Green Getaway

Written by: Kristina Hughes
Edited by: Olga Z
Joboja Staff Writers

Most tourists spend the greens, but some think "green" when they travel. As the green movement becomes a lifestyle choice, with new hybrid cars, clothing lines and organic foods—travel is going green.
The growing green tourism industry encourages environmentally friendly travel throughout the world. Environmental tourism—ecotourism or nature tourism—provides an opportunity to visit undisturbed natural areas, scenic vistas and observe plants and wildlife. The tourism is often linked to non-motorized outdoor recreational activities like hiking, bicycling and camping and even more exotic adventures including safaris and snorkeling.

Sustainable tourism emerged in response to concerns about traditional travel and tourism. According to the World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism should "make optimal use of environmental resources," and "respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities."

Tourism is the world's largest and fastest-growing industry with total spending of about $523 billion in 2003 (According to the World Travel & Tourism, Sowing the Seeds of Growth: The 2005 Travel and Tourism report). The industry is also the world's largest employer, providing about 200 million jobs—or about 8 percent of total global employment.

People's travel choices contribute to the negative environmental impact of tourism. While things like emissions from cars and planes and the inefficient use of water and energy are fairly common, some companies are making progress to reverse these trends.

Orbitz redesigned its website to include a new eco-friendly travel microsite. The company's goal is to encourage "travelers to consider the environment during the planning and booking, and within the course of the journey itself. Whether you decide to offset your travel emissions with our partners at Carbonfund.org, choose a hotel that embraces environmentally-friendly operating policies or dedicate a few days to clean up a national park anywhere in America, we hope that you make every day
Earth Day during your travels."

The site promotes eco-friendly tours by including offers to rent hybrids, stay at environmentally friendly hotels and plan eco tours. The website features tips for traveling green and the green list featuring “the best in sustainable travel, from Africa's new safari camp to fuel-efficient jets to a float down Chile's threatened Río Baker."
Google also added a special feature to their Map service that helps travelers find green travel options and provides virtual tours of certain locations.

Ecotourism companies also offer complete ecotour packages. Stateside, the countries park systems are becoming a vacation destination. Instead of family RVs, hybrid cars and tents are dotting campsites. Many state parks have programs designed for families and young kids, helping instill conservational values by teaching kids about habitats, flora, the world of creepy crawlers and nocturnal wildlife.

Our Great Lakes neighbor, Michigan, is on board. Paddling the snaking Jordan River, hiking the trails at Avalanche Park and basking in the sun at area beaches, Northern Michigan's great outdoors is a green travelers dream. The four season tours are booming in popularity, even in the winter months when tourists come for cross country skiing and ice fishing.
The movement is being promoted by area chambers of commerce, and overall it's expanding Michigan's tourism dollars by creating businesses. It's also drawing scant criticism from environmental groups who want to preserve nature's wonders by fostering a love for the area.

Responsible Tourism, a web based travel agent, produced a hand picked directory of 1000s of stunning eco holidays run by 265 specialist tour operators and 100s of accommodations . The site includes opportunities to book accommodations and trips, from safaris to scuba diving. The budget features include a stay at an eco lodge in the Andes for $25 a day, walking expeditions in Scotland for $399 to $449 for 6 to 7 days (not including airfare) and sea kayaking in Croatia for $344 to $529 for 8 days (not including airfare).

More resorts, hotels and motels see the advantages of going green. Recently, IndependentTraveler.com named its top 10 green hotels. Among the list included Orchard Garden Hotel in downtown San Francisco opened in November 2006 as the only hotel in the city to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for environmentally friendly design. The Independent Traveler recognized the hotels, electric key card system which automatically stops power to each room when a guest leaves and turns it back on when he returns.

The Independent Traveler also listed the Midwest location, the Pinehurst Inn in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The 19th-century inn is equipped with energy-efficient appliances and solar panels to heat water in the newly built Garden House, and organic cotton linens and towels are in all rooms. Locally grown organic food is served at breakfast. Doubles are from $99 per night.
The partnership of environmentally conscious travel helps promote greater conservation. Ecotourism businesses realize to maintain a healthy client base and a viable business into the future they need to protect the environment.