Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, a recognized brand for responsible travel

A very interesting chain when it comes to eco-travel: Banyantree Resorts is one of the top-end resort chains in the world, with high growth prospects, moving up from within 3 years from 52 to 90 locations, and 7,000 to 20,000 staff !

What is interestring is that even if they grow, they are not changing their focus, still very much on sustainability and responsible travel - as shown below with some of their green initiatives:

- everything starts with the design of each lodge - all based on sustainability
- Training is a major priority of the chain
- Banyan Tree’s Green Imperative Fund provides financial support for environmental initiatives and community-based projects. Guests can contribute US$2 per night of stay at hotels and resorts. Banyan Tree matches guests’ contributions dollar for dollar to grow the fund.
- There is also a natural resource conservation programme with the objective of reducing the energy and water consumption at resorts by 10% annually for the next three years.
- last but not least each Banyan Tree property appoints a CSR/sustainability champion who not only manages and trains resort staff, but shares examples with a group CSR committee.

Check-out http://www.banyantree.com/

Dominica nominated as Best Green Tourism Destination

Dominica has just received two more nominations in responsible tourism. This was at the World Travel Green Awards.

Dominica received a nomination in the Best Green Destination category. Dominica was the only country besides Costa Rica, the eventual winner, to be selected for nomination.

The Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, from Dominica, has been listed in Poverty Reduction. Reason being is that this nature resort, in the southeast of Dominica, employs its staff from local communities and is invloved in micro-financing in the region - mostly in organic produce, local arts & crafts production, and guiding of cultural tours and hikes.

Puerto Rico jumps in Ecotourism

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) announced that 10 historic coffee plantations, known as haciendas, will join forces into a "Coffee Zone"

This move and new controlled trademark is certified by both the Department of Agriculture and the PRTC.

The locations are Jayuya, San Sebastian, Ponce, Adjuntas, Las Marías and Lares. In all these areas, Puero Rico is looking at stimulating agrotourism.

This is clearly an alternative way to visit the Island - a way to commune with nature and explore a lush, mountainous region.

“Puerto Rico’s coffee growers are now an integral part of our agrotourism offering as they will welcome tourists to their plantations and offer them an authentic experience,” said Gonzalez Denton, Executive Director on the project.

He also insisted that the Coffee Zone will form part of PRTC marketing efforts for the island’s Porta del Sol (West Coast) and Porta Caribe (South) regions and there is a plan in place to promote coffee tourism in upcoming events.

UK ‘Considerate Hotel of the Year Awards 2008’

Green Hoteliers in the UK, it is time to register to the Considerate Hoteliers Association (CHA). Closing date for entries of 31 January 2009

The CHA has just announced green new green categories for its prestigious ‘Considerate Hotel of the Year Awards 2008’ – open to all hotels and guest-houses in the UK.

There will be a ‘Green Team of the Year’ and a ‘Green Champion of 2008’ categories, on top of the traditional highest accolade ‘The Considerate Hotel of the Year’ award, that nominates the best all-round environmental performance.

The current holder of the title is The Cavendish London.

The 2008 Awards will be presented at a special gala lunch at The Cavendish London Hotel on Monday on 27 April 2009.

Green Globe and Green hotel certification get together

Green Globe International, Inc. has just announced an agreement with Green Hotel Certification for Use of the Green Globe Brand in the Certification of Hotels and Resorts ....

We think that's a good news, a nice move towards a more global, consistent approach to eco-tourism ...

below is their press release

more info on www.greenglobeint.com

Joint efforts will focus on properties in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe

MURRIETA, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2008--Green Globe International, Inc. (OTC BB: GGLB), the worldwide owner of the Green Globe brand, the premier international green brand for travel and tourism, today announced an initial agreement to utilize Green Globe standards in a co-branding relationship with Green Hotel Certification, which is owned by Green Certifications, Inc.

Under terms of the agreement, Green Certifications, Inc., which has developed benchmarking and certification systems for use in identifying compliance with green, sustainability standards, and Green Globe International, whose Green Globe brand is used in benchmarking and certification applications worldwide, will work together to co-brand and sell the dual certification to tourism properties, including hotels and resort destinations.

Green Globe International will license Green Certifications to utilize its brand and logo mark in conjunction with Green Hotel Certification of tourism properties as sustainable businesses. The initial markets for the co-branding effort have been identified as North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

In exchange for the use of the Green Globe brand, Green Certifications will pay a licensing fee to Green Globe International for use of the brand equal to a percentage of gross revenues received by Green Certifications from its clients.

The initial agreement between the parties is expected to develop into a binding definitive agreement.

“This co-branding alliance with Green Certifications is exactly the type of licensing arrangement that Green Globe International will pursue with qualified partners in the sustainability sector,” stated Steven R. Peacock, CEO and managing director of Green Globe International.

“Green Hotel Certification is an extremely well-respected benchmarking and certification program that meets the very stringent Green Globe standards, and the quality of this program allows Green Globe International to enter into this co-branding relationship. Green Hotel Certification also has the sales force that will allow the Green Globe brand to grow at a much faster rate, and we look forward to additional Green Globe customers in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe.

“As brand owner, Green Globe International will continue to seek joint ventures with partners in the sustainability industry who operate successful businesses that would further benefit from the prestige and global recognition of Green Globe. We expect that once the definitive agreement with Green Certifications is consummated, the revenue stream to Green Globe International from this relationship will begin almost immediately,” Mr. Peacock added.

“Green Hotel Certification has found the perfect partner to expand further in the Americas including the Caribbean as well as Europe. Only one certification or re-certification process is required for hotels and resorts to reach both, Green Globe as well as Green Hotel Certification, awards. This partnership makes sense and provides advantages for all parties involved,” commented Guido Bauer, President of Green Certifications, Inc.

Green Globe’s standards for sustainable tourism practice are currently used across 48 countries by both tourism businesses and communities.

The Green Globe brand and program, which traces its roots back to the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, where 182 Heads of State endorsed the Agenda 21 principles of Sustainable Development, has primarily been used in the travel and tourism industry but is now being expanded to include a growing number of environmentally responsible businesses in a variety of market sectors. The Green Globe brand is an ideal symbol for the world's increasing awareness of environmental responsibility and response to global climate change.

Eco Parking @ IKEA

not so much linked to ecotourism - bit I just love the picture !

Enjoy !