Sustainable Travel

Recognizing that the status of the environment has become a top business and public policy priority, with major implications for travel, the Travel Industry Association and American Express announced today they have joined forces in the name of travel sustainability. The two organizations are working together to develop the Travel Sustainability Initiative, a comprehensive plan designed to make crucial information available and to guide the travel industry in its response to assuring sustainability in travel and tourism.

"Our initiative with American Express is a comprehensive review of domestic and international efforts related to travel and climate change, and the larger issue of travel and the environment,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of TIA. “This Sustainability Initiative will place emphasis on better understanding what the travel community is doing to go "green", where we are still vulnerable, and preparing travel leaders to play a more active role in the policy making process concerning our impact on the natural environment."

The Initiative is designed to educate and build awareness among public and private stakeholders on the subject of travel sustainability. This is to be accomplished by aggregating, organizing and synthesizing the most relevant information, including existing consumer research, eco-friendly travel programs, other travel association efforts, overviews of proposed legislation, case studies and more.

“We value our partnership with TIA, and we certainly value our role in the global economy of travel and tourism. We have a responsibility, as an industry, to understand our impact on the environment and to find the most responsible and economically feasible ways to ensure the future of all the destinations our industry touches,” said Donna Flora, vice president of Travel Industry Relations for American Express.

Travel is an activity that can have a major impact on sustainable development, but is also uniquely dependent on quality environments to sustain its own long-term competitiveness, vitality and prosperity. It can also be a major driving force for environmental conservation and protection.

Results of this Initiative will be disseminated to the industry through a web site, to be launched at TIA’s Marketing Outlook Forum in October, 2008.

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The creation of a Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC) moves a step closer to becoming a reality as a coalition of international organisations agree to establish a body that increases credibility around sustainable tourism certification programmes, and ultimately helps protect the environment, rights and livelihoods of local communities. The United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the United Nations Foundation are amongst the supporters of this initiative. As part of this joint scheme, they will work with the Rainforest Alliance, an international environment organisation, and other NGOs and industry groups, to raise funds, recruit stakeholders and launch the STSC in early 2009.

“With tourism as the world’s largest industry, and nature-related tourism the fastest growing market segment of the industry, certification programmes have become more relevant than ever to help conservation and community development through sustainable tourism operations,” said Tensie Whelan, Executive Director of the Rainforest Alliance, who was listed last year by Ethisphere magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in business ethics. “We are delighted that various UN agencies, NGOs and industry leaders are committed to getting the STSC off the ground.”

If not executed properly, tourism can be a damaging industry: rapid development and improper management can overwhelm a vulnerable natural area, contributing to pollution and erosion, disturbing wildlife and once-isolated cultures. However, certification can address the impacts of tourism through a process of assessing compliance with pre-established criteria. Credible and transparent certification programmes provide a tool to reward tourism operations exhibiting best practices and differentiate them from others that are less environmentally and socially sound. Through sound certification tourism businesses can channel the effort to alleviate poverty and generate respect for local communities in countries rich in natural and cultural resources. However a missing tool to make certification effective has been the lack of a council that will unite the dozen of programs that currently exist.

The STSC will become the accreditation body that will endorse sustainable tourism certification programmes. It will create the first set of comprehensive global requirements that such programmes will have to meet.

Amongst its responsibilities, the STSC will issue a seal of approval to certification programmes that meet accreditation requirements; evaluate the social and environmental impacts of STSC-accredited certification programmes; and provide guidance for the establishment of new certification programmes in countries where there are none.

Introducing an STSC will bring about many benefits to the tourism industry. Governments will be able to call on the STSC to assist them in raising the profile of destinations with high environmental standards. It will also provide legitimacy and credibility to all those sustainable tourism certification programmes that meet STSC requirements, and through its seal-of-approval, differentiate from those programmes that have lower standards and weaker certification practices.

Speaking about the necessity of the STSC, Erika Harms, Executive Director for Sustainable Development of the UN Foundation said: “The STSC will give tourists the confidence that programs are audited, accredited and will continuously monitor those programmes that are serious about social and environmental accountability. This will also improve the quality of information that tourists can consider when planning their trips and will make it easier for them to make smart choices when they travel.”

The Rainforest Alliance has provided technical and administrative support for the STSC initiative since 2001. Having achieved this and other commitments to sustainable tourism, the Rainforest Alliance and its Director of Sustainable Tourism Program, Ronald Sanabria, have also been recognised with the prestigious 2009 Friend of Nature award, in Costa Rica.

BACKGROUND

The proposed STSC will have an elected international board representing all stakeholder groups in the tourism industry. The work of the board would be supported by an independent (and non-voting) scientific and advisory board comprising research and academic institutes, associations and international organisations.

More than two decades ago, a handful of young idealists founded the Rainforest Alliance with the idea of using market forces to conserve forestlands. Now, the organization has a budget of $25 million; offices in the US, Latin America, Europe and Southeast Asia; and partner organizations in 10 countries. The Rainforest Alliance encourages environmentally, socially and economically sustainable management of farms, forests and tourism businesses. We also work with companies of all sizes on improving the sustainability of their supply chains. In tourism, the number of businesses in Latin America taking part in our training courses focused on improving the sustainability of their operations increased by 41 percent last year to reach a total of more than 250 businesses.

The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

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To coincide with World Environment Day, the UN’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today published its 2008 report ‘Climate Change and Tourism, Responding to Global Challenges’, which it developed in cooperation with the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). UNWTO is also to collaborate with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to promote ICAO’s new air travel carbon calculator.

The 268-page report, says UNWTO, is to provide a basis for the tourism sector to address global climate change and suggests ways to develop practical tools that can be used by tourism policy-makers and managers to foster the sustainable growth of the industry.

It has a technical section that analyzes the relationship between tourism and climate change, the impact of climate change at destinations, the adaptation options and strategies, as well as the implications for tourism demand patterns. The economic section contains the first detailed assessment ever made of GHG emissions from tourism-related activities, together with an analysis of mitigation policies and measures.

“The evidence is clear that the time is now for the tourism community to advance its strategy to address what must be considered the greatest challenge to the sustainability of tourism in the 21st century,” states the report.

UNWTO Assistant Secretary-General Professor Geoffrey Lipman said: “Our report underscores the threats and the opportunities. It confirms the fact that tourism contributes some 5% of greenhouse gasses – in line with its global impact and way below its development contribution in poor countries. It identifies institutional change directions for transport, accommodation and all tourism service providers, as well as the users – business and leisure.”

Lipman reaffirmed UNWTO’s Davos Declaration Process, made last year, which undertakes to support the UN’s Bali Roadmap and provided, he said, a broad direction for all tourism stakeholders. “Now it’s all about implementation,” he added. “We will increase our collaboration within the UN family and our efforts to bring the public and private sector’s full capacity to bear on this issue. Innovation is the big opportunity.

“In this regard, UNWTO is pleased to announce a collaborative arrangement with ICAO, whereby UNWTO will promote the application of the new ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator, a tool for calculating CO2 emissions from air travel. The Calculator is unbiased, transparent and was vetted by the international aviation community.”

UNWTO’s Secretary-General, Francesco Frangialli, said: “We are confident of our sector’s ability to play its part in the establishment of an effective and comprehensive global climate response network. We have been working in close collaboration with UNEP and WMO for many years to analyze the impacts, the stress points and the lines for an effective response in both the long and the immediate term.

“We also know that climate change cannot be addressed without losing sight of other humanitarian and development priorities, particularly tourism’s overall contribution to economic growth and to the UN Millennium Development Goals. We are making all efforts to ensure that tourism will manage to reduce its contribution to GHG emissions at a faster rate than the growth rate of international and domestic tourist movements, thus continuing to play a key role in the fight against poverty and serve as a tool for developing countries’ economic and social growth.”

ICAO is currently in the process of developing a methodology for its Carbon Calculator. It is intended that the calculator should be used as the primary tool for calculating aviation emissions for use in the UN’s Climate Neutral Initiative. It will also be a source of data for use in carbon offset programmes.

Source: UNWTO

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Hilton Hotels Corporation recently announced short and long term goals and objectives towards building sustainability into the core fabric of its businesses worldwide. Christopher J. Nassetta, President & CEO, outlined directional targets for improvement in the company’s sustainability performance throughout the next five years within systemwide hotels globally. By 2014, goals for the Hilton Family of Hotels are to:

• Reduce energy consumption from direct operations by 20%
• Reduce Co2 emissions by 20%
• Reduce output of waste by 20% and
• Reduce water consumption by 10%.

“Upon becoming a truly global company with the acquisition of Hilton International and following the acquisition of our company by Blackstone late last year, we are in an ideal position to lay down a framework for sustainability within our global hotels and corporate offices,” said Nassetta.

As a global business serving more than a quarter billion guests a year in more than 3000 hotels across 74 countries, the Hilton family of Hotels, including Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn and Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Homewood Suites by Hilton and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection, are well-positioned to make a difference environmentally, socially, culturally and economically.

“Population growth and global industrialization are accelerating the depletion of our natural resources. Around the world, demand for energy continues to grow and fresh water scarcity is becoming a global reality. How we respond to these challenges will determine the sustainability of our future lifestyles, the sustainability of our communities as we know them, and ultimately the sustainability of our planet.

“To meet the growing demand of increased travel around the world, we must be able to do so in a sustainable fashion while still delivering unsurpassed levels of hospitality, including a better night’s sleep, an enhanced dining experience and a more productive meeting,” Nassetta continued. “We must operate our business in ways that provide for our current needs while allowing future generations to meet their own needs. This is the essence of sustainability and the path we must follow. Not only is it the right thing to do as responsible global citizens, it's the right thing to do for our business.”

Long-Term, High-Impact Goals

In addition to the stated measurable short-term targets, the company also has committed to focus on several high-impact areas that offer significant long-term benefits. Sustainable buildings and operations, including the advancement of sustainable design and construction, operations, chemical management and purchasing will be one key area. The company is also committed to the advancement of renewable energy as a source of power for its operations, not only to reduce its carbon footprint but to develop a viable commercial infrastructure for powering hotels and corporate offices.

External Assessment By Leading Consulting Group

In the past year, Hilton Hotels Corporation conducted a thorough assessment of its global operations with the goal of identifying current impacts, and creating a strategy to define, galvanize and build sustainability into the business. To lead this effort, HHC brought in Blu Skye Sustainability Consulting, led by company founder and CEO Jib Ellison. Blu Skye visited a cross-section of Hilton Family hotels, interviewed various business units and analyzed the company’s operating procedures. As a result of these efforts, corporate and brand management teams, together with Blu Skye, were able to identify specific areas of focus to build the company’s sustainability framework focusing on short and long term value creation. "Hilton is building on its strong history of environmental stewardship by launching these ambitious goals,” said Ellison. “Their comprehensive sustainability strategy has put them on a path to leadership in the hospitality industry."

Support Strategy

Under the direction of a newly appointed vice president – global sustainability Christopher Corpuel, HHC will build out a team to develop and implement its sustainability strategy. This team will support all of HHC’s core businesses and work closely with hotel ownership and management groups to achieve its stated goals.

In addition, Hilton Hotels Corporation is supporting its portfolio of commitments in a number of ways, by:

• Building out educational and engagement programs for all brands and team members, including online learning, centralized web content, and various training modules.
• Measuring and reporting on our progress. The internal environmental management tool used within company-managed hotels will be extended to all properties, allowing us to track and report on our commitments and design processes and programs that identify areas of opportunity to drive innovation and efficiencies.
• Revising brand operational, and design and construction standards for 2009 to ensure both internal and external best practices are shared, adopted and transparent around the globe.
• Evaluating all current and future purchasing policies and practices across the brands to ensure that the range of products placed in hotels not only enhance the guest experience but drive value for owners while supporting the company’s overall sustainability efforts.

Current Practices

Hilton Hotels Corporation has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability with several projects that currently are underway. In the European region, energy and water consumption already have been reduced by 10% during the last two years. In the U.K. and Ireland, the introduction of carbon-free electricity has reduced CO2 emissions in participating Hilton hotels by more than 64,000 tons, or 56% of our carbon footprint. In the United States, Hilton was the first in the industry to complete the installation of a commercial fuel cell power system, atop the Hilton New York, delivering one of the cleanest power generating technologies available today.

Galvanizing the spirit demonstrated by its recent and past successes together with its current commitments, Hilton Hotels Corporation has created a Mission Statement that will carry forward throughout its business practices.

Mission Statement

The Hilton Family of Hotels will manage our business through a lens of sustainability to benefit this generation and those that follow. Through action and innovation, we will lead our industry in products and programs that:

• Enhance the guest experience
• Engage our employees
• Improve operational efficiency
• Advance building design
• Strengthen our partnerships
• Serve our communities
• Protect our global environment
• Enrich our Family of Brands

Summary

“If we can use the lens of sustainability and find ways to enhance our leadership position in the industry, I am confident we will not only drive business value in the short and long term, but innovate our products and offerings in ways we never imagined,” said Nassetta. “We can create better experiences for our guests, better business opportunities for our partners and investors, better work facilities for our colleagues, and better serve our communities, giving back in ways that actually restore resources instead of removing them, and improving the well-being of all involved. The platform for change we create now is one that will serve us for many years to come and support our goal of being the world’s pre-eminent hospitality company.”

About the Hilton Hotels Corporation

Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in 74 countries, with more than 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations™, Homewood Suites by Hilton® and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection™.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team.

The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton’s philosophy that, “It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.” The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonfamily.com.

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24 listed are current members of the Greenbox Network

The Northwest of Ireland clearly stands out and has achieved recognition in Ireland’s first ecotravel guide book. The all island publication is the first recognition that a growing consumer market is choosing a holiday with a difference.

The following properties in the Northwest are included in the book, The Greenbox, the Kingfisher Cycle Trail, the Leitrim Sculpture Centre, the Organic Centre and many more services and organisations are also listed in the comprehensive directory.

Greenbox welcome this publication of many of its members which is a reward for much investment in training and product development over the past number of years.

Mary Mulvey, CEO, The Greenbox commenting on the launch “There is now recognition of the fact that the products and services are in demand by tourists. We now need all the agencies in tourism, agriculture and rural development to capitalise on these achievements and deliver on what it is in strategic plans if we are serious about developing ecotourism on the island of Ireland.

The majority of funding that the Greenbox has received to date has been from cross border sources, very little core funding support for training, capital development and marketing has been received to date.”

County Cavan (2)
• The Old Schoolhouse ,Meenaslive Co Cavan www.theoldschoolhousecavan.com
• Trinity Island Lodge ,Killenashandra ,Co Cavan www.trinityisland.com

County Donegal ( 3 )
• The Breesy Centre , Cashelard , Ballyshannon, Co Donegal www.breesycentre.com
• Ard Na Breatha , Donegal Town Co Donegal www.ardnabreatha.com
• Creevy Coop- Creevy, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal www.creevyexperience.com
Co Fermanagh (8)
• Ireland’s Eco Tours ,Bellek Co Fermanagh www.irelandecotours.com
• Blaney Spa & Yoga Centre www.blaneyspaandyogacentre.com
• The Share Centre www.sharevillage.org
• Belle Isle Estate www.belleisle-estate.org
• Corralea Activity Centre www.activityireland.com

Co Leitrim (4)
• Ard Nahoo ,Dromahair ,Co Leitrim www.ardnahoo.com
• Tawnlusty Lodge,Manorhamilton Co Leitrim www.tawnylustlodge.com
• The Old Rectory ,Ballinamore,Co Leitrim www.theoldrectoryireland.com
• Lough Allen Adventure Centre , Ballinaglearagh Co Leitrim www.loughallenadventure.com

Co Sligo (4)
• The Benwiskin Centre, Ballintrillick, Co Sligo www.benwiskincentre.com
• Voya Seaweed Baths, Strandhill Co Sligo www.voya.ie
• The Gyreum EcoLodge, Riverstown, Co Sligo www.gyreum.com
• Coopershill House, Co Sligo www.coopershill.com (Member of Ireland’s Blue Book and Responsible Tourism Skillnet, promoted by Greenbox)

The Green Box is Ireland’s first eco-tourism destination and is based on the principles of eco-tourism, which include the following:

• Conservation of natural and cultural heritage
• Includes local and indigenous communities in its planning and development
• Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitors
• Is best suited to independent travellers, and organised tours for small groups
• Its main emphasis is on sustainability

The project is currently implementing an operational work programme across 6 key areas:

1. Training and certification
2. Development of eco-tourism standards
3. Capital Development Programme
4. Marketing (including product / package development) and communications
5. Networking of product providers – Network development and support
6. Advocacy for Green/ Environmental / Eco-Tourism issues

All elements are inextricably linked to create a concept that can be sustainable, market driven and marketed as a real value Tourism product.

• The awarding of Ireland’s First EU Flower –14 properties in 2006. 10 further properties awaiting notification of award in June 2008. www.ecolabel-tourism.eu
• Ireland’s First Ecotourism Label has now set the standard for ecotourism in Ireland and is independently assessed by the EPA, NSAI, Failte Ireland, DARD and NITB.
See our Fact sheet on our website www.greenbox.ie plus Greenbox Certified Breaks on our home page. www.greenbox.ie/ecobreaks.php
• Responsible Tourism Skillnets ( Greenbox is the promoter) www.responsibletourism.ie This will provide training and networking support to enterprises interested in developing their business in a more environmentally friendly way, with a particular focus on ecotourism.
• First up for Responsible Tourism Skillnet will be training in the following key areas: the EU Flower, an independent audited environmental accommodation standard; the single certificate in Ecotourism and the Greenbox’s own ecotourism label for packages.
• Embargo until June 4th, 5pm, 2008 – further Details: Mary Mulvey-CEO
00353 87 -6841531 mary@greenbox.ie

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Global Online Community to Vote for Top 3 Winners

Fifteen groundbreaking projects from around the world are the finalists in the "Geotourism Challenge: Celebrating Places/Changing Lives" competition, a collaboration of National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations and Ashoka's Changemakers. The online contest was created to discover and support entrepreneurs with innovative approaches to geotourism, defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.

From the 323 entries submitted from 84 countries, these 15 finalists were selected:

1. Wildlife Conservation Society, Gabon: Establishing Gabon as the gateway to Africa's rainforests by highlighting its pristine nature and ancient cultures

2. Blue Ventures Conservation, Madagascar: Using paying volunteer program as a strategy to protect threatened marine resources

3. Banyon Tree Hotel, Maldives: Creating a marine lab to protect, conserve, research and educate about the coral reef environment

4. CC Africa, South Africa: Pioneering land and wildlife conservation, and giving local rural communities a meaningful share of the benefits

5. Chumbe Island Coral Park, Ltd., Tanzania: Creating a financially, ecologically and socially sustainable model to save the country's coral reefs

6. Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries, Greece: Offering seminars for organic farmers, chefs, historians, mountaineers and other locals to share their knowledge about Crete's culture and nature with visitors

7. Eco-Health Farms, Latvia: Integrating ancestral traditions, nature protection and health prevention

8. Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, Thailand: Setting up an eco-trail that shows locals and guests the resort's environmental practices

9. Exotica Cottages, Dominica: Integrating local expertise in gardening and conservation into the island's ecotourism efforts

10. Great Baikal Trail, Russia: Establishing Russia's first system of hiking trails to promote environmentally sustainable development

11. Rios Tropicales Lodge, Costa Rica: Protecting the rainforest through the collaboration of local communities, tourists and conservation organizations

12. Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, India: Changing local mindsets towards snow leopards

13. 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking, Nepal: Training and empowering women to be guides in adventure tourism efforts

14. Tourism Board of Bhutan, Bhutan: Making geotourism development a national policy

15. Yachana Foundation, Ecuador: Offering lodging, meals, adventure and education through experiences with local Amazonian nature and culture

The four judges who reviewed submissions and selected the finalists were Keith Bellows, vice president of the National Geographic Society and editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler magazine; Susan Berresford, past president of the Ford Foundation; Leonard Cordiner, CEO of WHL Travel; and Nachiket Mor, president of the ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth.

"I was stunned at the quality of the applications," said Bellows. "They showcased great innovation that can be exported to other countries, terrific successes against long odds and a far-reaching global distribution of projects. Not only did the entries make fascinating reading, but I was inspired by the vision, imagination, passion and entrepreneurship of the people who are making a difference in the lives of locals and travelers."

The global online community can vote for the three winners, through Wednesday, June 11, at www.changemakers.net. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 17, and each will receive a cash prize of US $5,000.

"The Geotourism Challenge received entries from the most countries for any collaborative competition we've held so far," said Charlie Brown, executive director of Changemakers. "This shows that the Changemakers global online community is influential in surfacing innovators who are helping destinations benefit from tourism while protecting the assets that make their places special."

National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations is dedicated to protecting the world's distinctive places through wisely managed geotourism and enlightened destination stewardship. www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable

Ashoka's Changemakers is building an "open source" online community that competes to surface the best social solutions to the world's most pressing issues. To date, Changemakers has attracted more than 3,500 solutions from more than 145 countries. www.changemakers.net

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