Boston Green Tourism – Facilitating a Local Business Network to Accelerate Green Practices
Boston Green Tourism (BGT) is a catalyst for expanding the use of environmentally-friendly practices among its members, which include over 40 Greater Boston hotels. BGT’s mission is to make Boston a green convention and tourism destination. Dan Ruben, an affiliate of New Directions Collaborative, is the executive director of Boston Green Tourism. He coordinates the delivery of a range of valuable services to help BGT members improve their environmental performance, for example:
BGT members have made substantial gains in performance and their achievements help position Greater Boston as a leading destination for environmentally-minded conventions and leisure travelers. For example, ten BGT hotels have earned the Energy Star label, seven are Green Key certified, one is LEED certified and three are Green Seal certified. Nine BGT hotels have earned the Boston Green Business Award and one has earned the Cambridge GoGreen Award. BGT was recognized as an EPA Annual Merit Award recipient in 2008, and three of its hoteliers have earned that distinction, too. In addition, BGT hotels have won the Massachusetts Lodging Association’s Good Earthkeeping Award every year since its founding, one of its hotels won the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Good Earthkeeping Award and two are WasteWise Leadership Award winners.
- Organizes educational seminars at local hotels every six weeks, providing practical information and case studies about a range of relevant topics such as water conservation, energy efficient lighting, local foods, green furniture, etc. Hoteliers are able to stay current on the latest green achievements by local hotels—and have the forum to show off their achievements to their peers, as well as build professional networks. Click here for a sample of recent meeting topics.
- Helps hotels activate their green teams and provides technical assistance upon request
- Guides hotels towards green certification
- Helps hoteliers ascertain utility incentives and tax breaks for capital expenditures
- Introduces hoteliers to qualified vendors and helpful government officials.
BGT members have made substantial gains in performance and their achievements help position Greater Boston as a leading destination for environmentally-minded conventions and leisure travelers. For example, ten BGT hotels have earned the Energy Star label, seven are Green Key certified, one is LEED certified and three are Green Seal certified. Nine BGT hotels have earned the Boston Green Business Award and one has earned the Cambridge GoGreen Award. BGT was recognized as an EPA Annual Merit Award recipient in 2008, and three of its hoteliers have earned that distinction, too. In addition, BGT hotels have won the Massachusetts Lodging Association’s Good Earthkeeping Award every year since its founding, one of its hotels won the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Good Earthkeeping Award and two are WasteWise Leadership Award winners.