Polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba. © Henry H Holdsworth / wildbynaturegallery.com
In Canada’s “polar bear capital of the world”, Churchill, Manitoba, Natural Habitat Adventures is offering polar bear eco-expeditions in October/November.
The company promises a sustainable approach combining small-group access and the latest World Wildlife Fund-approved conservation education.
Fancy an African volunteering vacation? Then check out the new Land Rover Go Beyond travel competition.
Five winners from the UK, one from Italy and one from Spain will join Land Rover’s sustainability partners Biosphere Expeditions in Namibia on their large cat project.
Winners will spend two weeks in the field working with endangered cats such as cheetahs, leopards and caracal.
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.”
Pool villa at night. Photo credit: Kiattipong Panchee
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman has collected the ‘Green Guardian’ award at the inaugural Oman Green Awards.
Since it opened in 2008, the luxury eco-retreat has earned awards for its commitment to sustainable tourism.
The Green Guardian Award recognized the resort for its environmental protection, preservation and conservation and eco-friendly practices in the workplace and community.
Are you interested in ecotourism or sustainable tourism? Then you might want to attend the upcoming Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2010 (ESTC) in Portland, Oregon on Sept. 8-10?
Called North America’s largest conference focusing on sustainability in travel and tourism, ESTC will bring together 500+ business leaders, tourism professionals and community stakeholders.
Feel like blissing out in the mountains? Austrian hotel network Naturidyll Hotels offers green, natural getaways in the Austrian Alps.
Says the network:
“We want to preserve our wonderful scenery for further generations…A Naturidyll holiday is not just a place to refresh the mind, it is also a place to refresh the body…. (It is) a refuge for everyone who wants to escape the stresses and strains of daily life by getting out into fresh air.”
Do you want to learn more about sustainable tourism? EarthCheck has released a new series of free sustainability fact sheets, voluntary carbon offsetting information sheets and case studies of EarthCheck Members.
This sustainable tourism library was developed by Australia-based EarthCheck with the University of Queensland.
The material covers topics including renewable energy, water consumption, energy efficient air conditioning and green procurement. Each fact sheet shows real industry examples with capital investment costs; operational savings and the overall return on investment.
Says EarthCheck:
“We take seriously our responsibility to provide the travel and tourism industry with credible information regarding how best to reap the benefits associated with the greening of the global economy….These (sheets) help demystify the benefits of sustainable tourism and clarify the differences between an eco badge, and an environmental management system such as EarthCheck, which provides benchmarking and certification services and offers transparency through independent, third party audits.”
Download the sustainable tourism library here.
Image courtesy of EarthCheck
If you’re a fan of photography holidays, Terra Incognita ECOTOURS is now offering a new Photo Expedition to Madagascar.
The adventure travel company specializes in wildlife-focused ecotours that “give travelers the chance to ‘make a difference’ while vacationing”. This 13-day June trip is also available with an optional 4-day, post-trip extension to Anjajavy.
Green Caribbean resort Bucuti Beach Resort has launched a new, eco-friendly Experience Aruba Green Package.
On the white sands of Aruba’s Eagle Beach, the 104-room boutique resort for couples features Tara Beach Suites & Spa. Known for its sustainable tourism, Bucuti has been recognized by the Caribbean Hotel Association and the International Hotel and Restaurant Association for its environmentally responsible hotel operations.
Says Ewald Biemans, Bucuti’s owner:
“At Bucuti, we are passionate about preserving the environment so we can share Aruba’s beauty and culture with guests for years to come. The Experience Aruba Green Package will allow guests to experience some of the island’s spectacular sights, while also learning about our history and ecology. We hope this will help our guests develop a true sense of place.”
Novotel now offers travelers 32 hotels and resorts throughout Asia Pacific which have achieved Green Globe Sustainable Tourism Certification. An additional 40 hotels have reached benchmarking status towards certification.
Says Evan Lewis, spokesperson, Accor Asia Pacific:
“Having 32 hotels certified and a further 40 in Asia Pacific region well on their way towards certification, is a notable achievement. Certification is achieved hotel by hotel, requiring each hotel to be individually committed to the program and able to demonstrate environmental performance… Travelers are increasingly seeking hotels that are able to demonstrate a commitment to the environment and Green Globe Certification provides visibility and the assurance of this commitment. Accor is committed to having the Asia Pacific network of Novotel hotels and resorts committed to the program by the end of 2009.”
Novotel is a mid-scale hotel brand within the Accor group portfolio, with Novotel 400 hotels and resorts in 60 countries. The brand is committed to sustainable development and all Novotel hotels participate in the Green Globe worldwide environmental certification programme.
International organization Green Globe provides certification for Sustainable Tourism, originally established in 1992 by the World Tourism and Travel Council and based on Agenda 21 (priorities of the 21st century for the planet).
The latest hotels to achieve certification are three Hong Kong locations : Novotel Hong Kong Century, Novotel Hong Kong Nathan Road and Novotel Hong Kong Citigate.
Image courtesy of Accor Asia Pacific
