Sustainable Travel

Most couples will spend more on their wedding than any other single expenditure in their lifetimes except for their car or home. In fact, according to The Know, a popular wedding resource, around 2.4 million couples get married every year in the U.S. alone at an average cost of $20,000.

Sustainable Travel International (STI) designed this “How to Plan a Green Wedding and Honeymoon” guide to be a definitive resource for couples who share a commitment to the environment and want their wedding to reflect their commitment to sustainability.

Since weddings provide a captive audience you can influence with your choices, the primary focus of this guide is to provide information on how you can positively impact your guests and the world that you’ll be sharing with your partner and perhaps raising your children

The following green wedding checklist is designed to make the planning process as easy as possible.

Wedding Venue

• Determine if the wedding venue has a sustainability or an environmental policy. Questions to consider include: How does the venue focus on reducing energy use and waste? Does it have a green purchasing policy focused on using non-toxic cleaning chemicals and detergents, for example?

• Consider an outdoor ceremony at your dream wedding venue or at a favorite natural spot to add to the beauty of the celebration and to remind you and your partner why you make environmentally responsible choices.

• Consider having your ceremony at a location or venue that's already dedicated to or interested in sustainability such as parks, protected areas, or museums.

• If it’s within your means, offset the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the wedding venue. For more information, please review the section entitled “Carbon Neutral Weddings.”

Food Services

• Determine if the food director at the wedding venue is willing and able to serve fresh, locally produced, organic and / or sustainably harvested food and beverages. If not, ask if you can bring in your own caterer or try to convince them otherwise by explaining the health and environmental benefits. They may change their position. Using local food requires less fossil fuel for transportation, whereas organic food grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers helps to protect soil, water, and wildlife.

• Once you’ve secured fresh, locally produced, organic and / or sustainably harvested food and beverages, label them accordingly. Also, be sure to offer a vegetarian and a meat option at each meal.

• To help reduce waste and save money, carefully plan your food service needs. Also, plan to compost or donate excess food to a local food bank or charitable organization.

• Other ways to reduce waste include using reusable dishware, utensils, napkins and tablecloths. If reusable durable food service items are not available, use recyclable food service items. Options include biodegradable dishes and flatware made from cornstarch, sugar cane, or biomass.

• In addition, avoid serving individually packaged condiments. Instead serve condiments such as cream, sugar, salad dressing, ketchup, etc. in attractive bulk dispensers.

Flowers

• Since most flowers come from countries where pesticide use may not be regulated, it’s best to buy organic flowers or wildflowers from a local florist or at your local farmer’s market.

• Other options include on-line florists like Organic Bouquet and Local Harvest. If you’ve got a green thumb, you can opt to grow your own flowers, or you can use dried flowers or decorate with fruits, potted plants, or other types of greenery.

Apparel

• If you consider buying a vintage dress, tuxedo or suit from a used clothing store, you can potentially save a lot of money.

• Dresses and dress shirts made out of certified organic cotton, organic silk or hemp are available and are usually either not dyed or are tinted with natural vegetable dyes.

• Consider choosing something that you can wear again or opt to donate your apparel to a charity like the I Do Founation, which is also a great resource for information on raising money charity through your wedding.

Rings

• Since gold and diamond mining can release toxins into the environment, consider silver, which is lower impact, or buy a vintage ring and have it resized.

• Also, consider purchasing your rings from companies like Green Karat which offers jewelry made from gold that is certified to be sourced in an ecologically and socially responsible manner.

Invitations, etc.

• Another way to save a little money while reducing the environmental impact of your wedding is to send out save-the-date announcements and invitations by email. You may also want to create a website with details about your wedding, so you don’t have to print all of the information.

• If you're going to buy paper, consider unbleached - chloride or chlorine free paper containing 20%-100% post-consumer recycled or tree-free fiber content, and print using vegetable- and soy-based inks. Or, consider buying invitations with seeds embedded in the paper so that your guests can plant their invitations when they get home. Another option is to use self-mailers, which help to reduce your costs and the amount of paper used

• If having save-the-date announcements, invitations, wedding programs and menus is important to you, encourage your guests to recycle them at or after the wedding.

• Wedding programs are one of the best places to inform your guests about your commitment to sustainability and the ways in which you have limited the impact of your wedding.

• Using self-mailers is a great way to reduce your costs and the amount of paper used.

Gifts and Favors

• Registering or requesting green or fair trade gifts is another great way to go. Everything from organic cotton, chemical-free mattresses and organic cotton linens to clothing, appliances and eco-friendly vacations is available. Best of all, registering for exactly what you need will minimize the amount of unnecessary gifts you receive that you don’t need or can’t use.

• If you really don’t need kitchenware, furnishings, etc., you may want to clearly state in your invitations that you prefer no gifts, or you may want to suggest to your guests that they can make a donation to your favorite charity in honor of your special day.

• If you plan to buy gifts for your wedding party, guests and or family, consider non-consumptive options like gift certificates or making charitable donations in your guests' names.

• Also, consider gifts that are produced in your local area. Food items like jelly, jam, honey, salsa, organic fair trade coffee, etc. are great choices, as are organic cloth shopping bags and handmade gifts from local artisans.

• Since a lot of birdseed mixes contain invasive species that may not be native to your area, consider alternatives to rice and birdseed such as native wildflower seeds or petals, or blowing homemade bubbles from recyclable containers.

Lodging and Transportation

• Consider a destination city for your wedding that is close to where the majority of your guests live and requires minimum travel. For the same reason, consider having the ceremony and reception at the same location or near one another to avoid unnecessary driving.

• Publicize public transportation options and provide route maps, provide a shuttle service from hotels to the wedding venue, and or help your guests to arrange car pools.

• Use hybrid vehicles or vehicles that run on biofuels or natural gas if transportation is arranged for your guests.

• Publicize green lodging options and provide a map.

• Recommend airline carriers that have an environmental policy.

• Provide participants with an opportunity to offset the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their air travel and hotel stays.

Waste Management in General

• Use as few disposable items as possible in your wedding to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

• Encourage your guests and clean-up staff to recycle at the wedding and reception. Provide convenient recycling bins for collecting paper, cardboard, and recyclable containers (i.e., aluminum, plastic, steel, etc.) in common areas, and food vending areas.

• Also, consider composting flowers and other organic waste. If your flowers are still fresh, you may want to donate them to someone that will appreciate them. Nursing homes and hospitals are both great options

Carbon Neutral Weddings

Since travel and transportation is one of the main culprits of global climate change, accounting for up to 1/3 of world-wide climate damaging greenhouse gas emissions, consider compensating for all of the carbon dioxide emissions released during your wedding.

STI provides simple complimentary carbon footprint assessments* for weddings of all sizes that wish to become carbon neutral. By definition, carbon neutral represents the point at which carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been identified, measured, reduced where possible and 100% of the remaining emissions have been offset through high quality renewable energy, energy efficiency and or reforestation projects.

At a minimum, most couples take responsibility for covering the cost to offset the impacts related to the wedding venue since these fees are usually less than US$250. Adding attendee hotel room and air travel related impacts costs a bit more, ranging from US$25-50 per person but is the only way to become truly carbon neutral.

In terms of next steps, please provide us with the following information, so we can provide you with an offset quote. With this information, you can decide if you want a 100% carbon neutral wedding or if you prefer to only offset some of your wedding impacts.

• Total square footage of the communal space within the wedding venue and the number of days it will be used. Also, note if the facility is heated and or air conditioned.

• The total number of hotel rooms reserved by wedding guests and the total number of nights they will be staying in them.

• Demographic data for wedding guests. Specifically, we will need to know where they're flying to and from i.e., what state and or country.

Option 1: This information can be broken down in percentages of wedding guests’ points of origin on a region-by-region basis (e.g., the U.S. can be broken down into four time zones).

Option 2: Or you can estimate the total number of long-haul flights (over 7000 miles / 11,250 kilometers e.g., round trip New York to London) and short-haul flights (under 7000 miles / 11,250 kilometers) taken by wedding guests.

• Estimated volume of waste generated during the wedding expressed in pounds or kilograms.

• Average number of miles driven to and from the wedding (e.g., from the local airport to the conference facility).

*Please note that STI charges a nominal fee for complex carbon footprint assessments (i.e., usually US$100-250).

Honeymoon

Your travel choice will affect the people, culture, economy and environment of the places you and your spouse visit during your honeymoon. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to ensure that the destination as a whole benefits from your visit:

• Research Alternatives. Responsible travel decisions can strengthen local conservation efforts and enhance the natural integrity of the places you visit. Support companies with policies that consider environmental, economic and socio-cultural impacts.

• Travel Lightly. Discover life from a locals' perspective. Consider walking, ride a bike, or use public transportation. Rent hybrid vehicles and choose to travel by train rather than plane when possible. Calculate and offset unavoidable carbon dioxide emissions emitted by your travel.

• Respect Local Cultures. Respect the values and beliefs, and accept the differences of local people and other cultures. Foster a greater understanding of their customs and social norms and learn about their environmental issues before you visit.

• Spend Locally. Ensure that local people benefit from your travels. Buy locally produced organic and fresh food when possible. Spend money in community or locally owned businesses and use the services of tour operators, outfitters and accommodations that employ local people.

• Natural Resource Use. Reduce, reuse and recycle when possible, and think about using water and energy efficiently. Consider the method of waste disposal used by tour operators, outfitters and accommodations. Avoid products sourced from rare and endangered species.

• Protected Areas. Familiarize yourself and follow all advisories, rules and regulations when visiting protected areas. Whether they're voluntary or required, the fees you pay to enter these areas support local efforts to conserve them.

• Wildlife Viewing. Do not disturb wild animals or their habitat. Keep your distance and use binoculars if necessary. Never chase, harass or feed wildlife. Not only is it dangerous, it can also negatively affect and disrupt feeding and breeding cycles.

• Giving Back. Feel a sense of purpose when you travel. Find a project, health clinic or school to donate to, or volunteer your time and help improve trail conditions, monitor wildlife, restore riparian areas, or plant trees.

• Be Aware. Our hurried concept of time is not the same in other regions and in other cultures. Keep in mind that local people’s thinking will differ from your own. Ask before taking pictures of other people and respect their wishes.

• Be Adventurous. Remember that your guidebook is just that - a guide. Use it as a starting point, and then explore. If you want to truly experience a place, head off-the-beaten-path. Talk with the locals, find out what’s going on, and visit the places where they spend their leisure time.

Posted by BrianM at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Reporting by Roddy Scheer

Not in 50 years have so many Americans availed themselves of public transit according to the nonprofit American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Based on the results of its annual ridership survey, the group announced last week that Americans took 10.1 billion trips on local public transportation in 2006, up 30 percent since 1995. The last time Americans took as many trips on public transit was 1957.

“This significant ridership milestone is part of a multi-year trend as more and more Americans ride public transit to get to destinations important to them, while realizing the benefits of saving money and avoiding congestion,” William Millar, president of APTA, told reporters. “Public transit ridership helps reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and decreases our contribution to global warming; but ultimately, this milestone represents 10 billion reasons to increase local and federal investment in public transportation.”

Light rail topped APTA’s list as the mode with the highest recent growth trend. It had a 5.6 percentage overall nationwide increase last year alone—thanks to ridership spikes in such cities as San Jose, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Salt Lake City. Heavy rail, commuter rail and bus ridership increased significantly as well in 2006.

“Public transportation is a proven way to meet our nation’s goals,” said Millar. “As Congress looks to find ways to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and reduce emissions causing global warming, we call on them to increase investment and include incentives to encourage further use of public transportation.”

Source: American Public Transportation Association

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World Travel & Tourism is expected to generate in excess of US$7 trillion in 2007, rising to over US$13 trillion over the coming decade according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) research, sponsored by Accenture and prepared by Oxford Economics.

The new TSA results show strong performance for Travel & Tourism Demand in 2007, growing at a rate of 3.9 per cent. This forecast points to a mature but steady phase of growth for World Travel & Tourism in the short and medium term, averaging 4.3 per cent per annum, between 2008 and 2017.

WTTC’s latest findings reveal that the world’s largest Travel & Tourism Economies are holding strong in the top 10 list for 2007. The United States continues in its pole position with Travel & Tourism Demand accounting for more than US$1,689.3 billion this year.

Over the next ten years considerable ground will be gained by China which currently stands in third position behind Japan and is forecast to move up to second position by 2017. This progression is buoyed by a percentage growth in real terms of 9.6 per cent, per annum, over the next 10 years.

Notably, by 2017 the Russian Federation will enter the top 10 list of countries expected to total the largest amount (in absolute terms) on Travel & Tourism Demand, where it has not figured previously.

The world’s high performers - defined as countries set to grow fastest over 2007 and the decade to come – WTTC results show that Montenegro, China and India top the list, with demand growing each year at a rate of 10.1 per cent, 9.1 per cent and 7.9 per cent respectively. These countries have consistently appeared in the top three positions over the past 4 years, consolidating their growth year on year. Their strong foothold in terms of performance is underscored by a sustained expansion in their Travel & Tourism industry as a result of focussed strategic development and targeted investment. On the other hand, countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad who also figure in the top ten are boosted to these positions as a result of a sudden or sharp rebound in their economy and Travel & Tourism activity.

Other countries featured on WTTC’s high performers list include Croatia, Romania and Namibia, all of which are countries that recently adopted a Simulated Tourism Satellite Account, empowering them with an economic measurement tool that can direct sound decision-making.

In summary, this year’s forecasts show all-round consolidated growth. In contrast to the steep end of the curve experienced in 2006, 2007 is a year where growth trajectories are rounding off to more mature levels. The outlook is one of healthy and stable progress for the industry.

“Companies that balance innovative solutions and focus on cost effectiveness are those that will profit from the predicted growth in this market”, said Guido Haarmann, senior executive, Accenture’s Transportation & Travel Service practice. “Travellers will increasingly lose interest in commodity products. Instead, they will demand solutions designed around their needs, and market leaders are perfecting their ability to achieve the right mix of distribution channels – such as the Web, agents or catalogues – to provide them.”

“The continued growth in global Travel & Tourism demand, presented by our 2007 TSA forecasts, presents a more dynamic and challenging business environment than ever before”, said WTTC President, Jean-Claude Baumgarten. “Our thriving industry can certainly generate jobs and can spread prosperity around the world. However, the full potential of Travel & Tourism can only realized, with the full and long term support of government. Issues such as infrastructure, education and the sustainable development of Travel & Tourism can only be addressed – effectively – with public and private sector partners working in synergy.”

Newly elected WTTC Chairman, Geoffrey Kent added, “As an industry, we must manage growth responsibly and invest now for a sustainable future. In addition to managing growth and profits, each organization within the Travel & Tourism sector must act as a responsible world citizen, balancing business needs with cultural, social and environmental factors.”

The 2007 Tourism Satellite Accounting Research is available for immediate download on the newly designed WTTC website www.wttc.travel.

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The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is to co-host with Counterpart International the Global Ecotourism Conference 2007 in Oslo, Norway, it was announced Monday.

Scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Oslo conference is Lelei LeLaulu, Counterpart International’s president.

"We're incredibly excited and proud to be working with Counterpart International on this conference," said TIES executive director Dave Sollitt. "Their partnerships around the world provide a remarkable wealth of resources to enrich both the content of the conference and the distinguished group of attendees."

Washington, DC-based TIES in a statement said it is expecting up to 500 delegates from around, representing various stakeholder groups.

"Counterpart sees the Global Ecotourism Conference 2007 as a tool for identifying innovative ways that ecotourism enhances the environment while improving the health, wealth and culture of destinations," expressed Counterpart President Lelei LeLaulu. "We are, therefore, honored to join TIES in hosting this global symposium."

The aim of the conference is to provide “a premier opportunity to become part of the growing global movement for ecotourism,” TIES said.

Helping TIES to make the conference happen include Ecotourism Norway and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The event will take place on May 14-16 and will mark the first international conference on ecotourism since the United Nations' International Year of Ecotourism in 2002.

Source: eTurboNews.com

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Counterpart International is calling upon the Caribbean’s young people and young reporters to apply for fellowships to attend its 10th full edition of the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 17-21, 2007.

Media and tourism delegates from across the region, North America and Europe will examine the theme "Enhancing Culture and Protecting Ecology through Tourism," exploring topics such as the impact of global warming on small island developing states; protecting and promoting Caribbean cultural tradition; the impact of HIV/AIDS on Caribbean culture; aerial highways; the voice of the young people; energy conservation and recycling; multi-destination tourism; and crossing the old Colonial boundaries to build a multilingual Caribbean culture.

“The young people of the Caribbean will be the stewards of the biggest industry in the region – tourism – in just a few years and we want to ensure they have a say in their own future,” said Counterpart’s President Lelei LeLaulu, who also believes CMEx serves as an ideal forum for the sharpening of their own skills.

Jo-Ann Marshall, a teenage student from St. Vincent and the Grenadines – one of the youth delegates who played at an integral role at the last CMEx conference in St. Lucia – thinks that tourism partners in the Caribbean ought to take a closer look at the regional tourism market, for example.“As youth delegates we have come to realize an important fact. We admire the melodies of our varying accents but at the same time recognize that our islands have other features that distinguish one from the other. Therefore, on one level, in St. Lucia we were at home, yet in a foreign country.”

Marshall also used the opportunity to touch on what the youth viewed as the value of health tourism. This was stimulated by a group tour to the Anse Chastanet Resort and Jade Mountain. “The simple fact is we are blessed with tremendous natural beauty in the Caribbean,” she said. “The luxurious rooms, replete with infinity pools topped with a literally breathtaking view of the Pitons were therapeutic. These are the kinds of opportunities we should pursue –opportunities that maximize our natural resources and utilize the edge we already have.”

Journalists and editors of any age and young people (aged 16 to 30) can apply for a limited number of fellowships (which cover airfare, accommodation and registration) to attend the event by visiting www.caribbeanmediaexchange.com/Default.aspx?tabid=107 . The deadline for all applications is Thursday, March 15, 2007.

CMEx Puerto Rico, produced by Counterpart International, is sponsored and/or supported by the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, The Barbara Pyle Foundation, Bay Gardens Resorts, Black Entertainment Television (BET J), Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Hotel Association, Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Caribbean World News Network, Coco Resorts, Counterpart Caribbean, Interval International, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and Ruder Finn.

Source: eTurboNews.com

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Milan, 26 Februar 2007/eTN The 1st International Forum on “Sustainable Development in Tourism” organised by Skål International and Skål International Italy, held during BIT in Milan on 24th February 2007 highlighted some important suggestions on how to recover and to further create awareness of sustainable development.

Following opening speeches by the President of Skål International, Litsa Papathanasi and the President of Skal Italy, Sandra Biasutti, there were two key note speakers, Eugenio Yunis, Head of Sustainable Development of Tourism at UNWTO, and Arab Hoballah, Head of the Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch in UNEP. Both referred to the complexity of the subject but stressed however that if all stakeholders would assume equal responsibility, we could start seeing some positive results. The guide published by UNWTO, referred to 12 basic guidelines for sustainable development in tourism together with a suggested action plan. The role of the governments were also stressed in the sense that they were expected to cooperate with local authorities and to make the legislative changes in order to provide the platform for the private sector to perform on sustainable grounds. Both speakers referred to the role which Skål International is playing and recommended more ways in which the organisation could become even more involved

A number of speakers presented examples of best practices in the Mediterranean Area as follows:

Francisco Munoz, Biosphere Hotels, Lanzarote, Spain
Alessio Satta, Head of Tourism Unit, Ambiente, Italy
Srecko Leiner, Ecologist, Croatian Natural History Museum.
Michael Toanoglou, President, Skål International Lindos, Greece.
Nihat Gokyigit, President, TEMA Foundation; Turkey.

The Moderator was Hulya Aslantas, Vice President, Skål International

Skål, founed as an international association in 1934 is the largest organisation of travel and tourism professionals in the world, embracing all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, in five continents, 87 countries and at over 500 locations, with 22,000 members from hoteliers to travel agents, airlines, tourism media, tourism academicians etc.

Skål International is aiming at quality in tourism and values sustainable development in tourism as the key to the industry’s future success and considers Ecotourism but one area of the various components of sustainable development and responsible tourism.

To encourage the conservation of the environment and help to promote the development of responsible and sustainable tourism, Skål International is conducting an awards programme since 2002, launched during “The Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains” as declared by United Nations. While the purpose of these awards is to highlight best practices in ecotourism around the world, they are also created with the aim of acquainting the world with this new concept that puts emphasis on the importance of the interaction of the physical, cultural and social environment, the traveller’s responsibility and the need for active community participation for Ecotourism.

More information on 2007 Ecotourism Awards program can be found at www.skal.org.

Source: eTurboNews.com

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Whether for tourism or oil transport, large vessels regularly traverse our oceans – home to Earth’s greatest abundance of biodiversity. The good news is they can do so without damaging marine ecosystems. CI is partnering with businesses and industries that rely on our oceans to show them how.

Caribbean Industry is Cruising More Carefully In the Caribbean, ships are cruising carefully around Cozumel, Mexico. Nearly 3 million passengers each year board vessels headed to this island, one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. The Caribbean tourism industry, while welcoming the steady revenue, also recognizes its potential damaging effect on the spectacular coasts and marine life that are the region’s main attractions.

Starting in April, representatives from cruise lines, trade associations, international and local nongovernmental organizations, and government agencies will meet to examine the region’s primary environmental concerns and what can be done about them. This is part of a year-long program organized by CI’s Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) designed to help businesses identify and implement sustainable operating practices, such voluntarily designating areas to avoid discharging wastewater.

It also aims to assist governments in minimizing environmental impacts and collaborating more effectively with the cruise tourism industry. Plans are under way to expand the initiative to other major ports of call in Belize and Honduras. “It will be the first time dialogue of this kind has happened between all key actors on such a large scale in the region,” says Seleni Matus of CELB’s Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative.

As part of the Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance, CI and the cruise industry are working aggressively with partners to develop new business practices, educate crew and passengers, and protect habitats that are rich in biological diversity.

BP is Avoiding, Protecting Sagewin Strait In Indonesia last fall, energy giant BP announced a welcome change. Due to environmental sensitivities, the corporation will reroute its oil tankers away from Indonesia’s fragile Sagewin Strait, even though the new westward path adds 550 kilometers to the tankers’ routes.

In August 2006, BP asked CI to provide input on its planned shipping route for liquid natural gas from Bintuni Bay, southeast of the Indonesian archipelago of Raja Ampat, to South America. Raja Ampat is located within the Papuan Bird’s Head Seascape, prioritized by CI for its abundant biodiversity.

CI presented its views to BP’s Shipping and Environment departments, asserting that potential damage to the World Heritage-nominated ecosystem would far outweigh the corporation’s cost savings of taking the short cut. BP’s decision to avoid the region’s Sagewin Strait is good for both business and the environment, ensuring that tankers do not harm its unique underwater species, including certain dolphin and whale populations considered threatened by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Source: Conservation International

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Marriott International, Inc. announced it has joined forces with Clean Up the World, a leading global environmental organization with 35 million volunteers in 120 countries. The company launched the new partnership today in San Francisco at its global conference during a Save the Bay clean-up effort involving more than 50 Marriott general managers.

"We have a long standing commitment to the environment, and Clean Up the World is another great way for us to expand our green efforts at the community level," said J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International. "It is a perfect fit with our green volunteerism, recycling, energy and water conservation."

Marriott International and its associates will support Clean Up the World in the group's effort to bring together individuals, businesses, schools, community groups and governments that are focused on improving local environments. In April, Marriott and Clean Up the World will kick-off the company's second annual Environmental Awareness Month with a global campaign on how to be "green" on the road, at work and at home. The campaign involves Marriott's 151,000 associates in 68 countries.

"Clean Up the World is excited about working with Marriott as we've always encouraged the tourism industry to play an active role in protecting the environment," said Ian Kiernan, chairman and founder of Clean Up the World. "Many Marriott hotels have already participated in Clean Up the World activities at the local level and it is great to see the progress Marriott has made in reducing its environmental footprint across a wide range of initiatives."

The company plans to offer its guests copies of True Green, a new book authored by Kim McKay, co-founder of Clean Up the World, and Jenny Bonnin, director of Clean Up the World on Earth Day, April 22. True Green features 100 everyday ways you can contribute to a healthier planet.

Marriott has also formed a new senior-level Green Council led by Arne Sorenson, executive vice president, CFO and president - Continental European Lodging, Marriott International; Ed Fuller, president and managing director, Marriott Lodging - International; and Kathleen Matthews, executive vice president, global communications and public affairs, Marriott International. The Council will ensure Marriott maintains the highest standards of environmental stewardship and continues to set a leadership example for the hospitality industry and related businesses.

In January, the company announced that it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 70,000 tons in one year - the equivalent of removing 10,000 cars from the road* - and is the first hotel company to proactively join the prestigious U.S Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders Program, committing to an aggressive goal of reducing greenhouse gases by six percent per guest room by 2010.

Marriott has also been recognized as the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Excellence in Energy Management for the past two years and was awarded more ENERGY STAR labels (160) than any other hotel company. Eighty-five additional hotels will be so-certified by year-end.

Additional environmentally friendly company initiatives include:

- Group "Re-Lamp" campaign, which replaced 450,000 light bulbs with fluorescent lighting in 2006 and saved 65 percent on overall lighting costs and energy usage in guest rooms;

- Linen Reuse Program, a global effort to encourage guests to reuse linens and towels during their hotel stay which saved 11 to 17 percent on hot water and sewer bills involved in laundering operations at each hotel;

- Marriott's smoke-free policy in all U.S. hotels announced last year, improves indoor air quality and will result in a 30 percent reduction in energy use for air treatment systems;

- Marriott's "Ozone Activated Laundry" and "Formula One Systems" can save up to 25 percent in energy used in laundry systems;

- Replacement of 4,500 outdoor signs with LED and fiber optic technology yielding a 40 percent reduction in outdoor advertising energy use in its first year;

- Installation of 400,000 new shower heads which reduce hot water usage by 10 percent each year;

- Three newly appointed Regional Directors of Energy and an architect certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) - to help oversee a variety of programs including Marriott's first LEED-certified hotel, The Inn & Conference Center by Marriott in Adelphi, Md;

- New waste-management pilot program to streamline efforts and identify the most environmentally friendly, yet cost-efficient methods for Marriott's 2,800 hotels around the world to continue to adhere to the company's recycling guidelines for trash, cardboard, newspaper and glass; and

- Marriott's Environmentally Conscious Hospitality Operations (ECHO) program, launch in 1994, is an award-winning program that focuses on water and energy conservation, clean air, "reduce-reuse-recycle" waste management, wildlife preservation and neighborhood cleanups.

Marriott International is a sponsor of Green Hotelier magazine, and a founding member of the Tourism Partnership, a UK-based global industry group promoting responsible and environmentally conscious tourism. For more "green" news and Marriott's ongoing commitment to conserve and preserve, visit the Environmental Stewardship page on Marriott.com. For information on Clean Up the World, visit www.cleanuptheworld.org.

Clean Up the World, in conjunction with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) also has conducted a global community based campaign each September since 1992.

*Marriott calculation based on published EPA data.

Source: Marriott International, Inc.

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