Archive for the ‘sustainable tourism’ category

Greening Up Your Cruise Vacation

November 2nd, 2009

EcoventuraGirl with hat bird

Are you planning a cruise vacation and looking for greener options?  Cruise company Ecoventura is a greener cruising leader recognized for its commitment to sustainable tourism in the Galapagos.

In September, the company was named the winner of a Condé Nast Traveler 15th Annual World Savers Award in the category of Cruise Lines. Recently, Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Awards named Ecoventura the winner of the 2009 award for Green Cruising, featured online and in the magazine’s November issue.  The annual Global Vision Awards “recognize the latest and best efforts at cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and community building through tourism.”

Ecoventura is a family-owned company based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with sales offices in Quito and Miami.  This Galapagos cruise company transports 4,000+ passengers annually aboard a fleet of three expedition vessels, 20-passenger motor yachts with 10 double cabins, and a 16-passenger dedicated divelive-aboard. Ecoventura says all its vessels have been retrofitted to meet high environmental standards.

Says Santiago Dunn, Ecoventura president:

“It’s gratifying that today’s opinion makers are seeking out companies like ours that understand it takes an unwavering commitment to sustainable change and purpose instead of blind profit..Ironically, booming tourism in the Galapagos has added to the challenges and problems faced by those looking to restore and protect the island’s native species and ecological balance.”

For more information, check out Ecoventura online.

Image courtesy of Ecoventura

Is “Eco-pricing” A Travel Trend?

October 27th, 2009

NaturalHabitatAdventuresSL exbots 02 Is Eco pricing A Travel Trend?

Is “eco-pricing” a new travel trend?

Eco-tour provider Natural Habitat Adventures has announced new  “Eco-Pricing” with its local operators, hotels and transportation providers around the world.  They’re hoping to increase traveler visits through savings to sensitive habitats including U.S. grizzly territory, Mexico’s winter home for monarch butterflies, South America, India and Africa.

An exclusive Conservation Travel Provider to World Wildlife Fund, the award-winning company has been named a 2009 Best Adventure Travel Company by National Geographic Adventure and a 2009 World’s Best Tour Operator by Travel + Leisure.

Says Natural Habitat Adventures founder and director Ben Bressler:

“We’ve always been innovators in responsible tourism – from being the first U.S. tour company to go carbon neutral to creating the first hybrid safari vehicle – and we’re always looking for that next idea. It suddenly hit us that in tough economic times perhaps the biggest idea is the simplest: Lower prices mean more travel – which means more support for threatened places. You’ll see our Eco-pricing logo all over our catalog and website, and we’ve had a great response to those efforts. It’s not a discount for discount’s sake; it’s clearly tied to our broader environmental mission, and that deeper message seems to resonate with our guests.”

The company’s Eco-Pricing program offers savings on 25+ Natural Habitat Adventures’ small-group experiential nature expeditions.

For information, check out Natural Habitat Adventures online.

Image courtesy of Natural Habitat Adventures

Green Travel Auction Until October 30

October 26th, 2009

GreenAuctionSustainable Travel Photo

Will you be bidding in the Sustainable Travel International (STI) Green Travel Auction?

This bi-annual, STI online auction is running 24 hours a day and ends 8 p.m. EDT, October 30/09.  The goal is to connect travelers with responsible travel companies to raise money for STI educational programs and promote sustainable tourism development.

Non-profit organization Sustainable Travel International offers programs that help travelers, businesses and destinations protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage and contribute to economic development.

Says STI president Brian T. Mullis:

“The Green Travel Auction is an opportunity to support a good cause and take advantage of great values on responsible vacations. Many of the items will be sold for a fraction of the retail price, making winter travel planning easy and affordable. From eco safari adventures to rainforest excursions and everything in between, the Green Travel Auction offers something for everyone.”

The auction features assorted eco-tours and green hotel stays donated by travel and tourism providers who are committed to responsible travel.

To view and bid on Green Travel Auction items, check out STI’s auction page.

Image courtesy of Sustainable Travel International


National Geographic Traveler Scores

October 21st, 2009

COVER NGTrav Nov0922 National Geographic Traveler Scores

National Geographic Traveler, in conjunction with National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations, has devoted its sixth annual “Places Rated” Destination Stewardship survey to the world’s most celebrated and iconic travel destinations and how they have weathered mass tourism and other threats.

The survey, conducted by the Center, is the cover story of the November-December 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine on newsstands Nov. 3. A total of 133 destinations were surveyed by a panel of 437 experts in a variety of fields related to sustainable tourism.

Norway’s Fjords region takes top honors (85 points) with judges noting its scenery and well-preserved rural life. Other destinations in the “Best Rated Places” category include Japan’s ancient Kyoto (#4, 79 points) for honoring the “serenity and charm of ancient Japan” and Slovenia tied at #5 (78 points) for being among the most sustainable and authentic places to visit in Europe.

» Read more: National Geographic Traveler Scores