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Globetrotters are paying more attention to where they spend tourism funds these days. People are choosing sustainable hotels, restaurants and transportation. According to Sustainable Travel International, 58.5 million Americans say they will pay more to use a travel company that strives to preserve and protect the environment. LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainabilty) estimates that ecotourism, inluding eco travel networks and green tourism are estimated to be a $77 billion market.
Photo:IMOCOM via Perifil
IMOCOM presented its latest project in Argentina, a Hilton branded hotel in Bariloche (Patagonia) that was introduced as "eco friendly". According to the company's CEO, Hugo Canessa, the broad term refers to the hotel layout, which will blend with the mountain it's located in to reduce visual impact, and the fact that during the building process and later in its operational phase, the hotel will have efficient use of energy and water and "proper management of soil and drainage" and feature a green roof that will integrate with the mountains colors throught he seasons.
According to the Observer, architects in London are developing the worlds first "zero-carbon" five star resort. Each of it's 35 villas will be totally self sufficient and use only the energy from sun and wind, producing little waste for carbon emmissions. Its location, however, will be thousands of fuel- guzzeling miles away in Nungwi, Zanzibar.
So.. how green are the airlines? According to Seat Guru, Virgin atlantic, Southwest, Jet Blue and Continental are amoung the most committed. The most fuel efficient planes include the Airbus A319, Boeing 787 Dreamliner or the Bombarder CSeries. The MD-80's and MD-82's last a very long time thus lending to less landfill but still lacking in efficiency. Bio fuels have been tested but look to be a decade away from being a widely used alternative.
Meanwhile travelers are encouraged to take steps such like flying direct whenever possible, buying carbon credits when you fly, and doing research to pick the greenest airline you can find. Flying still has the most impact on your carbon footprint so choosing wisely can make great impact. One should be skeptic when making ecological travel choices and find out if "green" is truely "green" and being "green" doesn't just mean resorts only wash towels and sheets every other day.
Post Author for Globally Gorgeous:
Tamara Wallop
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