Pro-X-Travel

Puerto Rico Eco-Tourism

Making "Green" History, W San Francisco Becomes First Hotel Belonging to Major Brand to Earn Silver LEED Certification for an Existing Building

Crowning an industry-leading, employee-driven green program, the four-diamond W San Francisco made history this week by earning the first LEED certification of an existing building belonging to a major hotel brand.

With its Silver LEED certification, W San Francisco becomes only the seventh hotel in the United States to receive the recognition for an existing building. Stringent criteria for an existing building certification measure "operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts," according to the U.S. Green Building Council, which administers LEED.

"For our guests, the green experience at W San Francisco is a seamless part of their overall W experience, which is extremely gratifying for us," said Michael Pace, W San Francisco's General Manager, and a sought-after speaker on green business practices. "W San Francisco is a leader in the area of sustainability and green practices for W Hotels Worldwide. Green has become part of modern living and is expected by our guests, who can feel our team's true passion for green practices, which are infused in everything we do, everyday."

Certified by the state of California as a green business, W San Francisco began its green program in 2007 with the passion of employees helping launch it. W San Francisco also won a 2008 "Good Earthkeeping" award, recognizing environmental leadership, from the California Hotel & Lodging Association.

Among the energy efficiency steps taken at W San Francisco without negatively impacting the sensory experience and atmosphere of the hotel: More than 70 percent of guestroom lighting and 90 percent of back-of-house lighting is energy efficient, using CFLs, LEDs, motion sensors, and other technologies; the hotel's HVAC cooling towers were replaced with energy-efficient models, saving 300 kWh/year; motion sensors power off HVAC in unoccupied guestrooms; and ENERGY STAR power management features are activated on all PCs. Management continues to track energy usage and savings with a third-party vendor through the hotel's utility company, PG&E. Lastly, to further improve energy efficiency and encourage the use of renewable energy, management is considering installing wind turbines on the hotel's roof--a first for a commercial building in the city.

W San Francisco added a green component to the W signature meeting experience, "Sensory Meetings," where all food and beverage is organic, biodynamic, and local. The hotel also hosts "zero-waste," carbon-neutral events through a partnership with "Live Neutral" carbon offsets.

W San Francisco's LEED certification means another milestone for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), the hotel's parent company, adding to their portfolio of four new construction (LEED-NC) properties to obtain the coveted designation. Worldwide, Starwood has a total of 67 hotels that are either LEED certified or registered for or pursuing LEED certification.

Element, Starwood's new "green from the ground up" brand, made its own history by becoming first major hotel brand to mandate that all properties pursue LEED certification.

LEED is an internationally recognized, third-party certification for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The LEED rating system is designed to promote design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being. LEED's rating system offers four certification levels for new construction -- Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum -- that correspond to the number of credits accrued in five green design categories.

The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. It can be applied both to existing buildings seeking LEED certification for the first time and to projects previously certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools, or Core & Shell.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Hotel Cooking up Meals on Hot Lava

Low Fares, Free Wi-Fi and Power Outlets - Amenities and Popularity of Intercity Bus Service Continue Growth

Megabus.com Serves Five Million Customers

The intercity bus service industry continues to rise in popularity according to a recent study conducted by DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development.  Megabus.com, the express bus service, which offers fares as low as $1 via the Internet, announced today it is maintaining growth and has served five million customers.

Also according to the study, amenities such as free Wi-Fi and power outlets add to the value, convenience and popularity of traveling intercity by bus. Megabus.com also increases the benefits of bus travel by operating environmentally friendly 81-passenger double-decker buses.

"Megabus.com has seen continued success for multiple reasons, primarily, travelers are still looking to save money and get a good deal," said Dale Moser, president and COO of megabus.com. "The number one reason our customers travel with us is our low fares."

Since its launch in April 2006, megabus.com has continued to steadily expand and now serves 17 Midwest cities and 11 Northeast cities.

"We are pleased that our customers are recognizing the benefits of intercity bus service and are continuing to contribute to our growth," said Moser.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott to be Baltimore BWI Airport's First LEED-Certified Hotel

Making Investment in Going Green at Two Baltimore-Area Properties

TownePlace Suites by Marriott At Baltimore BWI Airport will receive LEED Existing Building Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making the hotel the first property at BWI Airport to have that distinction.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building was designed and operated to provide enhanced energy savings, water efficiency, emissions reduction and overall environmental quality.  LEED certification is available for existing buildings that have been retrofitted to comply with USGBC standards and those newly constructed.  

The TownePlace Suites property, built in 2007, is undergoing comprehensive programs to qualify for LEED status, including composting all breakfast waste to achieve zero waste, using sustainable and environmentally friendly cleaning products, replacing plumbing hardware with low-flow devices and purchasing renewable energy wind credits to offset the hotel's carbon footprint.

"We're thrilled that the TownePlace Suites property will be BWI Airport's first LEED certified hotel," said Michelle Emley, general manager of the hotel.  "Going green is not only good business, it's the right thing to do.  Because we host so many business and leisure travelers every day, we have the opportunity to set a great example and teach people the easy steps they can take to make their own homes more environmentally friendly."

The owners of the TownePlace Suites property also recently opened downtown Baltimore's first green hotel, on track for Gold LEED-certification, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Baltimore on S. President Street, blocks from the Inner Harbor.  Located on the site of the former Baltimore Brewing Company, the hotel's distinctive and environmentally friendly design includes a rain barrel made from the brewery's repurposed grain storage silo, which is now used to capture and store rain water to serve the property's landscaping irrigation needs.

Both the TownePlace Suites Baltimore BWI and the Green Fairfield Inn Baltimore have also been awarded the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Rating, the first step in LEED certification.  ENERGY STAR, which provides an energy performance rating system used for consumer products, appliances and commercial and industrial buildings, is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.  Buildings that rate in the top 25 percent nationwide for energy efficiency qualify for the ENERGY STAR.

SOURCE TownePlace Suites by Marriott At Baltimore BWI Airport

Leading Bio Jet Fuel Players Team Up

Camelina projects to produce renewable jet fuel internationally

BioJet Corporation (www.biojetcorp.com) and Great Plains Oil & Exploration (www.camelinacompany.com) announced today that they have executed a Teaming Agreement for the purpose of producing renewable jet fuels. The companies plan to jointly develop integrated Camelina cultivation and associated refinery projects in the U.S., Europe, South America, and Asia.

BioJet will bring its international network and management experience in developing renewable jet fuel projects. Great Plains will provide its extensive experience in Camelina growth and processing. It is estimated that within 5 years, Camelina production from currently planned team projects will yield approximately 200 million gallons per year of renewable jet fuel, 65 million gallons per year of co-products, and 2.3 million tons per year of Camelina meal, for use as a high-quality animal feed.

 Great Plains is the largest Camelina producer in the world and has extensive agronomic and genomic intellectual property with exclusive access to the majority of the world's Camelina germplasm. These strengths will allow Great Plains to identify the best proprietary varieties of Camelina for each teamed project location, thereby optimizing production yield. Great Plains has contracted approximately 85% of the Camelina acreage currently planted in North America and plans to rapidly expand its acreage in 2010 and beyond.

Sam Huttenbauer, CEO of Great Plains, said "Affordable feedstock is the key to all biofuels, and due to Camelina's low inputs and high-quality meal by-product, it has tremendous potential to be competitive with petroleum jet fuel. The scale of these projects will allow this to happen quickly." It's expected that the majority of production from the teamed projects will be international. "This relationship greatly expands our bandwidth for international crop production, refining, sales & distribution, corporate finance, and carbon trading. We expect these capabilities to allow our company to rapidly produce Camelina-derived renewable jet fuel at competitive pricing."

BioJet is a leading international supply chain integrator in renewable jet fuel for the aviation sector. Its operations include feedstock generation, technology, refining, logistics, and distribution to end users in the aviation sector. In 2009, BioJet executed the world's largest take-or-pay contracts for Jatropha feedstock and forward sale of Bio-SPK jet fuel. Most recently, BioJet was selected by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels as the first implementation Pilot Company for Version 1 of the Principles of Sustainability. BioJet's strong international networks in the field of renewable jet fuel production will allow for integrated supply chain management from the teamed projects as well as access to large-scale acreage for Camelina growth.

BioJet CEO Mitch Hawkins commented "We're very pleased to team up with Great Plains. We already control the world's largest quantities of Jatropha dedicated to jet fuel, and work in designer feedstocks and algae. This deal effectively triples our feedstock resources. It is a major step in the achievement of our goal of 20 million barrels per year of renewable jet fuel by 2020."

SOURCE BioJet Corporation; Great Plains Oil & Exploration

SuperShuttle to Open Airport Transportation in Paris

 SuperShuttle, the largest shared ride airport transportation service in the U.S., just launched its first international service in Paris, France. The new service is available from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - main international airport, ORLY (ORY) and the local airport Beauvais (BVA) to anywhere in Paris including hotels, local residences, and Disneyland Paris.

1. Service: all three Paris airports, seven train stations and Disneyland Paris
2. Shared ride and private transfer
3. Comfortable new, air-conditioned vehicles
4. Service is by reservation only
5. Currently reservations can be made online through the French website www.supershuttleparis.fr or by phone during the hours of 1:00 AM - 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time: Tel: +33 1 43 65 55 55
6. Reservations must be made 24 hours prior to travel

US customers traveling to Paris will be able to book reservations through the U.S. SuperShuttle website and call center in early 2010.

Pricing for Paris will be the same whether your destination is a hotel, residence, office or train station. The fare to or from Charles de Gaulle and Paris city center is 27 EUR for the first passenger and 17 EUR per additional adult in the same party. Children under 12 are priced at 12 EUR per child. Veolia Transport, headquartered in Paris, bought SuperShuttle International in 2006 and started Veolia Transportation On Demand headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ. This is the first expansion for SuperShuttle in the international market and Veolia chose its hometown of Paris for the first international rollout.

SuperShuttle International, based in Phoenix, AZ, is a division of Veolia Transportation On Demand and a subsidiary of Veolia Environment (Euronext: VIE, VE). SuperShuttle serves 33 airports, carrying more than eight million passengers a year. Airports served by SuperShuttle include some of the largest in the country including Los Angeles, New York, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Washington, D.C. and Miami. Please go to www.supershuttle.com for more information.

SOURCE SuperShuttle International

Luxury Line of Travel Bamboo Bed Linens a Must Have This Holiday Season.

BedVoyage Travel Blankets, Pillowcases, and Bed Sheets are perfect gifts for holiday travel during the cold and flu season

As the Holidays approach, BedVoyage, a new eco-friendly home-lifestyle brand, is proud to announce the launch of its 100% organic bamboo bed linens just in time for holiday travel. Using only the highest thread counts and the most luxurious fabric, BedVoyage offers lavish comfort and style and is now exclusively available at www.BedVoyage.com

Great for gifts, these soft as silk travel linens are perfect for holiday excursions. The BedVoyage line includes: travel blankets, travel-size zippered pillowcases, and sheets. The sheets consist of a top sheet secured to a deep fitted sheet with invisible-zippered, logo-embroidered pillowcases, making bed assembly easy. The sheet set conveniently folds into a compact matching fabric travel tote.

"With the cold and flu season upon us, people need a safe layer of protection and BedVoyage linens offers travelers the opportunity to snuggle down in an ultra-hygienic environment. Most airlines don't provide pillows and blankets to passengers anymore, so why not carry your own and be comfortable and safe," explains Sharon Stuart, founder & CEO, BedVoyage. "BedVoyage's patent-pending design, along with invisible zippered pillowcases, guarantees the most secure encasement and protection against allergens, dust mites, and germs. I am confident that our products allow our customers to have a comfortable, sound and healthy sleep."

Soft as silk, BedVoyage bamboo sheet sets are organic, sustainable, biodegradable, naturally antibacterial and odor-resistant. Bamboo is naturally thermostatic-warm in the winter and cool in summer-and it wicks away moisture better than other natural fibers. These luxury bed sheets are also hypo-allergenic, as bamboo needs neither pesticides nor herbicides in the fields.

Offered in either bamboo leaf green or white, BedVoyage travel linens can be purchased online at www.BedVoyage.com.

Products are available online at www.BedVoyage.com, and Amazon. BedVoyage customer service line: 1-866-275-8656.

Tips by Sharon Stuart, Founder of BedVoyage on how to travel this busy holiday season to minimize any possibility of contracting an illness:

1. Pack your own sheets.
2. Pack anti-bacterial wipes and if flying: wipe your tray table, arm rests and seat buckle.
3. If someone sneezes or has a bad cough near you, cover your face with your shirt or jacket for a moment or two until their bacteria settles and is not so airborne.
4. When arriving at your hotel: slip the tv remote into a plastic bag and use it through the bag, to keep germs away from your hands.
5. Do not drink out of the water glasses that the hotel supplies, unless they are plastic cups, and are covered in a wrapper.
6. Rinse the coffee pot out with hot water, and wash the coffee cups before using
7. Always wear socks or slippers in the hotel room as the carpet is notorious for harboring bacteria.

SOURCE: BedVoyage

Continental Airlines Announces Results of Expanded Recycling Program

Continental Airlines today announced a major increase in the effectiveness of its recycling programs after the company put special emphasis on recycling projects in support of its ongoing commitment to the environment.

As the United States prepares to observe "America Recycles Day" on Sunday, Continental said that so far in 2009, it has collected more than 4 million pounds of mixed recyclables from terminal operations at its Houston Bush Intercontinental, New York/Newark Liberty and Cleveland Hopkins hubs - an 800 percent year-over-year increase. Mixed recyclables include newspapers, cans, and plastic bottles contributed by co-workers and customers via designated "EcoSkies" recycling bins in hub airport terminals.

"While Continental has had a robust recycling program for more than a decade, we have made substantial enhancements to the program throughout 2008 and 2009, increasing recycling onboard our aircraft, at our airport terminals and at other supporting facilities, like our food service kitchens," said Leah Raney, Continental's managing director of global environmental affairs. "We have had strong encouragement and support from our co-workers and customers, and we are excited to see such great results from our expanded recycling program."

In 2008, Continental's expanded inflight and flight kitchen recycling efforts resulted in the recovery of more than 462 tons pounds of plastic and aluminum, and more than 1,300 tons of cardboard. So far in 2009, Continental has more than doubled that amount, recovering more than 1,500 tons of plastic and aluminum, and more than 30,000 tons of cardboard.

Continental also works with contract caterers at the non-hub airports it serves to encourage recycling; today, more than 91 percent of Continental's domestic caterers and more than 87 percent of its international caterers recycle.

Due to Continental's focus on increasing its recycling efforts in 2009 alone, Continental has:

1. Recycled enough aluminum to build 20 Boeing 777 airplanes
2. Saved more than 584,300 trees
3. Saved enough water to meet the monthly freshwater needs of 106,900 homes
4. Saved enough energy to heat and cool more than 49,600 homes
5. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 35,208 metric tons
6. Reduced carbon footprint to landfills by saving 116,900 cubic yards of waste 

Proceeds from Continental's recycling program are re-invested in the program or donated to We Care, a nonprofit charity organization that provides financial assistance to Continental employees in need.

Continental has been an airline industry leader in environmental responsibility for more than a decade, with a dedicated team of environmental professionals who work to review and mitigate the airline's environmental impact in every aspect of its business. Continental's expanding recycling program is one of numerous environmental initiatives that the company has undertaken in the past several years. The airline also partnered with Boeing, GE Aviation/CFM International, and Honeywell's UOP to perform the first biofuel demonstration flight by a commercial carrier in North America. Continental, which is 38 percent more fuel efficient than it was in 1997 per revenue passenger mile, has undertaken comprehensive efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its ground fleet by testing alternative energy sources, and offers customers a carbon offset program, offered through nonprofit Sustainable Travel International.

SOURCE Continental Airlines

Marriott Accelerates Green Hotel Development

LEED(R) Certified Hotel Prototype Will Reduce Costs and Enhance Speed to Market

Marriott International, Inc. announced today that it will expand its green hotel portfolio ten-fold over the next five years by introducing a green hotel prototype that will be pre-certified LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an internationally recognized green building certification system designed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The green hotel prototype, which will be available in April 2010, will save owners approximately $100,000 and six months in design time, and reduce a hotel's energy and water consumption by up to 25 percent, based on national averages. These savings, combined with incentives offered in many jurisdictions, could provide a payback for the LEED building investment in about two years.

The green hotel prototype, referred to by the USGBC as "volume build certification," has been created for Marriott's Courtyard brand, which has a development pipeline of nearly 160 hotels worldwide. In 2010, the company expects to introduce similar green hotel prototypes for its Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites brands, which represent more than 290 hotels in the pipeline worldwide.

"Marriott's' commitment makes it among the first in the world to commit to implementing green buildings on this scale," said Doug Gatlin, Vice President, USGBC. Marriott was the first hospitality member of the USGBC, and has more than 20 LEED accredited professionals on staff.

While many of the benefits of LEED certification, such as improved energy savings, better indoor air quality and reduced CO2 emissions, are transparent to guests, others are easier to identify such as easy access to public transportation, in-room recycling, and light sensors in the guest rooms. These features are becoming even more important to travelers, who said that supporting environmentally-responsible travel service suppliers is a necessity, even in an economic downturn, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Ypartnership.

"The green hotel prototype gives Marriott a competitive edge with guests who prefer a green hotel experience, and with the growing number of owners and franchisees who want to provide it," said Arne Sorenson, Marriott's President and Chief Operating Officer at the USGBC's annual Green Build conference in Phoenix today.

The Courtyard Settler's Ridge in Pittsburgh, Penn., scheduled to open in the summer of 2010, will be the first to be built based on the new green hotel prototype concept. "We are very excited to have collaborated with Marriott on this significant initiative to help mold the Courtyard brand to be green for the future. We are committed to green building designs which are now being incorporated at different levels in every building we develop. We expect to build many more LEED-certified hotels using this prototype in the future," said Mark Laport, president and CEO, Concord Hospitality.

Marriott already has 50 hotels registered for LEED, with 15 open or set to open by the end of 2010. The Inn & Conference Center by Marriott at the University of Maryland in College Park was the first LEED hotel in North America, and Marriott's recently opened Portland Courtyard City Center in Oregon was just awarded LEED-Gold status. Other green hotels are planned in the Caribbean and Latin America, in partnership with Caribe Hospitality. As a benchmark, there are only 31 LEED-certified hotels across the entire U.S. lodging industry.

Building on more than 20 years of energy conservation experience, Marriott is committed to protecting the environment. The company's Spirit To Preserve environmental strategy calls for: Greening its $10 billion supply chain; further reducing fuel and water consumption by 25 percent per available room; creating green construction standards for hotel developers to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council; educating and inspiring employees and guests to support the environment; and helping protect the rainforest. Earlier this year, Marriott invited guests to add to the company's $2 million commitment to help save the rainforest in Brazil. More information is available at www.marriott.com/savetherainforest or www.marriott.com/green-brazilian-rainforest.mi.

Marriott was recently ranked one of Newsweek's "The Greenest Big Companies," and has been recognized for its environmental leadership in the hotel industry by several groups, including Ceres, an alliance of investors and environmentalists; the non-profit organization ClimateCounts.org; and Travel + Leisure magazine. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored Marriott with its Sustained Excellence Award for the third straight year, and has awarded its ENERGY STAR® label to approximately 275 Marriott hotels.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.

Southwest Airlines Debuts 'Green Plane' With Environmentally Friendly Interior Materials

Southwest Airlines today announced at its annual Media Day a "green plane," an innovative idea that marries efficiency, environmentally responsible products, Customer comfort, and reduced waste and weight. This plane, a Boeing 737-700, will serve as a test environment for new environmentally responsible materials and Customer comfort products.

It is a flying testament to the airline's philosophy that environmental decisions make good business sense. All of the initiatives being tested on this Green Plane, when combined, will equate to a weight savings of almost five pounds per seat, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions, along with adding recyclable elements to the cabin interior and reducing waste.

"Southwest is committed to continuing to lead the industry in emissions reductions through fuel efficiency. Efficiency in fuel consumption benefits our Company as well as the environment, and this has been part of our business model since the beginning," said Gary Kelly, Southwest's Chairman, President, and CEO. "As we look to the future, we know climate change remains of vital importance to our industry, our Company, and our Customers, so Southwest works hard every day in every area to be a responsible steward of the environment."

Southwest has designated one aircraft to serve as a test for eco-friendly products, which include:

• InterfaceFLOR Carpet - this carpet reduces labor and material costs because it is installed in sections, thus eliminating the need for total replacement of areas such as aisles, where Southwest currently uses one single piece of carpet. The 100 percent recyclable carpet is returned to the manufacturer at the end of its service life and completely re-manufactured into new carpet; the process is completely carbon neutral.
• Seat covers - two new products that will be tested on the aircraft seats, offering more than twice the durability than the current leather seats as well as a weight savings of almost two pounds per seat.
   - On one side of the aisle, e-Leather is an eco-friendly, lightweight and scuff resistant man-made alternative to traditional leather. It is made from recycled materials that have been discarded by the leather industry. It is then upgraded utilizing eco-friendly technology, resulting in composition leather, a man-made material.
   - On the other side of the aisle, IZIT Leather, a new breed of premium leather alternative, is an evolutionary step beyond calf skin that offers a lightweight product that is both economical and durable, but with the genuine appearance and touch of luxurious leather.
• Life Vest Pouch - more environmentally friendly because it offers a weight savings of one pound per passenger, replacing the current metal container with lighter durable canvas. The smaller pouch also creates more room under the seat for carryon items and offers productivity improvements due to design change.
• Foam Fill - A lighter weight fill from Garnier PURtec in the back of the seats that reduces weight while providing increased Customer comfort.
• Passenger Seat Rub Strips - switching from plastic to aluminum will help with durability, which reduces waste, as well as being recyclable.

"Southwest is proud to lead the aviation industry in environmental stewardship and honored to be working with these eco-friendly vendors and our partners at Boeing," Kelly says. "We are excited to test their forward-thinking products and expect these green products to not only help the environment, but also create a fuel and materials cost saving for Southwest."

In addition to the green plane, Southwest also announced the Nov. 1 kickoff of its more robust onboard recycling program, which is a co-mingled system that will allow the airline to capture more recyclable material and divert it from the waste stream. This 18-month process involved team work from all areas of the Company to implement the program on the ground at its Provisioning Bases and re-working of waste collection procedures in the cabin.

"The initiative by the Southwest Airlines Green Team, Facilities Maintenance, Inflight Department, and Provisioning Department was a truly heroic effort; when you serve nearly 68 cities there are often 68 different ways to implement a program," Kelly says. "We appreciate the hard work of our recycling vendor, Republic Services, and we are excited to take a very effective recycling program and make it even better."

Environmental Stewardship is a responsibility Southwest takes seriously, and efficient operations are the hallmark of our Company and the foundation of our environmental commitment. Over the decades, Southwest has been at the forefront of such efficiencies as paperless tickets, quick turnarounds, installation of winglets, and, more recently; the installation of fleet-wide advanced avionics. This focus on efficiency not only makes good business sense, it is the right thing to do. For more information on how Southwest Airlines cares for the environment, visit www.southwest.com/cares.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

GREEN AND FRIENDLY SKIES from CNN

AAA Launches Program to Identify Green Hotels

New icon highlights eco-certified lodgings in AAA travel information

In response to growing member interest in green hotels, AAA has launched a program to highlight AAA Approved lodgings that have been eco-certified through a well-established government or private program.

A bright green "ECO" symbol makes it easy to identify eco-friendly lodgings in the new 2010 editions of the AAA TourBook(R) guides and on AAA.com . Additionally, travelers will be able to customize their hotel searches on AAA.com to show green properties first in their search results.

"The new ECO symbol serves as a notice to AAA members that a property has taken steps to become an environmental advocate," said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Tourism Information Development. "We are pleased to publish this information as a service to members who make sustainability a factor in their lodging selection."

The ECO icon is one of many used in the TourBook/AAA.com lodging listings as a tool to help members select their ideal accommodations. The symbols depict guest services, leisure activities, in-room amenities and safety features that members say impact their hotel selection and satisfaction.

AAA is not involved in the evaluation of any property's environmental practices, but provides this information from recognized organizations as a service to members. Additional information and a list of recognized certification programs are accessible at AAA.com/eco.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

SOURCE AAA

EPA Recognizes Southwest Airlines (Dallas & Houston Operations) for Leading Green Power Purchase

Southwest Airlines' Dallas and Houston operations were recognized today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its leading Green power purchase and for its support and participation in the Agency's Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge. The Dallas and Houston operations are purchasing nearly 16 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of Green power, which is enough to meet 30 percent of the facilities' purchased electricity use. Southwest Airlines' Dallas and Houston operations are buying renewable energy certificates (REC) from Reliant Energy.

Earlier this week, the EPA updated each of its National Top Partner lists, highlighting some of America's largest Green power purchasers. Southwest Airlines (Dallas & Houston Operations) currently ranks No. 32 on EPA's Fortune 500 List. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 7, 2009. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.

Southwest Airlines (Dallas and Houston operations) is purchasing Green power in support of EPA's Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge. EPA is challenging Fortune 500 Corporations to collectively exceed 10 billion kilowatt-hours Green power purchasing by year end 2009.

"This was a wonderful initiative by our Green Team, and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Purchasing Green power helps our Company become more sustainable, and it helps us in our mission to do the right thing by Our Planet, Our Communities, and Our People."

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

"EPA commends our leading partners for their continued commitment to protecting the environment by using green power," said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at EPA. "By supporting green power, Southwest Airlines is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, supporting clean energy technologies, and contributing to a clean energy future."

About Southwest Airlines

Efficient operations are the hallmark of our Company and the foundation of our environmental commitment. Over the decades, Southwest has been at the forefront of such efficiencies as paperless tickets, quick turnarounds, installation of winglets, and, more recently, the installation of fleet-wide advanced avionics, engine washing, and aircraft performance management. This focus on efficiency not only makes good business sense, it is the right thing to do. For more information on how Southwest Airlines cares for the environment, visit www.southwest.com/cares.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 67 cities in 35 states, and announced service to Boston Logan beginning Aug. 16, and service to Milwaukee beginning Nov. 1. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

About EPA's Green Power Partnership

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,100 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.

Element Hotels Partners with Carbon Day Automotive to Install Networked Electric Car Charging Station at Element Lexington

Element Lexington is Among the First Hotels to Install ChargePoint Charging Station to Support Growing Number of Electric Vehicles on the Road

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and its eco-chic Element Hotels brand today announced a partnership with Carbon Day Automotive to install a ChargePoint(TM) Networked Charging Station at Element Lexington, Starwood's first Element property which opened in July, 2008. The ChargePoint Networked Charging Station was developed by Coulomb Technologies and is distributed by Green Power Technologies.

Both guests and travelers in the area can simply swipe a keyfob, plug in and charge up their electric vehicles at the station. A first in the hotel industry, travelers will be able to locate the charging station and even determine whether it is currently unoccupied by using Google(TM) maps. The ChargePoint Networked Charging Station is the most recent in a series of green initiatives implemented at Element Hotels, Starwood's working laboratory for green design, practices and operations. The hotels also provide preferred parking for drivers of hybrid or electric cars and "bikes to borrow" for guests. With four Element hotels open to-date, Element is the only major hotel brand to mandate that its properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

"By offering a charging station for electric vehicles, we are deepening our commitment to greener travel as a key part of an environmentally responsible lifestyle," said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty-Select Brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "We are proud to be playing a part in the development of the infrastructure needed to support the anticipated increase in electric vehicles over the next several years."

"Starwood's Element brand shares our commitment to driving environmental awareness and helping individuals, businesses and municipalities lower their carbon footprint," said Scott Emalfarb, one of the principals at Carbon Day Automotive. "By installing the ChargePoint Networked Charging Station at Element Lexington, we are preparing for the influx of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles expected on America's roads in 2010. We hope that other hotels will follow Starwood's lead and take the initiative to encourage this important change in the automobile industry."

The push to develop more hybrid-electric cars recently received a big boost from President Barack Obama, who has made reducing oil consumption a top priority. In May, President Obama announced tough new fuel-efficiency standards for new cars and trucks and several major auto makers are currently developing new models of electric cars for 2009-2010 to join those already available.

Element and Carbon Day will share the cost for the ChargePoint Networked Charging Station, a sleek, unobtrusive device equipped with a universal plug-in for all kinds of electric vehicles including cars, buses, Segway scooters and bikes. The ChargePoint Networked Charging Station utilizes the ChargePoint^SM Network, which includes a choice of flexible subscription plans and sophisticated search technology via Google(TM) maps.

Green from the Ground Up

The Element 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. Eco-friendly materials are used whenever possible and natural light is maximized throughout the hotels. To reduce waste, guest room bathrooms are equipped with amenity dispensers, kitchens are supplied with silverware and glassware instead of plastic utensils and paper cups, and filtered drinking water is available rather than plastic water bottles. Also, the hotel's refreshing, all-saline pool provides a healthier, more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine. Guestrooms feature carpets with up to 100% recycled content, wall art is mounted on bases made from recycled tires and low VOC paints and green housecleaning products improve indoor air quality. Recycling bins are available in guest rooms and public areas. Element conserves water and energy with low-flow faucets and fixtures, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and energy-efficient appliances. Even the ubiquitous "Do Not Disturb" sign has been replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet.

Hotel Indigo Opens First LEED Certified Property in San Diego

Eco-savvy property boasts first green roof in San Diego, meditation deck and herb garden

Hotel Indigo today announces the opening of Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, the brand's first LEED^® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified hotel and the first LEED certified hotel in San Diego - one of only 19 in the U.S.  Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is also the only new hotel scheduled to open in downtown San Diego in 2009.

A flagship property, Hotel Indigo San Diego is owned and managed by IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms.  The hotel is also the first in IHG's portfolio to achieve LEED certification.  The second Hotel Indigo property to achieve LEED certification will open in Athens, Ga., at the University of Georgia this September.

In keeping with the Hotel Indigo brand's commitment to the environment, sustainable green building and development practices were incorporated into the design, construction and operation of the new 12-story Hotel Indigo San Diego.  The hotel is located at 509 9th Ave., in downtown San Diego just one block from PETCO Park and only steps away from the Gaslamp Quarter, the city's exciting dining and entertainment district. Convenient for business travelers, the hotel is also less than a mile from the bayside San Diego Convention Center.

"From the rooftop down, Hotel Indigo is a model of sustainability and we're delighted to debut the brand's first green hotel in San Diego," said Janis Cannon, vice president, Global Brand Management, Hotel Indigo.  "As our flagship property, Hotel Indigo San Diego will showcase the brand's upscale boutique positioning through its locally-inspired fresh design and inviting service culture, which promises to deliver an engaging and intimate guest experience."

Another first for the brand and the city, Hotel Indigo San Diego is topped with a green roof on the ninth and 12th floors.  The green roof, which is covered with drought-tolerant plants, will reduce energy consumption by cutting the need for heating and air conditioning and will contribute to lowering the urban heat island effect.  Taking recycling to a new level, the hotel's Phi Terrace Bar and ninth floor meditation deck is also the world's first installation of MoistureShield composite decking, which is made from recycled polyethylene plastic and recycled wood fibers (i.e., grocery bags, milk jugs, byproduct from furniture/cabinetry making, etc.).

Additional green elements found throughout the hotel, include:

• Herb garden on ninth floor terrace with basil, spearmint, rosemary, and tarragon; herbs will be used in gourmet menu items at the hotel's Phi Bar and Bistro;
• Operable floor-to-ceiling windows in Phi Bar and ninth floor suites, which provide ample natural daylighting and ventilation;
• On-site recycling program with recycling containers in guest rooms and operations areas;
• Pantry and kitchen composting of organic matter from Phi Bar and Bistro; and
• Reserved parking spaces and parking discounts for guests who drive low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.

"Hotel Indigo San Diego has already been incredibly well-received by the local San Diego community, and we look forward to further engaging with the neighborhood now that we are officially welcoming guests and visitors," said Chris Jones, general manager, Hotel Indigo San Diego.

Working with a talented team of local artists, photographers and designers, Hotel Indigo San Diego has captured the sun-kissed character and inviting coastal culture of the San Diego region by using locally-inspired artwork throughout the hotel.  Adding architectural detail to the San Diego skyline, a 40-foot glass sculpture aptly named "Indigo Waters" is affixed to the western facade of the hotel between the ninth and 12^th floors.  Inside the hotel, large-scale photographic murals of native plants and water-driven images, such as agaves and the Pacific Ocean, are incorporated in the guest rooms and public areas

A refreshing take on boutique design and décor, Hotel Indigo San Diego "counts" math as its muse.  The hotel's stylish, inviting design is inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, a universal design constant found throughout nature, art and architecture.  Adopting this mathematical ratio as a design principle creates a perfectly-balanced urban oasis of effortless beauty in the heart of downtown San Diego.

Hotel Indigo San Diego features 210 airy and inviting guestrooms, including five suites, with oversized beds, plush bedding, hard-surface flooring for a fresh residential feel, and spa-inspired showers with Aveda products.  Each guestroom includes a 37-inch high-definition flat screen TV with complimentary movies, an iHome/MP3 alarm clock radio, and a Keurig coffee maker.  Additionally, the hotel provides guests complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the entire hotel and access to the 24-hour business center, meeting space, 24-hour fitness studio and meditation deck on the ninth floor.

Dining and entertainment options include Phi Bar and Bistro, which serves gourmet dishes based on fresh, local seasonal ingredients, and a spectacular ninth floor rooftop bar.  Phi Terrace Bar features a reflection pool, fire pits, lounge seating and panoramic views of the cityscape and baseball games at PETCO Park - sure to become a hot spot for guests to mix and mingle over cocktails.