HALES LOCATION, N.H.—Golfers who took a drive up to the White Mountain Hotel for opening day at the Hale’s Location Golf Course on May 4 noticed something missing—the sound of gas-powered golf carts. “We have switched to an all-electric powered fleet,” said Wayne Sprouse, the new head professional at Hale’s Location Golf Course. Electric carts are much more environmentally friendly, not just because they don’t use gas or pollute the air but also because they are quiet. “Golf is a game that benefits from silence during play,” adds Sprouse. “These new, quiet carts make for a better experience for players on the course, Hale’s homeowners, and guests of the White Mountain Hotel.” Gary Sullivan, owner and general manager of the White Mountain Hotel, spearheaded the purchase of the 26 EZ Go Electric Carts now available at Hales as a way for the hotel to continue its reputation as an environmental leader in the sustainable lodging movement. “We are committed to environmentally friendly practices at the hotel,” says Sullivan.

LAS VEGAS—Registration is now open for the sixth annual WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition, scheduled for October 2 to 4 at the South Point Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas.

SAN DIEGO—Nonsmoking rooms in hotels operating a partial smoking ban don’t protect their occupants from tobacco smoke, reveals research published online in Tobacco Control. Non-smokers should give hotels that allow smoking in certain rooms a wide berth, say the authors, and instead choose completely smoke free hotels. The researchers analyzed the surfaces and air quality of rooms for evidence of tobacco smoke pollution (nicotine and 3EP), known as third hand smoke, in a random sample of budget to mid-range hotels in San Diego. Ten hotels in the sample operated complete bans and 30 operated partial smoking bans, providing designated nonsmoking rooms. Non-smokers who spent the night at any of the hotels provided urine and finger wipe samples to assess their exposure to nicotine and a cancer causing agent found specifically in tobacco smoke—known as NNK—as measured by their metabolites cotinine and NNAL. The findings showed that smoking in hotels left a legacy of tobacco pollution in both smoking and nonsmoking rooms.

PHOENIX—Thanks to the debut of the PHX Sky Train, visitors arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can now travel to downtown Phoenix for $2, in about 20 minutes, without burning an ounce of gasoline. The Sky Train, which began operation April 8, is an automated train that transports travelers between the airport’s busiest terminal and the nearest light-rail station. Sky Train is free and operates 24 hours a day, arriving at stations about every three minutes.

NATIONAL REPORT—There are very few industries in which competitors have come together and collaborated to address the problem of inconsistent carbon reporting. Despite increasing concerns that carbon reporting is a “tick box” exercise, non-comparable and ultimately informs little about the actual positive change a company is making, collaboration for the sake of a solution often seems a step too far. The global hotel industry is proving that it’s not. The Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI), created by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and International Tourism Partnership (ITP), is the first consistent approach to reporting in the industry. With members of both organizations being fundamental in its development the methodology has been created by the industry, for the industry and has consequently proved both relevant and simple to implement. As one ITP member comments, “HCMI looks simple, but a huge amount of effort went into making it simple so that everyone can use it.” The methodology has been developed to be robust enough to meet global carbon reporting standards.

WHITE SALMON, WASH.—Travel businesses face a multitude of challenges: rising costs, shrinking resources, and increasing pressure to raise the bar on sustainable practices that reduce environmental impacts. Leading-edge businesses are turning responsibility into opportunity. They understand that long-term success requires stewardship of the destinations they serve. They also effectively communicate how their actions can make a difference by engaging customers and increasing brand loyalty.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging Program and IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) have joined together in an effort to boost eco-tourism throughout the state. These programs will encourage hotel properties to continue to develop new strategies and implement practices designed to promote green travel. “By working together, the Department and IHG show a common understanding of environmental responsibility,” said DEP Office of Sustainable Initiatives director Brad Stombock. “Together, we will be impacting the tourism industry and making a difference in both Florida’s economy and ecosystem.” The program offers IHG-branded hotels the opportunity to earn a dual designation as an environmentally responsible hotel through the IHG Green Engage system and the Department’s Green Lodging Program. Each offers a tiered system of ranking hotels and motels based on their commitment to conserving natural resources through business practices including things like alternative energy sources, reduced water usage and recycling. The Florida Green Lodging Program includes nearly 700 properties throughout the state. Designated properties receive marketing and technical assistance benefits through the Florida Green Lodging website.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging Program and IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) have joined together in an effort to boost eco-tourism throughout the state. These programs will encourage hotel properties to continue to develop new strategies and implement practices designed to promote green travel. “By working together, the Department and IHG show a common understanding of environmental responsibility,” said DEP Office of Sustainable Initiatives director Brad Stombock. “Together, we will be impacting the tourism industry and making a difference in both Florida’s economy and ecosystem.” The program offers IHG-branded hotels the opportunity to earn a dual designation as an environmentally responsible hotel through the IHG Green Engage system and the Department’s Green Lodging Program. Each offers a tiered system of ranking hotels and motels based on their commitment to conserving natural resources through business practices including things like alternative energy sources, reduced water usage and recycling. The Florida Green Lodging Program includes nearly 700 properties throughout the state. Designated properties receive marketing and technical assistance benefits through the Florida Green Lodging website.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIF.—Travelers who want to recharge themselves and their Nissan Leafs can take advantage of a new feature at the Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano. The hotel is helping the environment with a California first by offering the Nissan Leaf Rapid Charger. The Rapid Charger is the first publicly available one of its kind in the state.

NATIONAL REPORT—The bicycle is making a big comeback. More than 500 cities in 49 countries now have advanced bicycle-sharing programs—evidence of the growing interest in carbon-free travel. In the lodging industry, making bicycles available to guests is becoming more common and even standard practice in some companies. Starwood’s Element hotels, for example, are required to have at least two bicycles available for guests as part of the brand’s Bikes-to-Borrow program. All Kimpton hotel properties offer bicycles as well. Properties offering bicycles as an amenity are meeting the needs of an increasingly green-minded and health-conscious traveler community. The cost of renting a car or the high cost of gasoline are also driving travelers toward two wheels instead of four. Running a bicycle lending program on one’s own can be a challenge. “Some have underestimated what it takes to run one,” says Timothy Ericson, CEO and co-founder of Zagster. There are maintenance, safety, liability, and even marketing concerns that can be a hassle for a hotel owner or manager.