Those organizations competing with the Green Key Eco-Rating Program--a joint partnership between the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) and LRA Worldwide--will certainly be interested in learning more about today's announcement involving Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. Hyatt just announced its commitment to the Green Key program for its hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Green Key is one of the many green lodging certification programs available to hoteliers.
Why should those who run Green Seal, Green Globe, Audubon Green Leaf and the other programs be concerned? Green Key, which already dominates the Canada market, appears to be pulling ahead in the race for certification business here in the United States. Just launched in the United States last September, Green Key has already been adopted as the certification program for the State of Indiana, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has committed its U.S. hotels to the program, Accor North America is piloting the program, Sofitel Luxury Hotels adopted the program for its U.S. hotels, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association just partnered with HAC and LRA Worldwide to offer a discount for its members interested in pursuing Green Key certification.
Yes, Green Seal has all of Kimpton's hotels and U.S. Great Wolf Resorts locked up, and Audubon Green Leaf is the accepted program in New York State, but Green Key appears to be pulling ahead in the race for acceptance. (Green Globe is not making much headway with U.S. hotels.)
Will Green Key continue its momentum? Time will tell. It will definitely be interesting to watch.
1 comment:
Glenn, This is great information, as the sheer number of "green" certification options increase. What I think is needed is something not unlike the "Orek Vacuum-cleaner" ads - Do you remember? They vacuum an area of your carpet, then go over the same spot with their vacuum cleaner to see what was missed.
It could be fascinating to learn if some of the new eco-rating systems that do not require an outside engineer to commission the property, or to be sure both machines and people are operating the hotel as planned. Is there "green" left on the table? If so, how much? That may be a fascinating exercise, don't you think?
Thank you again for your informative and timely discussions!
Diana Driscoll
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