Hotel & Motel Management - September 18, 2007 - (Page 38)

38 News H&MM September 18, 2007 | HotelMotel.com www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition Emissions Continued from page 36 chase hybrid vehicles for use in its parks and resorts. In addition to its green operations, Aramark Harrison purchased offsets to reduce its total carbon footprint. “The decision to move forward is an extension of what we’re already doing to protect the environment,” said Karen Wit- tig, vice president of sustainability and environmental education for Aramark Harrison Lodging. In April, Aramark Parks and Resorts purchased enough RECs to counterbalance 24.5 million carbon dioxide emissions, offsetting 100 percent of its electrical consumption. “A lot of travel tourism businesses are really interested in lowhanging fruit opportunities. That’s why carbon offsetting has really taken off,” Mullis said. “When we come to the table, we want to know that the provider is reducing their emissions. Sure, it’s great to offer the sale of energy certiﬁcates and carbon offsets to them, but at the same time, we want to know they’re focused on reducing emissions.” To decrease emissions and generate revenue, trading carbon credits might be the future for hotels. The Chicago Climate Exchange, the only carbon exchange in the U.S., allows companies to trade carbon credits on the open market. Although the exchange is not regulated, it does ensure compliance through the National Association of Securities Brokers, an entity that performs audits on emission reports submitted by exchange’s members. Companies who belong to the exchange must reduce greenhouse gas emissions 6 percent by 2010. If a company reduces emissions beyond that amount, the excess emissions reduction can be traded as a car- bon credit. For July 2007, carbon credits traded on the Chicago Climate Exchange between $3.30 and $3.80. Trading credits could be a means of being both eco-friendly and producing a source of revenue for management companies. “It’s stuff that they don’t get yet,” said Rory Gopaul, director of operations for the Carbon Solutions Group, who consulted with Aramark on its carbon offset program. “The concept of how a hotel would beneﬁt is a little confusing right now.” As most hotels in the U.S. have not yet begun to purchase carbon offsets, and most hotels are years away from trading carbon credits, the emphasis remains on operations that reduce emissions. “The biggest thing, to me, is education,” Moubayed said, about working with hotel staff. “Remind them every few months what we’re doing, and why we’re doing it.” hmm@questex.com Face Lifts With the opening of TusCA Ristorante and Fireplace Lounge, Hyatt Regency Monterey (Calif.) completed the ﬁrst stage of the hotel’s $40-million, three-phase transformation. Further renovations will include all 575 guestrooms, 32 suites, the President’s House, inclusion of Camp Hyatt and landscaping for the entire property, and the addition of an 8,000-square-foot spa. The Washington Marriott completed phase one of a $14-million renovation. The $6-million project included guestrooms, the lobby and the Atrium restaurant and bar. Phase two will include an executive wing with a private elevator, and an addition of 53 guestrooms for a total of 471. Each executive wing guestroom will be 400 square feet and upgraded amenities will include wireless Internet. Compiled by Heather Gunter, hgunter@questex.com THE FORTE VILLAGE RESORT Sardinia Molinaro Koger, the world’s leading hotel—exclusive real estate advisor, brokerage and capital markets source, is pleased to have facilitated our clients’ global investment goals through more than $4.2 billion in transactions during the past 12 months. COPENHAGEN MARRIOTT HOTEL Copenhagen, Denmark WESTIN O’HARE HOTEL O’Hare Airport Chicago, Illinois SUMMERFIELD SUITES PORTFOLIO United States SHERATON HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER Oklahoma City, Oklahoma GREAT EASTERN HOTEL London, England WASHINGTON MARRIOTT HOTEL Washington, DC Please contact Molinaro Koger for comprehensive hotel investment services. WASHINGTON, DC | NEW YORK | LONDON ATLANTA | CHICAGO | CINCINNATI | DALLAS | LOS ANGELES | PHOENIX | SAN FRANCISCO BEIJING | MUMBAI | SHANGHAI CIRCLE NO. 153 w w w. m k h o t e l s . c o m | +1.703.760.9600 http://HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition http://www.mkhotels.com http://www.mkhotels.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - September 18, 2007

Hotel & Motel Management - September 18, 2007 Contents Vista Inns Redefines Business Model Conley Applies Satisfaction Theory to Boutique Hotels Questex Acquires Oxford Publishing Perspective At Your Risk Consultant’s Corner Sales Clinic Travel Trends On Finance Franchise Law Cornell Insights HotelWorld Update Training Trends Satisfaction Trends Management Trends Speakers Named, Registration Open for IH/M&RS Going Green Saves Green Trends & Stats Vacuums Go the Extra Mile Transactions Offsetting Emissions is Newest Sustainability Initiative Minibar Advancements Supplier News People on The Move ADA Compliance Can Be Easier With Programs Business Travelers Interested in Remote Check-In/Out Awards Markets Dictate Renovations vs. New Builds More Development Opportunities Available Top Hotel Companies Survey The Lodging Conference Previews Ad/Editorial Index Marketplace Classifieds Checking Out

Hotel & Motel Management - September 18, 2007

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