The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) has announced the finalists in the 2010 Innovation Leadership in Sustainable Tourism Awards.
This award “aims to honor ecotourism and sustainable tourism pioneers for their contributions, best practices, and most of all leadership in innovative actions supporting sustainable tourism.”
Dublin has been designated a UNESCO City of Literature, one of four cities in the world.
The Director General of UNESCO bestowed the honor on Dublin, recognizing it for its cultural profile and international standing as a city of literary excellence.
Aerial view, Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Australia.
What is the world’s most eco-friendly beach? According to Mother Nature Network, it is Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, Australia.
Whitehaven Beach was the only Australian beach honored. Tourism Whitsundays submitted Whitehaven Beach for consideration in this ranking.
Have you submitted your nomination for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2010 yet?
There are only 10 days left to get nominated for the awards, organized by responsibletravel.com.
Since 2004 the Awards have “recognized the best tourism organizations, individuals, and destinations for their commitments to local communities, conserving the environment, and preserving biodiversity.”
A woman in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, washes laundry by hand and hangs it to dry on the roof. Photo credit: National Geographic
Indians ranked the most sustainable, Americans ranked lowest and green behavior among consumers is increasing, according to the “Greendex 2010: Consumer Choice and the Environment — A Worldwide Tracking Survey” by National Geographic Society and international polling firm GlobeScan.
Newly released, the 17-country survey measured consumer behavior in 65 areas relating to housing, transportation and food and consumer goods.
Adventure travel specialist Gap Adventures recently announced it’s introducing 24 hours-a-day service so global travelers can contact the company anytime.
“Our travelers around the globe want to experience our life-changing trips and industry-leading service on their terms,” says Gap Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip.
“They need flexibility to book a trip or get answers from one of our hundreds of CEOs at their convenience, and this new 24/7 service will offer the kind of high-touch attention that adventure-seekers demand.”
Travelers will have access to the tour operator’s Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) any time of day or night. They will assist travelers in choosing the best itinerary to match their interests and experience sustainable, authentic holidays.
For more info, check out Gap Adventures online.
Image courtesy of Gap Adventures
© VANOC/COVAN
Will the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games be one of the greenest games on record? In coming weeks, travelinggreener will look at sustainability at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
This week, the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad will launch in Canada, leading up to the February event and run through March during the Paralympic Winter Games.
Says Burke Taylor, vice president of culture and celebrations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC):
“We want all Canadians to feel they can share in the cultural celebrations surrounding the 2010 Winter Games in their own hometowns. For our second and final Cultural Olympiad National Presentation and Touring Program, we’ve worked closely with our corporate, government and artistic partners to create an exciting lineup of Canadian projects that include ballet, theatre, up-and-coming musicians, and even puppetry. We invite everyone to come out when they stop in your area and enjoy a taste of the cultural excitement of the Games.”
Eaton Hotel Hong Kong is going green and getting recognized for its environmental initiatives.
The hotel has earned the Green Globe Benchmark Bronze award under the Green Globe’s Benchmarking program managed by EC3 Global. Green Globe is the global Benchmarking and Certification program for sustainable travel and tourism.
Says Nicholas Blake, the hotel’s environmental manager and Green Globe coordinator:
“The awarding of Bronze Status is the first step in a lifelong journey and it is an achievement that we are proud to hold. It enables us to report transparently to our guests, clients and communities with credibility.”
Eaton Hotel Hong Kong has used EarthCheck indicators to benchmark energy, water consumption, waste, paper products, chemicals and community commitment and its environmental and social policy.
In nine areas assessed, the hotel achieved Best Practice ratings in five areas: energy consumption, portable water consumption, water savings rating, community contributions and pesticide products ratings.
Image courtesy of Eaton Hotel Hong Kong
Fancy going on a luxury train safari in South Africa?
The Blue Train has announced a new package including a stylish safari in the Big 5 Pilanesberg Game Reserve with its new hotel partner Ivory Tree Game Lodge . The trip aboard one of the country’s tourism icons promises South Africa’s stunning landscapes, safari adventure, luxury train travel and fine dining.
Florida’s Green Lodging program is a green hotel success story.
More Florida hotels than ever have committed to protect Florida’s environment by becoming members of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Lodging program.
Recently, 19 hotels were added to the voluntary program, which now has 600 members and 614+ designated properties statewide. Designated members adopt cost-saving green practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality and reduce waste.
Says DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Deas Bohn:
“Earning designation in the Florida Green Lodging program is an achievement these 614 facilities can be proud of. The environmental commitment demonstrated by Green Lodging facilities serves as an example and challenge to other hotels to adopt innovative green practices, conserve resources and save money.”
The newest Green Lodging designations include:
