Las Vegas Rolls the Dice on Going Green
Bright lights, big city - that's Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps. However, sustainable, environmentally friendly and green are some of the last words that come to mind to describe Vegas. Until recently, that is, because that perception is now about to change.
In a recent article in USA Today, it was revealed that plans are underway to build more than 100 square feet of new construction to the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED program).
This past May, the Palazzo Resort and Hotel Casino was designated the nation's largest LEED certified building and that is not even accounted for in this recent project. Casino-resort projects around the strip are now part of this environmental program to save energy and help the environment. And it's the hope that the 40 million tourists that travel through Las Vegas will learn from these buildings.
The casino/resort/hotel industry has an opportunity to impact not only their bottom line when they begin to become eco-friendly but they can affect each guest that stays on the property by making them aware of environmental best practices. Education and changing people's perception of what it means to be green is rapidly evolving. And it begins with one step - the LEED program is making major strides to change the perception of a city that does not have the reputation of being conscious to the environment and environment responsibility. Each green initiative the hospitality industry makes - whether visible to guests or a behind the scenes decision to help impact both the bottom line and environment - has the same powerful impact in the end - a smaller carbon footprint and a cleaner environment.
Although it may seem ironic that the least likely green city will lead the pack, with a group of existing and new properties, in taking a major step to help energy efficiency, it is truly apropos. The hospitality industry in Las Vegas is in a concentrated area and is designed as a destination for both leisure and business travel. Businesses want to host conferences and events at destinations that are concerned with the environment because when they stay within properties that are environmentally friendly they feel they are also being responsible for the environment.
Some of the current energy initiatives through the LEED program in Las Vegas include:
In a recent article in USA Today, it was revealed that plans are underway to build more than 100 square feet of new construction to the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED program).
This past May, the Palazzo Resort and Hotel Casino was designated the nation's largest LEED certified building and that is not even accounted for in this recent project. Casino-resort projects around the strip are now part of this environmental program to save energy and help the environment. And it's the hope that the 40 million tourists that travel through Las Vegas will learn from these buildings.
The casino/resort/hotel industry has an opportunity to impact not only their bottom line when they begin to become eco-friendly but they can affect each guest that stays on the property by making them aware of environmental best practices. Education and changing people's perception of what it means to be green is rapidly evolving. And it begins with one step - the LEED program is making major strides to change the perception of a city that does not have the reputation of being conscious to the environment and environment responsibility. Each green initiative the hospitality industry makes - whether visible to guests or a behind the scenes decision to help impact both the bottom line and environment - has the same powerful impact in the end - a smaller carbon footprint and a cleaner environment.
Although it may seem ironic that the least likely green city will lead the pack, with a group of existing and new properties, in taking a major step to help energy efficiency, it is truly apropos. The hospitality industry in Las Vegas is in a concentrated area and is designed as a destination for both leisure and business travel. Businesses want to host conferences and events at destinations that are concerned with the environment because when they stay within properties that are environmentally friendly they feel they are also being responsible for the environment.
Some of the current energy initiatives through the LEED program in Las Vegas include:
- Energy generators to supply power back into the hotel property as well as heat water to be used for the 7,400 hotel rooms and condo units as well as the dozens of shops, restaurants and other amenities planned
- Solar panels to heat pools and water in guest rooms
- "First paperless hotel room" by providing an iMac computer in each suite loaded with information normally found in in-room brochures
Labels: casinos, Green, Hospitality
posted by TRT Blog on
Friday, August 8, 2008
at
10:29 AM
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