The Tennessee Green Hospitality Program is an initiative to promote and support our vision as a more sustainable state and to give assurance to our guests and potential guests that we are actively improving our programs for sustainability.  Guests will know that certified facilities have achieved a significant level of sustainability in their operations and are continuing to improve.

Our Green Hospitality Program encourages lodging facilities and restaurants to be aware of their impact on the environment and to take steps to reduce their carbon footprints, while enhancing the overall sustainability of their operations.  The program provides guidance and resources that will greatly reduce our impact on the environment by using techniques that have been proven to reduce waste and, in many circumstances, to save money.

Certification is awarded after an on-site visit to participating hotels and restaurants to ensure that all minimum standards are in place.  Once certified, facilities are encouraged to work with the Tennessee Hospitality Association's efforts to increase awareness in businesses and the community, to reduce waste from operations, to promote natural resource conservation, and to promote efficiency measures and alternative energy deployment.

As interest in protecting the environment has grown, so has a reluctance to accept individual claims about "environmental friendliness" or "sustainability."  Indeed, the Federal Trade Commission's "Guides to Environmental Marketing Claims" indicate that the basis for such claims should be clear and defined.  A properly structured certification program can give visitors and potential visitors the assurance that our lodging and restaurant facilities are doing the right things.

The Tennessee Green Hospitality Program provides the credibility of an independent, third party audit.

The program consists of six Core Activities for lodging and restaurant facilities that must be in place for certification.  There are approximately 150 additional activities that can also be included in the audit.  Most of these are expansions of the Core Activities and can be used to promote a facility's sustainability success once certified.

Following are the Core Activities for Lodging Properties:
These are the minimum standards for certification:
- Optional Linen Service
- Recycling & Reducing Waste
- Water Conservation
- Energy Conservation
- Offer a "Green Events" Package
- Written Plan for Continued Environmental Improvement

Following are the Core Activities for Restaurant Facilities:
These are the minimum standards for certification:
- Minimizing the Use of Disposables
- Recycling Grease
- Recycling & Reducing Waste
- Water Conservation
- Energy Conservation
- Written Plan for Continued Environmental Improvement

How to Apply:

1)  Download the correct application below and fill out the form.
2)  Be sure to check the box of each activity your facility participates in.
3)  The first page lists the Core Activities.  The following pages list additional activities your facility may participate in.
4)  After you have completed the application, please save it on your computer and email it to joy@tnhospitality.net AND skyecon@gmail.com.
5)  You will be contacted by Skye Con to schedule an audit visit.
6)  If you experience any problems with the process or have any questions, please call Dobbin Callahan with Skye Con at (423) 847-7499.

• Lodging Certification & Rates (299kb)

• Restaurant Certification & Rates (195kb)

Click on the logo above for a list of TN Green Hospitality Certified properties.

Sustainable Tourism Green Certification Workshops

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Department of Environment and Conservation are committed to preserving and protecting our state's unsurpassed natural beauty.  As part of the Sustainable Tourism Initiative, five Green Certification Workshops will be held in 2010 across the state to discuss an opportunity to research and develop a state Green Certification Program for the tourism and travel industry.  These workshops will also provide continued sustainable tourism resources, case studies, best practices, and access to leading experts.  The industry's attendance and input at the workshops will be key in determining the direction the State of Tennessee will take in regard to green certification for the tourism and travel industry.

For more information, please contact Patricia Gray at (615) 741-9004.

Workshop Dates & Locations:

September 14, 2010 in Jackson, TN
October 13, 2010 in Knoxville, TN
November 30, 2010 in Memphis, TN (*NEW DATE!*)

• Green Certification Workshop Agenda (57kb)
• Green Certification Workshops (123kb)