BLOG OF iECYCLE

White Mountain Hotel

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development’s Web site has added a new “Travel green” feature. The new feature allows visitors to search and make reservation at an eco friendly hotel or lodging property in the state.

The enthusiasm about this new feature can be easily seen among officials. Alice DeSouza, director of the New Hampshire’s Travel and Tourism Development division said, “when a visitor makes the choice to stay in a sustainable property, they can easily sort and search on our reservation system for properties that are eco-friendly. This is a growing trend in the industry, as more and more travelers recognize the importance of preserving our natural resources and are choosing to stay in sustainable properties. With this new capability, we’ve now made that experience possible – and very simple to do.”

The listing of all properties that are green was compiled with the data provided by the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association’s Sustainable Lodging Program. Michelle Veasey, manager of the Sustainable Lodging Program, said, “Many hotels, B&Bs, resorts and restaurants in New Hampshire continually evaluate how their operations affect the environment and look for ways to minimize their impact. Saving energy and water, reducing waste and eliminating toxic chemicals are just a few ways properties can lower their operating costs and reduce their impact on the environment.”

So, how can you find these green properties in New Hampshire?

To find out, I visited http://www.visitnh.gov/where-to-stay/. Scrolling down just a little bit, I found “ONLINE RESERVATION” box on the right side. I entered reservation dates and number of guests. And that’s it! The search returned 181 green properties in New Hampshire with the icon of “Travel Green”. I clicked on the icon next to the White Mountain Hotel and Resort to see what it means. The information explained (see below) what steps the hotel is taking to protect the environment.

The White Mountain Hotel and Resort is a member of the New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program. The NHSLRP envisions a time when travel, dining and leisure activities do not adversely affect the places we visit and strives to ensure eco-responsibility by reducing the environmental footprint and providing a better guest experience. The White Mountain Hotel and Resort has installed occupancy sensors, LED exit signs and energy efficient exterior lighting. Water conservation efforts include an optional towel and linen reuse program, an ozone injection laundry system, early morning watering of the grounds and a conservation management plan. Waste is reduced by eliminating disposable products wherever possible and through donations to the local community.

By the way, there is always something to do in New Hampshire. So, pack your bags and get ready for the green vacation in New Hampshire!

Sources: New Hampshire Business Review, visitnh.gov