Tag Archives: Green Lodging

by | August 7, 2015 · 10:18 am

Hospitality Industry Management Update: “Hotel Owners Can Get More Green by Going Green”

When looking for the smartest ways for your hotel to implement resource and money-saving updates, reach out to a consultant who can help you determine the costs, returns,Tap with dripping waterdrop. Water leaking, saving. and impact that going green will have your business specifically. It can be overwhelming, but remember that one small change at a time will add up to a lot of savings over the long run.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. It’s a phrase we’re all well-acquainted with, and for good reason. The earth’s natural resources that we depend upon are finite, so the advice is simply to use them wisely. Even if you don’t consider yourself an eco-focused person, it just makes good practical sense to be resourceful–whether it’s in vogue or not.

The best part about wasting less resources, though, is wasting less money. Wasting less money is having more of it, and because the nature of hotels requires the use of a lot of water, energy, food, and other materials, hotel owners have an incredible opportunity to save a lot of money by being more resourceful.

Save money, help the planet–these aren’t the only benefits. Taking responsibility for the way your business uses the earth’s resources reflects well upon your brand and becomes part of your company culture. Your business can effect positive change in the world!

Below we review three areas that are full of opportunities for savings. Some of the ideas do require an upfront cost but will pay for themselves in savings. Remember to look into opportunities for rebates and tax credits when considering the cost of efficiency updates as well.

For more: http://bit.ly/1INnQlt

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by | July 14, 2015 · 10:10 am

Hospitality Industry Management Update: “Three Rules of Renovation”

“In an era when the next big tech invention seems to arrive every week, we recognize that our guests require us to stay on trend,” Spillett says.Renovation “We know that traveling can take its toll and sometimes leaves us vulnerable, without the comforts of home. These comforts increasingly fall in the technology category, so we make every effort to ensure that our guests have convenient access to the latest tech amenities and services.”

Lodging’s current robust performance is creating a competitive environment when it comes to product freshness. The industry fundamentals have never been better, and these conditions are driving a flurry of construction projects, rebranding and conversion activity, and renovations of every scope throughout the United States.

In the last three years, an estimated 1.2 million hotel rooms have been renovated, representing more than 20 percent of the existing supply, Lodging Econometrics (LE) data reveals. According to Bruce Ford, LE’s senior vice president and director of global business development, the number of renovations will likely trend downward as strong hotel operating profitability discourages owners from making rooms unavailable while being renovated. However, for those hoteliers willing to take the plunge and make some upgrades, here are some key takeaways for making the best renovation decisions for your bottom line.

For more: http://bit.ly/1MrH4ks

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by | April 6, 2015 · 12:21 pm

Hospitality Industry Risk Management Update: “Water Shortages Threaten Hotel Industry”

“It’s no wonder then the hotel industry has become a target of well-meaning legislators and bureaucrats looking to save some precious water for the state.pool The California State Water Resources Control Board recently instituted new rules that among other things require foodservice establishments to provide water only to customers who request it and mandate hotels give an option to guests of not having linens and towels laundered daily.”

Let’s face it: The hotel industry in the United States over the past 20 years has mostly been paying lip service to sustainability issues. It’s difficult to blame hotel owners and operators for that attitude because environmental issues are seldom major operational or profitability concerns at most properties.

There are exceptions, of course, but for the owner of a typical mid-market suburban hotel, green issues typically are only seriously addressed for one of two reasons: the vague promise of operating cost savings or the public relations glow generated by being a good and green citizen.

That situation is beginning to change, especially in California and the Southwest. The culprit is water, or the lack thereof.

For more: http://bit.ly/1yPC4Pa

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by | December 15, 2014 · 9:23 am

Hospitality Industry Management Update: “Hotel Housekeepers Say ‘Green’ Program Eliminates Jobs”

Chavez said housekeepers have been reprimanded for not cleaning rooms fast enough and some have resorted to working through breaks to avoid warnings. green-hotelsStill, she said, there are days when she looks at the clock at 2 p.m. and realizes she won’t finish on time. By comparison, before the program started, she could clean up to 20 rooms in a day because some rooms just needed a light touch.

A program that encourages hotel guests to decline housekeeping to conserve water and electricity sounds like a noble idea.

But hotel housekeepers say the program is killing their jobs, their legs and their backs as those workers still employed say they have to work harder because the rooms tend to be dirtier.

Fabiola Rivera, 31, said her managers expect her to clean rooms left unkempt for as many as three days at a pace of 16 rooms per day in an eight-hour shift, the same quota as if the rooms were tidied daily. And she also has to run around delivering fresh towels to guests in the program who cheat a bit.

For more: http://trib.in/1waj7sz

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by | May 12, 2014 · 8:21 am

Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Living Green at OTO Development’s Newest Georgetown Area Hotel in Downtown Washington D.C.”

“…Forward-thinking in its design and construction, the hotel is seeking LEED Silver certification. Upon opening, the Hilton Garden Inn will begin participating in the LightStay program, Imagea Hilton Worldwide initiative to save energy by continuous measurement and reduction of electric, gas and water consumption…” 

Opening late May, the Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/Georgetown Area brings environmentally friendly accommodations to Washington, D.C.’s high-end Georgetown neighborhood. Perfect for the savviest business and leisure travelers alike, the hotel gracefully blends modern technology, plush furnishing and a desirable location while keeping green.

Managed by the experienced hospitality company OTO Development, the Hilton Garden Inn is dedicated to providing guests a fantastic Washington, D.C. experience while staying environmentally conscious.

For more: http://bit.ly/1jSvRxe

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by | January 25, 2011 · 10:25 am

Hospitality Industry Green Issues: Hotel Group Achieves "LEED Volume Precertification" For Its "Green Engage" Program Making Hotels 15% To 20% More Energy Efficient

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announces that its in-house sustainability system Green Engage* has been awarded with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) volume precertification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). IHG has become the first hotel company to receive this award for an existing hotels programme, further cementing its place as an industry leader in the field of sustainability.

The USGBC’s LEED rating system is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Volume precertification is a preliminary step that provides a streamlined path to LEED certification for a large group of hotels based on a preapproved prototype and process.

  • In the US alone, an average hotel has in excess of $500,000 in energy expenses every year.
  • On average, energy is the second largest cost in hotels and our hotel owners want help to manage this.
  • Green Engage can deliver over $90,000 in annual energy savings by making hotels 15% to 20% more energy efficient.
  • Additionally, Green Engage helps owners respond to the growing interest from guests who are looking for sustainable hotels that manage their environmental footprint.

http://www.ihgplc.com/index.asp?PageID=116&Year=2011&NewsID=2568

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by | January 19, 2011 · 2:41 pm

Hotel Industry "Green Issues": California Hotel Earns Top Environmental Designation Through "Recycling, Energy Efficiency And Conservation Management"

 Recently designated one of California’s top “green hotels” by the California Department of General Services, the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina has also been awarded the program’s “Leadership Level” status for its continued commitment to sustainability and conservation practices.

“We are very proud to be leading the way in the hospitality industry to reduce waste, save energy and water and help conserve our beautiful state’s valuable resources,” said Alex Willow, Director of Sales at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay.  “Our hotel’s environmentally-friendly initiatives like the eco-friendly Blue Marble Spa and ‘Meet and Be Green’ program are just a few of the ways in which we continue to do whatever we can to help keep California green.”

California’s Department of General Services Statewide Green Lodging Travel program encourages state and local government travelers to seek out and give preference to certified “green” hotels.  To achieve the status of “Leadership Level,” the highest level of the state’s green lodging program, hotels must meet all of the following seven criteria:

• Waste minimization
• Reuse/recycling
• Energy Efficiency
• Conservation and management
• Waste management
• Freshwater resource management
• Hazardous materials management
• Environmentally and socially sensitive purchasing policies

Other ways in which the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay has demonstrated its commitment to being more kind to the environment include its Meet and Be Green program.  It requires meeting planners and attendees to “go green” during their meeting, such as sourcing products with 100 percent recycled content, finding local suppliers, and maximizing efforts to reduce waste to create a meeting experience that exceeds expectations and helps the environment at the same time.

For more:  http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article.aspx?articleid=19395

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by | November 29, 2010 · 8:30 am

Hospitality Industry Sustainability Initiatives: Hotel “Green Initiatives” Are Being Implemented And Maintained Through Training And Management In Spite Of Economic Downturn

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by | September 15, 2010 · 7:31 am

Hotel Industry Risk Management: “Optional Linen Service” And Other “Green Programs” Can Help Reduce “Repetitive-Use Injuries” And Chemicals Usage At Hotels

Categories include promoting environmental awareness through new employee training and workshops,  ….waste reduction, energy and water efficiency and air quality as well as green cleaning and housekeeping practices which include optional linen service – who really needs their sheets changed every day? Similar programs in Virginia Beach, Va., and Ocean City, Md., have been embraced by merchants and tourists alike.

The local tourism and hospitality industries have a vested interest in conservation of natural resources. Aside from the money hotels, restaurants and attractions can save reducing, reusing and recycling, preserving the environmental quality of our area preserves tourism itself. The South Carolina Green Alliance, a partnership between the South Carolina Hospitality Association and the state DHEC, is devoted to helping state lodgings, attractions and eateries go green. The program made its debut last year, and although only a handful of local business are listed on the Web site (greenalliance.com), Tom Sponseller, president of the state hospitality association, says that more are coming. “We have another 30 or so restaurants and hotels that will be added. We’ve only been doing this a short time, and the whole process from implementing changes to filling out the application to it being approved through DHEC can be a bit lengthy.”

Part of the process is working with local businesses to implement changes to reduce the large scale impacts the hospitality industry has on the environment. Businesses in the hospitality industry, as well as their suppliers, can go to schospitality.org for an application listing nine categories in which points can be earned. Depending on how many points earned, a Palmetto tree is awarded, with one Palmetto indicating a business has adopted and is beginning to implement a green plan, to three Palmettos, which indicates a high level of eco-initiatives have been adopted and utilized.

While only a small number of local businesses have made it through Green Alliance certification, that doesn’t mean our local hospitality industry isn’t taking the steps necessary to become more eco-friendly. The Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association (MBAHA) is working with the state program, and encourages its members to take those important first steps in going green. “Our industry wants to get more involved, and it’s a question of figuring out how to do that,” says Stephen Greene, president of the MBHA. “As a group, we’ve been moving forward, but it takes a lot of time and training,” In cooperation with efforts of the state and local hospitality associations, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has encouraged its members to go green. As part of its Going Green program, the Chamber works to provide education, resources and support to its members in implementing energy conservation and waste reduction practices.

Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/09/09/1681777/oily-residue.html#ixzz0zbrCTJX5

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by | August 23, 2010 · 4:30 am

Hospitality Industry Trends: Hotel Ownership Should Consider “Green Lodging” Certifications As Healthier And Safer Business Practices

“… it creates a healthier environment for those working at a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast as more of the cleaning supplies use fewer chemically infused ingredients, fewer linens are laundered, cans, bottles and other goods are recycled and lighting, entertainment, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems become more energy saving and efficient…”

“Growing numbers of consumers, including families and conference planners, want to know that the hotel where they plan to stay is ‘green,’ ” says Amey Marrella, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, who this past week announced that the state just certified its 15th “green lodging.”

Being green, says the commissioner, can include increased energy efficiencies, water-use reductions or reducing, reusing and recycling materials found in a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast.

In addition, Marrella says being a certified green lodging hotel can provide that hotel or motel with a competitive marketing tool, in addition to the savings provided by reduced energy use.

By “greening a hotel,” the institution can become more efficient, become friendlier to its surrounding environment and, say DEP officials, bolster its bottom line.

For more:   http://www.theday.com/article/20100822/BIZ02/308229886/-1/BIZ

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