your travel choice makes a difference · your travel choice makes a difference how you can travel...
TRANSCRIPT
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/PresidentSolimar Marketing & Travel
Zoe Chafe, Washington DC CoordinatorCenter 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
• 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…
…what Hybrids are to Hummers
Costa Rica
What is Sustainable Tourism?
• Tourism that “meets the needs of present tourists & host regions while protecting & enhancingopportunities 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
Sun & BeachUrban Tourism
Nature-based Tourism
Sustainable Tourism
Ecotourism
Source: Amos Bien, TIES.
Before You Leave: Finding and Booking Eco-Travel
1. Overview of Resources for the Traveler
2. Criteria for Choosing Options3. The Right Questions to Ask4. Beware of Greenwashing5. Booking the Trip
Presented by: Laura Ell – Dir. of Membership & Communications
The International Ecotourism Society
Overview of Resources for the Traveler
• Press/Magazines
• Guide Books
• Word of Mouth
• Internet & Travel Agents
Resources-Press/Magazines
• Travel Choice brochure• Newspaper-travel sections• National Geographic Traveler & Adventure• Wanderlust• Geographical• Global
Resources - Guide Books & Word of Mouth
• 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:
• 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– 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
EnvironmentBuild 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 CommunityBuild 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
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
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
• 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 & Travel2445 18th St NW 2nd FlAdams Morgan, DC202.518.6193www.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 Calculation
Method
2.62 $57.5 B767 Coach Detailed 4.08 $88.8 B767 Buisness Detailed 2.92 $63.8 A330 Coach Detailed
Atmosfair
4.54 $98.8 A330 Buisness Detailed
Carbon Counter 1.9 $19.0 Not specified Not specified
Not specified
Climate Care 1.56 $19.2 Not specified Not specified Simple
Cool Flying 1.1 $23.5 Not specified Not specified
Not specified
EBEX21 1.52 $24.0 Not specified Not specified Simple
Future Forests 1.22 $37 = 2 trees Not specified Not
specified Not
specified
1.62 $16.47 = 7 trees Not specified Not
specified Not
specified Greenfleet
4.15 * $37.64 = 16 trees Not specified Not
specified Not
specified
Grow a Forest 1.22 $37 = 2 trees Not specified Not
specified Very
Simple MyClimate 2.226 $66.3 Not specified Coach Simple
Native Energy 1.8 $12.0 Not specified Not spec Not specified
Trees for life Not specified $42.0 Not specified 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 projectsLanguage
– Learn a few worlds of the local language and use themDress
– 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
animalsPay the Fair Price
– Don’t engage in overly aggressive bargaining for souvenirs. Don’t short-change 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
• Gather project information while on your trip• Do web research on your return
Travelers’ Philanthropy Movement:Giving Time, Talent, and Treasure
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
• Let them know: What impressed you?• And especially: What could have been better?
81% of US travelers surveyed say hotels should actively preserve and protect natural resources….
…But only 14% often ask about environmental policy IHEI 2002
Host a community event
• 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
• What do you wish you had known?• Share tips with friends• Read books about places you’ve visited• Learn about certification programs
• Travelers’ Philanthropy : www.travelersphilanthropy.org
• Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: www.ecotourismcesd.org
• Email: [email protected]
Questions?