greentravelguides.tv

Harriet Lamb opens WRTD 2011

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:20:19 +0000

Harriet Lamb, Cheif Excecutive of Fairtrade Foundation opens World Responsible Tourism Day during World Travel Market 2011 in London.

Leo Hickman talks to Stephen Sackur at WTM

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:18:24 +0000

Writer Leo Hickman talks to Stephen Sackur following the release of his controversial new book The Final Call.

Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2011

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:16:56 +0000

A luxury safari company - Robin Pope Safaris, and a social enterprise operating walking tours of London by the homeless - Sockmob Events/Unseen Tours, are the joint winners of this year's Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards.

At a ceremony hosted at World Travel Market (WTM), ExCel, London, as part of World Responsible Tourism Day, the Awards were handed out by Justin Francis, Managing Director of responsibletravel.com, organisers and founders of the Awards, and Amanda Wills, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays, in their fifth year as headline sponsor of the Awards.

Zimbabwe reserve wins conservation award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:34:02 +0000

Singita Pamushana in Zimbabwe has won the conservation section in the global Tourism for Tomorrow awards.

The lodge helps protect more than 120,000 acres of wilderness and degraded wildlife habitat in the southern corner of Zimbabwe.

As well as conserving iconic wildlife, the lodge feeds 25,000 children every day and provides safe drinking water to thousands more villagers.

Speaking at the awards, Singita Director Mark Witney said the single biggest issue within the reserve was a resurgence of rhino poaching.

He said the world could help conservation efforts in southern Africa by stamping out demand for rhino horn - particularly from buyers in Asia.

He added that visitors were essential if this lodge and others like it in troubled Zimbabwe were to continue to look after endangered animal species.

The Tourism for Tomorrow awards were announced at the World Travel and Tourism Council's Summit in Las Vegas this week.

To find out more go to singita-pamushana-lodge

Intrepid wins eco biz award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:32:01 +0000

Australian-based Intrepid Travel has won the global big business section in the environmental Tourism for Tomorrow awards. The award is given out to large companies making efforts to control carbon emissions and support planet-friendly tourist projects around the world. Intrepid provides health care and other much-need services to communities in some of the world's poorest countries.

To find out more, go to intrepidtravel.com

Alpine Pearls tops for transport

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:30:45 +0000

Austria's Alpine Peals has won international acclaim for having provided low energy transport systems in the Alps. The non-profit environmental company won the destination stewardship category in the Tourism for Tomorrow awards. It provides sustainable transport systems that range from solar powered electric vehicles to low carbon public transport and even free pushbikes for visitors who leave their cars at home.

To find out more go to alpine-pearls.com

Mozambique project scoops community prize

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:27:50 +0000

Mozambique eco lodge Guludo Beach has won the community benefit section of the Tourism for Tomorrow awards.

The lodge is within Quirimbas National Park and funds a charity that provides clean water and health care to people in an impoverished corner of the country.

To find out more go to guludo.com

Jonathon Porritt and the future of tourism

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 06:06:08 +0000

Jonathon Porritt was interviewed by greentravelguides.tv after WTTC launched its Policy Recommendations. For more information, go to:

http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_Initi...

Jean-Claude Baumgarten of the WTTC

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:11:50 +0000

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President for the World Travel and Tourism Council, reminds us of the importance of responsibility in this industry. For more information, go to:

http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_Initi...

New York canals become a national park

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:34:55 +0000

New York State's entire canal system and its 200 or more communities have become one of the country's most unusual national parks.

It's called the National Heritage Corridor.

Leave the car behind to explore the region by canal boat or cycle the 365 mile bike path from Albany to Buffalo.

The landscapes vary widely from wildernesses such as the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge to historic towns with small family-owned businesses and inns.

Go to eriecanalway.gov

Whales in Tenerife

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:57:46 +0000

Tenerife is now working with the Worldwide Fund for Nature to monitor and protect the whales around its shores.

So said travel industry director Pia Louw at this year's World Travel Market. She said whale watching during migrations was now a key natural attraction in Tenerife.

The island had more than 500 species of marine life in its immediate waters.

Tanzania big and small

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:39:35 +0000

Tourists in nature reserves must be prepared to see small rodents as well as large game because they're all part of the ecosystem.

So says Gils de Raadt of Moivaro Lodges & Camps at London's World Travel Market.

His organisation has built game lodges in Tanzania's national parks, using materials sourced entirely within the country.

He said they'd received some complaints about small mice in the lodges, animals native to the Serengeti.

Animals wandering around the lodges and camps were an essential part of the natural environment and should be enjoyed rather than destroyed, he insisted.

Malawi game parks restocked

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:21:53 +0000

Partnership between the Malawi government and private conservation groups has helped restock the country's reserves with wildlife.

Speaking at London's World Travel Market last week, tourism spokesman Sosten Lingwalanya said there were now 10 wildlife parks across Malawi.

Conservation efforts had seen populations of indigenous animals such as elephants, zebra and black rhino re-established, he said.

And communities living with protected wildlife reserves were now reaping the benefit from tourism and nature conservation, he added.

Wild Jordan

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:04:06 +0000

Tourists to Jordan should venture beyond the ancient monuments of Petra or Jerash to explore the country's nature reserves.

So says Nayef H. Al-Fayez, speaking at the World Travel Market in London.

He said the country was rich in natural habitats with wildlife reserves spread across the country and protected by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.

There are many different natural ecosystems, from mountains to arid plains and wetlands.

He added that the country recognised the need for a careful balance between tourism and preserving wild spaces.

Green Vermont

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:20:50 +0000

Vermont is the fourth most environmentally sustainable tourist destination in the world and the greenest in the US.

It was also one of the first states to ban billboards so people could enjoy the scenery, said Linda Seville at World Travel Market.

She said most tourist activities were outdoors, from hiking along the Appalacian trail to canoeing, cycling and joining wildlife photography safaris.

Hong Kong countryside

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:09:37 +0000

Hong Kong is an energy efficient destination with plenty of green space and wildlife away from the high-rise city centre.

So claims Country Parks Ranger Officer Tan Tze-wei at this year's World Travel Market in London.

He said Hong Kong was wrongly perceived as a totally urban island and that visitors should make the effort to get out and explore the countryside.

He urged people to swap gas-guzzling transport for the city's network of underground trains and electric buses, he added.

Equador natives launch rainforest tourism

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:30:18 +0000

Indigenous people in the Equadorian rainforest are now running their own hotel deep inside the jungle.

The project gives the forest dwellers a sustainable source of income without having to chop down the trees.

A spokesman for the tribe said the native people no longer had to rely on oil and logging companies to survive.

Now they could project the rainforest and safeguard their way of life, he said.

Planet crunch looming, warns Tony Juniper

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:09:43 +0000

The world is lacking the basic resources not only for the recovery of nature but also for the long term alleviation of poverty.

So warned former Friends of the Earth chairman, environmentalist Tony Juniper.

Speaking at the responsible tourism awards in London, he said it would be impossible to pull communities out of poverty without restoring the environment.

"We have this enormous planet crunch in front of us, in terms of the ecosystems showing signs of stress and the resources diminishing at the same time as we can expect demand to continue to rise," he said.

To see the awards, click here

Cruise lines need to make more effort

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:02:51 +0000

The cruise industry needs to be more environmentally sustainable, says Professor Harold Goodwin at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards.

The event judge said entries from cruise lines and tour operators had been disappointing.

Only one tour operator had received an award and the industry needed to do more to support people living in travel destinations around the world, he claimed.

Harold's new newsletter can be seen by going to responsibletourismpartnership.org

Responsible travel newsletter

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 07:32:26 +0000

Find out about the latest initiatives in responsible travel around the world through a newsletter launched this month.

The on-line newsletter is published by Harold Goodwin, professor of responsible tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University.

To subscribe, go to responsibletourismpartnership.org

Award standards get tough

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:51:09 +0000

The standard of entries to the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards is rising every year, says award founder Justin Francis.

Companies that won when the awards began seven years ago would not be finalists today.

This year there were more than 1700 candidates despite entry criteria getting tougher, he added.

Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2010

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:37:56 +0000

The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 took place on the 10th of November during World Travel Market, London. A major part of World Responsible Tourism Day and organised by responsibletravel.com, the event brought nominees and winners from across the world together.

The tiny Indonesia resort of Nihiwatu has been named overall winner of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards for 2010. It won the award in recognition of the work it does on the island of Sumba in helping to alleviate poverty and disease, says Justin Francis, MD of the organisers responsibletravel.com.

Other key award winners included Zealandia, a wildlife conservation project in New Zealand, Nurture Lakeland in the UK and Sam Raphael from Jungle Bay Resort & Spa for his House of Hope scheme for disabled children on Dominica.

St Lucia recovers from hurricane

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 03:15:32 +0000

Roads and bridges across St Lucia have been repaired and reopened following last month's devastating Hurricane Tomas.

The hurricane swept across the centre of the island, killing 14 people, cutting off the town of Soufriere and causing widespread damage.

Speaking at World Travel Market in London, director of tourism Louis Lewis said the two airports had been open throughout for evacuations and rescue flights.

He said it was important tourists continued to visit the island as tourism was the major industry and employer on St Lucia.

Authenticity's a must, says Kiwi tourism man

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:06:39 +0000

Travellers today demand authenticity and want to come in contact with real communities and nature outside the confines of their hotel. So says Tourism New Zealand's Western Hemisphere general manger Gregg Anderson at this year's World Travel Market in London.

The show brings together tourism professionals from many countries and is one of the largest travel trade fairs in the world. It's also the venue for the annual World Responsible Tourism Day celebrations and awards.

Mr Anderson said the destinations that would be the most successful in attracting visitors were those that fully understood environmental sustainability and the need to involve indigenous communities in tourism.

Go to newzealandtourism.com

Brix Smith-Start's green packing tips

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:04:48 +0000

Holidaymakers use less than a fifth of the clothes, shoes and accessories we pack to take away.

So claims a report from Thomson's sustainable tourism initiative Holidays Forever who've enlisted fashion expert Brix Smith-Start to show us how we can lighten our loads this summer.

Brix says we spend up to three days packing yet use only 16 per cent of the items in our suitcases.

And all that unnecessary weight is a big contributor to the build up of C02 because planes use extra fuel to carry our overstuffed bags.

If we all cut down our baggage weight by 25 per cent we'd save a massive 7537 tonnes of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere each year. This equates to taking 2,216 family cars off the road.

Check out makeholidaysgreener

Concept planes of the future from Airbus

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:28:23 +0000

What will air travel be like in 2050? Charles Champion of Airbus gives a glimpse into the future of flying and also green initiatives that are already becoming a reality.

Do you have any innovative and green ideas that could help change the way we fly? Why not enter the Airbus Fly Your Ideas Challeng by going to airbus-fyi.com

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2010 Ceremony

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:32:40 +0000

Four winners were announced during the 10th Global Travel & Tourism Summit at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China.

Chosen from 160 entries and 12 finalists, these were: Emirates Hotels & Resorts, Whale Watch Kaikoura, Accor and the Botswana Tourism Board.

22 judges had the difficult task to find four winners that have shown best environmental and sustainable practices in different parts of the world.

For more information go to tourismfortomorrow.com

greentravelguides.tv to test Electric Smart Car

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:08:10 +0000

greentravelguides.tv takes to the highways this summer to test drive the new Smart electric car. For 12 months, we’ll be taking part in a pilot scheme to put the prototype Smart car through its paces on British roads. greentravelguides.tv boss Steve Hills says: “We want to find out whether or not this new electric vehicle is practical for travelling around the countryside as well as an everyday runabout.” Steve Hills collected the car this week from Transport Advisor to the Mayor of London, Kulveer Ranger.

Check out our video News channel for regular updates through the summer...

Future Foundation has conducted research into peoplesviews and the practicality of electric cars futurefoundation.net

elektromotive are installing electric charging points around the UK. Find out more and where to hook up for free at elektromotive.com

Wilderness Safaris conservation work recognised

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:12:01 +0000

A conservation organisation-turned-safari operator has been praised for its efforts to preserve and restore huge tracts of Africa’s wild spaces. Wilderness Safaris helps conserve some three million hectares of land across seven countries in Southern Africa. The organisation was a finalist in the recent Tourism for Tomorrow conservation awards. Judges singled the company out for its long term commitment to sustainable operations. Wilderness employs 3,000 people, almost all from local communities.

Look at wilderess-safaris.com

Mount Huangshan nominated for key award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:31:04 +0000

A UNESCO Heritage Site in China has recognised as one of the best-run tourist destinations in the world.
Mt Huangshan scenic area was a finalist in the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Stewardship award.
One of the top 10 scenic areas of China, Mt Huangshan in Anhui Province was singled out for its sustainable management by the award judges.
Director Jiwei Xu says conservation and energy management are key priorities for the region. He adds that the site now employs 4,500 people, 900 of them in nature conservation.

Inkaterra nominated for key award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:09:29 +0000

Peru’s first carbon neutral tourism company was recently nominated for a global conservation award. Inkaterra was a finalist for the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow award for conservation.

The company has been working in the Andean cloud forest and Amazonia forests since the mid-Seventies.
It is involved in volunteer as well as luxury eco-tourism, both of which help fund research and conservation projects.
These include a rescue centre for endangered Spectacled Bears, which has led to the re-introduction of one female bear into the wild in the Machu Picchu Reserve.

Go to inkaterra.com

Tourindia

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:10:32 +0000

People in the Indian state of Kerala receive direct or indirect employment through the holiday houseboat business run by TourIndia. That’s why the company was a finalist in the recent 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Community Benefit award. Tour India was the first organisation to run these Kettuvallam houseboats through the backwaters of Kerala. It converts former rice barges into environmentally sustainable holiday accommodation. There’s no air con and all food and supplies are sourced from local people.

For info go to tourindiakerala.com

Kiwis scoop international award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 30 May 2010 06:00:17 +0000

Whale Watch Kaikoura has won this year's global Tourism for Tomorrow Community award.

The company runs boat safaris to watch sperm whales off the coast of New Zealand's South Island.

The Maori tour operator is one of the biggest employers in the town of Kaikoura and has helped support dozens of spin-off jobs and businesses in the community.

Emirates wins top conservation award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 30 May 2010 05:57:14 +0000

Halting the decline in biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions are key priorities for Emirates Hotels & Resorts, overall winner of the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Award.

The company runs the 225 square kilometre Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, one of the most important endangered species' habitats in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Emirates' Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in New South Wales' Blue Mountains is the first hotel in the world to be accredited as carbon neutral.

Botswana Tourism Board wins award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 30 May 2010 05:55:19 +0000

Protecting one of the most fragile habitats on Earth has seen the Botswana Tourism Board win a major environmental award this month.

The Tourism for Tomorrow destination stewardship award recognises organisations who are managing a region in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable.

The board set in place a management plan for the Okavanga Delta, one of the most important wetlands in southern Africa.

Accor wins big biz green award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 30 May 2010 05:49:55 +0000

Initiatives to reduce energy consumption and introduce sustainable building techniques have earned Accor this year's Tourism for Tomorrow big business award.

The award goes to international companies making long term efforts to minimise the impact of their business on the environment.

Spokeswoman Sophie Flak says even the smallest initiatives by multi-nationals make a major difference globally.

Maxi Pia Louis

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 27 May 2010 08:58:28 +0000

Community-run tourist lodges in Namibia's wildlife areas have become finalists in this year's Tourism for Tomorrow awards. They're part of a network of projects across the country that not only support rural communities but also help to protect fragile habitats and wildlife.

Mark Witney

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 26 May 2010 07:15:19 +0000

Reintroducing black rhinos and helping to establish an anti-poaching unit in the Serengeti has seen Singita Game Reserves nominated as a finalist in the Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Awards.

The Singita Grumeti Reserves' concession covers 350,000 acres along the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

All operating profits go back into conservation and community projects, such as an environmental school for local children and support with sustainable farming.

Shannon Stowell

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 26 May 2010 04:29:54 +0000

The World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are one of the most prestigious award events on the travel industry's calendar. Who are the judges and why do they take up the challenge to find the greenest in travel? Shannon Stowell, president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association is one of those judges for this year's awards.

Wilderness Safaris and the recession

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 25 May 2010 04:03:09 +0000

How does a travel company stick to its core green values in today’s economic climate? Andy Payne, CEO of Wilderness Safaris, talks to Gill Williams about surviving the recession.

Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:22:46 +0000

The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 took place on the 13th of November during World Travel Market, London. A major part of World Responsible Tourism Day and organised by responsibletravel.com, the event brought nominees and winners from across the world together.

Hosted by Stephen Sackur of BBC World's HARDtalk series, the event was opened by Justin Francis of responsibletravel.com.

This is the full length version of the awards as they happened and runs for apprpximately 47 minutes.

Whale Watch Kaikoura wins top award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:06:56 +0000

New Zealand company Whale Watch Kaikoura has scooped a global award for sustainable tourism.

The company was named overall winner of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards for 2009.

The judges said: "Whale Watch Kaikoura provides consistently responsible whale watching tours with minimal impacts."

Find out more about Whale Watch Kaikoura by going to whalewatch.co.nz

Whale Watch Kaikoura at World Travel Market

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:33:13 +0000

Whale Watch Kaikoura in New Zealand's South Island takes visitors into the Pacific in search of the giant sperm whale. It's a community-led tourism project using specially-designed catamarans to minimise impact on the whales.

The Kaikoura sperm whales are the world's largest carnivores (each the size of four elephants). They dive up to two kilometres into the Kaikoura Canyonto hunt giant squid. Whale Watch Kaikoura boss Kauahi Ngapora says boats are likely to also spot humpbacks, blue whales, pilot whales and southern right whales, depending on the season.

To find out more go to whalewatch.co.nz

Green Florida Keys at World Travel Market 2009

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:05:43 +0000

Stacey Mitchel tells us about green Florida Keys at World Travel Market.

Find out more at fla-keys.com

Nature air at World Travel Market 2009

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:42:04 +0000

Nature Air is the only carbon neutral airline in the world.

In London this week at the World Travel Market, Nature Air's Alexi Khajavi explains how it's possible to run a successful air business and help support the pristine natural environment of Costa Rica.

Find out more at Nature Air.

Wilderness Safaris at World Travel Market 2009

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:20:48 +0000

Wilderness Safaris tell us about the greener side of African Safaris, at World Travel Market, London.

Check out Wilderness Safaris.

Happy Birthday Archey!

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:42:14 +0000

One year ago greentravelguides.tv went live as an internet television channel showing how we can keep travelling without trashing the planet.

It's been an interesting 12 months.

The birth of our mascot Archey the Frog co-incided with the onset of the worst recession in eight decades.

Money has been tight and people have not been spending as much on travel.

Yet the recession may have been good for sustainable travel.

We're seeing more of our own countries; passing on international resorts in favour of B&Bs or camping - in short, making our journeys count.

The world is inching out of recession and that's a good thing.

But the experiences of the last year may have made all of us take stock of our priorities and think about the way we travel.

The future is bright and the future of travel is green.

Happy birthday Archey.

New greenie travel book

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:00:22 +0000

Fancy sipping rosé in a Provencal treehouse, dog sledding in Norway or
mountain biking in Vermont? Then check out the new Clean Breaks guidebook, covering 500 responsible and greenie holidays around the world.

The guide by authors Richard Hammond (see About Us page,greentravelguides.tv) and Jeremy Smith was launched this week by publisher Rough Guides and costs £18.99 (US$29.99).

For a sneak preview go to

Clean Breaks
For more info go to

roughguides.com

Also, see Richard Hamond's

green traveller

Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:09:33 +0000

Sustainability is no longer a labour of love, it is a competitive business strategy.

So says Costas Christ, chairman of judges for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

“If you are a smart businessman you will operate in a way that protects the planet,” he insists.

Protecting our heritage

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:49:51 +0000

Cultural heritage is sometimes the poor relation of conservation, according to scientists and environmentalists at the Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Brazil.

Yet tourism can play a huge role in protecting ancient sites like the Angkor Temples in Cambodia or Stonehenge in England’s West Country.

Local communities can make more money by looking after sites rather than stripping the antiquities, the session heard.

Only fly where it matters

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:31:19 +0000

If people stopped flying tomorrow there would be a conservation distaster, according to Costas Christ, travel editor of National Geographic.

Frajile areas like the Serengeti in Tanzania or the Pantanal in Brazil are only protected because people visit.

“If people didn’t visit the Pantanal wetlands it be one big cattle ranch,” he said.

“The issue isn’t how we stop travel but how we get it right.”

Small is beautiful

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:21:19 +0000

Some 80 per cent of people employed by travel companies around the world are working in small businesses or projects.

So it’s vital that local communities are included in the decision making processes and management of tourism, the Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Brazil heard.

The world has seen plenty of big tourism developments where local people have not reaped the financial or social benefit.

However, the movement today is toward communities taking charge of their own projects. And involving local people always enriches the holiday experience for visitors.

Big biz can be green

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:49:22 +0000

Large corporations have the resources to invest in green technology and projects and set valuable examples for smaller companies to follow.

That’s the verdict of environmentalists and travel industry speakers in a panel session at the Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Brazil.

Investing in green initiatives makes good business, they say.

Motives don’t matter – if travel corporations make money from going green then the whole industry has an incentive to operate more responsibly.

World Cup to benefit the poor

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:27:24 +0000

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa will create much-needed tourist jobs in deprived parts of the country, says Mmatsatsi Marobe, CEO of The Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

She says visitors to South Africa tend to stay in cities and don’t travel out to rural areas where jobs and income are most needed.

And she urges tourist businesses such as game lodges to make greater efforts to source local goods.

Buying local products such as candles, food and crafts will generate sustainable incomes for some of Africa’s poorest people.

“Business has a duty to source responsible goods,” she says.

Zakoura wins community award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:26:07 +0000

Providing money to small tourist businesses in rural areas has seen Morocco's Zakoura Foundation for Micro Credit win an international responsible tourism award.

The foundation provides small loans and training to people in rural parts of the country.The not-for-profit organisation has won the Community section of the global Tourism for Tomorrow awards.

Major conservation prize for NatureAir

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:57:46 +0000

The world's first carbon neutral airline has been named winner of the Conservation section of the international Tourism for Tomorrow awards.

The 2009 award presented by the World Travel and Tourism Council has gone to Costa Rica's Nature Air, which offsets its greenhouse gas emissions by preserving and replanting rainforest in the Osa Peninsula.

NatureAir is also behind Costa Rica's only alternative fuelling station. It uses 100 per cent biodiesel produced from veggie oils and recycled cooking fat to power its ground vehicles.

Grupo Puntacana win a major environmental award.

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:13:44 +0000

Encouraging sustainable development in the eastern corner of the Dominican Republic has seen Grupo Puntacana win a major environmental award.

The Destination Stewardship prize is part of the Tourism for Tomorrow awards announced in Brazil this week. It was awarded in recognition of environmental and social development work being done by the company. The company has led the way in water harvesting and encouraged other hotels in the area to do the same.

Today, all hotel companies in the area collect and recycle water. Other initiatives range from alternative energy trials through to opening a public high school.

Marriott wins green biz award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 16 May 2009 10:44:46 +0000

Marriott International has scooped a key eco business award at the World Travel & Tourism Council’s annual summit in Brazil.

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognize the efforts made by travel companies to help the environment, make efficient use of resources and benefit local communities.

Awards organizer Susann Kreugal from the WTTC says Marriott won the Global Business Award because of its long-term commitment to the natural world and also to the people living around its hotels.

Last year the hotel chain announced a US$2 million scheme to protect a large tract of the Amazon rainforest.

Hotel president Ed Fuller says protecting fragile habitats and looking after people makes good business sense.

Green help for small hotels

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:55:57 +0000

Small hotels wanting to go green are being given advice and practical help by a new service called the Travelife Sustainability System.

The system is supported by Thomas Cook and shows small hotels how to improve energy efficiency, control waste – and work more closely with local communities.

Thomas Cook is also working with The Travel Foundation, a British charity that helps to care for the natural environment, people and culture in holiday destinations. There are projects in countries as far apart as Turkey, Cyprus and The Gambia. Thomas Cook's sustainable tourism manager Jo Baddeley says: “The most inspiring project for me at the moment is the sponsorship of five female Turkish students studying a Tourism Degree at Mugla University.”

Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2009

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:47:22 +0000

Turtle champions in Greece, a micro finance charity in Morocco and a Maasai-run eco lodge in Kenya are just three of the finalists in this year's Tourism for Tomorrow awards.

The awards have become the green tourism Oscars, recognising the most planet and people-friendly travel projects around the globe. They're run by the World Travel and Tourism Council, a weighty group of the 100 most powerful travel business people in the world.

The award winners will be announced at this year's WTTC summit, to be staged mid-May in Brazil.

Here WTTC president Jean-Claude Baumgarten talks about the Tourism for Tomorrow awards with greentravelguides.tv environmental journalist Richard Hammond.

Online travel charity launches

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:08:28 +0000

A new website giving travellers and travel companies the chance to support charities in holiday destinations is being launched this Spring.

Travaid.org is being run by Travel Philanthropy, a British charity that funds community projects in some of the world's poorest nations.

Travaid spokesman Nick Chaffe says many holidaymakers want to help people in the countries they've recently visited. "We are giving them an online means of donating to really worthwhile projects," he says.

The Golf Environment Organisation

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:08:53 +0000

A new website has been launched encouraging golf courses to become more sustainable and helping golfers choose the greenest courses.

The site is golfenvironment.org and is run by the Scottish-based not for profit team, the Golf Environment Organisation. They are designing an eco-certification system for European golf.

They're also working with 2010 Ryder Cup host Celtic Manor in Wales to make sure the event is the greenest-ever golf championship, says boss Jonathan Smith.

Green Recession

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 09:21:29 +0000

Caring for the environment and helping to reduce poverty are still key priorities for holidaymakers despite the global recession. So says research by First Choice and Thomson, brands owned by TUI, one of the largest mainstream holiday companies in the world.

TUI's head of sustainability Sarah Holloway says the recession may actually help push down holiday prices as hotels and airlines make greater efforts to save energy. She says many hotels already recognise sustainable management can bring about savings and reduce the need for job losses during the economic downturn.

National Geographic unveils London store

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:33:19 +0000

The National Geographic Society has opened its first-ever department store. The shop is on Regent Street in London. It will also house a library, exhibition centre and auditorium. Proceeds will be used to fund conservation, research and educational projects by the National Geographic Society.

Winter Olympics go green

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:15:28 +0000

Vancouver will stage the greenest Winter Olympics ever, Canadian Tourism Commission chief Michele McKenzie announced at World Travel Market in London. There will be two Olympic villages built for the 2010 Games, one in Vancouver and the other in the Cheakamus Valley at Whistler. The Vancouver village will be fitted with solar panels and rainwater harvested to irrigate green roofs and gardens. Heat exchange systems will keep the 2,100 athletes and officials toasty when they are not on the slopes.The Whistler village is being built on a former landfill site and 90 per cent of the energy needed for heating and showers will be met by capturing waste heat from a nearby waste water treatment plant. www.vancouver2010.com

Archey the Frog hops into launch party

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:36:31 +0000

Archey the Frog was VIP guest at the London launch party for greentravelguides.tv. The gala event was held at New Zealand House on October 28. The kiwi frog is the symbol of greentravelguides.tv and got the job because 2008 is the official Year of the Frog, editorial director Gill Williams told the crowd.

The Earth Challenge

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Scientists around the globe are being offered a US$25 million prize to devise a way to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The Virgin Earth Challenge has been posted by airline tycoon Richard Branson with the help of Al Gore and is open to anybody who can come up with a commercially viable solution to solve the greatest threat to survival on Earth. The competition is open until 2013. Enter through www.virginearth.com

Marriott to protect rainforest

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:49:54 +0000

MARRIOTT is to spend $2 million to protect 1.4 million acres of endangered rainforest in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. The money will fund an environmental management plan run by the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation. Hotel chain boss Bill Marriott says he is hoping other global hotel groups will follow their lead. He adds that by the end of the year, guests staying in Marriott hotels will be able to offset carbon emissions from their stay.

‘Dead’ river wins global eco tourism award

info@greentravelguides.tv (greentravelguides.tv) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:36:14 +0000

Blackstone Valley in New England has won the prestigious Destination prize in the 2008 Tourism For Tomorrow Awards. The awards are made by the World Travel and Tourism Council. Other key awards went to Ecotourism Australia, an accreditation scheme for green tourist projects, and RARE la Ruta Moskitia in Honduras, a project run by indigenous people living within the largest rainforest in Central America. A global tourism business award went to the luxury Six Senses Resorts and Spas.