Green Hotels Branch Out Again

The Prince Albert II Foundation dedicates itself to sustainable development and the protection of the environment. It focuses on several major challenges: water issues, like fighting desertification and improving access to water; climate change issues, like global warming and renewable energies; and loss of biodiversity. By introducing networks of companies, individuals and researchers, all sharing the same objective of environment protection on a global scale, they act as a catalyst for environmental projects and champion a sustainable and healthy planet.

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the first major hotel chain in North America to embrace environmental stewardship, is a leader in sustainable tourism; its Green Partnership Program is one of the leading programs in the country, and maybe the world. The program focuses on sustainability and does that in the areas of waste management, energy, and water conservation. Their initiatives include composting by separating organic waste from each hotel's kitchen, donating gently used goods and food to those in need planting rooftop herb gardens at appropriate properties, purchasing green power and using alternative energy where possible, recycling, retrofitting energy efficient lighting, and water conservation measures. The hotels also have as a strong element of community outreach through local groups and partnerships that staff take great pride in developing and promoting.

Together they anticipate improving key vital areas such as availability of clean drinking water, biodiversity, and climate change. This teamwork is admirable and there's no reason other hotels and hotel chains can't join their efforts. Restaurants, spas, cruise lines, golf courses, and other hospitality venues, as well as individual travelers, can also be part of this project of saving the earth's resources so we all have a better life.