ORLANDO, Florida (ENS) - The American Automobile Association has come up with a new icon that highlights eco-certified lodgings in AAA travel publications.
In response to growing interest in green accomodations from its more than 51 million members, the country's largest motoring organization has started to highlight AAA Approved lodgings that have been eco-certified through one of several well-established established government or private programs.
The ECO symbol currently identifies some 2,000 AAA approved properties. The list of properties and programs represented by the icon will continue to grow and change in pace with the constant developments in sustainable travel.
"The new ECO symbol serves as a notice to AAA members that a property has taken steps to become an environmental advocate," said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Tourism Information Development. "We are pleased to publish this information as a service to members who make sustainability a factor in their lodging selection."
AAA is not involved in the evaluation of any property's environmental practices, but provides this information from recognized organizations as a service to members.
AAA recognizes properties certified by several national and international organizations - the Audubon International Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program, Green Globe, Green Seal, and the Green Key Eco-Rating Program in Canada and the United States.
In addition, AAA recognizes state certification programs in: California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
More information and a list of recognized certification programs are accessible at www.AAA.com/eco.
The bright green ECO symbol makes it easy to identify eco-friendly lodgings in the new 2010 editions of the AAA TourBook guides and next year online at www.AAA.com.
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AAA's 26 regional TourBook guides are updated annually and free to members.
The ECO icon is one of many used in the TourBook/AAA.com lodging listings as a tool to help members select their ideal accommodations. The symbols depict guest services, leisure activities, in-room amenities and safety features that members say impact their hotel selection and satisfaction.
Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2009. All rights reserved.
Sunny Lewis
Editor in Chief
Environment News Service
Tel: 206-201-3047
http://www.ens-newswire.com
