Green travel gear for 2009?

How about eco-friendly travel gear that has “style, function and a friendly footprint”? That would be the case of the CORNELL bag by Keen.

The bag is made from 100% recycled:

• Inner tube rubber bottom

• Aluminum components

• Rice Paper

This multifunctional bag could be used for anything from your laptop to an overnight trip. There’s an internal 15.4″ computer sleeve with padded reinforcement. The front lid has a velcro closure with aluminum hook and loop security closure.

For more info, check out Keen online.

Image Courtesy by Keen Canada.

Exotic Green Travel Destinations: Madre de Dios, Peru

Though Peru’s biggest tourist attraction is the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu, it’s tourism in the the Madre de Dios region that may have the potential to save the country’s rainforests. By promoting ecotourism to the area, rainforest conservation groups hope to create an economy that depends upon the rainforest being healthy and intact. Ecotourism operations abound, with more than 70 eco-lodges that cater to tourists who want to step lightly while experiencing the natural beauty up close. The biggest tourism operator in the region, Rainforest Expeditions, is owned by the community of Infierno, which is mostly made up of indigenous peoples.

(image via: Flickr user Dom Cram)

Exotic Green Travel Destinations: Lebanon

Despite a war, political crises and flare-ups of violence, Lebanon’s fledgling ecotourism business lives on. Areas formerly ravaged by hunters are now protected, harboring birds, wildcats, river otters and other wildlife. Mediterranean beaches, mountains, forests, Roman ruins and gorges are all within a few hours’ drive or walk, and the Lebanon Mountain Trail project connects 75 villages. Classified among the 25 top countries in terms of biodiversity, Lebanon is home to 40 varieties of wild orchids, among other exotic treasures.

(image via: Flickr user alight)

Exotic Green Travel Destinations: Kenya

Kenya may be best known for its lion and elephant-watching safaris, but savannas aren’t all this country has to offer. Home to some 50 national parks, Kenya is also full of virgin rainforests, mountains, lakes and pristine white sand beaches. Kenya has a carefully managed tourism organization called Ecotourism Kenya that promotes sustainable tourism practices, working to ensure the preservation of the environment and the welfare of local populations. Ecotourism Kenya gives ‘eco-ratings’ to businesses in the industry, encouraging facilities to be as environmentally and socially conscious as possible.

(image via: Wikimedia Commons)

Become A Green Traveller

The term 'Green Travel' probably makes you think of unshaven men in bad tracksuit pants taking a month long holiday in a treehouse. But green travel is nothing that drastic, in fact it doesnt even involve much in the way of sacrifice- all it is is a bit of effort into preserving the environment around you when you travel. And with one billion tourists gallivanting around the globe each year, its becoming imperative that as the individual we go the little extra distance to contributing positively to slowing down climate change. Green travel is also about tuning yourself into the local culture of your holiday destination, respecting the way of life there and positively inputting into the community. So what have we got to do to be a green traveller? Well Ive scoured the net and put together a few ideas- you'll be surprised at how easy it is. Lets make 'Green Travel' more than just the latest buzz word.

1. Firstly, when you fly anywhere make sure you offset the carbon emissions of your flight. This is done by paying a minimal amount to a carbon offset company, normally less than fifty bucks.

2. Most carbon is emitted when planes take off and land. Take a 'no flight holiday', or reduce your stopovers.

3. Pack as light as you can - the lower the weight of the plane, the lower the energy it requires.

4. Ensure you have shut down all the appliances in your house that use electricity, such as the central heating.

5. Try to reduce the amount of driving you do. Catch public transport to the airport. When you hire a car, choose the smallest engine possible or a hybrid if available. Walk or cycle where you can!

6. When choosing a hotel, check out their water treatment system- avoid ones that pump their effluent out to sea.

7. Also try and choose a hotel that is locally owned and run. Make sure the staff employed are from the local community, and not foreigners. There should be some element of 'giving back' to the local community.

8.There are eco-friendly hotels out there, you just need to find them. look for energy efficient lighting, solar power units, and toilets and showers with flow restrictions.

9. Go easy on the air con! Only use it if really necessary, and turn it off when you go out. Try save water too- short showers, no baths, turning taps off.

10. Dont get room service- head out to a local restaurant. This way you sample the local culture, support the local economy and take the pressure off the hotel resources.

11. Dont make coffee in your hotel room. This leaves waste in the form of sugar packets, plastic milk containers, plastic teaspoons etc. Head out to the local coffee shop instead!

12. If given the choice, use glass cups or mugs and not plastic ones. Less waste.

13. Unless you ask them not to, your sheets and towels will be washed every day. This isnt really necessary and is a waste of resources, so leave that 'do not disturb' sign up.

14. Turn off any unused lights!

15. Bring your own toiletries instead of using the little plastic, packaged ones in the hotel. If you do use them, take them home and re use them.

16. If you are going on a tour, choose smaller ones because their impact on the environment is not so severe.

17. Make sure your tour guide is local, and find out how the tour gives back to the community.

18. If its a hiking tour youre on, dont veer off the marked trails and disrupt as little vegetation as possible. Give the local wildlife its space.

19. When snorkelling or scuba diving dont touch the coral, or try and interfere with the marine life.

20. Do a bit of homework about the traditions and cultures of the local people in the area you are visiting. Be sensitive to dress and behaviour codes. For instance skirts of a certain length may be acceptable in some parts of the world, but in others they would be considered too short.

21. Learn a few words of the local language. This helps you bond with the people you interact with and is always appreciated by locals.

So there you have it - travelling green isnt going to kill you. Every little bit helps, so even if we can remember to do just a few of the things on this list we are going some way to benefiting the planet. So take it all on board and enjoy your green holiday!

Eco Hotels and Lodges Around The World

The Hotel world is changing and for the first time it finds itself in the impossible position of having to provide comfort and luxury whilst also satisfying the discerning eco-aware customer.

You see it had to happen eventually, recent studies suggest that the classic hotel is regarded as a kingdom of wastage where the average visitor abandons its well-crafted ecological habits in favour of a careless "I paid for this" attitude. The average guest would check-in to a hotel and immediately forget to turn lights off when not needed or would leave the tap running or even the TV on when not in the room, all things that at home seemed to be more obvious.

As time has gone by, it seems that the onus has fallen onto the hotels themselves to teach and be more in tune with the environment so that in time the guest attitude would change.

Whilst this is true of the inner city industry, in the same timeframe the world has seen an explosion of eco lodges and hotels carefully placed in the most ecologically interesting places on the planet from mountains to jungles and in these a new breed of traveller is enjoying the beauty of nature in the knowledge that their stay is not impacting on it.

Of course all this still comes at a price, we know that often in order to get to the unspoiled beauty of some of these accommodations we have to take some long and very ecologically unfriendly flights so it really is imperative to have a good carbon offset company that you can trust and that runs projects you agree with. More often than not these are organised in less fortunate countries so the flip side is that you will be doing something socially positive too.

There is an incredible socially and ecologically facet to travel now that is improving the world and causing people to understand the effects of their old ways of doing things. we have become much more efficient and this is reflecting on the way we book our holidays too. A few years ago the social and ecological statement of a hotel was inexistent, very few understood the value of environmental protection and even fewer clients cared about it anyway. The tables seem to have turned and in around 30% of travelers these responsibility statements are crucial in their choice of accommodation.

Of course with this new-found interest a whole selection of lists and online guides have appeared to try and show the interested public where these new hotspots of eco-entrepreneurship are located.

Traveling To Green Valley, Arizona

When was the last time you could just relax, explore some of the world's most scenic surroundings, and take the time to soak in a beautiful sunset? Next time you need to cut away your busy life's strings, consider a visit to Green Valley, Arizona, a place where time slows down to an unhurried pace and you can get back to nature. Set amongst the picturesque surroundings of the Santa Catalina foothills, Green Valley is a magnet for those with a spirit for adventure and discovery.

Located just twenty minutes south of Tucson, Green Valley offers a wide range of attractions and activities to choose from. For those who would prefer to stretch their legs out a bit, this Southern Arizona destination offers all kinds of great places to hike and explore. For example, the nearby Madera Canyon is a wooded valley right at the base of the Catalina Mountains with a wide range of trails to check out. This canyon is also world-renowned for birdwatchers, where it's easy to spot a wide range of hummingbirds, and frequent sightings of nighthawks, swifts, hawks, golden eagles, flycatchers, owls, and peregrine falcons are common.

At Green Valley, also enjoy natural wonders such as the Colossal Cave, one of the world's largest dry limestone caverns. Discover a new world underneath the Earth's crust with multiple tours throughout the day. If you'd like to dive more into the world of stalagmites and stalactites, try the Kartchner Caverns State Park, which features over 13,000 feet of underground cave formations. The Kartchner Caverns were only discovered in 1972 and have since become one of Arizona's most popular state parks, with over 2 ½ miles of cave passages to explore. The Asarco Mineral Discovery is also worth a visit, with its award-winning exhibit center, open-pit mission mine, and mill tour.

In the mood for a little history and culture? Be sure not to miss the San Xavier Mission, a fine example of Spanish Mission architecture that is known as the "White Dove of the Desert". As for culture, explore the Sonoita Vineyards and Santa Cruz Wineries, where you can sample impeccable wine of the Arizona variety. For a glimpse into America's day of old, venture over to the oldest European settlement in Arizona, Tubac, a vibrant village full of unique arts & crafts. Also, the Tucson Museum of Art is just up the road, featuring pre-Colombian artifacts and a wide variety of arts that help paint the picture of Arizona's rich history.

Visit Sheffield England For A Truly Green Holiday

This may come as a surprise to those that still think of Sheffield as an industrial city but it's officially the greenest city in Europe having won the Entente Florale competition, the international horticultural competition which has been running for more than 25 years. Sheffield is home to over two million trees - more trees per person than any other city in Europe - as well as over 170 woodlands, 78 public parks and 10 public gardens. In total, 61 per cent of Sheffield consists of green space.

What's more, Sheffield is the only English city which includes a national park within its boundary; a third of Sheffield covers the Peak District National Park which was designated a national park in 1951, making it the first in the British Isles. Located in the park are some of Britain's finest stately homes, including Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Lyme Park, which acted as Pemberley in the 1995 BBC television adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

While the Peak District is one of the most stunning natural sights in Britain, conservation is an issue for both residents and tourists with problems such as footpath erosion and large-scale limestone quarrying. Conservation holidays are becoming increasingly popular with participants enjoying one of Britain's most breathtaking areas of outstanding natural beauty while doing something 'green' at the same time.

So how do you travel to the 'greenest city in Europe' to participate in 'green' activity holidays without increasing your carbon footprint - the measure of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels? Travel organisations dispense advice on how to offset your carbon footprint if you're planning to travel by aeroplane. Nevertheless, many are sceptical whether these schemes actually work, so it might be best to avoid flying altogether until Richard Branson's bio-fuel research is completed.

Travelling by coach is an altogether more 'green' option when it comes to travelling within the UK - you'll avoid the environmental cost of flying and even reduce the fossil fuels you would have consumed by driving to the city. What's more, travelling by coach also allows you to avoid laborious check-in queues at airports, and let's you skip the hassle of dealing with the overcrowded - and often late - British rail network.

Behind Green Hotels

There are many reasons today why hotels are deciding to go 'green'. In part because their business guests are demanding it, part because hotels are finding that going green saves money and part because they are getting more conscious about the environment and realizing it's the way to go. But why should you choose an eco-friendly hotel?

Hotel chains are becoming rapidly more environmentally conscious, people are talking about it all the time but not many are saying what's in it for you. So let me explain what it all means...

Here are some examples of what do hotels do to go green:

- recycling; they recycle all the paper, plastic, glass, light bulbs and batteries (that way they save thousands of kilos of waste from ending up in landfills, saving huge amounts of energy and millions of liters of water)
- all toilets are using a vacuum drainage system that uses only 80% of water that conventional systems use; water from sinks and showers is recycled for use in toilets
- all lights are converted to long-life and low-energy light bulbs and all the lightning is the building is controlled by a system that operates through your card key; it's turns off the lights when you're not in the room and other timing controls
- low or no toxicity paint is used through out hotel
- the bathroom toiletries are 100% natural for your skin and hair; the plastic bottles are recycled or there are installed refilling bottles
- hotels use biodegradable cleaning products (so you will no longer smell the chlorine or any other weird odour and the cleaning staff won't be sick all the time)
- food is organic and as much as possible local fresh produce
- bottled water is supplied from the local or near area
- linen is are recycled so they are not treated with chemicals
- new built hotels use sustainable/natural or recycled materials

Reading through the list of things hotels do to be more eco-friendly you can see that it's not something that will make your stay less comfortable or less luxurious. On the contrary, better food, fresh air, natural products and materials and all the other things that you maybe don't see at first but you certainly get positive thoughts about when using such a facility.

In the end, it's up to you to choose. Hotel officials today say that evidence of eco-friendliness is driving demand. It's high priority particularly for young people, who make up the growing percentage of business travelers. When you're travelling, it doesn't matter if it's a trend or not, it's you who matters.

Green Vacation, Lopez Island in Washington

This year, go green on your vacation, this is great for all kind of vacationers as there are many places you can go car-less and leave the carbon at home for a week or two.

One of those places is Lopez Island in Washington, it is the first stop made by the ferry in the San Juan Islands, which are located in the northwest corner of the state. The island is 15 miles long and eight miles wide. The ferry ride is 45 minutes from Seattle leaving Anacortes and arriving on Lopez Island, you can take your car, however, how about leaving your car at the ferry parking and enjoy the adventure of walking, biking and hiking in this wonderland of nature.

The whole island is accessible by bicycle, the main town is only four miles from the ferry landing and there are galleries, shops, restaurants and bakeries all within walking distance of one another. Then outside of town you can explore vineyards, farmlands, parks and natural waterways. Back to the shore you can take a slow pace of whale watching, fishing, clamming and crabbing.

Lopez Islander Resort offers free parking at the Anacortes ferry landing and then free shuttle service from the ferry landing on the island to the resort, just make those arrangements when you make your reservation. The resort is a full amenities resort including gourmet dining, swimming pool, golf, and seashore activities, it is a vacationers paradise, and all the while you will be going green and being good to mother earth.

There is a farmers market every Saturday in Lopez Village, it is a must to put on your to do list, make a day of golf and then just relax and enjoy the pristine beauty of the island. If you are into bird watching you found your paradise, and if you are not into bird watching this place will definitely create an interest in it for you. Whatever you do don't forget your binoculars.

Make sure you take the ferry to all of the other islands, so you can experience all of their grandeur, and who know you may spot a whale or two along the way. When it is all said and done you will be glad you made the choice of leaving the car on main land and took the green vacation; what tales you will have to tell to family, friends and co-workers. To make all the arrangements for this memorable vacation you can have your personal website travel agent do all the arrangements and your vacation will start before the vacation.

Green Travel - Choose the Power of Responsible Tourism

The economic buzz of green travel creates both practitioners and impostors. Responsible tourism is not a fad. Good operators understand the issues and incorporate appropriate practices as part of their business strategies, not as part of empty eco-slogans.

For earnest travelers it's hard to decode all the eco-friendly green washing and determine what's really happening to natural habitats and surrounding communities. This is the dilemma for tourists wanting to choose green destinations without contributing to ecosystem degradation or disrupting local economies.

Tourism operators have a choice to make as well. The current model still supports the pre-Internet generation, when tourist information moved as slow as a lingering tropical day. Today, however, the lightening speed of global communications and a newfound sense of social responsibility urge travelers to make conscientious decisions.

Tourists are no longer just carefree and whimsical sightseers; they are savvy consumers. Instead of just grabbing a Lonely Planet guide and heading out, these days tourists log on, read website travelogues, discuss issues on forums and research potential sites like a corporate raider getting ready for a company takeover.

In the climate change age, travelers seek to use their quota of carbon credits on environmentally sound destinations. They don't want a journey spoiled by unsightly resorts where pipes spew sewage into beach front waters or plastic bottles, soda cans and wet waste smolders in a slow burn under a coconut tree.

"Resort operators have to stop thinking they can fool their customers," professes Yessy Hidajat of Alila Ubud Resort in Bali. "Tourists are very intelligent and they shop around on the web, so nobody will believe if you just claim yourself as green, people have to see it."

Tourists have ample choices on where to spend their holiday dollars. And the tourism industry is starting to get the message. More and more families and groups choose faraway vacation spots based on a mental checklist that includes preventing pollution, using recycled products, protecting nature and giving back to surrounding communities.

Green travel is about responsibility and taking control. When tourism includes local communities, helps distribute revenues throughout villages and promotes conservation of natural areas, then all parties - private resorts, local authorities and village residents - are in control of their resources.

Throughout Asia, resorts and ecotourism ventures are learning the lessons of going green. They understand that making the effort to be responsible is a winning proposition.

For travelers, now is the time to harness the power of choice into a more powerful green message.

Green Families Choosing French Tourism

Those who have invested in French property, particularly in the south of France, will be pleased to know that Brits are heading back for their summer holidays in their droves. This could be partly due to the "green effect" as the Brits absorb the effects of long haul flights.

According to the latest figures, the number of UK visitors to some French regions has pushed sales up by 36 per cent, with many families choosing camping trips or to rent out holiday homes.

Research by campsite operator Eurocamp shows that the regions of Brittany and the Pyrenees have shown the steepest rise in popularity this year.

'Boom' in Brittany and Pyrenees

French Property Investors look set to profit from the boom, which sees a change from more recent trends to head further afield for holidays.

Deborah Beckett, managing director of Eurocamp, said: "France is booming this season, especially key regions like Brittany and the Pyrenees."

The increase in the number of tourists spending their holidays in France was also noted by Brittany Ferries, which saw an increase of bookings for the summer months.

It is thought that many people are choosing destinations closer to home to reduce their carbon footprint created by long haul flights.

Green families choosing French tourism

Ms Beckett said: "Families are thinking much more carefully about the impact they have on the environment and the potential stress involved from traveling to their holiday destination and this could be one of the factors influencing their return to France."

The Benefits of Green Tourism to the Travel Industry

It seems like everyone is going green these days. The travel and tourism industry is no different. I'm sure you've noticed this trend in advertising and travel industry marketing. As crazy as it may sound, these are two areas where you may not think about green living, but enough people are becoming more aware of its implications to make going green with travel SEO a growing trend.

In other business niches, the idea of going green means big profits, which is another reason why so many hotels are embracing the notion of green travel marketing.

Unfortunately, there are a small number of people out there who don't believe in global warming and the only reason that companies are going green with their online tourism marketing campaign is to get more money. All it takes is one trip to an exotic land to change their minds.

It's those of us who believe in the harmful effects of climate change that online travel marketing ads geared towards green tourism is truly geared towards. The travel companies know that these people believe in their own personal responsibility to do what they can to protect the planet.

The internet marketing of tourism related to green tourism shouldn't be confused with other types of vacations such as an adventure travel. These usually do harm to the environment. Eco-tourism on the other hand must satisfy a number of different criteria that pertain to both the traveler and the well being of the host community. Online tourism marketing, such as travel SEO, is normally built around much of these criteria, as well.

For those interesting in this type of vacation, online tourism marketing, like travel SEO, has begun to notice the idea of going green by providing different vacation options for people interested in protecting the planet. While not every vacation can be a green one, that doesn't mean you can't choose to depart on one every now and then. It is important to work within the boundaries you can manage. Pay attention to the different ads of internet marketing of tourism for ideas which may suit you.

For the traveler who online travel marketing is focused on, the main motivation of eco-tourism is always the observation and appreciation of both the local ecology and the local culture. It must always include educational and interpretation features. As the internet marketing of tourism describes, it must benefit the host community by being organized for small groups by local businesses.

It must always minimize the impact on both the natural and cultural environment, and generate income for the host land. Hopefully, you and your group will come away with an increased awareness of the need for conserving the community's natural and cultural assets.

Online travel marketing companies know and understand this better than you may think. Why do you think there is such an increase lately in travel SEO? They are looking to help their customers and make a profit at the same time. It's a win-win situation for everybody involved.

Green Travel - Do You Turn Off Your Hotel Room's Air Conditioner?

More and more people are starting to jump on the "green" bandwagon. According to the U.S. Travel Data Center, forty-three million US travelers are now ecologically concerned. Here are some tips on how to travel green:

Save Energy

-Master Switches: Some green hotels use master switches. The guest uses a key card to turn on and shut off the power in the room when entering or exiting.

If no master switch technology is available, turn off all appliances when leaving your hotel room manually.

-Use Fluorescent Lighting: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs or CFLs replace incandescent lamps. They use less power and last longer.

-Use Energy Star Appliances: Devices with the Energy Star logo save 20%-30% on average.

Save Water

-Dual Flush Toilet: These special toilets use a 0.8 gallon flush for liquid waste and a 1.6 gallon flush for solids. They average 1 gallon per flush as opposed to the 7 gallons averaged by older toilets.

-Low Flow Showerheads: Also known as energy efficient shower heads because they use less energy due to less water being heated.

-Reuse Linens: Tell your hotel that you don't need your towels and sheets changed daily.

Save Paper

-Electronic Check-out Programs: Some hotels have a check-out program that uses a minimum of paper either by using the television screen in your room or their own computers.

-Newspaper: Tell your hotel to only deliver a newspaper to your room if requested.

-Electronic Tickets: Use electronic ticketing when purchasing airline tickets.

-Take Limited Brochures/Maps: Take only want you need and return what isn't being used.

Use Green/Recycled Materials

-Green Cleaning Supplies: Try to find a hotel that uses green cleaning supplies. Not only benefits you, but their own employees.

-Carpet: Some hotels have carpets that are made from post consumer recycled material in the backing, fiber and pad.

Reduce Pollution

-Environmentally Conscious Airlines: Some airlines are environmentally conscious, such as Southwest Airlines. This airline recycles all cabin waste and has electronic ticketing.

-Walking Tours: Enjoy walking tours of your destination whenever possible.

-Public Transportation: Use public transportation whenever possible. Also, use the hotel van instead of a rental car to get to and from the hotel.

-Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints: Don't plunder the natural resources of the area you are visiting and don't litter. In fact, be a true world citizen and pick up one piece of litter a day. The world belongs to everyone, treat it like a treasured possession.

Green Travel - Making Better Environmental Travel Choices

We all hear the term “global warming” all the time. During recent months I have started to read travel stories how the permanent ice cap of Mount Kilimanjaro is melting, how ski resorts in the Alps are going to be closing permanently due to lack of snow fall, how glaciers are melting in the Arctic, how increasingly more frequent and severe weather disturbances are disrupting tourism, and on and on the stories go. Some of these stories even exhort us to go now before some of these scenic places will be transformed or gone forever. Climate change has now become an issue of concern for global travelers.

Travel, of course, has environmental consequences. Long-distance travel involves the creation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, airliners are some of the most intense pollutants in existence today. In addition, wherever we go, we consume food and other services, and we create waste. So what to do?

As far as airplane emissions are concerned, there are actually a few concrete things we can do. There are ways of offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel by means of purchasing trees that will be planted to offset these emissions. At Trees for the Future, your US$40.00 will actually pay for the planting of 400 trees which will help offset greenhouse gases. You will also get a Global Cooling Certificate and bumper sticker. On their website you will also see a list of partners, including lodges and bed and breakfasts that are powered by renewable energy sources.

The Rainforest Alliance actually offers a variety of information to eco-savvy travelers. They also offer a sustainable tourism certification to tourism establishments which is based on methods for reducing the consumption of water, energy and other resources, and to improve the management, handling and disposal of waste. They even make a toolkit for best sustainable tourism practices available for small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry.

On their website, the Rainforest Alliance also advocates a number of simple eco-friendly behaviours that we can all try to follow:

• Support local economies by seeking out locally owned lodging and dining establishments, locally grown food and locally manufactured products and crafts.

• Patronize green hotels whose managers have programs that save water and energy.

• Stay on hiking trails. Clean up your own mess and dispose of waste properly. Keep a distance from wildlife.

• Travel by mass transit as much as possible.

• Avoid vehicles with two-stroke engines such as jet skis, scooters and certain boats, which are enormously polluting.

• Be culturally sensitive to local customs, greetings, dress codes and food habits.

• Treat others with the same respect that you would ask for in your own community.

Other eco-certification programs for tourism operators and tips for eco-savvy consumers include the following websites:

- Terra Choice

- Green Globe 21

- Environmental Choice

- Green Seal

- The Global Ecolabelling Network

- The Climate Neutral Network

Another interesting website is Future Forests: it advocates a “carbon neutral” lifestyle, in order to neutralize our impact on the environment. Future Forests have been proving people with a variety of environmental gifts since 1997. You can dedicate a tree, for example, for $10.00. You can even plan carbon-neutral weddings with Future Forests.

One neat thing about their website is that they offer a really cool carbon emissions calculator that allows you to calculate your anticipated flying or driving emissions. I thought let’s check this out, so I entered some assumed data for a flight from New York City to London, England.

Instantaneously I found out that this flight would produce 1.22 tonnes of CO2. The calculator also tells me if I dedicate 2 trees I can make this flight carbon neutral. Alternatively I would be able to supply 2 energy saving light bulbs to a small community in the developing world. Both options would be £30. I also checked their carbon emissions driving calculator. If I travel 400 km (250 miles) every week in a car with an engine size between 1.4 and 2 litres, I would generate 4 tonnes of CO2 a year, which would take 5 trees to offset.

In addition to planting trees, you can also purchase “carbon offsets”. A "carbon offset" is actually an investment in a project or action with the goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Offset projects come in many varieties and may include tree planting or reforestation, building retrofits (i.e. installing more efficient heating/cooling systems) or wind power projects.

According to the Better World Club's website, this is the way it works: you can book a flight through Better World Travel - Members and get a free carbon offset for their US domestic flight ($11 value.) If you book a flight through the Internet, another travel agency or airline, send them a tax-deductible donation to offset the CO2 emissions from your flight. ($11 for domestic flights or $22 for international flights.)

So the good news is there are indeed ways of counterbalancing the environmental impact that we all have, even while we travel.

The Benefits of Green Tourism to the Travel Industry

It seems like everyone is going green these days. The travel and tourism industry is no different. I'm sure you've noticed this trend in advertising and travel industry marketing. As crazy as it may sound, these are two areas where you may not think about green living, but enough people are becoming more aware of its implications to make going green with travel SEO a growing trend.

In other business niches, the idea of going green means big profits, which is another reason why so many hotels are embracing the notion of green travel marketing.

Unfortunately, there are a small number of people out there who don't believe in global warming and the only reason that companies are going green with their online tourism marketing campaign is to get more money. All it takes is one trip to an exotic land to change their minds.

It's those of us who believe in the harmful effects of climate change that online travel marketing ads geared towards green tourism is truly geared towards. The travel companies know that these people believe in their own personal responsibility to do what they can to protect the planet.

The internet marketing of tourism related to green tourism shouldn't be confused with other types of vacations such as an adventure travel. These usually do harm to the environment. Eco-tourism on the other hand must satisfy a number of different criteria that pertain to both the traveler and the well being of the host community. Online tourism marketing, such as travel SEO, is normally built around much of these criteria, as well.

For those interesting in this type of vacation, online tourism marketing, like travel SEO, has begun to notice the idea of going green by providing different vacation options for people interested in protecting the planet. While not every vacation can be a green one, that doesn't mean you can't choose to depart on one every now and then. It is important to work within the boundaries you can manage. Pay attention to the different ads of internet marketing of tourism for ideas which may suit you.

For the traveler who online travel marketing is focused on, the main motivation of eco-tourism is always the observation and appreciation of both the local ecology and the local culture. It must always include educational and interpretation features. As the internet marketing of tourism describes, it must benefit the host community by being organized for small groups by local businesses.

It must always minimize the impact on both the natural and cultural environment, and generate income for the host land. Hopefully, you and your group will come away with an increased awareness of the need for conserving the community's natural and cultural assets.

Green Travel And Tourism

All About Green Travel

What exactly is meant by a phrase like Green Travel? Green Travel can mean anything from environmentally responsible motor cars to eco-friendly transportation fuels, to responsible eco-tourism options, sustainable travel or stays in hotels and facilities that are environmentally conscious.

Read on to find some great options on the Internet where you, the environmentally-responsible traveler, can enhance your knowledge and continue to seek the smartest, most planet-conscious choices available when you travel.

Why Green Travel Matters

Tourism, in contemporary times, is a tremendously growth-oriented industry, and is among the world's largest, with spending figures estimated at over five hundred billion per year in recent years. Because of the overwhelming size of the industry globally, millions of people are employed within its ranks, and are therefore of great concern when it comes to responsible, eco-conscious decisions.

Such lofty statistics all begin with local, individual choices - where people spend their money when they travel, during their travel and the message that their actions send out to global populations. The impact of global travel, when geared toward the positive, can be terrific - including when tourism's dollars go to the enhancement of local populations, or when travelers return home with a fresh take on other cultures, communities and environments, for instance.

How Tourism and Travel Become "Sustainable Tourism and Travel"

WTTC Associations such as the World Travel and Tourism Council in London, England, offer world travelers a wealth of information on sustainable and green tourism. The mission statement of the organization speaks to their goals: "Raising awareness of the importance of Travel & Tourism, promoting synergies between the public and private sector, generating profit as well as protecting natural, social and cultural environment [these] are the fundamental components of [their] mission, as outlined in the Blueprint for New Tourism."

Whenever you travel, do what you can to extend the extra effort to ask questions about the businesses that service your trip: from hotels to tours to restaurants and more. Find out what you can about the impact of their businesses on the environment, in terms of both the physical and cultural aspects. No set of universal standards or guidelines currently exists to ensure that those in the travel and tourism industry world-wide operate according to environmentally conscious principles.

So What Is Ecotourism and Can It Help?

With a greater emphasis placed on the environment in general, travel and tourism has also felt the weight of the green revolution. The travel and tourism industry has sprung up in places where the natural environment remains in tact and available for one to experience first-hand. At its best, ecotourism is essentially nature travel - tourism of and cultivation of appreciation for the unadulterated vistas and landscapes of the planet.

Resources Available for Green Travel

ResponsibleTravel

At Responsible Travel, find "A hand picked directory of 1000s of stunning eco holidays run by 265 specialist tour operators and 100's of accommodations. Use the site to contact the specialists directly to request more information. Book direct with the specialists to get the best price."

The International Ecotourism Society (ecotourism.org)

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) offers that through "Uniting communities, conservation and sustainable travel," they directly "promote responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

PlanetA

Debuting in 1994, PlanetA is a pioneering website that provides tips for travelers and locals who share a vision of eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly travel. They take a dynamic wiki view of the Web and appreciate their viewers' helpful editorial suggestions and offer a yearly World Travel Directory.

Sustainable Travel International (sustainabletravelinternational.org)

The organization Sustainable Travel International has the following for its mission statement: "Promoting responsible travel and ecotourism, supporting sustainable development, and helping travelers and travel providers protect the cultures and environments they visit."

Google Green Travel Search (services.google.com/earth/green/)

At Summer of Green, Google's now legendary map service is powered to help Green travelers find what they need to in the way of environmentally conscious global travel, through the work of Earth Day Network. Find tips on traveling green this summer with keyword searches like "environmentally friendly hotel" rather than just "hotel."

Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance says, "With more than 800 million people traveling each year, tourism is a growing source of revenue for people living in areas that are especially rich in plants and animals - and threatened with destruction. While tourism can lead to problems such as waste, habitat destruction and the displacement of local people and wildlife, it also has the potential to provide incentives for conservation." Find out more through the tourism arm of their website.

What to Look For in a Green Travel Company

You're in a quandary. You desperately need to take a vacation. You've worked hard and definitely deserve it. However, you also want to do your part in being "green." What choices do you have?

Fortunately, the travel industry is one of the most progressive sectors in terms of being environmentally aware. Many travel companies are racing to put environmentally-friendly programs into place because they know consumers are much more conscientious than ever before about leaving a small footprint on the earth. So, what are the things to look for in a green travel company?

Carbon Offset Programs Look for a company that offers a carbon offset program. What is this? Since it's impossible for a commercial jet to be "green", some companies are offering programs to offset the carbon emissions by planting the exact number of trees it would take to clean the air because of your travel. So, while you may have to travel to your environmentally-friendly destination on a traditional "non-green" plane, the pollution is offset by the planting of new trees throughout the world to clean up the air. This is a good thing. You should look for companies that offer a carbon offset program.

Support Local Economies Companies that are truly "green" will be committed to supporting local economies by hiring local employees, as well as purchasing local goods whenever feasible. Stimulating the local economies of travel destinations is good for the planet. Why? It reduces pollution by avoiding long-range shipping. And, locals will have a vested interest in preserving their homeland and maintaining its beauty for future generations.

Water Conservation Many "green" travel companies are conscious about their water usage. Most have some sort of water reclamation program. A conscientious travel destination will offer organic soaps and shampoos and will reclaim their waste water for organic gardens, for watering landscape, etc.

Alternate Power Source Some "green" travel destinations have set up solar panels, windmills, or other types of alternative power sources. This is an expensive investment, but one that will pay for itself quickly. Creating clean energy is a step in the right direction and those travel destinations savvy enough to implement this should be rewarded for their efforts.

The Little Things Sometimes it's the little things. Look for a company that offers organic food to its guests, or encourages travelers to share a car for site seeing. These little things can be a good indication of the dedication of the travel company to really be "green." Also, many green travel companies are involved in donating some of their profits to worthwhile organizations cleaning up the environment in a variety of ways.

Conclusion And, last but not least, the most important thing is to find a green travel company that's a good fit for you. Ultimately, make sure that you will have a great time and the things you need from the vacation (relaxation, adventure, culture, etc.) will be provided. If you had a good time, make sure to go online and write a glowing review.

Traveling is Greener in Chicago

Travelers from every walk of life will find something to enjoy in the windy city. Chicago has great food, diverse culture, a "Magnificent Mile" of shopping, beautiful parks and a lot of history. There is so much to do in Chicago that over 40 million travel to the city each year. What many travelers don't know about Chicago is that they're going green. Their Mayor, Richard Daley, has actually made it his mission to make them the greenest city in the country. Even the hotels in Chicago are taking part in the green up, and RezHub.com has put together a Top 5 list of the Greenest Hotels in Chicago.

Green Travelers will be quite impressed with the Green Lodging in Chicago. The hotels are luxurious, close to the action, and offer a range of prices to fit any budget. RezHub awards hotels points for incorporating environmental programs into their daily operations, and hotels earn one Green Branch for every score level they achieve. Each of these Top 5 Chicago Green Hotels have earned a RezHub.com Green Score of at least 3 out of 5 Green Branches for showing a superior dedication to the environment. Travelers can learn what environmental programs each hotel participates in by visiting RezHub.com.

Green Restaurant Tips - Who Said It Wasn't Easy Being Green?

Everywhere you look, we are constantly encouraged to "go green." Within the food service industry, from fast food to fine dining, there are a lot of opportunities to make a difference on your establishment's ecological footprint.

Benefits of going green

While there are many benefits to the environment, having a "green" conscious also can positively impact you as a business owner. If your restaurant is minimizing its environmental impact, the results can -

• save your business money

• add-value to your customer's experience knowing they are supporting an environmentally progressive company

Whether you decide to implement small, incremental changes or radical ones, there are options available for any restaurant establishment.

Changes to implement

Buying in bulk

Buying products in bulk will reduce the amount of individual packaging and have to throw away. Purchasing large amounts of a product results in lower unit costs. The benefits are a cost savings for you and less waste for the environment. Condiments are great for this, as well as milk, sugar and a variety of products, depending on what your restaurant serves.

Take out containers

The "to go" mentality is very prevalent in today's culture. Even if people are drinking their beverages at coffee shops, baristas are continuing to serve up mochas and lattes in disposable cups.

Consider this statistic - in the US it is estimated when you purchase one cup of coffee (or tea) in a disposable container every day, you create about 23 lb of waste each year (Ideal Bite). That is a lot of waste for one person. Think of the implications when thousands of people grab a coffee to-go a day.

Using washable cups and mugs for to-stay orders will require you to purchase fewer disposable cups and throw out less garbage. Many customers will appreciate being offered this option and want to participate in sustainable practices.

Using recyclable products

Depending upon your business, eliminating takeout containers might not be an option. If this is the case, try using to-go cups that contain recyclable material. They are lower in cost and people recognize the effort of businesses that support environmentally conscious practices.

Use efficient lighting

Using an energy efficient light bulb (LED), is another way to make an environmental decision for your business. For the most part, making the switch is as easy as unscrewing your current light bulb and replacing it with a new efficient one. Although the initial cost of the new bulb is a bit more expensive than the standard one, it will save significantly on energy costs and the total cost of the new bulb will be less expensive in the long run.

Sustainable building

In the future, if you are planning a remodeling project for your restaurant or are building a new location, consider implementing green building practices, such as including solar panels or using natural lighting. As technology advances and the need to curb our environmental impact increases, there are many options that will allow you decrease your business's energy costs and increase your energy savings to the environment.

Future of businesses and the environment

Being environmentally responsible is no longer just a 'nice thing to do'. Negative changes in the environmental landscape are making it a requirement. It might not be that long before legislation will enforce businesses to take responsibility. Conscious customers might also take up this issue into their own hands and refuse to support businesses that do not promote positive environmental practices. Being proactive will save you time and money in the long run and will positively impact the community within where your business operates.

Many people have heard the terms "green travel" and "eco-tourism". These terms conjure images of someone napping in a tree house in a jungle located at the far reaches of the Earth and or floating down the Amazon River in a canoe. And while these are certainly green alternatives, this is only one type of eco-friendly travel. The good news is that you won't have to sacrifice the comforts to which you've grown accustom, nor will you have to venture to a location in the middle of nowhere. You can even 'go green' when traveling to big cities or well populated beaches. All you really need in order to preserve the planet is a desire to protect and preserve the planet around you, no matter where you travel."Green travel" is a catch phrase that has become common as of late; this phrase has lots of company with other terms like eco-tourism, responsible travel, and sustainable tourism. We hear these terms more and more as the concern over our planet's state continues to grow. There are a variety of shades of divergence amongst each of these terms, but the value of defending the natural and civilizing environment of each place you visit remains as the heart of the matter. This means we must strive to conserve plant and wildlife, as well as other resources while respecting all the local cultures and traditions.Almost a billion tourists cross the globe annually. For this reason, it's become more imperative than ever before for travelers to reduce their singular impact on natural and cultural resources. The probable harmful affects of tourism will affect both the local and global environment. It's a well known fact that oceanfront hotels heavily contribute to beach erosion to the erosion of beaches in Hawaii and the growing number of tourists is severely threatening the delicate ecosystem in the Galapagos Islands, and on top of everything else, we're catalyzing global warming with our plane rides and our car trips in a massive way!Your first step should be to try and find a green hotel. You will find lots of online sources to help you along the way. When using Web sites, keep in mind that each site has its own rating criteria. Therefore, you will need to do your homework in order to make sure that your hotel of choice meets the standards you're seeking.Consider asking the following questions before booking a hotel:Is the lodging facility locally owned? If it isn't locally owned, is the staff local? It's a good idea to stay at a hotel that is run by local citizens.Does the hotel offer a recycling program? Do they offer bins for potential recyclables?
Does the hotel encourage guests to reuse towels and linens?Does the hotel employ techniques to reduce consumption? For example, do they use low flow toilets, low flow showers, solar power, and energy saving light bulbs?Be sure to ask lots of questions, and remember, finding a green hotel is only one step in the process. Do your homework and go green today!

How I Planned A Green Vacation

I'm going on vacation! And rest assured, it will be a green one. From my hotel stay to my activities to my flight I'll be keeping my carbon footprint as tiny as possible while I travel through the Yucutan Peninsula. Since my blogs are normally full of green travel tips, I thought I'd spend some time showing how simple it really is to plan and take a green vacation. While traveling will likely never be good for the environment, we all have the ability to lighten our load on the planet on any trip we take.

Every vacation begins with the research stage. I spent a few weeks searching through our directory of green hotels. In my search I found some excellent eco hotels all around the world from Jamaica to Canada to Sweden. You might be surprised to learn that we now have green lodging listings in 47 countries! I decided on our Dream Green Giveaway resort – The Hacienda Tres Rios. Tres Ríos began as a nature park and has been developed to preserve that unique environment. From their planning to their construction to their daily operations, Hacienda Tres Ríos carefully works to ensure the least environmental impact on the ecosystems and environment. Details of their environmental mission can be found on their website by visiting http://www.tres-rios.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view§ionid=6&id=35. While I'm there I'll be checking out their programs and giving them their RezHub Certified Green Hotel award.

Now that my resort is all set up, it's time to look for a hybrid car rental or a green rental car. I started off using our RezHub car rental search to find the best deal. While there were no hybrid options available to me in Mexico, I was able to rent a green car. I chose an economy car because it was highlighted in green in the search results. Renting the smallest car possible helps by reducing the amount of gas you'll use which also reduces your carbon emissions.

Finally comes my flight. Everyone is looking for the best deals on airfare, and unfortunately air is one of the slowest sectors of travel to green up. It's not necessarily that the airlines don't care to make changes for the planet, but there is a lot more involved in greening up an airline. I went ahead and booked the best fare, and then purchased my carbon offset. There is a lot of controversy about how effective carbon offsets really are. I believe that while no, they are not going to immediately take the carbon out of the air from my trip, they do benefit the environment. If you're not familiar with the types of offsets out there check out our Green Flights page for more information. I linked over to Sustainable Travel International to calculate and offset my trip which took under 2 minutes. The entire offset for the two of us came to only $36.00 and this includes our flights, car rental, and hotel stay - $18 a piece, simple and affordable.

Newest Way to Travel Green: Search for Cheap Plane Tickets

Can you save the environment with reusable water bottles, carbon offsets, and public transportation?

All of it helps, but now there’s an even easier way to reduce your impact: Search Green Travel.

Just by searching for travel, you can give back to the environment.

Search for Plane Tickets, Hotels, Rental Cars Using Search Green Travel

Search Green Travel is a new travel tool, created by yours truly (Kimberly and Elizabeth), to help you plan your eco-friendly, cost-effective travels. With Search Green Travel, you can find cheap plane tickets, deals on hotel rooms, and reasonably priced rental cars.

We use the best travel search engine on the web to help you find lowest price on the web. The search engine collects prices from hundreds of sites, so you know you’re getting the best deal. Search Green Travel is still in beta testing, so please send us your feedback.

Profits Donated to Environmental Non-Profits

Every time you search, we get a small share of advertising revenue for referring you. Then we donate 50% of our profits to environmental charities, particularly those that focus on preservation and sustainability world-wide.

You Don’t Have to Buy — Just Search

Using Search Green Travel is an easy way to give back to the environment, and all you have to do is search. It’s unique in that you don’t have to buy a product in order for us to donate to charity.

You search. We donate. It’s that simple. The bonus is that you also find the best travel deals on the web.

The Easiest Way to Travel Green is to Search Green Travel

Now, you can be green from the start of your trip planning.

Alone, we can’t stop melting glaciers, receding coastlines, or disappearing forests. But together, we can do a little bit more to make sure your favorite destinations are still there when you go back.

Our goal with Search Green Travel is to work with eco-conscious travelers like you to give back — one cheap airfare search at a time.

Check It Out and Spread the Word

Please bookmark http://gogreentravelgreen.com/searchgreentravel (or http://searchgreentravel.com) and use it every time you’re looking for cheap flights, airfare, or rental cars. Then tell your eco-conscious traveler friends and family about it, and share it on Digg, StumbleUpon, del.icio.us, or your favorite social bookmarking site.

What Do You Think?

We’ve been developing this tool for some time, and we’re excited to finally launch it. It’s still in beta testing, so we welcome any feedback.

What do you think? Is it something you’ll use? How can we make it better?

Green Ideas For Vacationing

Green travel is about respecting people in the local environment, it is about giving back to the local economy and respecting the people in the local environment where you are visiting. It is also more than just the environment, traveling green is one way of saying "please help us in saving or mother earth", being responsible for making right choices and helping one another, even if it is little by little it is building a better community and future.

Look for hotels with a "Green Score. " While some hotels may only have one leaf, keep in mind that even one leaf is a step in the right direction. It's important to support the green efforts that each hotel takes because it shows management that they are doing the right thing, and it encourages further expansion of green programs. These are some really simple steps you can take to help green up your stay, even if you did not book with a Green Scored Hotel. Encourage the hotel you chose to go green or thank them for the green programs that they participate in. By all means, if your hotel has a sheets and towels reuse program, use it and bring your own toiletries, if you do open any of the ones the hotel supplies, take home the unused portion and then of course recycle.

Staying at home and cleaning the house with the lights off on your next vacation would definitely be the best way to go carbon neutral, but what fun would that be; so if you're planning on taking a long road trip or doing a lot of driving on your vacation, consider a hybrid car rental. The car rental company that comes to mind for renting a hybrid and fuel efficient cars is Enterprise, they are also known to support alternative fuel research and have pledged to plant trees over the next 50 years.

Going green is no longer enough to be just green at home; we need to extend that green behavior while on vacation. Even those of us who are ultra green at home can sometimes forget about our environmental commitments while we are on vacation. Green travel is good for business, good for people and good for the planet; it is mindful travel encompassing literally every combination of preferences you can dream up. So keep in mind that green travel is about big hearts, not big budgets, be good to Mother Earth and all the rest of us here on the planet while you are on vacation. We all thank you.