Hotels around the US are adopting all sorts of environmental measures, says the New York Times. Some are as simple as replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Others involve seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for eco-friendly building designs:
"Environmental issues are one of the hottest issues within the travel industry right now," said Bill Connors, the executive director of the National Business Travel Association. The association is addressing the topic of eco-friendly elements in hotel design and operations for the first time at its annual convention in July.
The major push behind this green shift seems to be coming from these hotels' business guests. For example, Josh Rachlis, a Toronto-based advertising copywriter, states:
"When I'm at a hotel, I always look to see if they use compact fluorescent bulbs, and I try to use as few towels as possible," he said. "Ideally, I'd be looking for a green roof, and if a hotel had recycling facilities, that would be great. I'd be more than happy to take my business there."