Posts tagged sustainability

According to TravelMole, “Interest in properties with sustainable hospitality or green programs is huge”. This post ‘Al Goreism‘ world, where you can buy ‘Green Vodka‘, has really realigned its focus, and this new focus is starting to trickle down the purchase chain to both business and consumer travel. We are starting to see a marketable shift in consumer preferences with site like RezHub offering a Green Travel Hub to consumers who want to embrace responsible travel. With all of this attention, it looks as if Green is now green, and companies that embrace this, you could say are growing money from trees.

It is great to acknowledge the growth of awareness and certifications and offset programs that are out there, but what is really being done in the industry. What best practices are driving the most changes and  making an impact on the world today?

Consumer:

For consumer tips we go to the UN’s green passport site to find relevant tips for travllers:

1. Know who you are booking with – When planning your trip, look for sites or travel agents that support concepts keywords like “sustainable, responsible, green, eco, smart, slow, pro-poor, fair trade, and ethical tourism.
2. Slow it down – Flights are the fastest-growing contributors to greenhouse gases, so the UN recommends that you travel locally whenever you can, and take walks and bike rides in your destination where ever you go. This gives you a true appreciation of the area you are traveling in, and gives you some great exercise.
3. Home away from home – Ensure that your accommodations support the same policies that you do for your house. Be sure to ask them about their energy/water/and waste policies.
4. Bring it home to momma – When bringing back souvenirs, try to support the local economy by purchasing locally developed or created goods. If you are planning on bringing animal or wildlife based products, be sure to check with CITES.
5. Spread the word – Share your ‘eco-experiences’ with others. Tell them the choices you made and the effects that you are making. Getting the multiplier effect going is the only way that we can all learn from others. I would recommend blogging about it!

Business:

For Tourism business best practices I visited the infamous famous Visit Scotland website, which has some great resources that any company can download, and I have a few of my own to add. Here is a brief rundown for various sectors:

Accomodations:

1.  Involve your guest – Let your guests know all of the programs you offer (waste, energy, etc.) and let them know what they can do to participate. This could look like a pamphlet or clearly marked recycling bins in rooms.
2. The new VT – No, not a tax, but a ‘Virtual Transaction’ encourage your guests to process the entire booking virtually, and ensure them that they don’t need to print their reservation.
3. Hit the road jack – Offer alternative transportation, partner with other properties and offer guests a shuttle bus, or even have public transport information available. There still will be Taxis on the street, however shared transportation is proven to lower impact.

Tours and Attractions:

1. Count your blessings – Do an energy Audit, find out what you consume, and seek alternatives. Heating, lighting and driving often take up a large portion of the wasted energy a company uses. Start to track your consumption and start to make little changes (ecolights, driving techniques, insulation etc.) and see the savings!
2. The new alternative lifestyle – What fuels do you burn. Did you know that most diesel engines can be converted to run off of a variety of alternative fuels. (Mc Fat, etc) This would lower your companies dependence on foreign products.
3. Keep it close – Shopping for locally sourced products will not only help to develop your local economy, but it will reduce the amounts of fossil fuel burnt to deliver it to your guests.

What best practices have you found? Am I missing any key points?