ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, Inc., announced that its Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour and Crystal Shores on Marco Island properties are the first resorts within the Marriott Vacation
Club portfolio to achieve the Florida Green Lodging Program designation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Having met all of the requirements to officially become part of the association, the brand’s two largest vacation resorts in Orlando and latest resort offering in Southwest Florida see their “One Palm” designation as a winning combination for everyone.
“Now, more than ever, environmental stewardship is a critical part of delivering unforgettable vacation experiences to our owners and guests and vital to the future of travel and tourism,” said Troy Asche, regional vice president of operations for the Florida-Caribbean region of Marriott Vacation Club. “By taking strategic steps to ‘green’ our resort operations, our collective efforts can make a huge impact on preserving our beautiful Florida environment.”
Situated on 164 acres in the heart of Orlando, Marriott’s Grande Vista includes 900 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas with resort amenities including hiking trails surrounded by native flora and wetlands; Faldo Golf Institute by Marriott with nine-hole golf course, and the neighboring 18-hole Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club, both members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.
Less than a mile from SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica by SeaWorld, Marriott’s Cypress Harbour offers guests a peaceful retreat surrounded by tall pine, oak and palm trees. Recently opened in March 2009, Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island is Marriott Vacation Club’s newest vacation resort in Florida and represents the latest in architectural design both inside and out while integrating and enhancing the surrounding natural environment.
Comprehensive State Program
The voluntary Florida Green Lodging Program is a state initiative which provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and resorts to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, resorts must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction and recycling.
“It is wonderful to see businesses implement green practices such as water conservation, recycling and energy reduction because they are not only good for business, they are good for Florida’s environment,” said Deas Bohn, DEP Sustainable Initiatives director.
Marriott Vacation Club is focused on demonstrating how responsible development and resort management can be a positive force for the environment. Just last year, Marriott Vacation Club International launched the MVCI Green Initiative at its corporate headquarters with continued rollout to its corporate offices and resorts worldwide, eliminating nearly 254,000 pieces of Styrofoam and plastic waste from landfills annually. As a continuation of these efforts, all 11 Marriott Vacation Club resorts in Florida are currently in process to receive the One Palm designation from the Florida Green Lodging Program with expectations to have nearly all resorts designated by the end of the year.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. In 2007, Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with the Florida Green Lodging Program designation, whenever possible. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
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