Traveling Green

Marriott Goes Green with Newspapers on Demand

2009-04-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

I'm an avid reader of events and happenings but if you'd ask me when the last time I picked up a newspaper and sat down to read it, I'd look at you with a blank stare. Why would I read a newspaper when I can find everything online?

However, I have many friends that couldn't imagine not starting their Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. It'd be a tragic event if either the coffee or newspaper was missing from their morning ritual, they may as well not wake up.

Effective June 1st, Marriott will green their hotel with a small, but important policy. Guests will now have the choice of whether or not they'd like to be greeted with a newspaper each morning. Unless you request a newspaper during check-in or, if you're a reward members, adjust your online profile preferences, your stay will be newspaper-free. A small gesture, but one that will cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save thousands of tons of paper.

Plus, travelers like myself will no longer feel a pang of guilt when they walk out of their hotel room and never even touch the newspaper... except of course to carry to to a recycle bin.

Intercontinental Hotel Group Corporate Responsibility

2009-03-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

Ran across this website today and wanted to share it. It gives loads of information on what they're planning to do, what they've done, general information on greener business. It's refreshing to find a detailed website on specifics and goal setting for the parent company of many major hotels!

http://www.ihgplc.com/index.asp?pageid=615

Kudos for a large brand taking steps towards not only 'greening' their hotel but also an all-encompassing approach of corporate social responsibility.

Geotourism Challenge-- $5000 award

2009-03-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

If you know of anyone or any company who would be a good fit for the contest, drop them a line! Below is an article from travel mole which can also be found at http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1135104.php?mpnlog=1&m_id=s~nT_mvb

The National Geographic Society and Ashoka’s Changemakers today opened the entry process for the second annual “Geotourism Challenge” to showcase how tourism done well sustains, enhances and preserves local culture and the environment.

The competition will identify individuals worldwide who have introduced the most innovative practices in tourism and destination stewardship.

Conducted in partnership with Ashoka’s Changemakers, the global Geotourism Challenge will accept online applications through May 20, 2009. Applicants must demonstrate an innovation that protects destination quality and furthers geotourism, defined by National Geographic as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.”

During this period, anyone can debate, endorse or provide additional information on the entries. A distinguished panel of judges — including Keith Bellows, editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine, and Erika Harms, United Nations Foundation’s executive director for sustainable development — will review the applications and select the finalists. The online community will then vote for the Geotourism Challenge winners, who will be announced this summer. Each winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000.

“This year’s competition theme, ‘Power of Place — Sustaining the Future of Destinations,’ focuses on protecting the locales where history, culture and nature live. We want to recognize business and civic innovators who sustain distinctive places for the enjoyment of current and future generations,” said Jonathan Tourtellot, director of National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations.

Last year’s Geotourism Challenge produced 320 nominations from 83 countries. The three winners and 12 finalists gathered at National Geographic’s Washington, D.C., headquarters in October to present their innovative business models at the first Geotourism Change Summit attended by 150 country dignitaries and representatives of funding institutions and tourism-industry, conservation and preservation groups.

The competition also created an online community of geotourism activists, ranging from preservationists to developers. All can use competition results and resources to apply holistic geotourism principles locally.

The 2008 winners were a program in Ecuador’s Amazon region to provide Amazonian youth with an academic degree in nature tourism; an outfitter in Nepal that trains women to be trekking professionals in a culture that offers women limited job opportunities; and an eco-lodge in Costa Rica that is teaching native Cabecar Indians how to manage the business in one of the country’s celebrated rain forests.

Coming Soon: SFO featuring Carbon Credit Kiosks

2009-01-13T14:34:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts... had a
concussion and was under the weather for a few weeks!

It's scheduled to launch this Spring. Travelers visiting San Francisco International Airport will be able to stop by a kiosk similar to a self-service check-in, input their destination, and with a quick swipe of a credit card, purchase carbon credits for their trip.

While the logistics of pricing are not solidified, the company partnering with SFO to bring this technology, 3degrees, says travelers don't need to worry about breaking the bank.

SFO and 3Degrees have signed a one year deal with SFO posting an initial investment of $163,000 for the kiosks and 3Degrees supplying the technology and carbon credits. The current agreement allows 3Degrees 30% of each purchase, with the rest alloted to currently unspecified carbon reduction projects although there are a few . A few programs the Airport Director John Martin says could be benefactors? Renewable energy ventures in developing countries, agriculture and organic waste capture, coal mine methane capture, and sustainable forestry.

A spokesman for San Francisco's mayor said a portion of the funds would be given to the San Francisco Carbon Fund which would keep the money in the community.

Nathan Ballard, a spokesman for Mayor Gavin Newsom, said a portion of each offset purchase would go to the San Francisco Carbon Fund, which supports local projects such as energy-efficiency programs and solar panel installations for low-income housing, as well as efforts to convert waste oils into biodiesel fuels.

Car Sharing ..... Green Option for Extended Travel

2008-12-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

Car sharing is a great alternative to renting a car if you're on an extended stay vacation or assigned to an area for a few weeks or more. Not only is car sharing usually less expensive, most car sharing companies offer hybrids (which are on a "request only" basis with rental companies), you pay hourly for the car which means that you're trips will more than likely be consolidated.

Car sharing programs are not new, but a new player has come into the market with an eye to be a major player in the global car sharing market. Rental company Hertz recently introduced their car sharing program- Connect by Hertz. London, Paris, and New York are the first markets to experience Hertz's new program but plans are under way for expansion into 20 more cities across North America and Europe.

Zip Car is probably the most known car share program in the United States with cars in over 50 locations. Travelers looking for a car share program that isn't serviced by one of the larger car share providers should look for a local company like Hour Car which serves Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Union of Concerned Scientist Greenest Way to Travel Report!!!

2008-12-09T11:51:00.000-08:00

Until now, travelers haven't had a resource to find the best way to travel. With so many different factors, it's tough to find the greenest route. Is it better if you have 2 people in a car to drive 1,000 miles or would you be better off flying? Isn't going by train always the best? The Union of Concerned Scientists just released the findings of their report on the greenest way to travel today... Travel Quest is proud to have been the travel agency on hand to answer travel itinerary questions for the press release! You can listen to an audio recording of the press conference here.

While the report is a hefty read, it is also full of great facts and is going to be a tremendous asset to those looking for a green travel resource other than carbon calculators. I've taken the highlights of the report below:

Travel options are rated best on top to worst on the bottom....

Best Travel Options: Solo Traveler
100 miles
Take motor coach
Take train
Fly economy
Drive typical car
Drive typical SUV
Fly first-class

500 miles
Take motor coach
Take train
Fly economy
Drive typical car
Fly first-class
Drive typical SUV

1,000+ miles
Take motor coach
Fly economy
Take train
Fly first-class
Drive typical car
Drive typical SUV

Best Travel Options: Two Travelers
100 miles
Take motor coach
Take train
Drive typical car
Drive typical SUV
Fly economy
Fly first-class

500 miles
Take motor coach
Take train
Drive typical car
Fly economy
Drive typical SUV
Fly first-class

1,000+ miles
Take motor coach
Fly economy
Take train
Drive typical car
Drive typical SUV
Fly first-class

Best Travel Options: Family of Four
100 miles
Take motor coach
Drive typical car
Drive typical SUV
Take train
Fly economy
Fly first-class

500 miles
Take motor coach
Drive typical car
Drive typical SUV
Take train
Fly economy
Fly first-class

1,000+ miles
Take motor coach
Drive typical car
Drive typical SUV
Fly economy
Take train
Fly first-class

So there you have it, trains isn't always best and a much forgot about form of travel- motor coach- comes out on top! To view the full report please visit the Union of Concerned Scientists website.

Tips for Traveling Greener

2008-11-19T14:09:00.001-08:00

As we head towards the busy season I thought I would put together a top 10 list on easy ways to travel greener.

1. Bring a reusable water bottle for each traveler instead of buying plastic bottles

2. If possible, use public transportation or walk instead of renting a car

3. If your hotel has a linen/towel program, make sure to take advantage of it

4. Bring your own toiletries instead of using those provided by the hotel

5. During the summer, turn off the air conditioner when you leave the room. It only takes a few moments to cool it off when you return.

6. Turn off lights when you leave the hotel/resort room

7. When planning to snorkel or other activities in environmentally sensitive areas, buy biodegradable sunscreen

8. Whenever possible, take direct flights to conserve energy. Most jetfuel is used during take-off

9. When going out to eat, try to support the local economy and eat at restaurants that are locally owned and operated.

10. Support hotels/resorts with a environmentally friendly agenda.

El Dorado Spa Resorts go Green

2008-10-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

So you're looking for a resort that is powered by solar, reuses the water from the laundry for landscaping, uses environmentally cleaning products, and is an all-inclusive resort in Mexico? That can be problematic as most resorts used by major tour operators aren't exactly what I would classify as green. For those looking for a truly green eco-resort, a specialty tour operator is needed. However, I'm delighted- ecstatic actually- to announce El Dorado Resorts Pasión por el Medio Ambiente (Passion for the Environment) program!

Recently, the El Dorado Resorts sent out a press release outlining some of the green initiatives taking place at their resorts. The El Dorado Resorts are the epitome of luxury in the Rivieria Maya so it's refreshing to see a resort offered by most of our major tour operators leading the way to be more sustainable. While by no means are they 100% eco-friendly, it's the first mainstream resort I've seen that's taken real steps towards sustainability and I'm excited to see more of it!

As a side note about these resorts, they are owned by Joe and Delores Martinez who have worked very closely with us in the past to create the Banana Project. The program allowed travelers to bring down needed supplies to Cancun area schools in their spare luggage, Delores helped orchestrate the distribution and confirmation from the schools of their supplies. Unfortunately the baggage fees have put quite a damper on our project :(

Here's the press release!

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels, by Karisma, a collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties along the Riviera Maya, Mexico, announced the launch of Pasión por el Medio Ambiente (Passion for the Environment), a program derived from the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI), designed to encourage guest and staff participation in environmentally sustainable practices. “As a destination priding itself on beautiful surroundings, El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels is taking the necessary steps to ensure a balance between supporting the tourism industry and preserving the extraordinary natural environment of the Riviera Maya,” said Mandy Chomat, vice president of sales and marketing for Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive worldwide representatives for El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels by Karisma. “With the implementation of Pasión por el Medio Ambiente, we are extending the Gourmet Inclusive philosophy to include environment consciousness. We strive to foster togetherness between tourism and our ecosystem by encouraging our guests and staff to make environmentally sound decisions that support the initiatives set by MARTI.”

After learning of MARTI, hotel management took the initiative to create Pasión por el Medio Ambiente. Since its inception, El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels has passed several noteworthy milestones including implementation of solar panels throughout its properties. Running completely on solar power, El Dorado Maroma is 100 percent invested, while El Dorado Seaside Suites operates at 70 percent and El Dorado Royale at 40 percent solar power efficiency. Additionally, El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels has implemented quality controls over towels and sheets, restroom sensors and the use of green cleaning suppliers like Johnson Diversery. At El Dorado Royale, landscaping efforts will utilize recycled water from chemical-free laundry services provided by the resort. Among sustainable practices implemented, a major recycling initiative is also underway. El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels has taken extensive measures to ensure that all garbage is separated and recycled properly including dangerous waste, organic items, glass and paper. Employees are encouraged to bring in recycled goods from home once a week, which are processed on property.

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels employees have undergone an extensive training program outlining the MARTI initiatives and illustrating the benefits derived by its implementation. By employing sustainable hotel guidelines throughout its properties, environmental consideration will be incorporated into the daily practices of guests and local staff, encouraging them to educate friends and family on the value of sustainable practices including water and utility conservation, as well as the numerous benefits of recycling in Riviera Maya.

Rates at El Dorado Royale begin at $293 per person, per night for a Swim Up Jacuzzi Junior Suite including the Gourmet Inclusive experience, while El Dorado Maroma’s rates begin at $253 per person, per night for a Swim Up Jacuzzi Suite. El Dorado Seaside Suites’ rates begin at $263 per person, per night for a Swim Up Jacuzzi Suite.

Greener Skies

2008-09-30T14:47:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone!

We have a great program we've been running for about 8 months now called Greener Skies which helps to "offset" all of our clients travel. First and foremost, we do want to stress it does not mean that your travel has no effect on the environment. It's important to always be aware that your travel does have an impact and steps should be taken to minimize the impact. It's a fact of life that people are going to travel but there are ways to make it more "green!"

Our Greener Skies program donates $5 per booking to Wright County Parks for programs that sequester carbon like tree planting, land reclamation, etc. We've been very fortunate that we found a supportive contact at Wright County Parks and to date we have donated over $2,000!