You have seen the little signs. They are on the soap dish, the towel racks, and even by the bed. They are the signs informing guests that this hotel is eco-friendly and at least partially Green. Guests are told that towels will not be replaced each day to save washing water, as well as gas or electricity to heat the water. Same for the sheets. If you need more towels or soap, call the front desk.

In response to growing concerns about global warming and conservation issues, being environmentally responsible has become a top trend in the hotel industry. Many hotel properties have initiated various programs such as those above. Additionally, Green hotels are using water-saving bathroom faucets and toilets, set-back thermostats, and remote control of room air conditioning and heating from a central area, usually the front desk.

Green practices in the hotel industry are important and do work. In fact, there is a double benefit. The environment benefits from a slightly lower carbon footprint from the hotel. The hotel owners benefit from lower labor and utility costs, thus creating a favorable bottom line profit impact.

But do guests even realize that a hotel is eco-friendly and environmentally responsible?

About three-fourths of hotel guests in North America willingly participate in environmentally friendly programs offered during their hotel stays. But many guests remain unaware when they make a reservation as to whether these Green programs are being offered at the hotel property. This is according to the J.D. Power and Associates latest North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study.

When guests were asked by researchers if the hotel had conservation programs in place, 63 percent of guests answered yes, while 8 percent said no, and 29 percent indicated that they didn't know. When guests are aware of a hotel's environmentally friendly programs, 73 percent of hotel guests indicate they participate. It is possible and perhaps likely that raising awareness of environmentally friendly programs among hotel guests may help properties further increase Green participation.

"Since conservation is such an important issue globally, it is vitally important that hotel properties actively market their eco-friendly offerings and make them easy to recognize and participate in," said Linda Hirneise, executive director of the travel practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "Offering green programs is a win-win situation for both hotel guests and hotel operators. Guests are increasingly looking for these types of offerings, and hotels are finding that going green actually saves money."

Following is how the statistics break out regarding hotel environment-friendly programs and possible rewards to guests for participation.

Of the 27 percent of hotel guests who are aware of hotel Green programs and choose not to participate, a large number (86%) indicate that they would take part if offered a reward for doing so. However, this number declines to 83 percent among guests in the Pre-Boomer generation (those born prior to 1946), and drops even further, to 33 percent among Pre-Boomers staying in luxury hotels. Willingness to participate is much higher among luxury hotel guests in other generational groups, 87 percent of Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964), 95 percent of Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1976) and 79 percent of Generation Y (those born between 1977 and 1989).