AAA is the nation’s largest automobile association with more than 50 million members. Each year, the organization publishes a variety of travel guides, including the TourBook. The TourBook is a guide to AAA-approved and Diamond-rated properties across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. About 57,000 hotels and restaurants are included in the 26 regional TourBook guides. In 2010, AAA is adding something new, an eco-designation for properties that have eco-friendly or sustainable features.

 

“Only those properties that are AAA-approved or Diamond-rated will be eligible. Properties must also be a certified green lodging site as part of one of a number of state or national green lodging programs. For example, in order for a property in Florida to be included, it must be not only be AAA-approved or Diamond-rated, but also part of the Florida Green Lodging Program.”  Source: Green Lodging News

 

AAA is working with a variety of agencies to determine which of its AAA-approved and Diamond-rated hotels are also green certified. Agencies that will be consulted to help populate AAA’s eco-hotels section include EnergyStar, Green Seal, Green Key and Green Globe. Additionally, green lodging organizations in several U.S. states will be contacted including agencies in California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Vermont and Wisconsin.