LAS VEGAS—Twelve MGM Resorts International properties have been awarded a new designation by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, that helps identify the most environmentally friendly hotels. The properties on the Las Vegas Strip were accepted into the new TripAdvisor GreenLeaders program. The program considers a property’s holistic approach to green practices and ranks them based on four levels of participation—Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum.
ARIA Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa each received a Platinum designation—denoting the highest level of environmental responsibility, an achievement earned by less than 10 percent of participants. Gold designations went to MGM Grand Las Vegas, The Mirage, New York-New York, The Signature at MGM Grand, Bellagio, Monte Carlo and Mandalay Bay. Excalibur and Luxor received Silver designations. Circus Circus Las Vegas earned Bronze.
“The new TripAdvisor ranking system is a powerful tool for consumers to refer to when they are selecting a hotel,” said MGM Resorts chief sustainability officer Cindy Ortega. “We know very well that our guests vote with their feet, and, increasingly, guests are placing environmental responsibility high on their priority lists when making important travel decisions.”
TripAdvisor lauded MGM Resorts for its sustainability practices and procedures.
“MGM Resorts has an impressive number of properties that are dedicated to educating their guests and potential guests about the sustainability aspects of Las Vegas,” said Jenny Rushmore, director of responsible travel for TripAdvisor. “It is clear that MGM Resorts has demonstrated that the company is truly committed to reducing their resorts’ environmental impacts and increasing the transparency of its green programs with guests.”
Program Launched with Many Participants
TripAdvisor has launched the GreenLeaders program with more than 1,000 properties, comprised of independent hotels to multinational brands. Web surfers can refine their search on TripAdvisor.com to hotels that hold the “green” designation, and a view of each hotel’s sustainability features.
Prior to launch, a comprehensive range of sustainability aspects at each hotel were analyzed, from linen re-use, recycling, car charging stations, green building materials and more.
TripAdvisor developed the program in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the United Nations Environment Programme.
Recent statistics revealed by TripAdvisor surveys show that 79 percent of travelers place importance on destinations that implement eco-friendly practices, and 86 percent of hoteliers in the United States state that they have green practices in place.
In 2009, CityCenter was awarded six LEED Gold certifications for sustainable design and construction from the U.S. Green Building Council. In 2012, MGM Resorts was awarded 15 Green Key Hotel rankings for designation of green business operations. Also, in 2012, Green Key Global’s Meetings Program awarded the “5 Green Keys” rating to the meetings and convention spaces within Bellagio, ARIA, Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand Las Vegas. For three consecutive years, MGM Resorts has been listed as the highest ranking company in the casino-resort industry among Newsweek Magazine’s 500 most environmentally responsible companies.
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