LISBON, PORTUGAL—The speed of technological innovation, growing realities of environmental sustainability and more demanding, value conscious customers are some of the most key near-term decision drivers for the hotel electronic distribution industry. These challenges and their various impacts were examined and debated during the final day of HEDNA’s recent 2008 EMEA Conference, held at the Corinthia Lisboa Hotel. The next 18 months will be some of the most challenging for the hotel business since 2001 due predominantly to economic concerns and the rapidity of technological evolution, said Dr. Lalia Rach, renowned dean of New York University’s Tisch Center for Hospitality,...

KNOXVILLE, TENN.—The Great Smoky Mountains Sustainable Tourism Summit, designed to kick off and honor the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, recently brought together more than 500 community leaders and tourism professionals for two days of “green” discussions. Governor Phil Bredesen provided key remarks during the opening session, which included the participation of Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Tennessee Congressman John Duncan, North Carolina Congressman Heath Shuler, Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. “Across the state, we have made land conservation a priority,” Bredesen said. “We are blessed with some of the most beautiful...

LONDON—VisitBritain aims to encourage a rapid, widespread and significant increase in the adoption of sustainable tourism principles, while avoiding the burden of too much bureaucracy and, as part of a three-month pilot, is waiving the usual $48 cost for the first 500 businesses to register for the program. Participation in Green Start provides tourism managers and operators with a stepping stone towards accreditation by a validated sustainable accreditation scheme. “VisitBritain is committed to encouraging sustainable businesses,” said Jason Freezer, VisitBritain’s sustainable tourism project manager. “However, nearly two-thirds tell us they need more guidance on developing their business in that...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Beginning this month, a steaming hot cup of coffee at Wyndham hotels not only will taste great, it will feel good, too, especially to guests concerned about preserving the environment and supporting small, family coffee growers. In conjunction with its evolving environmental responsibility strategy, the Wyndham chain is introducing organic and Fair Trade Certified Starbucks coffees in hotel restaurants, cafes, bars and via room service. Participating Wyndham hotels will offer two popular Starbucks blends: Café Estima Blend and Organic Serena Blend. Starbucks’ Fair Trade Certified Café Estima Blend offers a bold taste with a smooth feel and roasty-sweet finish ideal...

MCLEAN, VA.—The themes of economic downturn and corporate social responsibility were prevalent during the recent eighth Annual Resort Conference held at Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. The event was presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the University of Denver’s School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management. Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, opened the conference with a general session on ways to build loyalty among travelers and employees. “In the era of the Internet, customers have a lot more choices available to them so they are less loyal,” Conley said....

TORONTO—The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, two of the world’s leaders in environmental practices, announced a formal partnership aimed at promoting sustainability, conserving natural resources, and advancing the overall commitment to environmental stewardship. Involved in social awareness and conservation, The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation shares common interests with Fairmont’s award-winning environmental platform. As part of this new partnership, both parties will look to leverage existing synergies and shared resources to establish greater understanding of environmental issues worldwide. As a first step in this process, Fairmont will make a financial contribution to...

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF.—Bentley Prince Street, California’s largest commercial carpet manufacturer, is taking a significant step toward its goal of becoming a completely sustainable enterprise by the year 2020 by launching a new carpet tile backing line using next generation thermoplastic technology. Through this technology, Bentley Prince Street will dramatically decrease its environmental footprint by reducing energy use, decreasing raw material usage and increasing efficiencies in its carpet tile manufacturing processes. Ultimately, this new technology will also improve the company’s ability to keep reclaimed and waste carpet in the technical loop and increase its use of recycled content materials. The...

ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Here at Maho Bay Camps, you have to be careful what you throw away. Your “trash” just might end up as part of a piece of art on sale to a visiting guest. For more than 10 years now, glass bottles, aluminum cans, worn tablecloths, napkins, towels, sheets, shredded cardboard and paper, and even laundry lint have been converted into saleable pieces of art as part of Maho Bay Camps’ Trash to Treasures program. Last year, the resort sold $250,000 worth of art made from items otherwise destined for the trash heap. With the program a...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., L.L.C., and renowned diplomat for the environment, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society, have signed a 10-year agreement to further develop and expand the award-winning Ambassadors of the Environment (AOTE) program from the current location at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman to a select group of the brand’s other resort and urban hotel destinations around the world, including Kapalua, Maui and Sanya, which opened April 24, 2008. The program, which emphasizes education and respect for ecosystem sustainability through “hands-on” activities, was recently named “Best Children’s Program for 2007” by Virtuoso, the consortium of travel...

COSTALEGRE, JALISCO, MEXICO—Boca de Iguanas, the newest eco-resort project along Mexico’s pristine Costalegre, has named Lorena Vargas sustainability manager responsible for eco-friendly programs that reflect the project’s commitment to the environment. Vargas is a recent graduate from the University of Guadalajara with a degree in environmental biotechnology, and has ecological sustainability in her blood. Her father, José Roberto Vargas, set up the first organic production farm in Rancho Petacal, Jalisco 18 years ago. Part of Vargas’ work includes introducing unique touches of nature to the hotel rooms, restaurant, and homes, establishing the on-site composing program, overseeing the cultivation of...