BELOIT (WIFR) – The Convention & Visitors Bureau in Beloit is hoping to turn the town green, one business at a time, and they have their first significant Travel Green Wisconsin certification with today’s announcement that The Beloit Inn has passed with flying colors. The Beloit Inn joins more than 350 other Travel Green Wisconsin certified tourism businesses around the state.
Along with the expected environmental pursuits of using energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, recycling, sourcing locally, and inviting guests to conserve energy by reusing towels and linens, management at the inn instituted a few other changes that required breaking some old habits. “We only turn on the HVAC and lights in the guest room right before a guest arrives, rather than for longer stretches of time,” said Angie Boardman, Assistant General Manager of The Beloit Inn. “We’re also making a point to direct guests to other downtown businesses within walking distance of the Inn, such as restaurants, the farmers’ market and attractions, so they needn’t get in their car to experience Beloit, which also saves on energy.” The Beloit Inn also partners with outfitter Paddle and Trail for bike rentals for its guests.
Linda Ross, Director of Visitor Services at Visit Beloit, explained why this first hotel certification for the city was so important. “We’re finding that visitors will often choose a green hotel over one that’s not, so we want to be able to offer that,” said Ross. The first Travel Green Wisconsin certified businesses in the city were actually the visitor bureau office and the Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center. “This is a new initiative with an aggressive goal to get all hotels, retail stores, attractions and even events into green status, and ultimately offer a Travel Green Wisconsin tour of the city.”
The Beloit Inn is a luxury independent boutique hotel with a riverfront city center location. It features 54 suites, meeting rooms and a full-service restaurant. The hotel opened in January 2001 and is managed by IDM Group, Madison, Wis., specializing in boutique and independent hotel development and management.
