NEW YORK—How can eco-savvy travelers trek through the myriad of websites listing vacation options in Latin America and the Caribbean to make choices they know will be environmentally and socially responsible? A free online tool developed by the Rainforest Alliance can help. The Eco-Index of Sustainable Tourism offers users a database of sustainable tourism businesses—including hotels, inns, lodges and more—that conserve biodiversity and help local communities. This lets responsible travelers choose destinations that are not only beautiful but also beneficial to the areas they visit. The Eco-Index of Sustainable Tourism is the only website with a searchable...

TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the latest accolade for its industry leading environmental program. On November 9, during the annual Hospitality Awards ceremony in Paris, France, Fairmont received a Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program award for its Green Partnership program. The award recognizes the best example of environmental and humanitarian activity, sustainable development, and the involvement of local populations by hotel groups throughout the world. The Worldwide Hospitality Awards were presented by the MKG Group, an organization associated with HTR Magazine. Jeff Senior, Fairmont’s senior vice president marketing & sales, accepted the award on the company’s behalf....

ITHACA, N.Y.—The student board of directors of the 82nd Annual Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC) has announced the theme for next year’s student-run event. It is “Sustainability Through Innovation.” The event will be held at the Cornell Hotel School April 12-15. The weekend will feature a delicate blend of education and leisure. Industry leaders attend HEC in order to mingle with students, learn cutting-edge business concepts, and enjoy a feast of culinary delights. What will make HEC 82 different than the 81 preceding HECs is the theme. It originated from the question: What must innovative hospitality organizations do in...

The “green” bandwagon moves triumphantly through our communities. Where we used to be called “tree huggers” and fringe conservationists, many now understand that sustainable hospitality is within reach, where we can be good stewards of the environment AND make money. Let’s put the green movement in perspective, just from today’s news items. Detroit still pimps the Hummer and SUVs, big oil is even bigger, and our governments refuse to address global warming. Areas of the world have fragile ecosystems under siege, the glaciers are melting (Boston the new Miami?), and certain species require protection. Oil, landfills, the greenhouse effect, acid...

AMERICAN CANYON, CALIF.—The Gaia Napa Valley, a hotel incorporating environmentally friendly building design and technology, has opened here. The 133-room hotel, set on four acres, was designed to appeal to ecotourists. The hotel is pursuing gold LEED certification. The hotel will use solar power, water-saving techniques and certified wood, harvested with the long-term health of forests in mind. A mural by world-renowned artist Yuan Lee reflects on the spirit, beauty and resources of nature in the Napa Valley and surrounding areas. The hotel’s half-acre lagoon has its own ecosystem and is surrounded by a lush garden with...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Starwood Capital Group, led by Barry Sternlicht, announced the launching of “1” Hotel and Residences, the first luxury, eco-friendly global hotel brand. The concept will combine the best of environmentally sustainable architecture and interior design with luxury service and comfort. “1” will adhere to green construction and operating principles and commit to environmentally sensitive consumption of natural resources. “1” will demonstrate that green principles can coexist and enhance a luxury hospitality experience and healthy residential lifestyle. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has agreed to be an environmental advisor on “1” with the initial goal of...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center announced that the property has earned a Green Seal GS-33 Lodging Sustainability certification. The 476-room Doubletree is the first lodging property in Oregon and the largest hotel west of the Mississippi to receive this green hotel designation, which includes a set of stringent criteria that encourages hotels to adopt environmental standards and practices in their everyday operations. The Green Seal certification is the latest step in the Doubletree’s efforts to build sustainable practices into its entire operation. From installation of energy- and water-efficient fixtures and lighting in guestrooms...

LONDON—Individually, members of the tourism industry are no more able to solve the world’s problems than members of any other business sector. However, the industry has significant potential to address issues and achieve positive outcomes for communities and the environment. This is the message in the October issue of greenhotelier magazine, which examines how the industry has begun to engage with sustainability issues and form different cross-sector partnerships to address them. The article looks at the global issues that relate to the tourism industry and maintains that the partnership model of development is often the best way of...

KENNESAW, GA.—Reinforcing its commitment to providing customers with an expansive collection of sustainable carpeting for contract interiors, The Mohawk Group announces that numerous product platforms have achieved SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) Sustainable Choice Platinum and Gold/Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) certification. Platinum and Gold are the highest levels of achievement recognized under the new national Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard, NSF-140-2005. The standard is the industry’s new sustainability benchmark for ensuring environmentally and socially responsible carpeting products. “Providing our customers with high quality sustainable products has always been a driving force in The Mohawk Group’s design and manufacturing processes,”...

GRENADA—The 32-room Blue Horizons Garden Resort in Grenada has achieved the prestigious Green Globe Benchmark Certificate under the new Green Globe Certification program, which recognizes the property’s commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standard. Achieving this distinction means Blue Horizons Garden Resort can now proceed to the next step—securing the coveted Green Globe Certification. Blue Horizons first obtained the Green Globe Benchmark distinction in 2004 but it expired during the time the property was closed (as a result of Hurricane Ivan). During the $1.5 million renovation project that ensued, Blue Horizons made sure to keep environmentally-conscious...