“Eco-friendly,” “green” and “carbon footprint” are words now frequently used in the hospitality industry as travelers in record numbers seek ways to treat the environment with care. More than eight in 10 travelers consider themselves environmentally conscious, according to YPartnership/Yankelovich Partners 2008 National Leisure Travel Monitor. Four in 10 say they would definitely/probably select an environmentally friendly travel supplier if they were aware of the supplier’s commitment to the environment.

Do you need to sacrifice comfort or rustic properties to be eco-friendly? The answer from AAA is a resounding no. Lodgings actively participating in green programs can be found at every Diamond level including those representing the upper echelon of the hospitality industry, AAA Five Diamond Award® winners.

Five Diamond lodgings reflect the characteristics of the ultimate in luxury and sophistication – traits not typically associated with environmentalism. The physical attributes, personalized services and amenities at these properties provide an unmatched level of comfort. Only one-quarter of one percent of the 58,000 Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants reach this level of distinction. Three AAA Five Diamond lodgings that have received high accolades for their environmentally friendly business practices are The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle; The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla.; and Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Miami.

AAA has been participating in industry meetings to discuss potential options for publishing eco-certification in AAA travel products. Green programs are not a deterrent to obtaining or maintaining Diamond Ratings and AAA encourages Diamond Rated lodgings to promote green certification ratings.

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

As the Pacific Northwest’s only AAA Five Diamond hotel, a designation it has held for 24 consecutive years, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is Seattle’s premier luxury hotel. The hotel currently participates in many green activities, including using steam for heating and for hot water; recycling in the guest rooms; compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to illuminate public spaces around the hote, and all 450 guest rooms have ; and this spring began a composting program that has diverted over 26 tons of organic waste from landfills.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts was the first major hotel chain in North America to embrace environmental stewardship in its daily operations through the implementation of its own Green Partnership Program.

The Fairmont Green Partnership Guide, now in its third edition, is a comprehensive how-to text for companies looking to introduce or expand their green policies and reach the goal of being more energy efficient, sustainable and ecologically friendly. The guide focuses on key areas such as energy management, water conservation, and innovative community outreach programs, while also providing insights on how to start, maintain and grow an environmental program, including case studies on reducing operating costs, keeping employees motivated and tracking costs.

The entire Fairmont Hotels & Resorts luxury chain has also partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to address climate change. Through this partnership, Fairmont has committed to benchmarking its greenhouse gas emissions and establishing a target reduction.

The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla.

A luxury oceanfront hotel and one of America’s legendary resort destinations, The Breakers has been a recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award for 12 consecutive years. The hotel participates in the Florida Green Lodging Program, established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as part of its dedication to conserve Florida’s natural resources for residents and visitors.

The Breakers reduced its water consumption by installing low-flow and automatic faucets and a reverse-osmosis plant with a 1,500-foot well. The well converts undrinkable water into irrigation water for the property’s 140 acres, saving 104 million gallons of potable water annually. The hotel also incorporated native landscaping throughout the property, reducing overall plant maintenance.

The Breakers conserves energy through the use of energy efficient appliances and improves indoor air quality with periodic air conditioner maintenance. The hotel complements its energy conservation practices by recycling and purchasing paper products with post-consumer recycled content.

Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Miami

The 70-story, breathtaking Four Seasons Hotel Miami, which overlooks Biscayne Bay, has earned the AAA Five Diamond Award for the past two years. Another participant in the Florida Green Lodging Program, Four Seasons Hotel Miami is committed to incorporating green strategies into its operations and communicating those efforts to staff and guests.

The hotel has developed strict guidelines for conserving energy and water. Water consumption is reduced by using technologically advanced showerheads, faucets, spray nozzles and toilets. Energy is conserved through energy efficient appliances and an energy management system, while indoor air quality is improved through proper air conditioner maintenance and efficient filters.

The hotel also participates in recycling programs and purchases environmentally friendly cleaners, high-efficiency equipment and low-mercury light bulbs. Newsprint, plastic, metal and glass are recycled daily, and management has purchased a cardboard compressor. A recycling bag is provided in each guest room to collect aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles.

Green Ratings

AAA strongly supports environmental management and sustainability throughout the lodging industry through programs that reduce waste while maintaining quality standards for guest comfort. AAA encourages the continued use of programs that offer guests choices without consequences for noncompliance.

Although the top trend within the hospitality industry is to develop an eco-friendly image in response to growing concerns about global warming and conservation issues, most hotels are just beginning to seek eco-certification. Currently, there is not a single, universally accepted green certifier for the hospitality industry and there are significant differences in scope, which can include buildings, materials, products, procedures or all of the above. AAA encourages properties to feature their green certification to inform travelers of their commitment to the environment.

The Diamond Rating Process

To be considered for approval and rating by AAA, hotels and restaurants that meet minimum AAA requirements may apply for an evaluation. If the applicant is selected for evaluation by AAA, one of AAA’s 65 full-time, highly trained, professional inspectors will visit the establishment. All evaluations are unannounced to ensure that AAA’s professionals experience a hotel or restaurant just as a consumer would.

Establishments that pass inspection are designated at AAA Approved — indicating its proven ability to provide a quality experience for members. Additionally, the inspector assigns each Approved hotel and restaurant a AAA rating of One to Five Diamonds, describing the level and extensiveness of services and amenities.

Establishments are evaluated using AAA’s Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines, which were created with input from AAA inspectors and key industry representatives. These guidelines are available online by clicking here for lodgings and here for restaurants.

Information about the AAA Diamond Rating Process, along with evaluation applications and other materials, can be found at www.AAA.biz/Diamonds.