Finally common, global green travel and eco-tourism criteria !


A number of prominent organizations, including Green Globe International, United Nations Foundation, Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have decided to launch the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC).

Ted Turner, the CEO of the United Nations Foundation announced the first-ever globally relevant sustainable tourism criteria at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.

The new criteria will be based on best practices culled from the existing standards currently in use around the world. It will offer a common framework to guide the emerging practice of sustainable tourism. All that we know so far is that some of the key criteria will be energy usage, potable water consumption and waste to landfill.

It is certainly a great news. Lets just hope that the outcome be simple, efficient, and readable for both tourism providers and clients.

More ecotourism destination in the Carribean Islands: St Vincent and the Grenadines

The Carribean Islands are adding much more information on green hotels, eco hotels and ecotourism opportunies throught the website responsibletravel.com (see our article http://blog.greenty.com/2008/07/responsibletravel-results-show-high.html)

The green tour operator has created a dedicated space on its website – a guide to the country of 32 islands told by the local people. There are stories of the islands plus tips on where to go and what to do also feature. Consumers can search by theme (holidays, activities, nature & wildlife, luxury, culture, events, weddings, honeymoons, families and sailing & diving), or by location, such as St. Vincent, Bequia, Union Island, Mayreau, Canouan, Mustique, Young Island, Palm Island and Petit St.Vincent.

You will also find there a selection of bed and breakfast accommodation, apartments, hotels and tours that have been selected due to their stated responsible travel policy. Prices start at US$72 a night for a double room …

Enjoy the Green Holiday !

Richard Branson again ! Virgin Atlantic to recycle its seat covers in fashion accessories !

We mentioned about Richard Branson in another article on its green resort in the Mosquito Island in the Carraibes …

Now his airline, Virgin Atlantic, has come up with a very interesting project … towards a greener travel industry …

They are working with footwear and accessories company Worn Again on recycling aircraft seat covers to create fashion accessories. Aircraft seat covers will be turned into wash bag, male messenger bag, ladies handbags … All bags have a label decribing what they were made of …A total of 2000 limited edition bags has been produced with materials from approximately 1000 seats…. See below …

All products available as of 1 September 2008 at Terra Plana stores around the world and on the Worn Again website http://www.wornagain.co.uk/

Lysette Gauna, a Director atVirgin Atlantic, stated: “Virgin Atlantic is committed to taking practical steps to make its business as sustainable as possible. From investing in new technologies, to lobbying the aircraft manufacturers, through to championing new ideas – we believe that actions speak louder than words. This is a fun and creative way to recycle our waste and we are sure these fabulous limited edition bags will be very popular as well as giving people the chance to own a little piece of Virgin Atlantic history.”

Most importantly, Virgin Atlantic has set itself the goal to reduce the waste it sends to landfill from its aircraft by 50% by 2012.

Puerto Rico starts a Coffee Zone Tourism Attraction

The annoucement cane from Terestella González Denton,, the Head of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) – boosting the concept of eco-tourism in Puerto Rico.

She announced that 10 historic coffee plantations, known as haciendas, will constitute the new “Coffee Zone”. The plantations are located in Jayuya, San Sebastian, Ponce, Adjuntas, Las Marías and Lares.

Mrs González Denton also introduced a new seal of eco-quality for the Puerto Rico’s coffee in order to stimulate agrotourism in an industry that generates locally 60 million dollars a year.

The Coffee Zone will offer tourists an eco-friendly attraction where they can 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,” stated Mrs Gonzalez Denton.

A good start for the country – that will be followed in the near future in places such as Porta del Sol (West Coast) and Porta Caribe (South).

Eco-tourism in Tulum Mexico

When looking at the stats of people reading our blog on ecotourism and green hotels, we saw how Mexico and Tulum in particular were being watched and read … a bit more research on the subject brought the following article on Tulum, Mexico and Eco tourism from Ellena Piccini.

She explained there why Mexico is so popular with ecotourists:

“All the states of Mexico differ greatly from each other, and not; Mexico is unimaginable places, secular trees, lush jungle, plants and flowers, thousand of animals of every kind and biodiversity, immense beaches, red hot sunsets, volcanoes, mountains, lowlands, islands and paradisiacal spots, music, history, colors, perfumes, flavors and tastes that you just can’t easily forget.
Biologists call Mexico a “mega-diversity country” because of its incredible variety and abundance of flora and fauna. The country is home to almost every kind of ecological habitat on Earth, making it the perfect destination for travelers interested in nature and the environment.
That’s why it’s so famous and so important for the world tourism.”

And it is trus that Ecotourism is growing there :

” Over the last few years, the ecotourism concept’s popularity has blossomed and travelers that want to enjoy an Eco Mexico Vacation have different options to choose from.
Ecotourism means different things to different people. Sometimes, the word “Ecotourism” looses its true meaning because of misinterpretation and/or abuse of it.
Ecotourism is about conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local people. Eco tourism is generally understood to be responsible and sustainable travel to natural areas.
An ecotourism travel should mean minimizes negative environmental impacts and, where possible, makes positive contributions to the conservation of biodiversity, wilderness, natural and human heritage. It also means to respects culture and traditions.”

Some of Mexico Eco Tourism Destinations are listed by Ellena:

Tulum Riviera Maya
In the extreme south of the Riviera Maya, curled up between the white sand that draws the crystalline beaches of the Caribbean Sea and the exuberant tropical forest laysthe enigmatic Tulum. Eco tourism is hot and many travelers experience the novelty of these rustic hotels in Tulum Mexico. When a person thinks about ecotourism hotels in Mexico, associates the idea of something uncomfortable, sacrificing and unclean but this is not the truth. The small Tulum hotels found here focus mainly on ecotourism and sustainable development, and promote nature. Most of the hotels in Tulum use Aeolian and solar energy, cisterns for rain-water and most of them are involved in the beaches’ conservation and in the animals protection.
Tulum is one bastion against overdevelopment, a glimpse of the Yucatan as it once was.
The spectacular Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve offers a great chance to enjoy the real wildlife of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Isla Hol Box Mexico
Nature, comfort and style is the perfect combination for your stay in Holbox Island. Beneath blue skies and palm trees, lulled by the sound of the waves and the scent of hibiscus, discover Mexican paradise at Hol Box Island. HolBox is full of nature and unexplored areas with colorful birds, wild dolphins and whale sharks, and it is where the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico meet. Holbox Island is still a paradise waiting to be discovered. It’s a very picturesque island with a typical fishermen village and several miles of white sand beaches that disappear into mangroves.
Each year the harmless whale sharks mammals come to the Yum Balam ecological reserve near Holbox Island to feed and mate in the months of May through October.
Places like Hol Box Island make us understand why we have to take care about the environment and respect nature!

Mexico Eco Tours and other destinations
Wildlife viewing is a part of the ecotourism travel philosophy; in fact, in some Mexican destinations you will experience some eco tours throughout Mexico. Some of these activities include Mexico rain forest tours, bird watching, river tours, jungle treks, nature walks, sightseeing, and much more.
The ecotourism attractions means watching the flora and the fauna in their habitat without modifying the natural balance, or visiting Eco parks involved in environment protection and regeneration programs.
Ecotours are daily activities and excursions for exploring the different sight of this amazing Country, and are all focused on nature watching.

The following is a list of eco activities and Mexico Eco Tours in different Mexican Spots:
Los Cabos Eco Tours
Monster Zips
Outdoor Adventures
Puerto Vallarta Eco Adventures
Marietas Snorkeling
Wonderful Waterfall Ride
Yelapa and Majahuitas
Riviera Maya Ecotours
Coba – Mayan Encounter
Contoy Island Kolumbus Tours
Nohoch Jungle Crossing
Xcaret
Xel Ha

Other important Mexican Ecotourism Destinations are:

Chiapas Mexico
Chiapas is a magical Mexican state with outstanding natural resources and abundant biodiversity…

Oaxaca Mexico
Oaxaca, known as “Tierra del Sol” or “Land of the Sun,” is a large, rambling state blessed with mountains, lakes, and miles of beautiful Pacific coastline.

Copper Canyon
In the Chihuahua State, Copper Canyon is ideal Eco and Cultural Tourism, it is an isolated area that pay respect to Mother Nature. The Land of the Tarahumara Indians

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, on the “Mexican Riviera” are considered two resorts in one. Enjoy a fun-filled day exploring the wonders of nature that abound in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo tropical paradise.
“Eco tourism is the marriage of an altruistic mission to an economic model! The union of mission and model produces sustainable tourism which is critical to providing hope for many species and ecosystems throughout the world. Encouraging and promoting responsible capitalism is essential if we are to maintain a viable, biologically diverse planet in the future.” – Bill Wright –
Not only will you make a contribution to other people’s lives, you might just change your own.

Two leading UK travel groups raise funds and invest in renewable energy

The two giants Thomson and First Choice have contributed to a project called “Gold Standard”…

For a few month, they have raised money from their customers for a project called ClimateCare … and they wilol now start building a new wind farm in Turkey, which is listed on the prestigious Gold Standard registry.

The Mazi wind farm, based in Zeytineli, Turkey, and close to the resorts of Marmaris and Bodrum, will consist of 12 wind turbines. The farm is forecast to generate 118,500 MWH of electricity annually – enough to power 59,250 Turkish family households – and will save around 77,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

The Construction of the wind farm is due to begin in March 2009 … and should be completed by the end of 2009.

Nice move from the two travel agencies ….

Bohol, the model of Eco-Tourism in the Philippines

Joseph Ace Durano, Secretary at the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines stated this year: “Even at a time when eco-tourism was not crafted yet, the Boholanos were able to define it …”
In Bohol, adventure tourism is in fact quite developed with river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock and root climbing and even bungee jumping.
The idea there is to further develop on that: integrate all these in a big nature park, a former base camp of a revered Boholano hero, Francisco Dagohoy – while instilling in the tourist’s thoughts the concepts of preserving nature, the natural landscape, the watershed, the forest ecosystem and the town’s history and cultural heritage …
On eco-tourism, Durano asserts that Danao Bohol’s tourism direction is basically what the DOT’s Turismo Mismo is all about. In Danao, the DOT brought Grass Roots Entrepreneurship and Employment in Tourism (GREET).

Pamela Anderson also on for eco-tourism ;-) !

The eco-tourism really spreads across borders, industries and styles 😉
Guess what ? The Movie and TV star Pamela Anderson is building an eco-friendly hotel …
And Guess Where ? In Abu Dhabi !
Apparently, the star actress fell in love with the city when she went there recently on a charity trip. She stressed that the royal family of Abu Dhabi asked her to become a hotelier. From what we heard from the press, she said: “I’m building a hotel there. It is environmentally friendly. I went there with the Make a Wish Foundation and met some great people there. The royal family was really friendly. It’s built with no fossil fuel at all in Abu Dhabi where they have all that oil.” 
Well, why not … At least this will bring some positive communication to the sector !!!

Good Luck Pamela !