Survey finds hotels getting greener and healthier
Key findings of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) 2010 Lodging Survey indicate that hotels are becoming greener, healthier and more tech-savvy.
“The number of hotels with exercise equipment in rooms nearly tripled to 17 percent, from 6 percent in 2008. Fifty-six percent have 100 percent non-smoking rooms, an 18 point increase from 2008, while 38 percent make allergy-free rooms available, up from 24 percent,” says the survey.
Properties using energy-efficient lighting jumped from 68 percent in 2008 to 88 percent. Appearing on the survey for the first time, 44 percent of participants said they have or are working toward a green certification.
For the first time, hotels were asked if they utilize social networking sites for marketing purposes; although upper-end hotels appear more apt, 75 percent of respondents do. Wireless Internet access rose to 94 percent, up from 91 percent in 2008.
The survey polled 9,000 U.S. hotel properties regarding in-room amenities, security and technology features, food and beverage options, guest services, sustainability, property offerings and more.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive