Environmentally-Friendly

(Dive Travel Business News - June 18, 2010) -- In its April / May 2010 edition, Islands Magazine weighed in on the best pure islands for natural, environmentally-friendly island travel. Dive destinations populate the list with Vanuatu at #1, Dominica at #2 and Papua New Guinea at #3. Other dive destinations included in the list are: The Galapagos, Lanai (Hawaii) and the Channel Islands of California. Read the Islands Magazine excerpt here.

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(Dive Travel Business News - June 14, 2010) -- The terms "green" and "sustainable" have been bandied about, and now with part of the Gulf covered in a thick coating of oil, it seems a good time to revisit these definitions.

The word "green" refers to being environmentally friendly, writes Ronnie Citron-Fink in a recent article at Care2.com. She explains that the term "green" tends to focus on the use of fewer natural resources and minimizing waste. On a narrow level, "Sustainability" is more encompassing than green. It addresses the individual environmental choices, and the process of discovery that include the health and wellbeing of our selves as individuals, and our planet. On a broader level, "Sustainability" implies future viability of the collective -- politically, socially and economically. It also has to do with being less of a burden on future generations, she writes. Read more here.

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(Dive Travel Business News - May 11, 2010 ) --  Dive Travel Specialists take note: The world's leading online travel agency Expedia has recognized the value of providing eco-friendly hotel offerings to travelers who prioritize environmental sustainability and want to travel in a socially responsible manner.  read more »

(April 30, 2008 - AP) -- Citing green hotels, coconut oil fuel for airlines and even recyclable golf tees, executives in the tourism industry, one of the world’s largest, say they are urgently trying to shrink tourism’s oversized environmental footprint.

But with global travel projected to keep soaring, and those very leaders still eager to expand their own ventures, some doubt such efforts can significantly lessen global warming and other ecological woes.

“There are no simple solutions,” Anna Pollack, head of a British tourism consultancy, told a two-day conference which ended Wednesday. “Tourism is both a victim of and a contributor to climate change.”

More than 230 tourism executives, government officials and analysts attended the Pacific Asia Travel Association meeting in Bangkok, billed as the region’s first to seek practical solutions to climate change.

Pollack, CEO of DestiCorp, urged delegates to face the hard realities of tourism’s impact. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - March 27, 2008) -- Global travel industry leaders are saying it’s time for travel businesses to adopt new attitudes towards the environment and social justice. That is the view being expressed by many of the business leaders attending the PATA CEO Challenge, Confronting Climate Change, organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Bangkok, April 29-30.

“In the face of decision paralysis on the environment that has occurred in some destinations, businesses are now driving the agenda for a reduction in carbon emissions,” said Anna Pollock, CEO of the UK-based DestiCorp. Some 68 percent of CEOs interviewed by the IBM Institute of Business Value said they were focusing on corporate social responsibility to create new revenue streams. Over half believe that their CSR activities are giving them a competitive advantage.

Ahead of the event, PATA is hosting blog discussions on the travel industry’s response to climate change at ceochallenge.pata.org/blog/

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(May 8, 2008 - Modern Agent) -- Here’s something to think about for those who offer dive vacations with a difference - helping travelers get over “travel guilt”… Beyond Vacations is calling itself the First Green and Charitable Tour Operator, with vacations conducted in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, offsetting the carbon footprint of its vacation packages, and donating 20 percent of its profits to charities. read more »

(January 16, 2008 - DTN) -- VacationRental.org (VRO) has announced its Green Certified Vacation Rental program. The certification identifies environmentally friendly vacation rentals that meet recycling, energy efficiency and energy conservation standards. Properties qualify for the designation if they meet three criteria: A recycling program available for guests, and encouragement of its use; compact fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs for lighting wherever possible.

Finally, guests must be encouraged to reduce energy use as much as possible by turning off lights and appliances whenever rooms are vacant and by turning off heating and air conditioning when doors and windows are open. Individual vacation rental owners are responsible for implementing the standards themselves, and must apply to VRO to receive the designation. For more information, visit www.vacationrental.org.

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(April 8, 2008 - DTN) -- As travelers begin to make summer vacation plans, Sustainable Travel International, a leading not-for-profit organization that specializes in promoting sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, offers travel tips to those who want to make a more conscious effort to be environmentally and culturally aware during their vacations.

More and more travelers want to know what they can do to help reduce their impact and respect the socio-cultural and economic needs of their destination or host country. read more »

(December 30, 2007 - New York Times) –There’s nothing like the sight of a jumbo jet racing through the clouds and burning fossil fuels at breakneck speeds to make a green traveler cringe. In response, airlines have been busy setting up voluntary carbon-offsetting programs. read more »

(April 22, 2008 - DTN) -- The presidents, CEOs and directors of airlines and airline manufacturers are meeting at the third Aviation and Environment Summit being held this week in Geneva,  to discuss aviation’s impact on climate change.

At the  top industry figures will exchange information on the steps the industry must take to mitigate its environmental impact, as well as agreeing future actions

five sessions over two days, the summit will explore the industry’s four-pillar strategy to tackle climate change; the practical measures the industry is currently taking to limit its environmental impact; and debate future actions that will enable the industry to achieve its goal of carbon neutral growth and its vision of eventually achieving carbon free technology. read more »