New green travel ideas for touristsIt's vacation time and many of us are using cars and boats and trains and planes to be whisked away to adventures. The good news is that new ways of travel that recycle and reduce travellers' carbon footprints are popping up wherever you go.
Where to find them... If you are in Cornwall, don't miss the ferry boat powered by the fat from french fries. It's a year-long trial run to save money and carbon emissions but it's a bit smelly. Cornwall Ferries is thinking of adding rose petals or sandalwood to make the trip even sweeter.
Borneo named Best Eco Trip 2011Often called the "Island in the Clouds", Borneo was recently named as best eco-trip in 2011 by CNN.com.
Located just north of Australia, Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is divided amongst Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, CNN.com reports that the eco-diversity of the island may be in danger since Malaysian officials recently approved the construction of a coal plant in the northern region of Sabah, a premiere destination for adventurers.
Top 10 Eco-Friendly Hotels in the World Voted by TravellersAs the world realizes the need for conservation, people across the globe have started to adopt “greener” ways of living. Green living has gained greater prominence and the hospitality industry is responding. Eco-friendly hotels have sprung up everywhere. These hotels believe in “green” living and do their part to expend less energy and water. Use of environmentally safe products is common practice, and the basic idea of living responsibly, and giving our planet the care it deserves is an high priority for these hotels.
1. Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Hopkins, Belize – Best Bargain, Best Hidden Gem, Best for Romance
2. Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, Teton Village, Wyoming
3. La Cusinga Eco Lodge, Uvita, Costa Rica – Best Hidden Gem
4. Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua – Best for Romance, Best Luxury
5. The Ambrose Hotel, Santa Monica, California
6. Hix Island House, Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico
7. Alaska’s Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge, Homer, Alaska
8. Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn, Santa Barbara, Costa Rica
9. Concordia Eco-Tents, Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
10. Hotel Monaco Seattle – a Kimpton Hotel, Seattle, Washington
Voluntourism with Free Nights at Maldives Soneva ResortsSoneva Fushi, along with Soneva Gili by Six Senses, both located in the Maldives, are offering guests the opportunity to give back with an attractive free nights offer. For the next six months, guests are invited to stay at either resort for a luxurious 10-day stay with 5 nights paid and 5 nights free when they spend the first 5 days (five hours each day) working on local community projects, such as marine conservation, teaching children, planting trees and learning how to turn waste into something useful. Soneva resorts are involved with on-going projects and will customize a program based on guest preferences.
How Travel Philanthropy Connects People to PlacesTravel philanthropy is simply connecting people to places. It’s done in an active and engaging way with the goal of supporting and empowering local destinations and communities. One of the many ways you can engage and connect is by contributing to the destinations you visit. You can make donations to non-profits that support destinations, go on donor trips and service trips or adopt sustainable practices when traveling — leaving places better by preserving natural resources, honoring traditional cultures, and advancing positive economic development.
Travel philanthropy programs often share some common features:
- Promote face-to-face, authentic connections between people of different cultures
- Raise donations and determine needs and projects at the local level
- Channel resources to grassroots efforts
- Create opportunities for income, goods, and volunteer services
- Establish partnerships between local businesses and nonprofit organizations
- Involve global community-building, including cultural and environmental stewardship
- Target destinations with high need for economic development and humanitarian assistance
Green Travel News
