Five Leading Hotel Certification Programs

A recent Travel and Leisure Survey indicated that there are now Five Hotel Certification Programs being utilized to date in the U.S. and Internationally.

Energy Star

The U.S.-based EPA program rates the energy efficiency of appliances used in businesses. More than 241 hotels participate in the United States. A score of 75 out of a possible 100 is the minimum to be considered energy-efficient. You can search for certified hotels on energystar.gov.

EU Eco-Label

This for-profit consulting company certifies hotels and campsites for all of the European Union’s 25 member states, and its searchable Web site, eco-label.com, offers an eCatalogue of eco-designated accommodations.

Green Globe

Based on stringent guidelines, Green Globe certifies properties in more than 80 countries. Its Web site, greenglobe.org, lists certified hotels by region and country.

LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council created this program to certify that buildings meet standards of energy efficiency, conservation, and community sensitivity. Go to usgbc.org.

Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas

This joint effort of the Rainforest Alliance and the International Ecotourism Society links five different green certification programs in the Americas. eco-indextourism.org.

According to Travel and Leisure and the U.S. Green Building Council, there are 118 hotels that have registered for LEED certification. Of these properties, only one hotel, the Gaia Hotel Napa Valley has earned the gold certification (the highest level).

Link to Article

Largest Green Hotel in the World in Las Vegas

A joint venture between Dubai World and MGM Mirage has spurred the development of the $7.4 billion Las Vegas CityCenter mixed-use project. Currently under construction and scheduled to open in November 2009, the project boasts a 61-story 4,000 room resort and casino, 550,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space and 2,650 condominium units and condo-hotel units.

Some of the most notable measures the property is taking to meet LEED certification is recycling 80 percent of its construction waste and building a monorail to the Bellagio to increase guests foot traffic decreasing their use of vehicles.

See the Development Here:

Las Vegas CityCenter