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Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center goes green

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Green Hotels & Responsible TourismAs the host of many noteworthy events, including this year’s Hospitality Design Exposition and Conference (HD Expo), the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas is growing its footprint and we’re pleased to see it taking environmental concerns under consideration.

Expansion plans for Mandalay Bay include the addition of over 350,000 square-feet of exhibit space to the existing 1.7 million square-foot convention center, as well as a carpeted ballroom space and a solar rooftop that will produce 3.4 million kilowatt hours – generating enough electricity to power 1,300 homes.

With construction scheduled to start in late fall, the space is expected to be completed by August 2015. Though construction of this scale will inevitably be costly – and time consuming – MGM says it plans to uphold its eco-friendly reputation and build to meet or exceed LEED gold standards.

The HD expo is designed to bring hospitality professionals together from designers, to architects, to purchasers in an effort to encourage idea sharing, innovation and inspiration – and what better venue that the Mandalay Bay. Once the work is finished, the center will boast a total of 1.1 million square-feet of exhibit space.

World hotel chains join to deliver standards on carbon footprints

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via eoearth.org

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel, then you’re probably familiar with this placard: “Hotels around the world use millions of gallons of water and detergent a day. We are happy to replace any towels that have been left on the floor and will leave those that are hung for reuse.”

Some of the world’s largest hotel chains have decided to take that notion one step further. Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group, Marriott International, MGM Resorts International, and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, among others have come together to form a new Carbon Measurement Working Group.

The Group plans to implement agreed standards on how to calculate and report carbon emissions publically, which will allow customers to compare hotels’ environmental impact before deciding to book a stay. The International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) have signed on to provide their help and support the process.

In a statement, WTTC president and chief executive David Scowsill said, “Through this initiative the industry is furthering its commitments to corporate and individual consumers by helping them understand their environmental footprints.”

The Group hopes to complete the first stage of the project, essentially agreeing on standards, by next year.

This is a great move by these companies. Now, customers have to opportunity to think about their hotel stays in terms of environmental impact, proving to any non-believers that luxury can be green.