Valamar Hotels and Resorts, Croatian largest hotel chain, has presented New Year’s Eve program in its popular Valamar Diamant Hotel in Porec, Croatia.

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The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) announced that Green Key rated hotels can now include their Key ratings in AAA/CAA travel guides. AAA/CAA will now be supporting green certified hotels that are also “Diamond-rated” properties by encouraging promotion of their Key rating in TourBook advertising both in Canada and the United States.

“We are very pleased that AAA strongly supports environmental management and sustainability throughout the lodging industry and we look forward to extending this benefit to all Green Key hotels in North America,” said Tony Pollard, HAC president. “The consumer numbers show that the greening of hotels across North America is becoming more significant than ever and demonstrates why all hotels should make Green Key an important component of their overall greening efforts.”

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American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) has decided to scrap its green designation and certification system for its 11,000 hotel members. As an alternative, the group is planning to develop a set of guidelines to outline several minimum environmental principles.

The AHLA plans to coordinate efforts with the US Green Building Council (LEED) to create more hotel-friendly standards rather than deal with the investment and challenges surrounding a hospitality-focused program for the U.S, yet does not wish to “take sides” regarding the environment and potentially create conflicts between member hotels.

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Carlson Hotels Worldwide today introduced a comprehensive new "green guide" outlining sustainability strategies and practical steps for environmental responsibility, that can be applied across all of Carlson's five hotel brands. Entitled "Practical Guide to Greening Your Hotel," the green guide is part of Carlson Hotels' global initiative to develop programs, policies and partnerships based on responsible business practices.

The new guide and strategy were announced at the American Hotel & Lodging Association Fall Conference taking place here this week. Carlson Hotel brands include Regent Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts' Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn.

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A small, visionary travel company, Ecoventura, that conducts small-ship cruises throughout the Galapagos, offers a 10-point program that it adheres to and hopes others will as well in order to support conservation efforts in this fragile ecosystem.

1) Keeps tour groups to 10 people or less per guide to reduce potential environmental impacts and wildlife harassment.
2) Hires naturalist guides to help monitor and enforce park regulations
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ASTA announced its ASTA Green Member Program this week which is designed to educate travel agents on how to work with green travel suppliers to offer their customers sustainable vacations, how to market their services as a green travel professional and how to green their agency's operations by reducing, reusing and recycling - and working with green vendors of supplies and services.

Travelport, the industry conglomerate that owns Galileo and Worldspan and a piece of Orbitz, is the first official Global Sponsor of the ASTA Green Program, while Avis Budget is the car rental sponsor, the Society announced.

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