Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore Adopts Platform to Increase Sustainability
TAMPA, Fla. (September 4, 2009) – The Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore is completing a
multimillion-dollar renovation project, in which they devote significant resources to improve
environmental efficiencies across the board. The Westshore District hotel unveils its innovative
sustainability platform, emphasizing features that help the hotel as well as its community.
“Make A Green Choice” Program
Spearheading the eco-initiative, hotel management has launched the “Make a Green Choice” (MAGC)
program. Through this project, the Sheraton aims to improve housekeeping sustainability and
productivity. Participating guests can decline housekeeping service for a day, and in exchange for helping
the Sheraton conserve natural resources, they receive a $5 gift card for use at the hotel restaurant or 500
Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Points.
“The new management team, Davidson Hotel Company, is committed to engaging all guests as well as
employees to actively support sustainability efforts,” said Ray Zepp, general manager at the Sheraton.
“This new program helps to reward those that make a ‘green’ decision, no matter how small it seems.”
Zepp believes the MAGC program is a wise business move, as it will result in fewer rooms needing to be
cleaned. That means they will not only save on labor costs, but also on water, energy and chemical
expenses. Furthermore, it should increase loyalty and drive more guests to the hotel’s new restaurant.
Indoor Landscaping
In addition, the Sheraton, which is centered on an eight-story tropical atrium, is focusing on indoor
landscaping to increase the building’s sustainability. The large garden that makes up most of the atrium
floor is being refurbished as part of the hotel’s multimillion-dollar renovation. The show pieces contained
in the atrium include the largest indoor screw pine in Florida, as well as Canary Island Date Palms, which
are rarely seen in interior landscaping due to their large size. Many of the plants, especially the large palms,
have been growing there since the hotel was built in 1986.
The attractive indoor plants serve another purpose. In various ways, the garden lowers the hotel’s demand
on the water supply, improves the indoor air quality, reduces excess noise, and more.
“Our hotel is known for the large, open atrium that you see the minute you walk in here,” Zepp said.
“While not many people know that our indoor garden increases our property’s sustainability, what better
way to immediately communicate ‘green’ than a tropical landscape?”
Green in the Details
The hotel does not omit the seemingly small details in its green initiative. It has a robust recycling
program, in which they recycle paper, cans, plastic, batteries, light bulbs, and copy toner cartridges; lights
are monitored and turned off when not needed; and the water flow has been lowered in both the showers
and sink faucets. The hotel has also eliminated the need for a garbage disposal.
Taking the time to make these improvements in increasing its sustainability proved worthwhile last year.
The state of Florida awarded the Sheraton a One Palm Certification in 2008. According to the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, “the voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with
technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving ‘green’ practices that reduce waste
and conserve natural resources.”
SOURCE: EcoGreenHotel |
