Why Greenty ?

Got the question a couple of times in the last few weeks so let me try to give you some answers...

We are focused on the ecology, the environment and the people, so the color "Green" was a natural fit for us ...

The -ty is a great concept. Very hot at the moment in fact. Walking in Singapore last week-end, I saw a big ad downtown on the new brand of LG ... Viewty ... definitely, the -ty names are Hot !

And it reminds me always of the Mutiny of the Bounty and the "back to nature" life that followed ....

So here is the explanation for Greenty !

How travelers can make a difference, become eco-tourists

It is always interesting to have a good look at your travel providers ...we encourage you to check if your eco-resort, green hotel or nature tour do provide some good answers to the following key questions:

How do you conserve resources?

It's easy to request that guests reuse towels; hotels taking water conservation a step further irrigate lawns and gardens with gray water (from bath and laundry sources) rather than fresh water. Guests should be encouraged to walk, ride bicycles, and take advantage of public transportation and energy-efficient vehicles such as hybrids. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are good signs, as is the separating of trash and composting. Whenever possible, buildings should be constructed with recycled materials and timber from renewable sources. Disposable items are best avoided.

How do you protect plants and animals?
Pedestrians and cyclists should stay on trails, and vehicles on roads. If your guide hacks up trees for firewood or your group disturbs wildlife and doesn't back off, something's wrong. Outside of qualified breeding programs, wild animals are never to be caged.

What do you do to help the community?
Not every company will be locally owned and operated, but outfitters and lodges should at least hire local staff. Beyond jobs, many operations emphasize charity. The owners of Lapa Rios, a five-leaf eco-lodge in Costa Rica, helped build a school in a rural area that lacked electricity and phones, while Guerba, a U.K.-based tour company, has raised more than $64,000 for homeless kids in Tanzania. When it's time to eat, look for restaurants selling regional, organic food.

What ecotourism activities do you offer?
One of the best things an eco-resort can do is impart awareness to guests. Snorkeling above coral reefs, hiking in rain forests, and rafting in remote rivers can be both thrilling and educational. Shopping excursions should focus on goods made locally, ideally with opportunities to learn about workers' lives and culture. And of course, activities ought to be respectful and avoid damaging the environment. Cooking with lightweight gas stoves causes less harm than using campfires. If you do light a campfire, always set it up in an established fire pit or ring. When you're snorkeling, never touch the coral. Optimally, you'll bring these practices home. Truly successful ecotourism changes not just the way you vacation, but the way you think--no matter where you are.

More on the principles for sustainable tourism

As we discussed earlier, sustainable tourism is a wide, sometimes unclear concept. Part of our job @ Greenty will be to help you understand and find good alternatives for minimizing your impact when traveling ....

To get our basics right and to help finding, selecting and rating the best eco-travel providers, we will follow the Principles for Sustainable Tourism given and stated by the Tourism Concern/WWF.

1.Using resources sustainably:

the conservation and sustainable use of resources - natural, social and cultural - is crucial and makes long-term business sense;

2.Reducing over-consumption and waste:

reduction of over-consumption and waste avoids the costs of restoring long-term environmental damage and contributes to the quality of tourism;

3.Maintaining Diversity:

maintaining and promoting natural, social and cultural diversity is essential for long-term sustainable tourism, and creates a resilient base for the industry;

4.Integrating Tourism into Planning:

tourism development which is integrated into a national and local strategic planning framework and which undertakes environmental impacts assessments, increases the long-term viability of tourism;

5.Supporting Local Economies:

tourism that supports a wide range of local economic activities and which takes environmental costs and values into account, both protects those economies and avoids environmental damage;

6.Involving local communities:

the full involvement of local communities in the tourism sector not only benefits them and the environment in general but also improves the quality of the tourism experience;

7.Consulting Stakeholders and the Public:

consultation between the tourism industry and local communities, organisations and institutions is essential if they are to work alongside each other and resolve potential conflicts of interest;

8.Training Staff:

staff training which integrates sustainable tourism into work practices, along with recruitment of local personnel at all levels, improves the quality of the tourism product;

9.Marketing Tourism Responsibly:

marketing that provides tourists with full and responsible information increases respect for the natural, social and cultural environments of destination areas and enhances customer satisfaction;

10.Undertaking Research:

on-going research and monitoring by the industry using effective data collection and analysis is essential to help solve problems and to bring benefits to destinations, the industry and consumers.

What is eco-tourism ?

Ecotourism is not that easy to define. It actually covers a multitude of concept, from protecting the environment when traveling to caring more about local population .... we have found this interesting defintion from the TIES group:

"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)

In fact, Ecotourism is about connecting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in responsible tourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:

• minimize impact
• build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
• provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
• provide direct financial benefits for conservation
• provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate