Dear readers,

for further information, discussion and resources about ecotourism and green hotels, we invite you to join our linkedin Ecotourism Professionals group at http://tinyurl.com/dke5zv - to share and learn about ecotourism...

Thanks

Caribbean en route for a greener tourism

We highlighted a couple of times already the move to the region for a more responsible tourism.

The region is indeed suffering badly from a degradation of its ecosystem, from potential sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme weather events to an increase in disease.

Therefore the region has launched a so-called Caribsave program where tourism boards, tourism operators and partner are planning to:

- Model regional, national and destinational climate-change potential
- Assess vulnerabilities
- Measure and evaluate knock-on impacts on tourism and livelihoods
- Inform and develop regional policy
- Develop, implement and monitor adaptation and mitigation strategies
- Build capacity and transfer skills through design and implementation of initiatives
- Create the world’s first ‘Carbon Neutral’ tourism region

Lots of goals and targets then , we will keep you posted on the outcome...

US national parks green awards announced ...

The annual awards, established in 1989, honor significant natural resource accomplishments in six categories. And the winners are ...

Marc Albert, Natural Resource Manager, Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site (resource sharing with Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreational Area).

Patrick Reed, Superintendent, Mammoth Cave National Park

Fred Bunch, Chief of Resource Management, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Kathy Jope, Natural Resources Program Lead, Pacific West Region

William C. Malm, PhD, Air Resources Division, Fort Collins

The awards have been presented in Portland, OR on March 5, 2009. ...

More info

A ethical travel guide

The fully revised new edition of Tourism Concern’s Ethical Travel Guide has finally been published.

The new guide does list places to visit and to stay in in more than 60 countries . If you're tired of the usual travel guide book, and want to be more responsible when you travel around, this is the book for you. Find hundreds of new ideas for your next holiday and visit amazing communities not listed in other guidebooks. From construction projects in Tibet to luxury Greek island breaks, there is something for every budget.

The guide also gives a background to the many ethical and practical issues involved in ethical tourism, including a new section on travel and climate change.

More info at http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/

TUI embarks on a more sustainable approach

A very good news for a more responsible travel - the world's # 1 Travel Group, Germany-based TUI has just announced a plan to accredit green hotels within a more eco-travel comprenhensive policy:

- TUI has identified over 400 hotels in its offering to be audited . For sure ther will be incentive for hotels to look after the environment, their employees and local communities. Long term they are looking at over 50 per cent of ex UK customers staying in green hotels.

- Green Hotels will be assesed by Regional Sustainability Advisors through intensive 6-day sustainability audits.

- TUI UK has as well now a sustainable development agreement as part of all supplier contracts, to ensure that suppliers are getting greener: for less impact on the environment, their employees, and the local community.

For sure this is a great news - a sign thatthe whole industry is embarking on the green trend