The Westin Seattle Hotel
 |
THE WESTIN SEATTLE COMPLETES AH&LA GREEN GUIDELINES CHALLENGE FOR HOTELSHoteliers Challenged to Use Association Guidelines to Benchmark Eco-friendly Operations and ROINov 19, 2009http://www.ahla.com/green.aspx?id=27236& OCT 20, 2009 — The Westin Seattle successfully completed the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Green Guidelines Challenge, in which more than 200 hotels across the country tracked and, in many cases, improved their green business operations via AH&LA’s 11 Minimum Green Guidelines, released in November 2008 by the association’s Green Task Force. With the aid of a tracking tool provided by AH&LA, The Westin Seattle communicated its results via an online Green Guidelines Challenge survey, as well as shared the hotel’s success stories and best practices. The challenge asked hotels to measure occupancy statistics, monetary and energy expenditures, and return on investment (ROI) from specific green practices, and The Westin Seattle excelled in the areas of water conservation and waste reduction / recycling. Based on existing environmental certification programs, including Green Seal, Green Globe, Green Key, and LEED, along with various state certification programs, the 11 Minimum Green Guidelines define ways to give hotel owners and operators opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts through reduced utility consumption, recycling programs, employee training, and supply chain management. The guidelines also allow hotels to improve their fiscal performance by tracking ROI against their general statistics. The Westin Seattle received a certificate of completion in recognition of the hotel’s efforts. The hotel is continuing to maximize its green efforts by examining the additional 58 guidelines AH&LA has put forth and integrating new policies and practices into our operations. “By completing the challenge, The Westin Seattle can be recognized as an eco-friendly establishment, based on these important industry guidelines as well as the high standards for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide,” said general manager Elisabeth James. “We’re proud of our accomplishments and look forward to finding better ways to serve our guests – and the planet.” |
