Sustainable Travel

Ireland’s lead in the €5 billion global ecotourism sector was further enhanced this week when The Greenbox Company publicly launched its innovative Ecotourism Labelling System and also acknowledged the first ecotourism holiday and short break packages to be accredited by the system at a special awards ceremony. The launch took place at Fáilte Ireland’s annual National Tourism Conference on 27th November, which this year took the theme of “Tourism and the Environment 2007, Current Climate, Future Trends”. In total twelve individual businesses operating in the Greenbox region were awarded their certificates by Shaun Quinn, CEO Fáilte Ireland and Mr David Sollitt, Executive Director of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).

Work on the label began in autumn 2006 by a panel comprised of Greenbox Staff and Greenbox Network member businesses, as well as representatives from Sligo Institute of Technology and The Western Development Commission (WDC). Over a number of months a set of criteria was designed that would reflect the efforts of existing ecotourism operators in the Greenbox region, who were already providing experiences for guests that were “based in nature, providing interpretation and information, environmentally friendly, contributing to conservation and local communities, responsibly marketed and culturally respectful”. Criteria were also chosen that would reflect the uniqueness of the region, particularly in a cross border peace and reconciliation context.

The standard was piloted in Spring 2007 by a number of tourism businesses and involved the provision of a training and mentoring programme for those embarking on the certification process. In the Autumn the first applications were assessed and approved by an independent panel comprised of representatives from Fáilte Ireland, National Standards Authority of Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The development of an ecotourism sector in Ireland is regarded as an important strategy in addressing recent issues including the trend towards shorter urban breaks which has posed significant challenges for rural areas. The North West in particular has experienced a 19.4% decline in international visitor numbers between 2000 and 2004. Ecotourism by its nature tends to be more rural and visitors tend to spend 8-14 days per trip. Based on international figures, the Irish market has a potential value of up to €51 million a year.

Speaking at the event Greenbox CEO Mary Mulvey said “ Today really marks a watershed in Irish tourism and a way forward to develop a new type of tourism based on strongly held environmental principles and closely linked to learning, conservation and local communities. The Greenbox has developed a practical and user friendly Ecotourism Labelling approach which is designed to meet the need of small businesses. The ecotourism packages created to date have been very well received by tour operators and the responsible travel media”.

A cross-border initiative, the Greenbox is Ireland’s first integrated ecotourism destination. In 2006-2007 the Greenbox Capital Development Programme encouraged €4 million of private sector investment in the ecotourism sector. The organisation has grown to cover a network of more than 150 attractions, activity providers, guest houses, health farms, organic operators and leisure centres throughout Fermanagh, Leitrim, West Cavan, North Sligo, South Donegal and North West Monaghan. For more information click on to www.greenbox.ie for a flavour of the Greenbox ecotourism breaks that will be available in 2008.

All the businesses involved are available for interview on Tuesday 27th November at 4pm at the Shelbourne Hotel, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin.

For more information, call (087) 6841531 or (087) 2796829.

Posted by BrianM at 6:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Mixpo – an innovative online video marketing company - has partnered with STI to help STI members leverage the emotive power of video and the accountability of the Internet to help promote sustainable travel.

Mixpo’s video marketing solution allows businesses to promote the unique attributes of their business in support of sustainable travel more vividly with video marketing, syndicate their video marketing campaigns to the major search engines, post them in emails, blogs and their own web site, drive qualified leads, and measure the effectiveness of their video marketing campaigns overtime.

STI’s members can create compelling VideoAds using their existing videos, photos, and audio that communicates their commitment to environmental conservation, cultural-heritage preservation, and local economic development within the travel and tourism industry.

Mixpo augments the impressive array of benefits already offered to STI members. Both Premium Partner and Supporting Business Members will receive a free 30-minute video marketing consultation. Premium Partner Members will also receive November and December 2007 complementary when they sign up for service beginning in 2008.

Please email Mixpo at sales@mixpo.com to inquire about pricing, packages, and how to get started.

Posted by BrianM at 9:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Three rental car companies -- owners of a combined fleet of more than 1 million vehicles -- announced the launch yesterday of what could become the industry's largest carbon offset program.

The campaign by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car will allow customers to pay an extra $1.25 to fund certified carbon-offset projects administered by the company TerraPass. The companies will match up to $1 million next year, although the companies said they could expand their contribution later depending on demand.

All three companies are owned by the Taylor family of St. Louis and together they operate the world's largest automotive fleet. The program will begin in January in the United States and Canada and expand to Europe mid-year.

Pat Farrell, an Enterprise vice president, said the company decided to launch the initiative after its surveys showed that almost half its customers said they were interested in participating in an offset program.

"Our goal is to spend that full million through the matching program," Farrell said. Farrell said the companies intend to review the offset program every year and determine whether it needs to be expanded or whether it should consider other alternatives.

Farrell also described the initiative as the companies' most recent environmental effort, which includes purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles, making available more than 50,000 flex-fuel vehicles and providing $25 million for a renewable fuel research institute.

"We're not the scientists, we're not the manufacturers, but we do have such a large fleet that we can purchase those vehicles, those technologies and have consumers tell us whether those alternatives are going to work in a free-market setting," Farrell said.

Farrell said the company viewed the initiatives as key to its survival as oil prices climb and customers are looking for transportation alternatives.

"We're going to have to have access to a lot of cars, a lot of fuel and we're going to have to have customers continue to rely on automobiles for transportation," he said. "If that doesn't happen ... that could curtail our growth and curtail our success."

Posted by BrianM at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

New Snorkeling Adventures, More Family Trips Among Offerings

World Wildlife Fund's Travel Program today announced its 2008 tour schedule, adding new
snorkeling trips, more family destinations and revised itineraries for its most popular tours. The lineup reflects feedback from past WWF travelers, adding destinations they've said they want to visit. In response to several tours selling out, the program is now adding additional departures to
India, Alaska, Kenya and Tanzania.

Among the highlights of the 2008 WWF travel schedule:

-- More snorkeling opportunities -- The program has added new snorkeling trips to the Thailand, Fiji and Tonga, Micronesia and Bonaire. In addition, snorkeling is an available activity during WWF's Rainforest and Reefs tour and trips to Borneo, the Seychelles and the Southwest Pacific.

-- Affordable Namibia -- WWF's Namibia tour is priced lower than most, because the trip travels over land, keeping the cost low and offering travelers the opportunity to see more of the country's unusual wildlife.

-- Back again -- Responding to WWF's past travelers' requests, tours to Brazil's Pantanal and the Kimberley in Australia have returned to the schedule. A new revised itinerary to China includes visits to two Giant Panda breeding centers. WWF's popular India tour focuses on well-known wildlife parks.

-- Families at the forefront -- Families who love wildlife can now participate in WWF's newly added family adventure in Costa Rica, or choose from WWF's popular Galapagos, Tanzania or Amazon outings.

-- Diversity in the Dessert -- Copper Canyon and the Chihuahuan Desert are among Mexico's most stunning topographies. As with many of WWF's trips, this tour includes visits with WWF program staff in Mexico.

In addition to these trips, WWF offers dozens of other destinations through its partnership with the tour operator Natural Habitat Adventures. Since 2003, WWF has partnered with NHA because of its commitment to environmentally friendly travel. Last year NHA became the world's first tour operator to go completely carbon neutral by offsetting emissions through investments in alternative energy projects in the developing world. Among Natural Habitat Adventures' many departures is the world's first completely carbon neutral trip of Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia in February 2008.

WWF offers travelers the opportunity to fight global climate change by offsetting the carbon emissions from their air travel on all trips. Carbon offsetting through WWF's travel partner Sustainable Travel International allows travelers to compensate for their trip by investing in renewable energy and energy efficient projects throughout the world.

For detailed information on the 2008 WWF Travel Program, please visit www.worldwildlife.org/travel or call +1(202) 778-9683 or toll-free 888-WWF-TOUR (993-8687)

Posted by BrianM at 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Proximity Hotel provides comfortable luxury as it goes for LEED Platinum Certification.

Built to use 40% less energy and 30% less water than a comparable hotel, the just opened Proximity Hotel offers a glimpse of the future while celebrating the past. Sustainable practices, custom-designed furnishings, commissioned art and innovative design await guests in every corner of the 147-room luxury hotel and its adjacent restaurant.

Proximity Hotel’s sustainable design and construction follows the guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System,™ the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. With the goal to attain Platinum Certification (the first hotel in the United States to achieve the highest LEED certification), Proximity features ultra efficient materials, the latest in building technology, North America’s first installation of the Otis Gen2 elevator (generating electricity as it descends), restoration of 700 linear feet of a stream and 100 solar rooftop panels that heat enough hot water to supply 100 homes.

While many of the 70+ energy and health enhancements will not be outwardly visible to guests, visitors are sure to notice the oversized windows providing abundant natural light and great amounts of fresh air.

Guests will also enjoy flavorful food, custom-designed furniture and original artwork in each room. Upon entering the hotel, visitors encounter interesting architecture and décor including a “floating” front desk made of a striking 12-foot steel cantilever sculpture; a 28-foot long mohair sofa; an interior balcony overlooking the Social Lobby; and 22-foot high windows overlooking the Bluebell Garden.

The hotel features 7,000 square feet of private event space, a spacious fitness studio, outdoor swimming pool, and a “guest living room” on each floor. Proximity’s oversized guest rooms and suites have multiple 50 square-foot windows, custom furnishings, high definition television, Magi beds and signature bathrooms.

Proximity’s restaurant, Print Works Bistro, uses fresh, local food in creating both traditional and modern versions of classic European bistro dishes. With three walls of windows overlooking the gardens in the dining room, no seat is far from any one of the 52 seven-foot tall operable windows. In addition to an extensive wine list, Print Works offers a smoke-free bar and plenty of outdoor terrace dining by the restored stream. Sustainable practices in the bistro include sensor-controlled ventilation for the kitchen, geothermal energy for the restaurant’s refrigeration equipment and tabletops made of reclaimed walnut.

Built and operated by Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels, Proximity is just a stone’s throw away from its sister businesses, Lucky 32 Kitchen and Wine Bar, Green Valley Grill and the Four Diamond O.Henry Hotel. Like the O.Henry, Proximity will be in and of her community, evidenced by local architectural influences and using local artisans to provide elements of the décor. The hotel and restaurant are named after the Proximity Manufacturing Cotton Mill (built in 1896) and Proximity Print Works Mill (1912), which are central to Greensboro’s rich textile history.

Proximity is offering a special opening rate of $119 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and $144 for Monday-Thursday through January 12, 2008.

Proximity Hotel is the newest project by Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels, owners of the AAA Four Diamond O.Henry Hotel. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, Proximity is poised to become the one of the most environmentally progressive hotels in the United States and to obtain the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification, while promoting green practices and awareness on a far-reaching scale. These eco-savvy practices will blend with modern luxury and vibrant dining to provide the utmost guest experience for business and leisure travelers. Reservations can be made by contacting 336-379-8200. Please visit www.proximityhotel.com for more information.

Posted by BrianM at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The 6th Annual Skål International Ecotourism Awards were presented by the President of Skål International, Litsa Papathanassi and Vice President, Media and Public Relations, Hulya Aslantas in the presence of the Minister of Tourism of Turkey, Mr. Ertugrul Gunay during the Opening Ceremony of the 68th Skål World Congress held in Antalya, Turkey on 5th November 2007 at the Maritime Pine Beach Resort.

Skål, founded 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 academies 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 initiated an awards program in 2002, during “The Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains” as declared by United Nations.

While the purpose of these awards was to highlight best practices in ecotourism around the world, they were 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 traveler’s responsibility and the need for active community participation for Ecotourism.

In their sixth year the awards have received continued support worldwide and this year 46 entries were received originating from 24 Countries; eight from Asia, 10 from the Americas, seven from Europe, 14 from Africa and seven from Oceania.

The Awards show the sensitivity and awareness of Skål International towards the protection of the environment in conjunction with sustainable tourism. Ecotourism, together with other alternative forms of tourism strengthens the local economies and contributes to sustainable development

The applications were evaluated by three independent judges and the scores given by each separately, are added up to find the winners. The primary criteria for the evaluation is based on such points like, contribution to the conservation of nature and cultural heritage, community involvement, educational features, business viability and innovation.

Skål International is grateful for the meticulous work conducted by the three judges,

- Eugenio Yunis, UNWTO, Head Sustainable Development of Tourism
- Stefanos Fotiou Co-ordinator Tourism Programme, UNEP
- Jack Sofier, Swedish Education and Consulting, Portugal

Iznik Foundation (www.iznik.com.tr) continued for the third year to be the sponsor of the quartz trophies they have specially designed for Skål International. Combining ecology with the unique art of Iznik (Ancient Nicea); the awards are a sign of preservation of natural sources and traditions and with their special characteristics they are specially chosen to emphasize the value of our global riches.

Main sponsors Evian (www.evian.com) of Danone group, coherent with their environmental commitment identifies as one of their first responsibilities to be to protect the springs they manage and contribute to the preservation of the natural and rural environment. Danone group also owns two hotel properties in Evian and supports environmental friendly tourism.

Johnson Diversey (www.johnsondiversey.com) whose global mission assumes a green position that supports sustainability in terms of Ecology, Efficiency, Low Emissions, Food and Employee safety, has joined the impressive list of sponsors. The products they create and the methods they use are all aimed at making our world a safer and cleaner place.

The winners are announced as follows:

In the category of Tour Operators and Travel Agents,
AQUA-TREK'S FIJI CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROGRAM, FIJI ISLANDS

In the category of Rural Accommodation:
MARARI BEACH, A CGH EARTH EXPERIENCE HOTEL, MARARIKULAM, INDIA

In the category of Urban Accommodation,
UPPAL'S ORCHID - AN ECOTEL HOTEL INDIA

In the category of General Countryside,
CORAL REEF WALK&RESTORATION PROGRAM AND CORAL FARM, FIJI ISLANDS

In the category of Cities and Villages,
ECOVITA ORGANIC CAMPING AND FARM, ECUADOR

In the category of Educational Programmes and Media,
YACHANA LODGE AND YACHANA HIGH SCHOOL, ECUADOR

Detailed information about the winners can be found on the Skål International website or by clicking the following direct link: www.skal.org/html/ecotourism/eco.asp?idioma=I

For any further information please contact: Skål International General Secretariat Edificio España Avenida Palma de Mallorca 15-1º 29620 Torremolinos - SPAIN Tel: +34 952 38 9111 www.skal.org e-mail: skal@skal.org.

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Europeans are more likely to "go green" than their American counterparts, a new survey shows.

The European Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability (LOHAS) study found that Europeans are 50 percent more likely than U.S. residents to buy "green" products, from hybrid cars to organic food and personal care products.

The survey, conducted for the first time by Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) in conjunction with PR firm Porter Novelli, also found that Europeans are 25 percent more likely to recycle and more than 30 percent more likely to influence their friends and family about the environment than Americans.

Paradoxically, European consumers were apparently more price sensitive than Americans—they were 20 percent less likely than U.S. shoppers to say they would pay 20 percent more for eco-friendly products. Different tax structures and subsidies in European countries likely account for some of this difference, Porter Novelli said.

When buying green products, Europeans were 32 percent more likely to be motivated to purchase a product with a seal or certification that it was environmentally friendly.

European consumers were also more likely to see environmental-sensitivity as an important goal for companies, aside from making money for shareholders.

The differing attitudes between Europeans were likely a result of stricter environmental laws in individual European counties, as well as the European Union as a whole, said NMI spokeswoman Gwynne Rogers. In addition to shaping citizens' behavior, such as limiting what people can throw away, these laws "have raised awareness of environmental issues in a way that just hasn't happened [in the United States]," Rogers added.

The study surveyed 16,000 adults aged 18 and over in eight European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) in July 2007 and compared them to answers from Americans surveyed at around the same time.

NMI has surveyed American environmental attitudes for the last six years, and their research has shown that American consumers have become increasingly aware of environmental issues and are more likely to buy green products now.

The survey will be conducted again next year, addressing the same basic questions.

* 10 Ways to Green Your Home
* Top 10 Emerging Environmental Technologies
* What's Your Environmental Footprint?

Source: LiveScience

Posted by BrianM at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)