Your Travel Choice Makes a Difference
How you can travel green
Moderator:
Martha Honey, Executive Director
The International Ecotourism Society
Presenters:
Laura Ell, Dir. Membership & Communications
The International Ecotourism Society
Chris Seek, CEO/President
Solimar Marketing & Travel
Zoe Chafe, Washington DC Coordinator
Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Agenda
• Defining ecotourism and sustainable travel
• Before you leave: Finding and booking
eco-travel
• Getting there and around: How to be an
eco-traveler
• After your trip: Expanding positive impacts
Tourism Statistics
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One of world’s largest industries
World’s 2nd largest economy
World’s largest employer
Growing fastest in developing countries
1990s: Growing 9% globally/year
What is Ecotourism?
“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves
the environment and improves the well-being of
local people."
This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism
activities should follow the following principles:
•Minimize impact
•Build environmental & cultural awareness and respect
•Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
•Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
•Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
•Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social
climate
Ecotourism is to Mass Tourism…
Costa Rica
…what Hybrids are to Hummers
What is Sustainable Tourism?
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Tourism that “meets the needs of present tourists & host
regions while protecting & enhancing
opportunities for the future.”
By definition, sustainable tourism includes ecotourism,
but can also include urban & beach tourism.
Source: Agenda 21 for the Travel & Tourism Industry
TIES Promotes Both Ecotourism &
Sustainable Tourism
Nature-based Tourism
Ecotourism
Sustainable Tourism
Urban Tourism
Source: Amos Bien, TIES.
Sun & Beach
Before You Leave: Finding and
Booking Eco-Travel
Presented by: Laura Ell – Dir. of Membership & Communications
The International Ecotourism Society
1. Overview of Resources for the
Traveler
2. Criteria for Choosing Options
3. The Right Questions to Ask
4. Beware of Greenwashing
5. Booking the Trip
Overview of Resources for the
Traveler
• Press/Magazines
• Guide Books
• Word of Mouth
• Internet & Travel Agents
Resources-Press/Magazines
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Travel Choice brochure
Newspaper-travel sections
National Geographic Traveler & Adventure
Wanderlust
Geographical
Global
Resources - Guide Books
& Word of Mouth
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Rough Guide
Lonely Planet
Moon Handbooks
Ask your friends!
Resources-Internet
• The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
Travel Choice Page www.ecotourism.org
• Responsible Travel www.responsibletravel.com
• Rainforest Alliance www.rainforest-alliance.com
• Ecotravel.com www.ecotravel.com
• Ecoclub.com www.ecoclub.com
• Solimar Travel www.solimartravel.com
• Ecotourism Resource Center www.bigvolcano.com.au
• Regional Ecotourism Associations
• Local Tourist Boards
Resources-Internet
Key search words:
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responsible travel
ecotour
ecotourism
eco travel
sustainable tourism
nature tourism
Resources-Internet
• 88% are planning to use the Internet to research
and/or purchase their vacation this year
• 73% who purchased travel online researched
travel at a general site, but then went to a specific
company's site to purchase their travel
arrangements
• 50% typically purchase travel arrangements online
1 to 2 times a year; 27% purchased travel
arrangements online 3 to 5 times a year
According to Feedback Research
Resources - Online Travel Agents
• Growing number of specialized eco travel agents &
operators
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Solimar Travel www.solimartravel.com
Preferred Adventures www.preferredadventures.com
Eco-Resorts www.eco-resorts.com
Adventure Life Journey’s www.adventurelife.com
G.A.P Adventures www.gapadventures.com
and more…
Criteria for Choosing ECO Options
• Environmental impact
• Cultural and community impact
• Awards
• Certification/eco-labels
Criteria for Choosing ECO Options
Environment
Build environmental awareness and respect
• Minimize environmental impact (reduce-reuse-recycle)
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
• Accurate pre-trip information on the local ecosystems and
environmental situation
• Ask if locals have ownership in the camps, lodges,
or properties?
Criteria for Choosing ECO Options
Culture and Community
Build cultural awareness and respect
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• Raise sensitivity to host countries’ political and social
climate
• Accurate pre-trip information on the social situation
• Use local materials and supplies
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
Criteria for Choosing ECO Options
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Awards
Condé Nast Traveler Green List
British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award
World Legacy Awards
Colibri Ecotourism Awards
Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Cares for
Tomorrow Awards
Criteria for Choosing ECO Options
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Certification/Eco labels
Different programs offered in all regions of the world
Various programs to certify beaches and national parks
Australia: NEAP Program
Costa Rica: Sustainable Tourism Certification (CST)
Europe: more than 50 eco-labeling and certification
programs for accommodations
Kenya: ESOK eco-rating scheme
Beware of Greenwashing
• Conventional tourism with superficial changes.
Ecotourism Lite:
• Check behind the labels and ask the right
questions.
The Right Questions to Ask
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What makes you green?
What is your environmental policy?
What percentage of employees & guides are local citizens?
What projects do you support that benefit the local
community?
• Are you eco-certified? What eco-label rating do you have?
• Have you won any eco-awards? Which ones?
• What properties do you work with? How did you choose
them?
Booking the Trip-Final Tips
• Be adventurous and try new experiences.
• Do-it-yourself packages may take more time to plan but
are worth it!
• Pay a fair price - community based projects do not have a
lot of room to barter.
Getting There and Around
How to be an eco-traveler
Presented By: Chris Seek,CEO/President
Solimar Marketing & Travel
2445 18th St NW 2nd Fl
Adams Morgan, DC
202.518.6193
www.solimartravel.com
Traveling with the Climate in Mind
What is the issue?
– Ecotourism often involves long distance travel and remote
places
– Air Travel accounts for 4% of global emissions but projected to
raise to 7% by 2050
– Global emissions contribute to climate change
– Ecotourists often take tours involving several local attractions
– Transportation produces local noise and air pollution
What can be done about it?
– Change your travel behavior
– Use environmentally friendly means of transportation
– Participate in Voluntary Carbon Off-Set Programs
Voluntary Carbon Off-Set Programs
Atmosfair - www.atmosfair.de
– An initiative of Forum Anders Reisen (an association of German tour
operators) and Germanwatch, an environment and development
organization, and supported by the German Environment Ministry
Carbon Counter - www.carboncounter.org
– A collaborative project of the Climate Trust, an NGO that invests in
projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions, and Mercy
Corps, an international relief and development agency
Climate Care Limited - www.carboncounter.org
– A private company from the UK endorsed by Worldwide Fund for
Nature
Cool Flying - www.coolflying.nl
– Run by Business for Climate which is based in Rotterdam, COOL
Flying calculates CO2 emissions from air travel and invests in tree
planting
Voluntary Carbon Off-Set Programs
EBEX21 Project - www.ebex21.co.nz
– Based in New Zealand, EBEX21® stands for Emissions/Biodiversity Exchange in the
21st century, and is operated by Landcare Research New Zealand.
Future Forests - www.futureforest.com
– Set up in 1997 as a private, for-profit, London-based company, Future Forests seeks
to “neutralize” greenhouse gas emissions from air and car travel, homes, offices, and
other sources.
Greenfleet - www.greenfleet.com.au
– Greenfleet is an Australian-based NGO launched in 1997 to help offset carbon
emissions from transport (both automotive and airline travel)
Grow a Forest - www.growaforest.com
– Growaforest is a U.K.-based NGO run by volunteers whose aim “is to make
it as easy as possible for individuals and companies to do their bit to
reverse their own CO2 emission; by planting trees.”
Voluntary Carbon Off-Set Programs
My Climate - www.myclimate.org
– Based in Zurich, Switzerland, My Climate is an NGO created in 2002 to sell special
MyClimate™ airline tickets whose proceeds are used “to fund unique climate
protection projects in developing countries.”
Native Energy - www.nativeenergy.com
– Founded in 2000 and based in Vermont in the U.S., NativeEnergy is a for-profit
company specializing in generating carbon offset funds for renewable energy projects
on Native American lands
Trees for Life - www.treesforlife.org.uk
– Since 1981 this registered charity been dedicated to the restoration of the Caledonian
Forest which covers a large area of the Scottish Highlands as a local solution to the
global problem of deforestation
Comparison of Emission Calculators
Organization
Emission
in Tonnes
Cost to
Offset US
dollars
Aircraft Type
Class
Atmosfair
2.62
4.08
2.92
4.54
$57.5
$88.8
$63.8
$98.8
B767
B767
A330
A330
Carbon Counter
1.9
$19.0
Not specified
Climate Care
1.56
$19.2
Not specified
Cool Flying
1.1
$23.5
Not specified
EBEX21
1.52
$24.0
Not specified
Not specified
Coach
Buisness
Coach
Buisness
Not
specified
Not
specified
Not
specified
Not
specified
Not
specified
Not
specified
Not
specified
Not
specified
Coach
Grow a Forest
1.22
MyClimate
2.226
$37 = 2
trees
$16.47 = 7
trees
$37.64 = 16
trees
$37 = 2
trees
$66.3
Native Energy
1.8
$12.0
Not specified
Not spec
Trees for life
Not specified
$42.0
Not specified
Not
specified
Future Forests
1.22
1.62
Greenfleet
4.15 *
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
Calculation
Method
Detailed
Detailed
Detailed
Detailed
Not
specified
Simple
Not
specified
Simple
Not
specified
Not
specified
Not
specified
Very
Simple
Simple
Not
specified
Not
specified
This Chart
Compares what a
a traveler would
pay to offset his
carbon emissions
on a RT flight from
NY to London
Tips on Being a Responsible Traveler
At the hotel
– Ask about environmental policies and practices. Talk with staff about working
conditions. Does the hotel support Community projects
Language
– Learn a few worlds of the local language and use them
Dress
– Read up on local conventions and dress appropriately. In many countries,
modest dress is important.
Behavior
– Be respectful of local citizen's privacy. Ask permission before entering
sacred places, homes, or private land.
Photos
– Be sensitive to when and where you take photos/video of people. Always ask
first
Tips on Being a Responsible Traveler
Environment
– Respect the natural environment. Never tourch or harass animals. Always
follow designated trails. Support conservation by paying entrance fees to
parks and protected sites
Animal Products
– Never buy crafts or products made from protected areas or endangered
animals
Pay the Fair Price
– Don’t engage in overly aggressive bargaining for souvenirs. Don’t shortchange on tips for services.
Buy Local
– Choose locally-owned lodges, hotels, and B&Bs. Use local buses, car rental
agencies, and airlines. Eat in local restaurants, shop in local markets, and
attend local festivals/events.
Hire Local Guides
– Enrich your experience and support the local economy. Ask guides if they
are licensed and live locally. Are they recommended by tour operators?
Responsible Travel: After Your Trip
Zoë Chafe
Center on Ecotourism and
Sustainable Development
After your trip…
• Contribute to Travelers’ Philanthropy projects
• Write to your tour operator
• Host a community event
Contribute to projects
• Many tour operators have set up projects in
destination communities
Travelers’ Philanthropy Movement:
Giving Time, Talent, and Treasure
• Gather project information while on your trip
• Do web research on your return
Contribute to projects
Africa Foundation
• Affiliated with CCAfrica safari company
• Has raise $4 million for community development projects,
built 100 classrooms and 18 preschools, awarded university
scholarships to 140 people
Contribute to projects
Airline Ambassadors International
• 4,000 members, mostly airline personnel
• Delivered over $18 million in medicine, medical supplies,
school supplies, clothing and food to 44 countries and to
children in 15 cities in the United States
Write to your tour operator
• Be an active traveler and consumer!
• You are important to tour operators
81% of US travelers surveyed say hotels should
actively preserve and protect natural resources….
…But only 14% often ask about environmental policy
IHEI 2002
• Let them know: What impressed you?
• And especially: What could have been better?
Host a community event
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Bring your learning home
Host a dinner party
Show your pictures
Do a presentation for a class or coworkers
Recommend responsible operators
Continuing the journey
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What do you wish you had known?
Share tips with friends
Read books about places you’ve visited
Learn about certification programs
Questions?
• Travelers’ Philanthropy :
www.travelersphilanthropy.org
• Center on Ecotourism and
Sustainable Development:
www.ecotourismcesd.org
• Email: [email protected]