Prince Charles among other leaders for a more sustainable tourism

More leaders are taking the path of ecotourism ... The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has presented a report commiting to a green industry , together with a few global leaders including Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, the patron of the The Cambridge University Programme for Sustainability Leadership, and Robert Webb, General Council British Airways (photo)

JC Baumgarten, head of the WTTC, stated that "This report represents a collective effort and is a joint message for the Travel & Tourism industry". The action is indeed endorsed by a large number of WTTC Members and is in fact the first phase of WTTC's environmental initiative. The goal here is a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035 over 2005 levels.

An ambitious target - so we will follow this as it goes into place. Next steps will include the development of a web portal, to disseminate information and best practices. We will review this as soon as it goes live

Responsible travel day at WTM

Dear readers from the industry,

You certainly know the WTM, the huge tourism tradeshow that takes place in London every year, in November. As you might be aware, they are embarking on green travel promotion. Last year a full day of conferences was 100% on resposible travel.

In order to prepare their 2009 edition, you have the opportunity to complete the WTM WRTD form, to tell them more about your own responsible tourism activity. This is an ambitious project to demonstrate to consumers ans suppliers that the industry is moving to a more responsible approach.

If you have significant achievement, you will qualify to use the 2009 WTM World Responsible Tourism Day logo - and get support from WTM WRTD website, newsletters, Spotlight magazine and via press and public relations.

Log on to the WRTD website on http://www.wtmwrtd.co.uk/

Good luck !

Mexico’s Los Arboles Tulum eco-community now on sale ...

I know the pages on eclotourism and green hotels in Tulum, Mexico are the most popular on this blog - therefore I thought it would be useful to present you this development from the U.S. developer The Tierra Group.

Los Arboles, situated in Tulum, is an ecological subdivision of 221 residential properties located in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Lots of green efforts have been made for the development of the site: a comprehensive environmental study documenting all native flora and fauna, permeable roads, use of off-the-grid energy systems, constructed wetlands that work in lieu of septic systems, as well as a comprehensive home-owners’ association in place to govern compliance and harmony within the community.

Soif you have a passion for Mexico, Tulum, scuba diving, the outdoors, travel & the environment have a look at http://www.myjunglehideaway.com/ .

Green travel tips from another leading online travel agent: Venere.com

Dear readers

the green travel trend is here to stay ... we had seen in previous blog articles Travelocity, Orbitz and Expedia going green....

Now it is the leading European portal Venere.com (recently acquired by Expedia) that is giving us green travel advices at http://www.venere.com/blog/green-travel-tips/

well, nothing revolutionnary ...

1. Choose greener modes of transportation.

2. Reuse hotel towels and bedding.

3. Support the local community and culture.

4. Recycle, reduce and reuse on-the-road.

5. Bring your own reusable water bottle.

...but at least that's on the right way ;-)

more green travel gifts for your Valentine !

Dear readers

havent yet done your choice for your valentine's gift after our post from last week ?

so here is another source of inspiration : romantic , eco, green travel oriented geaways ... a great selection from the daily green :

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/ecotourism-green-travel-460209

You will find in this selection the 10 Most Romantic Ecotourism Destinations... You have green hotels, eco resorts, responsible tour operators, and nature conservation organizations.

Their selection includes:

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, in Fiji

Slickrock Adventures, in Belize,

Lindblad Expeditions, in Antartica,

Adventure Life, in Costa Rica

Country Walkers. in Vermont, USA,

Camp Jabulani, in Africa

Mountain Travel Sobek, in the Himalayas,

Ora Ora Resort Eco Spa, in New Zeland,

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours , in Les Seychelles,

and the 8 best eco lodges in Costa Rica according to the Times online

Dear readers

I have great feed back on my post yesterday on Costa Rica ...seems that everyoe wants to get there .... You want more details on Costa Rica , please feel free to click the following link, it will give yiu a lot of content on the top 8 ecolodges destinations in Costa Rica ...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/latin_america/article2425319.ece

Best ecolodges, eco-resorts and green hotels in Costa Rica from NYT

Dear readers

Eco travel, green resorts and ecolodges are everywhere in the media ...

The NYT recently publised a list of their top ecolodges in Costa Rica, that we would like to share with you:

According to the New-York Times, "outstanding ecolodges and wilderness resorts are set apart by an ongoing commitment (financial or otherwise) to minimizing their effect on surrounding ecosystems and to supporting both conservation efforts and the residents of local communities. They should also be able to provide naturalist guides and plentiful information."

All their selected ecolodges and green hotels do:

La Selva Biological Station (south of Puerto Viejo ; http://www.ots.ac.cr/

Arenal Observatory Lodge http://www.arenal-observatory.co.cr/

La Paloma Lodge http://www.lapalomalodge.com/

Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge http://www.bosquedelcabo.com/

Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp http://www.costaricaexpeditions.com/

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge http://www.nicuesalodge.com/

Tortuga Lodge http://www.costaricaexpeditions.com/

Selva Bananito Lodge http://www.selvabananito.com/

Full article is available at

http://travel.nytimes.com/frommers/travel/guides/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/frm_costa-rica_0219021075.html

A green attraction in the US, and that's Green Globe certified

We have mentioned the reunion of Green Globe and Green Certification in an earlier post: http://blog.greenty.com/2008/11/green-globe-and-green-hotel.html

The dual certification program has just announced its first joint certified tourism attraction certification: Tennessee's Ruby Falls. Ruby Falls is the US deepest commercial cave and largest underground waterfall open for public viewing. It has been named as a "Top 7 United States Natural Wonder" together with Yosemite, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon and Sequoia National Forest.

More info at http://www.rubyfalls.com/

So how green is that ? Since 1928, when Ruby Falls recycled the limestone excavated from the cave to build the Ruby Falls building until today as they have been focusing on renewable energy, reductions in emissions, lowering waste and continuing land conservation.

a green travel gift for your Valentine!

A great way to pamper your Valentine next week with one of five luxurious singles and couples romantic getaway packages at the Green Avalon Hotel and Spa in Portland, Oregon, USA.

The Avalon is a famous US eco and green hotel. They are the first USGBC LEED certified hotel building - the second in the World. They cater recycling bins in every room, offer preferred parking to guest arriving in hybrid vehicles and powers all hotel vehicles with biodiesel.

So do not hesitate, go and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul with packages including everything from gourmet chocolates and a dozen roses, to four-course Italian Wine Paired meals and 3 hour couples spa treatments.

Great for environmentally-conscious but luxury-seeking traveler ;-)

Visit http://www.avalonhotelandspa.com/ for more info on the hotel’s green commitment.

Have a sweet Valentine !

Nuns and Green Building - a great story from Joseph Huff-Hannon at NYT

Dear readers,

an unusual story - not really related to our main topic eco-travel - but a great example of renovation of a building for a greener environement - and that's not a hotel, that's a convent !

The renovation includes grass- roof tops, use of recycled concrete and glass, efficient bulbs etc. and you know what .... they even grow their (organic) vegies on the roof top !

All this in New York City,

So if a convent can do it, why not hotels ?

Full story at NYT by Joseph Huff-Hannon : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/nyregion/thecity/01nuns.html