Sustainable Travel

by Bret Walberg

Andaman Discoveries, in Southern Thailand, offers customized volun-tour trips that allow socially conscious travelers to become actively engaged in the villages’ community development process, using the principles of community-based tourism.

Andaman Discoveries operates out of Kuraburi, a small town along the Andaman coast two hours north of Phuket that is the starting point for tours to Koh Surin National Park. You can take a tour that lasts from a single day to a whole week, or participate in longer-term voluntourism projects, during which time you will visit villages such as Ban Talae Nok, Tung Nam Dam, and Phak Triam. In these authentic little towns and villages their traditional coastal livelihoods are unspoiled.

The villages of the North Andaman suffered a heavy loss of life in the tsunami, with half the villages being physically removed from the map. Out of the disaster new opportunities were sought and the North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR) organization, the parent of Andaman Discoveries, helped one village start the Ban Talae Nok soap cooperative. Two years later, the business is growing and employs 15 of the village ladies, providing a welcome boost of employment, self-empowerment and income. Seeing and hearing the employees discuss the cooperative imparts a sense of the personal impact of the tsunami and the rebuilding that has happened since then.

A contribution to the village Community Fund, included in each of the trips, means that all villagers benefit from having voluntourists and tourists in their community, not only those villagers directly engaged in Community-based Tourism. Some past projects for voluntourists have included teaching English, hospitality training with homestay host families, light construction work, planting community gardens, beach clearance and mangrove forest restoration.

Andaman Discoveries offers a range of activities, such as soap making with the villagers, rubber tapping, fishing, hiking, snorkeling and cooking traditional meals. There are a host of activities to choose from to fit the interests and fitness levels of every visitor. One of the more active highlights includes climbing Eagle Mountain. Like each of Andaman Discoveries’ activities, this two-hour hike is led by a local guide, supported by a translator, who accompanies the group for the duration of the tour to ensure mutual exchange. On the way to the top the guide will stop the group for talks and discussions at several points of interest, so that this interpretive hike imparts much wisdom about the biodiversity and natural history of the area.

In terms of accommodations, visitors can stay in a homestay during their time in the
villages, or take advantage of the variety of accommodations Andaman Discoveries offers to suit all tastes; but spending time in the home of your host gives you a unique glimpse into the relaxed lifestyle of their extended family culture. You eat in the traditional family style, circled by your hosts and savoring the array of simple, delicious local dishes. The culinary adventurers can partake in the whirlwind of preparation and cooking in the kitchen in order to help produce dinner.

Bodhi Garrett, who founded both NATR and Andaman Discoveries, is proud to relate that several recent visitors have even gone so far as to say that their tour provided a “life-changing experience”.

It feels good to know that your activities are helping to steer the ship of development in a way that values and honors these natural areas and traditional lifestyles. It also feels good to travel this way, and participate in such an authentic experience, which is also helping restore the lives and livelihoods of those affected by the tsunami.

It’s a view of the real Thailand that is well worth experiencing.

For more information or to book a tour, visit Andaman Discoveries on the web at www.andamandiscoveries.com or email info@andamandiscoveries.com.

Posted by BrianM at 9:36 AM | Permalink

ENSR is assisting Delta Air Lines with a new, comprehensive, on-board recycling program on its domestic flights to Delta's flagship hub in Atlanta. ENSR, part of AECOM, is a leading global environmental services provider.

Delta, America's fastest growing international carrier, worked extensively with ENSR to expand the airline's in-flight recycling program. ENSR helped Delta develop and conduct a recycling feasibility study, establish recycling metrics for Delta's corporate management, and implement recycling procedures for Delta's employees. The recycling program includes all aluminum, plastic and paper products on Delta's domestic flights into Atlanta.

"ENSR did an excellent job in assisting us with our recycling management program," remarked Michael Morgan, Delta's Environmental Services Department Manager. "They were a significant force in ensuring our program was successfully launched and built for sustainability."

Delta's recycling program is an important step in the airline's effort to become more environmentally-friendly. During the first month of the program, Delta recycled more than 18 tons of material. The proceeds of the program will benefit Habitat for Humanity and other
charities.

"Delta's commitment to sustainability makes them a great client to work with," said Tracy Yount, ENSR Project Manager. "Our team effort has resulted in the long-term viability of the program."

As part of the program, ENSR worked with Delta to provide training and outreach programs to flight attendants, cabin services, and catering services staff at Delta's major hub locations. ENSR has been providing multi-media environmental compliance services to Delta since
2004.

The program also highlights ENSR's increasing focus on the transportation industry sector. As part of this enhanced focus, ENSR has recently named Ben Genes, former CEO of RETEC, to lead its efforts in the transportation market. RETEC merged with ENSR in February 2007.

Source: AP Online, Published: Friday, August 17, 2007

Posted by BrianM at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to issues of sustainability-that's why Lapa Rios Ecolodge, honored as Rainforest Alliance's 2007 Sustainable Standard-Setter, is announcing an environmentally conscious transition to primarily biodiesel powered electricity.

In an effort to support alternative fuels and energy, Lapa Rios is pioneering the use of biodiesel in Costa Rica, resulting in lower carbon emissions and cleaner-burning fuels that will hopefully influence similar practices throughout the entire hospitality industry and translate into reduced effects of global warming.

The biodiesel, purchased from the Costa Rican company Energias Biodegradable (one of the first biodiesel producers in the country) and partially sourced from Lapa Rios' own recycled kitchen grease, is a diesel-equivalent processed fuel derived from biological sources like vegetable oil, boasting 75 percent less carbon emissions than traditional diesel fuel. It's also a biodegradable energy source that's less toxic than table salt-making it an ideal addition to Lapa Rios' acclaimed Sustainability Program.

To allow the resort's electrical generation system to adjust, the biodiesel must be introduced slowly; thus, Lapa Rios has begun by using a mix of five percent biodiesel with 95 percent diesel blend. In the following three months, the biodiesel-to-diesel ratio will climb to allow a 60 percent biodiesel run resort electricity system.

In addition, Lapa Rios has also begun introducing biodiesel (currently at 30 percent biodiesel) to its transportation services, including on-property pickup trucks and guest transport vehicles. This effort will improve carbon emissions as well, continually shrinking Lapa Rios' ecological footprint.

Dedicated to providing the ultimate harmonious escape since 1993, Lapa Rios is tucked within 1,000 acres of Central America's last remaining lowland tropical rainforest and overlooks the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Offering interactive tourism with great respect for the social-cultural and ecological interests of local communities, the upscale wilderness resort features high service standards as well as the ability to protect and regenerate the natural environment and local customs.

Built as a private nature reserve, Lapa Rios blends seamlessly among its surroundings, featuring 16 suiita-thatch bungalows perched 350 feet above the churning sea, and a main lodge that houses a fine-dining restaurant and bar - all hidden beneath the dense, tropical canopy.

Not only do guests contribute to the conservation of the rainforest with a stay at Lapa Rios, they are offered the opportunity to learn about and truly experience a sustainable environment at its best. From Sunday night "sustainability chats" - where local conservationist groups discuss environmental issues with guests - to Tico Cooking Classes taught by local women and featuring Costa Rican cuisine, Lapa Rios Ecolodge thrives in educating eco-minded travelers.

Travelers seeking a "green" slice of paradise are encouraged to visit www.laparios.com, where they can view resort details, bungalows and seasonal rates for planning their own eco-friendly getaway at Lapa Rios, ranked #11 in Travel + Leisure's "Top 25 Hotels in Mexico and Central and South America" for 2007.

Posted by BrianM at 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)