Mass transit ridership increases despite cheaper gas

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced today that Americans continue to ride public transportation at record levels even though gas prices declined. More than 2.8 billion trips were taken on public transportation in the third quarter of 2008 -- an increase of 6.5 percent over the third quarter of 2007. This is the largest quarterly increase in public transportation ridership in 25 years. Meanwhile, vehicle miles of travel (VMT) on the nation’s highways declined in the same period by 4.6 percent according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Last year 10.3 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation – the highest number of trips taken in fifty years. In the first quarter of 2008, public transportation continued to climb and rose by 3.4 percent. In the second quarter of 2008, as gas prices rose to more than $4 for a gallon of gasoline, public transit ridership increased by 5.2 percent. The third quarter transit ridership increase of 6.5 percent continued the trend of more and more Americans turning to public transportation in record numbers.

Commuter rail ridership grew by 6.3 percent. The commuter rail systems with double digit ridership growth were located in the following areas: Albuquerque (35.8%); Pompano Beach, FL (32.9%); New Haven (32.2%); Portland, ME (29.6%); Oakland (26.1%); Stockton, CA (22.5%); Seattle (22.4%); Harrisburg/Philadelphia (21.7%); Dallas (18.8%); Los Angeles (17%); and San Carlos, CA (16.4%).

New LEED Rating System Approved

BOSTON—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 2009, the newest version of the U.S. Green Building Council's building certification program has passed a member ballot and will be rolled out next year.

The next generation of the LEED rating system for commercial buildings, LEED 2009 includes a series of major technical advancements focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and addressing other environmental and human health concerns. The new version of LEED, which is based on eight years of market and user feedback, also incorporates regional credits in the form of extra points that have been identified as priorities within a project's location. LEED 2009 also features re-weighted credits and an altered allocation of points to reflect climate change and energy efficiency.

USGBC

Carlson Hotels Launches Sustainability Program

(Carlson Hotels) - Entitled "Practical Guide to Greening Your Hotel," the green guide is part of Carlson Hotels’ global initiative to develop programs, policies and partnerships based on responsible business practices.

The new guide and strategy were announced at the American Hotel & Lodging Association Fall Conference taking place here this week. Carlson Hotel brands include Regent Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts’ Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn.

"Carlson Hotels is focusing on specific issues such as reducing, recycling and reusing solid waste, reducing the use of harmful chemicals, conserving energy and water and improving indoor air quality that can have immediate impact on the environment and the communities where our hotels operate," said Carmen Baker, vice president of Responsible Business for Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "As we look at all facets of our operations, this educational tool provides the information our hotels need to enhance their efforts and employ additional actionable opportunities. These efforts serve to balance business goals with the impact the company makes on society and the natural environment," Baker added.

"Travelers increasingly recognize the value of patronizing environmentally friendly hotels and many are modifying their travel habits. According to a 2008 Deloitte survey, more than one-third of travelers are keenly concerned about ‘green’ travel. Carlson is committed to addressing this issue as a cornerstone of its responsible business practices."

Carlson Hotels recently conducted its own guest survey, which found:

* Overall, guests feel they are "very engaged" in environmental issues and 58 percent said they would be willing to book a hotel room that is environmentally friendly.
* Guests expressed a high degree of willingness to "do their part" at home and while on the road.
* Fifty-six percent said they actively seek environmentally friendly products and services with 52 percent saying they would participate in programs to help reduce or offset the hotel’s carbon emissions.
* When it comes to their willingness to change behavior, most guests seek choice - such as the choice to have their linen or towels changed or not changed.

In addition to its development of the green guide, Carlson Hotels is engaged in a pilot program of environmental audits and related research at selected hotel properties and corporate facilities. The audits provide a comprehensive baseline of a property’s efficiency, energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Property managers will next review potential improvement strategies, making a determination of return on investment (ROI) and the general feasibility of implementing the projects.

Carlson Hotels

About Carlson Hotels
Carlson Hotels Worldwide includes more than 995 locations in 74 countries. Specific brands include: Regent Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson; and Park Inn hotels. Carlson Hotels Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson, a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the marketing, travel and hospitality industries.

AH&LA Proposes Guidelines for Green Hotels

New York, November 11, 2008 — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) launched its green strategy at its board of directors meeting, Sunday, November 9. The strategy focuses largely on minimum environmental guidelines, which are culled from a total of 88 overall guidelines targeting effective energy, water and waste management. The guidelines will be continuously added and built upon, with the next set focusing on design and construction, materials and resources, chemicals and cleaning, and indoor air quality.

Each of the minimum guidelines includes case studies, business cases, and resources for general managers to implement. In addition, the AH&LA board of directors will discuss the program mechanics, including how to recognize hotels that successfully implement the minimum guidelines. The completed guidelines and supporting materials will be launched via the AH&LA Website by the end of December.

In addition to extensively surveying members, the association’s overall green strategy was crafted largely by the AH&LA Green Task Force, which convened in August and is comprised of the environmental point persons for a dozen of the hotel companies as well as AH&LA’s green consultant, Pat Maher, formerly of Marriott International. The group created an environmental policy statement, recommended AH&LA track state and national legislation, and advocated the need for supporting educational materials. The Task Force is an extension of the AH&LA Environmental & Engineering Council, which has made a green strategy for the lodging industry a priority over the past 13 months. In that time, nearly two dozen certification programs were researched in the hopes of partnering with a third-party to offer AH&LA members a certification program.

When no program was readily available or affordable, the Green Task Force recommended identifying the most important pillars – including energy, water, waste – and have hotels report on progress against the pillars in terms of benchmarks and baseline numbers. The guidelines were created based on the criteria of existing state and national certifications.

“We’ve exhaustively researched this important topic to determine the best way the association can assist our members who want to create an environmentally-friendly and sustainable hotel,” said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph McInerney, CHA. “With so many certifications already out there – many of which are through the property’s state and a necessity for government business – the biggest feedback we received was the need for guidance on how to green properties effectively in various areas. Not all hotels will be able to achieve these guidelines, but we want to make sure we set a bar and goals now so hoteliers receive direction for immediate action. These guidelines – which address back-of-the-house and interfacing with guests – will be continuously added to in our ongoing effort to provide green resources in a broad spectrum of areas.”

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute has integrated environmental information into its popular housekeeping operations textbook and Certified Hotel Administrator certification. EI is also showcasing a new resource at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show – High Performance Hospitality: Sustainable Hotel Case Studies – in both print and CD. Content is being updated to its front office, leadership and management, and resort development and management textbooks, in addition to the creation of other educational resources around the AH&LA environmental guidelines.

Other green environmental priorities of the association include working with the U.S. Green Building Council via a Hospitality Advisory Group to create a LEED lodging sector standard for new and existing construction. That standard is expected to be complete by June of 2009. And, AH&LA is working closely with two meeting planning organizations, including the Convention Industry Council, to create eco-savvy standards for green meetings that are ASTM-certified. The standards are set to be released in May of 2009.

AH&LA also served on the steering committee of the United Nations Foundations Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria program, which is adopting universal sustainable tourism principles.

The association launched a Green Webpage in January, which serves as an online resource offering cost-effective and eco-savvy tips and strategies, information on certifications and government funded programs, suppliers producing environmentally-friendly products, as well as a RSS feed from Green Lodging News. In addition, a new component is coming later this week – Ask AH&LA’s Green Guru – through which Pat Maher will answer members’ questions to all things green.

Waikiki focuses on Green Hotel Initiatives

More hotels in Waikiki are finding reasons to go green as a way to cut back on energy costs in addition to standing out among their peer properties. As travelers are beginning to inquire about hotel's green initiatives, including events planners who ask about whether a hotel has the U.S. Energy Star rating.

At the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, energy-efficient LED lights are used in public areas, candelabras, swimming pool, and elevators, reducing the hotel's overall electricity costs. At a green hotel forum hosted by the state, hotel employees got a rundown on recycling providers, how to apply for the U.S. Energy Star label and solar technology.

A small tent card in the hotel rooms requests that visitors leave their beverage containers out of the wastebasket. Housekeeping staff will then collect the recyclables, which go into a large bin downstairs. Twice a week, the Hotel has an arrangement with Reynolds Recycling to pick up the recyclables, and Reynold's donates half the proceeds to nonprofit Parents and Children Together.

Four months after its inception, more than 42,000 aluminum cans and plastic bottles have been recycled from the Ohana Waikiki East. The general manager has said the housekeeping staff is on board, and has not found it to be too much of a hassle to set aside the bottles.

For years, many hotels in Waikiki have been throwing out recyclables, including beverage containers, paper and newspapers. Hundreds of newspapers, which are usually complimentary for guests, go straight into the trash. But that is starting to change, as hotels partner up with providers that can take care of their recycling needs.

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki hosted a green hotel forum, and shared tips on LED lighting that can result in long-term energy savings. The Hyatt has a recycling program - for cardboard, paper, bottles, and food waste - which is handled by Honolulu Recovery Systems. Its goal is to become a full recycling facility by 2009.

Honolulu Recovery Systems spokeswoman Rachel Secretario estimated the Hyatt saved about $16,540 in tonnage fees at the landfill from recycling last year. That includes 140 tons, or about 60 football fields, of cardboard, and about 40 tons of glass from ending up in the landfill.

Aqua Hotels & Resorts, which owns 12 boutique hotels, is also starting recycling programs at its properties. At the forum, hotel employees also got a rundown on how to apply for the U.S. Energy Star label (which more events planners inquire about) and how to obtain financing for solar technology.

The green hotel forums are offered regularly as part of the Hawaii Green Business Program by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the state Department of Health, and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. DBEDT offers a green business standards checklist, and certifies and recognizes hotels as a Hawaii Green Business, which is valid for one year.

Several neighbor island hotels, including the Mauna Lani Resort, have invested in solar photovoltaic panels, but none in Waikiki, thus far, have adopted the technology.

Some challenges include finding enough roof space on buildings that were built tall, but thin, obtaining loans for the initial investment, and uncertainty about solar's future regulation in the state.

Hawaii Green Business Program

For More Information on Green Hotels, Go To Greenlodge.Org

Marriott Breaks Ground on "Green" Hotels in Virginia

The JBG Companies and Marriott International, Inc. officially broke ground on two major hotels, the Renaissance Crystal City Potomac Yards and the Residence Inn Crystal City Potomac Yards. The hotels are owned by The JBG Companies and will be managed by Marriott. Both properties are also anticipated to be LEED® certified “green” buildings when complete – the first hotels of such distinction in Arlington County.

The properties will also feature an energy saving “green roof’ with plants and trees, providing a relaxing space for guests overlooking the U.S. Capitol and Potomac River. Guests at the ground breaking ceremony were offered blue spruce saplings as gifts - but were given the opportunity to donate the tree on their behalf to the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources. Over 50 trees were donated to Arlington County to be planted in parks in the area.

Anticipated to open in winter 2010, The Renaissance Crystal City Potomac Yards Hotel and The Residence Inn Crystal City Potomac Yards will create approximately 500 new jobs. The location adjacent to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will also appeal to guests visiting the Washington, D.C. area for both business and pleasure. In addition to bringing 625 new hotel rooms to Arlington County, the hotels will offer 10,000 square feet of meeting rooms to satisfy the rising demand for conference space, with additional amenities that include 10,000 square feet of retail space and over 500 underground parking spaces.

The 13-story, 300-room full-service Renaissance will feature an expansive lobby, restaurant, branded coffee shop, and an amenity floor with a 10,000 square foot grand ballroom and 10,000 square feet of meeting rooms. The property’s design includes a large glass façade along Potomac Avenue, which will provide picturesque views of the Capitol and Potomac River.

The southern end of the building will house the 325-room Residence Inn, Marriott’s popular extended-stay brand. Rooms will be equipped with kitchens providing full-size refrigerators, coffee makers, microwaves, and dishwashers as well as full silverware and dishware sets. The lobby will feature a lounge and business center, and an outdoor hearth will be centrally located in the park at Potomac Yards. The Residence Inn’s lobby has been designed for unique identification by its large tower which will be at the corner of Potomac Avenue and 29th Street.

For More Information on Green Hotels, Go To Greenlodge.Org

Proximity Hotel achieves LEED Platinum Status

Proximity Hotel and its Print Works Bistro in Greensboro, North Carolina, have achieved the highest-level LEED status, putting them among the country’s “greenest” buildings. The hotel and restaurant are the first U.S. venues in the hospitality industry to receive platinum certification.

Here is a sample of what the Proximity Hotel did to achieve LEED Platinum Status:

- Recycled 87% of the hotel construction debris
- Sourced more than 40% of building materials locally
- Sourced more than 90% of the furnishings locally
- Uses 40% less energy than a typical hotel
- Uses 30% less water than a comparable hotel
- Uses geothermal energy for restaurant refrigeration units
- Solar panel roof heats 60% of hotel's hot water
- Restored 700 feet of an adjacent stream

Proximity Hotel

For More Information on Green Hotels, Go To Greenlodge.Org

"Eco Friendly" Hilton to be Built in Bariloche, Argentina

A new eco friendly hotel project is in the planning pipeline vital for the development of tourism in the Patagonia, Argentina area. The hotel will demand a 120 million USD investment and is expected to be open in 2011, adding 350 rooms and 240 houses with hotel service, three restaurants, two pools, a spa and a convention center for 2,000 people to the city.

Towns and cities in the south of Argentina have higher environmental awareness than Buenos Aires, and that is why the project for the hotel had to consider green actions and was presented as "eco friendly."


The eye-shaped building was designed by well known Argentinean architect Mario Roberto Alvarez, also father of the Buenos Aires Hilton, and will cover 60,000 square meters of the 50 hectares the IMOCOM group owns in the Dos Hermanos hills (25 kilometers from the center of Bariloche).

The investors behind the hotel project say it will have the following green features:

-A green roof that will integrate it to the mountain colors thorough seasons,
-Efficient use of water and energy,
-The largest private plant of liquid waste water treatment in the area
-The hotel will occupy 60,000 square meters of the 51 hectares area, leaving the rest of the space with the natural wildlife,
-The building will be located in an area of semi-volcanic rock and no native species will be cut down, the trees that will have to be cleared are mostly pines (as said by Imocom CEO to ANBariloche)

For More Information on Green Hotels, Go To Greenlodge.Org

Element Hotel Planned for Orlando Airport

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces plans to open an Element Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Element Orlando Airport is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010 in a convenient location close to downtown, theme parks and Orlando’s business community. Inspired by Westin™ Hotels & Resorts, Element is Starwood’s newest hotel concept and the first hotel brand to mandate that all hotels pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED certification. The new-build hotel owned by JHM Hotels and developed by JHM Enterprises Inc. will offer a new extended stay experience with inspiring public spaces, modern style and eco-friendly design.

The Element brand’s unique design philosophy is evident the moment guests arrive. After passing through a signature portal that provides a literal bridge to the Element interior, guests will be greeted with streams of natural light from a multi-storied window wall. The vitality of the lobby will be matched by the energy of the hotel’s outdoor fire pit and barbecue, where a weekly evening reception allows guests to interact and enjoy savory food and a glass of wine or a draft microbrew beer.

“Every aspect of Element Orlando Airport will be designed to help guests recharge and be at their best while they are traveling,” said Brian McGuinness, Vice President of Element and Aloft Hotels. “Our guests will be able to experience a whole new perspective on extended stay travel in the vibrant Orlando area with easy access to the area’s best shopping, dining, and premier family entertainment.”

The smart design and clever use of space in the hotel’s 140 guest rooms will rejuvenate and energize guests for work or play. Guests will be able to customize their rooms to meet their needs with the multi-purpose, modular furniture, swiveling flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving and custom-designed closets. Rooms will also offer a fully equipped kitchen that features modern, ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and all the utensils necessary to prepare a gourmet meal. Guests will rest soundly in the signature Heavenly® Bed, and wake up and recharge each morning in a sleek, spa-inspired shower.

Element Orlando Airport will offer guests an ideal location, just minutes from the Orlando International Airport and a 20-minute drive from downtown Orlando. The hotel will also offer proximity to the leading theme parks including Sea World, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World Resort.

“We look forward to introducing this forward-thinking brand to the Orlando International Airport,” said HP Rama, Chairman & CEO, JHM Hotels. “The sleek modern spaces and use of natural influences at Element Orlando Airport will provide guests with just the right atmosphere for both work and relaxation.”

A signature breakfast offering, state-of-the-art fitness center and uninterrupted indoor/outdoor public spaces will deliver everything the guests need to work, relax or socialize on their schedule. Intuitive staff will provide guests the personalized attention they need and the space they desire to maintain balance while away from home.

Element Orlando Airport will also feature 838 square feet of meeting space, an integrated technology center and library, as well as café seating, a workspace and a flexible lobby space.

Element is making history by requiring all its hotels to pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED certification. The brand’s green features are cleverly designed to be as aesthetically appealing as they are eco-friendly, so guests never compromise on style and comfort. Element Hotels will be equipped with energy-efficient, stainless steel appliances and lighting, amenity dispensers in the showers to reduce waste and water-efficient faucets and fixtures. Guests can continue daily routines such as recycling papers and plastics, as well as using green materials, while those driving hybrid cars will be rewarded with priority parking. Even the ubiquitous “Do Not Disturb” sign will be replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet.

Element Hotels

For More Information on Green Hotels, Go To Greenlodge.Org

More Travelers to Seek Out Green Hotels in '09

NEWTON, MASS.—TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community, announced the results of its annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers. The primary trends identified are that travelers appear to be going lean and green by visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities. A greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009, and more plan to visit eco-friendly hotels in the coming year. TripAdvisor also unveiled its TravelCast list of emerging hotspots for 2009, and atop the list is Budoni, in Sardinia, Italy. The top emerging hotspot in the United States is St. George, Utah.

Seventy-three percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to visit a national park in 2009, up from 62 percent one year ago. Fifty-three percent will go hiking in the coming year, up from 50 percent last year. Forty-seven percent of those surveyed plan to engage in an adventure activity, an increase from 40 percent in 2008. Thirty-three percent of travelers will go cycling and biking, up from 28 percent, and 11 percent of travelers are likely to participate in an extreme sports activity, compared to 8 percent one year ago.

Thirty-four percent of U.S. respondents said they will visit an environmentally-friendly hotel or resort in the coming year, up from 30 percent in 2008. Thirty-two percent of those surveyed said they will be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions this year, as compared to the year before. Last year, 26 percent said they would be more environmentally conscious.


For More Information on Green Hotels, Go to Greenlodge.Org

Better World Shopping Guide

We all know that our consumer habits have some impact on the environment. Now, Dr. Ellis Jones, who teaches sociology at UC Davis, has developed a shopping guide that helps us make better choices for the planet and humanity.

The book is called "The Better World Shopping Guide" It ranks every product on the shelf from A to F so you can quickly tell the “good guys” from the “bad guys” — turning your grocery list into a powerful tool to change the world.

As an example, I've attached the rating for airlines. To find out more, you can buy the book ($10) and see other ratings at www.betterworldshopper.com

Study Shows Guests Think Kimpton Has Best Green Brand

Based on questions added to the Market Metrix Hospitality Index survey, performed by Market Metrix LLC, guests weighed in on the importance of green initiatives and which brands in their eyes have the best green programs.

As more hoteliers get on board the sustainable operations movement, their efforts are not only improving the environment, but cutting their electricity costs and other expenses. Based on the survey, “Eco-friendly” or "green" initiatives are most compelling to Luxury hotel guests with 20% of these travelers claiming these programs are “Very Important” when selecting a hotel.

Least affected by these program are guests in the Midscale w/o F&B segment (9% consider these programs “Very Important”). Therefore, it appears that customers who can afford to care about green are more willing to change their behavior. Across all hotel segments 12% of guests rate these programs “Very Important” when picking a hotel. This level of general market acceptance signals an opportunity for brand differentiation, especially among lower priced hotels.

Market Metrix

For More Information on Green Hotels, Go To Greenlodge.Org

Hotel Uniforms Made of Recycled Plastic Bottles?

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is going "green" by going plastic...Starting this fall, front desk employees and other staffers who interact with guests at select locations will start to wear uniforms made with polyester fibers spun from plastic beverage bottles. All such employees chainwide will be required to wear the new uniforms by the end of 2009. Housekeeping and back-of-house workers will be donning the new duds by 2010. The apparel, which does not require professional laundering or chemicals to clean, is designed and manufactured by Cintas, Cincinnati.

"As part of our quest to find new and innovative green practices, we challenged Cintas to design a program that reflected our three Wyndham brand-defining pillars of innovation, personalization and flexibility," Faith Taylor, vp of sustainability and innovation at Wyndham Worldwide, Parsippany, N.J., said in a statement. "Cintas answered the call by selecting trendy, eco-conscious garments that are machine washable, easily modified and mixed-and-matched for a more personal look. The end result is fashionable suit that is cost-effective and extremely comfortable."

The material is made from recycled plastic products, including beverage bottles, which are processed into flakes, then into filaments, which are spun into yarn that is woven into these soft fabrics. The uniform program will join other green initiatives that are becoming common in the hospitality sector like the use of compact fluorescent lights, low-flow water practices, and giving guests the option to reuse linen and towels rather than changing those items during each day of a stay.

Wyndham incorporates several ecologically-friendly initiatives, including use of energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting, low-flow water practices and an "Earth Smart" guest linen reuse program.

Wyndham also offers Wyndham ClearAir, a program launched last month that features rooms that are 98% allergen-free thanks to a cleaning regimen and an air purification system designed by Pure Solution, New York. Wyndham properties will be required to convert 10% of room inventory into ClearAir rooms by the end of 2009.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

For More Information on Green Hotels, go to Greenlodge.Org

Amtrak sets record ridership

Amtrak ridership in July Fiscal Year 2008 increased to 2,750,278, nearly a 14 percent increase, marking the most passengers carried in any single month in Amtrak's 37 year history. Total ridership for the Fiscal Year to date — October 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008 — reached 23.7 million, topping the 21.3 million from the same period last year. Total ticket revenue for the fiscal year to date reached $1.4 billion, a 14.1 percent increase over the same period in FY07. For the month of July, ticket revenue increased by 18.6 percent to $168 million.

"Increasing fuel prices, highway congestion, airline issues and environmental awareness continue to make intercity passenger rail extremely relevant and popular," said Alex Kummant, President and CEO of Amtrak. "In addition, we continue to work on service improvements and better on-time performance, which draws more ridership and revenue each month.

"Our record-setting ridership and ticket revenue in the month of July alone indicate we will end the year with approximately three million new passenger trips in FY09," he added.

InterContinental Chicago O'Hare Utilizes 100% Renewable Energy

The new 556-room InterContinental Chicago O’Hare, is going above and beyond in its quest to lighten businesses’ impact on the environment. Not only does the sophisticated, design-forward property utilize 100% renewable energy credits from wind, but the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare also features a green roof, recycles all materials used throughout its hotel and convention area, and helps businesses and organizations support sustainability with its “Green Meetings” program.

“The InterContinental Chicago O’Hare is dedicated to significantly lessening our carbon footprint on the earth, as well as raising awareness in our community about the importance of preserving our natural resources,”said David Hall, general manager of the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare. A contemporary destination for business and leisure travelers alike September 8, 2008, the property is managed by Portfolio Hotels and Resorts, which also operates one of the first LEED-certified hotels in the U.S.

The InterContinental Chicago O’Hare’s eco-savvy measures include:

* Utilizing 100% Renewable Energy Credits from wind via Constellation New Energy in Baltimore, MD. This is equal to saving more than 390,000 gallons of gasoline annually and removing 631 cars from the road.

* Lighting costs cut approximately 40% by using compact fluorescent light bulbs, dimmable fluorescent bulbs, and LED lights.

* Property-wide recycling of all glass, paper, cardboard, batteries, aluminum, and compact fluorescent bulbs, including recycling containers in all guest rooms.

* Green roof is covered with a reflective coating that significantly cuts down the building’s cooling costs, and will soon be home to drought-resistant plants.

* Biodegradable water bottles made from corn are placed in all guest rooms and are available for group meetings and events.

* InterContinental Chicago O’Hare’s management and associates are committed to the hotel’s “I CARE” program, which stands for, “I Care, I Conserve and I replenish the Earth”, a partnership with the local community to create awareness of energy efficiency and the environment.

* “Green Meeting Package” - Meeting and event planners can participate by selecting organic and sustainable local meals, recycled paper and pencils,LCD projectors and screens, biodegradable water bottles, biodegradable centerpieces, and other amenities.

InterContinental Chicago O'Hare

For More Information on Green Hotels, Go to GreenLodge.Org

Organic Wines in California

Looking for a green winery? Several have popped up on the scene but Parducci Wine Cellars (now part of Mendocino Wine Company, www.mendocinowinecompany.com) has perhaps set the bar so far. Parducci was the nation’s first carbon neutral winery and is entirely powered by solar and wind. This green power is equivalent to taking 172 cars off the road per year. Parducci also helps the environment by buying grapes from local farmers, using bio-diesel fueled tractors and earth-friendly packaging.

Recognizing Parducci’s leadership role in both the industry and the Mendocino community, the State of California awarded Parducci the 2007 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA).

Mendocino Wine Company’s other wines are also making inroads into sustainable wine-making. Several of their other brands are certified organic and they are converting more of their acreage towards organic strategies each year.

Does sustainably-produced wine taste good? Apparently so, the Parducci wines have recently obtained 90+ scores in several wine publications. Next time you are heading to a dinner party, try taking a bottle of earth-friendly wine and see what your friends think.

Florida plans Green Lodging Conference

Officials of the 248-room Hilton University of Florida Conference Center today announced it will be the host hotel for the inaugural Florida Green Lodging Conference from November 10-12, 2008. Entitled “Being Green, Saving Green & Making Green,” the conference is sponsored by VisitGainesville and the University of Florida TREEO (Training, Research & Education for Environmental Occupations) Center.

“Designated as one of the first green hotels in Florida, the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center is an ideal location to host this first-of-its-kind event,” said Roland Loog, CDME, executive director of VisitGainesville. “With the passage of Governor Crist’s Executive Order 07-126, state agencies now are required to contract meeting and conference space with facilities that have the Department of Environmental Protection DEP Green Lodging Designation.

The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center is the only Green Certified hotel in Gainesville. To receive this certification, the hotel implemented a number of state-mandated procedures related to water conservation, including utilizing low-flow features on shower heads, faucets and toilets. Additionally, the hotel uses energy-efficient dimmer switches in conference rooms, compact fluorescent bulbs and window tinting to reduce air conditioning requirements. All possible materials are recycled, from office papers to shipping pallets. The hotel also incorporates “green messaging” into its employee training and communicates its environmental initiatives to its guests through placards in guest rooms.

“Since implementing these eco-friendly programs, we have been able to recycle an average of 2.7 tons per month — or a total of more than 100 tons — since 2004,” said Nanci Haley, general manager. “As we continue to review and assess additional programs, we hope to double these results in the coming years.”

The conference — coordinated and managed cooperatively with VisitGainesville, UF/TREEO, the UF Department of Conferences and FDEP — is sub-divided into two main tracts: front-of-house (sales/marketing and management) and back-of-house (the technical and engineering) issues.

Florida Green Lodging Conference

For More Information on Green Hotels go to Greenlodge.Org

EnviroCar Provides Chauffered Hybrid Transportation

EnviroCar, launched in Phoenix, Arizona, provides companies and individuals with scheduled transportation utilizing a fleet of ultra fuel efficient hybrid vehicles. The company states that they make it easy for customers to have a positive impact on the reduction of greenhouse gases and their global warming effect without sacrificing efficient, professional car service.

For now it looks like EnviroCar just covers the Phoenix metro area but its great to see new green businesses that can be complimentary to the travel industry. It would be a great opportunity for green hotels to partner with companies like EnviroCar for their airport transportation.

EnviroCar

For More Information on Green Hotels and the Green Travel Industry, go to Greenlodge.Org

Green Airline flies passengers from Portland to Seattle

Portland, Oregon-based SeaPort Airlines just launched in June and uses a fleet of three small planes to shuttle passengers between Portland International and Seattle's Boeing Field. The Start-Up has partnered with the Columbia Land Trust in the Pacific Northwest to offset all emissions generated by its flights.

Rather than buying into a offset provider, SeaPort is getting green by donating the cash that it would otherwise spend on offsets to the Columbia Land Trust's local Working Forest Initiative, which works to save large tracts of forests in the Northwest from commercial development.

The PC-12 fleet, built in Switzerland, excel in their fuel consumption, or rather their lack of fuel consumption. The average flight burns just 51 gallons, which means that even a small upstart like SeaPort can afford to pay for its emissions.

SeaPort Airlines

'Pure Green' Eco-Friendly Hotel Brand Launches

Oriens Travel & Hotel Management Corp. (OTC:OTHM.PK), an emerging Travel and Hotel Management Company, operating online travel booking site 128trip.com and hotel management subsidiary Hotel PURE , to introduce a new brand under the Hotel PURE line of offering call the Hotel PURE GREEN.

Recent research showed that people around the world are becoming more aware of their living environment and their surrounding air quality. No longer can people take it for granted that we can pollute the world in any which way desire without any subsequent environmental consequences. Hotel PURE has recently been approached by a number of hotels in Costa Rica and hotels in Central America that are GREEN certified, expressing their interests to join the Hotel PURE brands. After visits and evaluating some of these hotels, the Company finds it necessary to introduce a new brand call the Hotel PURE GREEN aimed at accommodating hotels that are GREEN certified or CERTIFICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM (CST), by the government of Costa Rica and other countries in the region. In order to obtain this certification, the hotel locations will have to pass a list of strict compliance which involves avoid emissions, harmful products and pollution, efficiently handles waste that it produces, uses natural, biodegradable, and recyclable products, has a water and electrical energy conservation program among other protocols that will make the hotels more environmental friendly. CST has also been acknowledged by the World Tourism Organization as “one of the programs that is rethinking how tourism is done .”

Ken Chua, President of Oriens comments, “enough damages have been done to our planet through all forms of methods that include manufacturers’ pollutions, automobile emission, power generating plants emission and other harmful pollutions that we cannot reverse, but we certainly can look to the future and start to conserve what we have today by cutting back as much pollutions as possible. That is the reason we fully endorse this program and will try our very best to promote these beautiful Hotel PURE GREEN locations to our customers looking to travel to Costa Rica in the near future .”

Hotel Pure

For More Information on Green Hotels, go to Greenlodge.Org

Green Taxis

Green Taxis are coming sooner than you might think.

New York City and San Francisco have adopted new policies to replace their existing taxi fleet with new green taxis. In New York, the "yellow" cabs are going to be completely replaced by hybrids by by 2012. The new standards will be phased in over a four-year period and will reduce the carbon emissions of New York City's taxicab and for-hire vehicle fleet by 50% during the next decade, and will also save individual operators an average of $10,000 a year in fuel costs.

NYC's "black" cars, the corporate limousine service, will also be replaced by more fuel efficient vehicles. Currently, black cars average 12-15 mph. The TLC will require fuel efficiency standards for new licensed black car vehicles of 25mpg in 2009 and 30mpg in 2010. There will be a retirement phase-in cycle that will ensure almost all vehicles associated with black car bases are more fuel-efficient by 2013. Black cars currently contribute 272,000 tons of CO2 equivalents annually, which make up 2% of the City's transportation related emissions. Switching to green cars results in more money for owners as well. Hybrid cars will save owner-operator drivers upwards of $5,000 per year in gasoline expenses - approximately 50% of their current fuel costs. These savings will allow drivers to cover, in just one year, the additional cost of purchasing a new hybrid car over the currently used Lincoln Town Car.

San Francisco is following suit by passing new legislation that will make the entire fleet of cabs "green" by 2011. Currently, about 15% of the city's cabs are either hybrids or run on compressed natural gas.

The impact of these changes are dramatic on several fronts. First, the resulting decrease in CO2 emissions is quite significant. Second, the demand for hybrid cabs will likely help improve the overall economics of producing hybrids by increasing production volume and this may end up decreasing the costs of bringing on new technologies such as lithium ion batteries. Finally, for the residents of large cities like NYC and San Francisco, there will be less ground level pollution resulting from idling cabs.

Princeton Review gives 11 Schools perfect 'Green Rating'

The green trend is quickly catching on as now universities are going the green route. In its first rating of environmentally institutions, the Princeton Review named 11 Universities as top green schools.

"The 2009 Green Rating Honor Roll" gave 534 college and universities a score from 60 to 99 based on a survey from the 2007-2008 academic year, developed by a panel of "experts in higher education green practices," according to the program's Web site.

Schools are judged on three criteria: whether students have a healthy and sustainable quality of life, how well the school is preparing students to work in the clean energy economy of the 21st century and how environmentally responsible the school's policies are.

Questions cover a range of topics, from energy consumption to transportation to educational opportunities.

The Top Rated Green Schools Include:

- Arizona State University
- Bates College
- College of the Atlantic
- Emory University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Harvard
- SUNY Binghamton
- University of New Hampshire
- University of Oregon
- University of Washington
- Yale

Princeton Review Green Rating

For More Information on the Green Movement, go to Greenlodge.Org

Hotel Carlton is San Francisco’s First Solar-Powered Hotel

San Francisco’s Hotel Carlton is utilizing solar power facilities in order to offset the property’s energy use. Previously certified as an “official Green Business” by the city of San Francisco for several sustainability-focused initiatives, The 161-room Hotel Carlton boutique hotel, managed by Joie de Vivre Hospitality and located on lower Nob Hill at 1075 Sutter Street, has engaged a wide variety of environmentally-responsible practices. Hotel Carlton’s daily operations comply with all voluntary environmental regulations that conserve natural resources, prevent pollution and reduce waste.

Management had previously instituted processes that adopted environmentally-friendly non-chemical cleaning products, recycled paper, and soy-based inks, plus a comprehensive recycling program in guestrooms and hotel operations. Motion light detectors in guestroom closets along with low flow showerheads and toilets conserve energy and water. Organic products are featured in Saha, the hotel’s Arabic-fusion restaurant, and the soda machine has been replaced with a complimentary filtered water machine that also helps cut down on bottled water use.

Hotel Carlton partnered with San Francisco-based Sunlight Electric to install 105 solar panels covering 1,332 square feet on the hotel’s roof. The solar array is expected to reduce the hotel’s electricity usage by 12 percent, reduce the release of carbon into the environment by 33,000 pounds per year and save 4.5 acres of trees per year. Through a computer monitor stationed at the hotel’s front desk, guests will be able to monitor the total kilowatt energy generated by the solar power system. The balance of the energy used is being offset through the hotel’s participation with Carbonfund.org, making Hotel Carlton’s entire operation carbon-neutral.

Hotel Carlton

Find Out More Information on Green Hotels at Greenlodge.Org

Hotels Eliminate Phone Books

While a vast majority of hotels in the USA continue to stock phone books, Omni joins a growing list of hotel chains that are eliminating them to cut down on paper waste and present clutter-free rooms. Hyatt Hotels, Hyatt Place, Kimpton Hotels and several chains operated by Starwood Hotels - Westin, Sheraton, Aloft and Element - no longer carry phone books in their rooms.

Omni Hotels, citing environmental concerns, announced Wednesday that it will eliminate phone books in its 45 hotels. The current stock of 30,000 phone books will be recycled, the Irving, Texas-based company says.

Find Out More Information about Green Hotels at Greenlodge.Org

Interactive Concierge makes Hotel Lobby Green

The latest 'green' product for hotel lobbies has arrived, The Interactive Concierge. The Interactive Concierge is an interactive touch-screen directory kiosk that provides area information for hotel guests, including restaurants, activities, attractions and personal services. The Interactive Concierge will print color brochures and coupons, as well as directional maps, and even offers the possibility to make reservations directly through the kiosk.

The Interactive Concierge is an alternative to the standard 'brochure rack' form of information dissemination. Guests will be less likely to grab 'stacks and stacks' of pre-printed brochures, few of which they will actually utilize, and more likely to print off only those brochures that they are truly interested in, saving waste and saving trees.

In addition to the 'greening' of the hotel lobby, The Interactive Concierge provides a clean, professional presentation of information dissemination making any hotel lobby a more attractive environment.

The Interactive Concierge has been implemented in a number of key hotels in the Cocoa Beach, Florida and Kennedy Space Center area.

The Interactive Concierge

Find More Information about Green Hotels on Greenlodge.Org

Democratic National Convention Going Green

As Denver gears up to host the Democratic National Convention later this month, the host committee and the city are doing their part to encourage environmentally friendly practices during the convention. They laid out several goals and commitments on their website, they are:

• Minimizing any potentially negative environmental impacts of the 2008 Convention on our community;
• Creating a new green standard for all conventions that can be reproduced in the future, here in Denver and elsewhere;
• Demonstrating the economic and community benefits of greening;
• Educating our own citizens and our guests about green and healthy choices they make in their own lives; and
• Building an enduring positive environmental legacy that will echo here and around the country long after the last delegate leaves Denver.

All of this is in an effort to host the “greenest political convention in the history of the planet.” according to Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper.

The Denver 2008 Host Committee, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office and Greenprint Denver program, has put into place 10 focused task teams and over 100 volunteers from the public, private, and non-profit sectors to address the various aspects of greening by designing and implementing solid work plans focused not only on the convention, but also on creating a legacy for Denver.

As the convention gets closer, we look forward to seeing more examples and models for running large scale events while incorporating green practices. In September, we will be looking to the Republican National Convention green planning and practices as they too try to make their event more eco-friendly.

Arizona Biltmore Launches Green Initiative

The Arizona Biltmore announced today, the launch of a full scale Green Initiative Program.

"Adopting environmentally friendly practices is no longer an option but a necessity, and at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa we are committed to becoming an industry leader in this growing trend," said Julia Thorn, director of corporate communications. "That's why we have developed our Green Initiative that is extraordinarily comprehensive and sustainable, covering every aspect of our operations and every department of the resort, from water-saving plans and biodegradable supplies to organic products in the spa."

The goal of the Green Initiative is to significantly reduce the Arizona Biltmore's global footprint, create a more efficient and environmentally friendly operation, and establish the Arizona Biltmore as an environmentally responsible resort. To achieve this, the resort has identified actions, initiatives and practices that have been put into affect throughout the resort; additional steps are planned this year and into 2009.

A Green Committee, composed of executives from every department of the resort, was established to oversee development and implementation of the plan, monitor and adjust as necessary the existing initiatives, and explore additional avenues of action.

A few items among the many actions currently being taken:

General

• Converted to compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent overhead lighting.
• Recycling resort-wide including cardboard, paper, aluminum, plastic, printing cartridges, batteries, etc.
• Using environmentally safe, certified green, cleaning products in guest rooms, public areas, etc.

Spa

• Use chemical-free, organic and vegan products that work with the body.
• Use clean-burning flameless candles in treatment rooms and throughout the spa.

Grounds

• Converting to electric lawn mowers and leaf blowers.
• Use reclaimed water from the canal for watering.
• Return plant containers that are not biodegradable to growers for recycling.

Rooms & Suites

• Offer water saving options for sheets and towels in guestrooms.
• Convert to organic cotton linens and bathrobes.
• Use low-flow toilets and shower heads

Public Areas and Front Office

• Paperless check-in & check-out for guests.
• Key cards made from recycled corn products.

Office and Operations Areas

• Distribute documents such as memos, reports and contracts by email only, unless a printed hard copy is required.
• When printing or copying is required, encourage two-sided printing/copying, using the smallest margins possible, using scrap paper, etc.
• Use water coolers rather than water bottles.
• Turn off lights, computers, etc. in offices when not in use.
• Added recycled-paper, motionless towel dispensers in 90 areas of the hotel.
• Turn off lights and air conditioning when rooms are not in use.

Dining & Banquets

• Purchase food from local and organic growers whenever feasible.
• Use reusable containers for beverages, food and condiments whenever possible.
• Recycle cooking/fryer oils into diesel fuel.
• Arranging compost pick-up for food scraps.

Trip Reduction Programs

• Carpool parking.
• Free bus passes.

Many additional actions are planned in the months ahead, from offering recycling in guest rooms and public areas to installing new weather stripping on windows and doors and thermal film on windows.

Meetings & Events

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa also is working closely with groups to make meetings and events greener by adopting appropriate products and practices. These range from providing water coolers rather than individual water bottles, to using recyclable and biodegradable paper products for materials, signs, etc., to opting for cans rather than glass for beverages.

To learn more about the Arizona Biltmore or other Green hotels around the US, please log onto: www.greenlodge.org

California Introduces Statewide Green Building Code

California has proposed a new statewide building code aimed at improving energy efficiency and water consumption. Goals of the new code include: 50 percent landscape water conservation reduction; energy use of new structures are 15%t better than under existing standards; and, greater use of recycled materials.

Governor Schwarzenegger said this say in a press release:

"By adopting this first-in-the-nation statewide green building code, California is again leading the way to fight climate change and protect the environment. This is literally a groundbreaking move to ensure that when we break ground on all new buildings in the Golden State we are promoting green building and energy efficient new technologies. Cars and buildings are two of the leading users of energy – we’re already addressing cars, and these new building standards will ensure that California remains at the forefront of reducing our carbon footprint and conserving valuable natural resources while also protecting our economy. We have already committed to making our state-owned buildings more green and energy efficient and this statewide code will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and conserve water in all new buildings."

"With today’s action, California continues to lead the nation and I commend the hard work of the Building Standards Commission to adopt the first-in-the-nation statewide green building standards."


California Green Building Standards

First "Green" Event and Wedding Planning Company Launches

Interested in eco-friendly weddings, parties and corporate events? Now there is a company that will plan them for you. Green Envy Events, a full service event planning and coordination company that focuses on “Green” affairs, has just launched in Phoenix. Founders, Kristin Seagren and Kacee Sissener, have a combined 12 years of experience in planning an array of events including weddings, parties, concerts, and corporate events. The increasing demand for eco-friendly alternatives for weddings and corporate events was the impetus for the business and now the two experts have joined forces to launch the first green event planning company in the Valley.

Focusing on the bridal end of the business, Kristin Seagren emphasizes “Green weddings can be just as luxurious and elegant as any traditional wedding - they just have an environmentally conscious flair. We show the bride and groom how they can create their dream wedding while still being environmentally friendly.”

Green Envy Events is also providing environmentally conscious companies an outlet to host responsible gatherings. Larger events can put a huge strain on carbon emissions with guests flying into the event, renting vehicles and filling up hotel rooms and conference/meeting space. By having your event planner aware of the environment from the get-go will be a huge bonus for reducing an events carbon footprint.

Green Envy Events

Arizona State University Goes Green

Arizona State University (ASU) has made a commitment to go green by purchasing from suppliers who must pass an environment test and meet environmentally friendly standards. According to the policy, companies must use materials that are either recycled, recyclable, reusable, non-toxic or biodegradable.

The changes are said to make ASU more sustainable in the future by decreasing its carbon footprint as a University.

Arizona State University

Green Strategies at Coral Reef Conference

image credit: http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs

This past week I attended the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale. I was co-chairing a session on climate change and coral calcification. Besides being a great meeting, with over 3000 attendees, it was organized as a "Green" meeting. The steps that the conference took to go green were quite commendable.

1) The conference worked with Carbonfund to calculate how much carbon would be produced and then offsetting a portion of that carbon using some of the registration fees.
2) They distributed aluminum water bottles with the registration materials to reduce the number of disposable water cups used.
3) All printed materials were on recycled paper; meeting T-shirts were made of organic cotton; and meeting badges were made from eucalyptus material.
4) The food was generally produced locally and remaining food was given to the local food pantry.
5) Attendees had the option to forgo receiving the large abstract booklet and instead were encourage to view the abstracts online. This option alone can save 100's of thousands of pages of paper.

Given the dire situation of coral reefs as a result of climate change, it is only appropriate that the conference would choose to go green. Hopefully, green meetings become the norm as corporations and organization become more environmentally conscious.

For more information about the meeting visit the International Coral Reef Symposium Website.

A New Way to Get Your Green Fix - Watch Planet Green

If you enjoy watching HGTV and Food Network, Planet Green may be the newest channel to add to your list. Planet Green, which debuted in June, showcases green home improvement, cooking and fashion shows with thousands of tips to help you green your lifestyle.

Find out which channel Planet Green is on in your area at this link:

Channel Finder

Richard Branson plans Renewable Eco Resort

Richard Branson recently announced plans for a renewable eco resort on one of his Caribbean islands. Mosquito Island, an uninhabited speck of land located off the island of Virgin Gorda and within sight of Necker Island, currently features wind-swept scrub and a few run down buildings. But Branson envisions 20 villas and a beachfront restaurant powered entirely by wind turbines and solar panels.

During a tour of Necker Island in June, he told reporters that the eco-resort's buildings would capture cool thermal airflows, eliminating the need for air conditioners. The guests' food would come from an organic orchard, and beach buggies would be powered by biofuels. These are just the start of his plans to develop eco resorts, Branson also announced a new consulting firm would be developed called Virgin Green Owls that advised governments and corporations on carbon neutral projects across the globe.

Greenlodge.org launch

A new eco traveler website was launched this week:
Greenlodge.org

Green Lodge has compiled a search able database of over 500 hotels in the US that are considered "green". The search page is easy to use and features google maps.

The best part of the site is that they will completely offset the carbon emissions from your trip. If you book a hotel, flight and/or rental car through their site they will purchase an equivalent amount of carbon credits to make your trip carbon neutral.

Here's a snapshot of the site.

Orlando Marriott Earns Green Designation

The 486-room Orlando Airport Marriott has just been named a designated property with Florida’s Green Lodging Program, recognizing it as an environmental leader. The Florida Green Lodging Program was established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with the intent of recognizing and rewarding environmentally conscientious lodging facilities in the state. Each hotel is required to meet a minimum set of environmental practices.

The set of practices each facility implements may vary from one hotel to another. In terms of the Orlando Airport Marriott, the hotel has a linen reuse program, low-flow faucets and showerheads and water-efficient laundry equipment. To conserve energy, the hotel has a computerized energy management system with programmable thermostats and sensor lighting. The hotel also has a property-wide recycling program and purchases recycled paper products.

Other states have similar Green Lodging Programs including Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, California and Virginia.

Virgin Atlantic Flies a 747 from London to Amsterdam partly on Biofuel

On February 24th, Virgin Atlantic flew one of it's Boeing 747 airliners from London to Amsterdam with one engine using a 20% blend of biofuel. Richard Bronson has pledged to invest upwards of $3 billion in renewable energy technologies (story from bbc).

Video copyright Digital News Agency

Many environmental groups are regarding the biofuel jet demonstration as simply a publicity stunt, however it does show a commitment by the airline to push the industry forward in trying to use less fossil fuels. The reality is that air travel is going to continue to increase and finding the most efficient and least fossil-fuel dependent technologies will allow the airlines to better compete in an era where carbon emissions are likely to be regulated.

Interested in Planning an Eco-Honeymoon?

As people become more and more conscious about eco travel and vacations, many are starting to re-think one of the biggest vacations of their lifetime...their honeymooon. Now there is a plethora of options when it comes to eco hotels and resorts in amazing destinations getting honeymooners one step closer to having a complete carbon neutral vacation experience.

1. Maho Bay Camp, St. John, Virgin Islands

Maho has offered its “Total Eco Experience” for nearly 30 years. Stay in any of 114 oceanside tent-cottages that are the ultimate in environmental retreats. Built by hand to avoid disturbing the natural environment, the tent-cottages are connected by elevated walkways that are raised to prevent soil erosion. While there is electricity, trade winds — not AC — cool the rooms. And you’ll bathe in a bathhouse, using biodegradable soap and pull-chain showers that drain into surrounding vegetation.

maho.org

2. Fiji Resort, Savusavu

Ranked as the #1 Most Environmentally Friendly Accommodation by Trip Advisor for 2007, this out-of-the-ordinary destination is owned by the son of the late Jacques Cousteau. Jean-Michel is dedicated to sharing his father’s and his own love of land and sea, and to sustaining the indigenous people of Fiji, their culture and their natural sense of hospitality. Green amenities include the first recycling program on Savusavu, meals created from the property’s organic gardens and edible landscaping, marine-life protection programs, and a new wastewater system using coconuts and recycled bottles to produce clean water in the property’s picturesque lagoons.

fijiresort.com

3. Eden Beach Hotel, Bora Bora, Tahiti

Share an island-garden bungalow 200 feet from the water in the shade of coconut palms. This iconic resort on a private stretch of white-sand Eden Beach in Bora Bora’s turquoise-water lagoon is both pampering and planet-friendly. Opened in 2001 with just 15 bungalows, the small, environmentally friendly operation maintains a progressive recycling program, sea-life conservation programs, and 432 solar panels that run low-consumption lights, water heaters, water pumps and appliances.

borabora.net

4. Yacutinga Lodge, Argentina

Recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of the 60 model ecotourism enterprises in the world in 2003, Yacutinga Lodge boasts a private nature reserve in the heart of the Argentinean rainforest. Surrounded by the Iguazú National Park, this 1,400 acre wildlife and nature reserve area is part of the protected rainforest shared by Brazil and Argentina known as the “green corridor.” Native materials such as stones and large logs from fallen trees are used in architecture designed to integrate with the natural environment. Unique guest suites feature private views of the rainforest, and the restaurant features local, organically grown foods. The resort’s unique “Biological Station” supports rainforest preservation research.

yacutinga.com

5. Six Senses Spa and Resorts

With more than 35 resorts around the world, many concentrated in Southeast Asia and parts of Europe, Six Senses’ extensive environmentally and socially responsible programs include water conservation and towel-reuse programs; extensive recycling and composting programs; use of energy-saving light bulbs; sustainably managed and certified timber sourcing; and use of renewable energy including biodiesel, biogas, solar and wind power, and even deep-sea cooling. Spa products are made only from natural ingredients, and the company reduces “food miles” by using fresh produce grown in on-site organic gardens. Six Senses also supports environmental programs that help offset the carbon emissions from its operations — as well as reef preservation initiatives to help protect the environment that makes many Six Senses locales so spectacular.

sixsenses.com

Orbitz goes Green with new Eco Tourism Site

Orbitz has launched an eco tourism website to view eco hotels and plan eco vacations. The move has been spurred by their new priority to help Protect Planet Earth from the inside-out. Orbitz wants to raise environmental awareness among travelers and begin the process of making it easier to get involved in eco-friendly activities during their trips.

Their new initiative is set out to encourage travelers to consider the environment during the planning and booking in addition to during their stay. They are also offering a way to offset your travel emissions with their partners at carbonfund.org, rent hybrid cars and have a shortened list of hotels that have gone green in some form or another.

Orbitz Eco Site

Ian Schrager/Marriott Create Eco Boutique Brand

Ian Schrager and Marriott International have announced the name of their new boutique eco-friendly lifestyle hotel brand, "Edition" Hotels. The joint venture also announced that agreements have been made with developers for the first nine hotels planned for Paris, Madrid, Costa Rica, Miami, Washington, Chicago and Scottsdale, AZ to name a few.

The company expects as many as 30 agreements for hotels by the end of 2008. The properties will range in size from 150-200 rooms and will be designed to reflect the cultural and social hallmarks of their individual locations in addition to being environmentally conscious.

Marriott International

Ian Schrager Company