“Going Green” Committee Makes Impact on Grand Pacific Resort Services

Corporate Culture, Bottom Line, Environment Benefit from Green Initiatives

Published December 30, 2009

Grand Pacific Resort Services (GPRS),  a privately owned vacation ownership management company located in Carlsbad, CA has launched a series of initiatives aimed at promoting environmental practices to reduce environmental  impact, improve the bottom line as well as satisfy owner and guest expectations for environmentally conscious hospitality practices.  A “Going Green Committee” was formed to pioneer, champion, document and create new operational strategies for implementation of these practices at GPRS managed resorts.

GPRS divided its Green Initiatives program into four components: 

• Water (linen and towel re-use program, shifting laundry operations to off peak hours, low flow shower heads and water aerators, and installation of new, more energy efficient commercial dryers and washers)
• Air (standardized ambient thermostat settings as well as educating guests at Welcome Breakfast to be conscious of A/C usage and open windows)
• Energy (Installation of Energy management controls on hot water systems to monitor and reduce gas usage, retrofit lighting to compact fluorescent- CFL and replacement of existing roofs with “cool Roof” products)
• Waste (Recycling program with recycle containers in each unit, as well as recycling containers at elevators and the large recycling center in the garage)

According to Vice President of Resort Operations Nigel Lobo, “thinking Green is not just the ‘right thing to do;’ in the long run it is fiscally responsible and adds to the overall stay experience.  Our terrific in-house Going Green Squad is comprised of representatives from each one of our resorts.  They are continually coming up with great ideas and solutions as we do our part to think and act Green.”

The thoughtful green practices implemented at GPRS managed resorts range from recycling printer and ink cartridges to installing LEED® Certified temperature controls.  GPRS has also installed irrigation timers, brought in drought tolerant plants, and installed ceiling fans and compact fluorescent lights to save energy.  Carlsbad Seapointe Resort reports saving 22 tons of recyclable materials and RiverPointe Napa Valley has ingeniously used re-purposed wine barrels to add to its décor and facilitate recycling of trash.

“We are currently testing an in-room wireless energy control solution tied to the guest room key.  The system is completely wireless and will be retrofitted into our resorts.   A lot of small, incremental changes add up to make a difference,” says Lobo. “To round out our efforts, we focus on incorporating recycled materials with our purchases (which are of high quality and comfortable), and have started the process of getting ALL of our resorts LEED® (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) Certified.  Everyone has pitched in and the team effort has proved positive from morale building to guest satisfaction.”

Grand Pacific Resort Services is one of the oldest and largest vacation ownership companies based in California. Servicing over 45,000 owner-families every year, Grand Pacific Resort Services manages 14 properties, including the recently-developed Grand Pacific MarBrisa Resort in Carlsbad, California. For more information visit www.grandpacificresortservices.com  or call Sharrie McIntosh at 760-431-8500.