, LLC, a Washington, D.C. area clean energy business, announced that it has successfully brokered an arrangement with the Legacy Hotel and Conference Centre to switch 100 percent of its electricity consumption to wind power in an effort to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and to encourage energy independence. The hotel will also will participate in Clean Currents’ “Green Your Stay” program that offsets the carbon footprint associated with a night’s stay. In addition to switching to carbon neutral wind power, the hotel is converting its cleaning products and detergents to more organic, biodegradable solutions and...

TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced an extension of its brandwide Green Cuisine program to include sustainable seafood choices in support of a global effort to conserve precious marine species. As the latest environmental initiative undertaken by the brand, Fairmont’s hotels and resorts worldwide will remove threatened fish species like Chilean Sea Bass and Bluefin Tuna from their restaurant menus and will also align themselves locally with reputable seafood watch organizations, ensuring guests continue to be provided with a comprehensive selection of sustainable seafood choices. By spring 2009, Fairmont’s seafood purchases will be made with the guidance and consultation...

MONTEREY, CALIF.—Security National Guaranty (SNG) announced plans to develop the greenest ecoresort in the world on the Monterey Peninsula. To be located on a degraded former sand mining site, Monterey Bay Shores Ecoresort will be an environmentally friendly development that will provide visitors, tourists and residents with an ideal green living environment as well as educational facilities for instruction on sustainability and environmental principles. The ecoresort will aim to achieve LEED Platinum certification upon completion and will yield more than 500 construction and permanent green jobs for Monterey’s local economy. In the first-of-its kind development, every single detail of Monterey...

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—As part of its ongoing commitment to the environment, Disneyland Resort announced two innovative environmental initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The resort has begun using compressed natural gas to fuel its guest trams and recycled cooking oil to power its Disneyland Railroad steam trains and Mark Twain riverboat. “These initiatives demonstrate Disneyland Resort’s ongoing commitment to balancing environmental stewardship throughout our operations,” said Michael O’Grattan, senior vice president of resort operations. “These are just a few steps in our ongoing journey to reduce Disneyland Resort’s environmental footprint.” The Disneyland Railroad is being fueled by a special biodiesel made from...

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF.—What was once a tired Days Inn here has been transformed into a vibrant resort that blends modern architecture with a “Rustic-Zen” feel. Owned by G8 Partners, 968 Park Spa Resort features items such as organic linens, towels and duvets, organic food and wines, and a day spa that offers treatments heavy on homemade ingredients. Throughout the property, every attempt was made to use reclaimed materials from the old Days Inn or other sources to create a style unique to Tahoe. Standing outside the resort, one is struck by the rust-friendly sheet metal that accents the...

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J.—EcoGreenHotel has been contracted by the Hampton Inn in Easton, Pa., to establish a sustainability program. The Hampton Inn, managed by Lorrie Miller, has chosen to begin its green hotel initiative with EcoGreenHotel’s “Sustainability Support Program.” This program evaluates the sustainability of a property and then sets in motion the actions to further progress its eco-friendly standing. The green hotel program began earlier this month. The Hampton Inn Easton features 97 guestrooms, including suites and is connected to the Lotus Conference Center. The Lotus Conference Center provides more than 3,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is...

MCLEAN, VA.—The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and Tourism Cares have partnered to recognize sustainability initiatives in the travel industry with a new award. The first-ever Tourism Cares Sustainability Award will be presented at the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala, January 26, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The Tourism Cares award is a new addition to HSMAI’s annual Adrian Awards, a competition that honors the “best of the best” in travel and hospitality marketing in the categories of advertising, public relations and web marketing. “Tourism Cares is pleased and proud to honor those who epitomize...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Meeting Strategies Worldwide announces the release of their industry report: “2009 State of the Sustainable Meeting Industry.” The paper gives an overview of trends and economic factors impacting the meetings industry for 2009 and addresses emerging ideas in policy, technology, and human interest for events. Click here to download the report for free. “We are proud to present our inaugural 2009 State of the Sustainable Meeting Industry report,” says Nancy J. Wilson, CMP, of Meeting Strategies Worldwide. “Trends and forecasts speak to continued economic challenges and increased demand for sustainable meetings. Both present a perfect storm of conditions to...