Economy

(June 2, 2009 - DTN) - Travel Weekly - The global economy went into a meltdown last year just as the green travel movement had begun gaining significant momentum with ecofriendly hotels, improved fuel efficiency across all transportation segments and the growing popularity of carbon offset programs. The effort reached a high point in October, when thousands gathered at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona to establish a coherent sustainable-travel agenda. 

Throughout the downturn, the challenge has been to protect green momentum from markets awash in red ink. 

While the goals of all those players remain lofty, the persistent economic strain on companies' finances since last fall has to some extent made it harder to justify the cost of green initiatives. But in a serendipitous twist, it turns out that many green initiatives also help cut operating costs, which is giving businesses across the spectrum an incentive they didn't have before the credit crisis turned Western economies sour. read more »

(May 12, 2008 - Travel Agent Central.com) -- Consumers are buzzing about the “R” word. With rising foreclosure rates, soaring gas prices and an economy teetering on recession, you’d think selling a vacation right now would be an impossible task. Not so, says Margie Jordan, owner, ASAP Travel in Jacksonville, FL.

Despite the state’s plummeting home sales and the second highest foreclosure rate in the nation, Jordan is coping by helping new and existing clients find value in travel. Still, “the economy definitely has had a less than desirable effect on my clients’ travel plans,” Jordan emphasizes, citing one soon-to-be-married client who previously purchased two homes as an investment. Now, his primary home is in foreclosure and he’s moved into a smaller investment property.

“He’s also made sacrifices in his Hawaii honeymoon plans as well,” Jordan says, noting that “the client is renting a timeshare from a friend at a deep discount rather than staying at the luxury hotel where he’s getting married.” read more »

(April 22, 2008 - Entrepreneur.com) -- Going green is a trillion dollar industry propelled by the energy independence and global warming solutions your customers, colleagues, investors and competitors desire now. The scale and growing pace of the “green collar economy” creates opportunities for your business to grow revenues, enhance your brand and save money.

Now you should be asking yourself:

1. How much of that $1 trillion am I harvesting?

and

2. What should I be doing to jump aboard this trend as it transforms how the world does business?

To help you answer these questions, this column will spotlight companies that are making and saving money by implementing green policies. I’ll also coach you on what has and hasn’t worked, based on the results of companies that have adopted green business practices and allies in marketing, stakeholder outreach, business processes and product design. read more »