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Gap Adventures Offering 24-7 Service

January 20th, 2010

CostaRica_Zipline forest-2

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

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Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad

January 18th, 2010
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© 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.”

» Read more: Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad

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Going Greener In Hong Kong

January 15th, 2010

HongKongEatonHotel 2 1024x706 Going Greener In Hong Kong

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

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Train Safaris In South Africa

January 14th, 2010

SouthAfricaRailSafariStyle179323 2 1024x682 Train Safaris In South Africa

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.

» Read more: Train Safaris In South Africa

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Florida’s Green Hotel Success

January 13th, 2010

VISITFLORIDAAdirondack chai 0015 212563 Floridas Green Hotel Success

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:

» Read more: Florida’s Green Hotel Success

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Amtrak’s Big 2010 Plans

January 12th, 2010

AmtrakacelaTRNS036 21 1024x661 Amtraks Big 2010 Plans

U.S. intercity passenger rail operator Amtrak has big plans for 2010.

“Amtrak enters 2010 with a strong sense of optimism, enthusiasm and purpose,” says President and CEO Joseph Boardman.  “We have an aggressive game plan to modernize, renew, and grow America’s passenger railroad.”

Boardman says Amtrak is partnering with 25 states in support of more than 100 projects submitted for funding from the $8 billion made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for intercity and high-speed rail capital improvement grants.

Amtrak’s major activities in 2010 will include:

  • High-Speed Rail
  • Deploy WiFi and Upgrade Interiors on Acela Express
  • Major Infrastructure Improvement Projects Funded by ARRA
  • Major Infrastructure Improvement Projects Funded by Annual Engineering Program
  • New Plan to Replace and Expand Fleet of Locomotives and Passenger Railcars

  • Long-Distance Routes, Corridor Services and Commuter Contract
  • Installing Positive Train Control and Enhancing Safety
  • Strengthening Security

For more info, check out the Amtrak.com.

Image courtesy of Amtrak

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Hotel Guests Greener, Says Survey

January 11th, 2010

NovotelSurveyYoga243832 2 1024x831 Hotel Guests Greener, Says Survey

Hotel guests in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji are becoming greener and cleaner, according to a new Novotel Survey.

Novotel housekeepers and other hotel staff reported on the travel habits of men and women who stay at the group’s 30 hotels and resorts in Australia, New  Zealand and Fiji.  A decade ago, the first survey was conducted.

This second Novotel survey of in-hotel habits reveals that “guests of both sexes are leaving their rooms cleaner and greener, but still ending up naked in corridors and leaving unusual objects behind in their rooms.”

Survey findings include guests are traveling with fewer bags (1 bag per male to 2.1 bags per woman); more likely to reuse towels; bringing along more laptops and making healthier food choices.  Research also indicates “an increased level of care for the environment” with 32% of guests reusing towels and some bed linen compared to 11% ten years ago.

The company says the survey also tracks and responds to trends in conferences and catering, food and beverage and guest desires.  In response to survey results, Novotel has introduced a minimum of organic and gluten-free items, a free yoga channel and in-room yoga mat.

Image courtesy of Accor Asia Pacific

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The All-Electric Volvo Project

January 8th, 2010

Volvo41686 hi ElectricC30 1 The All Electric Volvo Project

Volvo has presented its new, all-electric Volvo C30 project.  The company is evaluating the viability of this all-electric car known as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle).  It says the car looks like a regular Volvo C30 and offers the same safety, comfort and space as the standard car.

Says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles:

“The Volvo C30 is the first model we will try out with electric power. This car’s excellent properties in city traffic and its relatively low weight make it particularly suitable, since electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting.”

The all-electric Volvo C30 is powered with a Lithium-Ion battery that is charged via a regular power socket commonly found in households.  A full recharge of a depleted battery via a household power supply system will take about eight hours.  The car can reach a top speed of approximately 130 kilometres an hour and a range of up to 150 kilometres.

Image courtesy of Volvo

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Great American Getaways

January 7th, 2010

BedandBreakfastFortyLivingRoom243816 2 Great American Getaways

Fancy a great American getaway in 2010?   Staying at B&Bs can be local, affordable and eco-friendly ways to take a greener holiday.

Online B&B directory and reservation network BedandBreakfast.com is now offering a Winter Getaway Sale.  You can save 20%  on mid-week online reservations on BedandBreakfast.com.  Reservations must include at least one weeknight (Monday-Thursday) and be booked online by March 31, 2010 using the promo code BBWINTER20.

There are also other special B&B travel deals available all for double occupancy,  non-holiday periods and not combined with any other promotional offer.

Here are some of the American B& B specials:

Harborside at Forty 1° North Cottages & Suites, Newport, RI (shown above): “Through January 31, stay two nights in the Easterly or Westerly Suite for S150 nightly, and get the third night free; stay in the Red or Seabreeze Cottage for $190 nightly and get the third night free. Book four consecutive nights and get two nights free. All suites and cottages accommodate four guests maximum.”

Affordable wine-tasting at McClelland Priest B&B Inn, Napa, CA: “Through February 10, stay two nights and take 50 percent off the third night’s rate. Visit uncrowded wineries, following a special itinerary; wine-tasting fees are included. Rates start at only $109 nightly.”

Ski and Stay at Bayview Terrace Inn, Petoskey, MI: “Through March 31, stay two weekend nights in a standard room and also enjoy two daytime or evening lift tickets to Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain, dinner for two at the Terrace Inn, and two logo keepsake Terrace Inn mugs for $349 per couple.”

For more info, check out BedandBreakfast.com.

Image courtesy of BedandBreakfast.com

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Planning A 2010 Trip To Africa?

December 18th, 2009

GapAdventuresDAWD banner wildlife zebra eye Planning A 2010 Trip To Africa?

Are you planning a 2010 trip to Africa?

Then you might be interested in the Gap Adventures Africa Overland program. Recently, the adventure travel company announced it will guarantee all Africa Overland departures through to mid-2010 except for the standalone Kenya and Tanzania Overland trip (DKTO).

The Africa Overland tour network features 40+ itinerary options in nine countries including some 20 new 2010  options.  Among these African destinations are small villages in Malawi; isolated beaches on Zanzibar and adventure spots in Victoria Falls and Jinja.

Says Gap Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip:

“These guaranteed departures provide a fantastic opportunity for our passengers to explore more of Africa’s pristine destinations in the sustainable, authentic manner they expect from us. Adventurers can rest assured that their once-in-a-lifetime journeys to embrace Africa’s beautiful and bizarre wildlife and culture will depart as planned.”

For more info, check out Gap Adventures online.

Image courtesy of Gap Adventures

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