Whistler, BC has been named North America’s No.1 ski resort
by Condé Nast Traveler magazine readers in the December 2008 issue.

At the Luxury Travel Awards, earlier this month, Whistler won the Gold List 2009 Award for Best Overseas Ski Resort and a Platinum Award for winning the award for five consecutive years.  The Fairmont Chateau Whistler was named Best International Ski Hotel.

“These awards are great news for us as we move into a period of incredible energy and anticipation here at Whistler, the last full season before the 2010 Winter Games arrive,” says Arlene Schieven, spokesperson for Tourism Whistler.

“We have a unique set of tourism products and experiences, and it’s gratifying when our visitors recognize the quality of the experiences we offer.  And this year, along with the new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, our visitors can take in World Cup events showcasing our 2010 Winter Games venues.”

So what’s green about Whistler as a ski destination?  Whistler Blackcomb won last year’s Environmentally Responsible Tourism Award at the BC Tourism Awards for its high levels of environmental and social stewardship programs.

For eco-travelers, they can carbon offset their Whistler holiday with the Whistler EcoPath.   The online calculator will determine the greenhouse gas emissions of their trips and give them the option to purchase carbon offsets from Offsetters Climate Neutral Society.

Here are a few of Whistler’s environmental initiatives:

• Whistler2020 is the community’s shared vision and plan for continued success to the year 2020 and a step on the journey to a sustainable future.
• Biodiesel Bus Fleet – In summer 2007, Whistler’s transit bus fleet switched over to B5 biodiesel fuel.
• Whistler Green – A ‘green’ building standard and associated checklist has been developed in Whistler, with energy efficiency standing as a cornerstone.
• Partners For Climate Protection Program – Whistler was recognized as an environmental leader in the country, as the first community in Canada to have completed the final milestone in the Partners for Climate Protection Program (PCP) developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

If you’re heading to Whistler this winter, Whistler.com recommends these green travel tips:

1. “When you leave your hotel room, turn off the AC/heat, lights, TV and radio. Close the drapes.”
2. “Participate in hotel linen programs, or let the hotel know that it’s not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.”
3. “Use public transportation when available. Whistler is a pedestrian-only village, so once you get here, there is no need for your car. Everything is within walking distance, or you can choose to take a short bus ride.”
4. “Take only the brochures or maps necessary. Return others to the brochure stand.”
5. “Participate in hotel recycling programs by placing recyclables in appropriate bins.”

For more info about Whistler, check out the resort online.

Happy New Year!

Images courtesy of Tourism Whistler

Post from: Traveling the Green Way

Beat the Euro. – “Destinations like Turkey, Egypt and Croatia are going to be extra popular in the face of an unforgiving Euro exchange rate. How about a week of activities in and around the stunning Croatian islands? Or stay in a cave hotel in Cappadocia for unique holidays in Turkey that you’ll never forget!”

Go off-season. -  “Accommodation owners are always keen to welcome guests during their less busy periods and you may find you have an even more unique and personalised experience. Try popular self catering accommodation in Cyprus and save when you go off season. Even avoiding weekends can be a good way to save. Plus in popular destinations you’ll usually feel less rushed and have more time to get to know a place when you shy away from the tourist hordes of the high season.”

Research alternative destinations. – “Visiting somewhere less populated by tourism has many advantages for you and the local people and you are much less likely to be subject to bumped up tourist prices. How about Senegal instead of Kenya? Or Ecuador instead of Brazil? By traveling to less visited countries responsibly you are helping to boost local economies and promote responsible tourism in the areas you visit.”

Images courtesy of responsibletravel.com

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The bag is made from 100% recycled:

• Inner tube rubber bottom

• Aluminum components

• Rice Paper

This multifunctional bag could be used for anything from your laptop to an overnight trip. There’s an internal 15.4″ computer sleeve with padded reinforcement.  The front lid has a velcro closure with aluminum hook and loop security closure.

For more info, check out Keen online.

Image courtesy of Keen Canada

Post from: Traveling the Green Way

Air New Zealand took one step closer towards carbon neutral growth today.  One of its aircraft took off, powered in part by a second-generation biofuel.

The Boeing 747-400 test flight will investigate how the new fuel, made from the Jatropha plant, stands up to use at the high altitudes and extreme operating conditions.

The two-hour flight is another in a series of trials taking place at airlines around the world.  These flights are testing different types of biofuel to determine the viability of using the sustainable alternative to the fossil fuel-based Jet-A1 fuel used by commercial aviation.

Paul Steele, the executive director of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), a representative of aviation industry organisations, said that the flight was a significant step towards the industry vision of carbon neutral growth.

Says Steele:  “Earlier this year, the leaders of the aviation industry gathered in Geneva to sign a Declaration on Climate Change, committing the industry to a pathway towards carbon neutral growth.”

“The efforts taking place in New Zealand today and other projects across the aviation sector are designed to make progress towards that goal, providing the aviation industry with a reduced-carbon form of energy and allowing the sustainable future of air transport which is a key generator of economic growth.”

A growing aviation sector produces two percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. Through technology and operational performance improvements, the sector is reducing the growth in carbon emissions to approximately half the rate of the growth in passengers.

For more information, visit the website www.enviro.aero , a resource centre on aviation’s environmental impact.

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Intrepid Travel, which specializes in fun, affordable and sustainable travel, offers these excellent budget travel tips:

1. Choose experience over luxury. “Adventure holidays are great value, offering travelers a unique and up close experience of people and places.”

2. Make the most of specials.“Bargain hunters should check Intrepid Travel’s website regularly for last minute specials.  Intrepid Travel regularly offers 20 per cent off remaining places on trips when the departure date is coming up soon.”

3. Save up your annual leave and take a longer holiday. “Instead of taking lots of small breaks that all require transport to a destination, Intrepid Travel suggests travelers should consider taking longer holidays and spending more time in one area. This limits the need to purchase lots of flights, saving the traveler a substantial amount of money.  It’s also better for the environment as fewer flights are taken.”

4. Stay close to home. “Escape the bad news by holidaying in your own backyard and nearby. There are some great real life travel experiences to be had in our own backyard and nearby, saving travelers the expense of flights.”

5.Travel around your city. “Intrepid has also launched 10 New Urban Adventures designed to uncover hidden gems, backstreets and fascinating sights in some of our favorite cities.”

6. Enter competitions. Intrepid Travel recently offered adventure travelers the chance to enjoy “an early Christmas present with the launch of a competition to win one trip every day for 30 days during November.”

7. Book now, save later. “Airlines often offer great discounts for flights booked in advance. Check their websites and sign-up to their newsletters to get the latest offers.  A little forward planning can go a long way to saving money down the track.”

8. See the travel doctor before you leave. “It’s a small price to pay for something that gives travelers peace of mind and could potentially save them money in the long run – it’s much cheaper to avoid getting sick in the first place!”

9. Chat to locals and get the inside word. “Intrepid Travel uses local leaders and guides.  Ask them for advice on how to get a great bargain without compromising the experience.  As locals, they’ll know the best eateries, entertainment and cheap things to do!”

10. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. “Travelers should make the most of hotels that have breakfast included. A big breakfast will ensure they make it through a solid day of experiencing new people and new places.  Another travel tip is to eat up big at lunch.  Meals in the middle of the day can be up to 50 per cent cheaper than the same menu at dinner.  And not eating a big dinner will leave travelers with more time to enjoy the night life!”

Post from: Traveling the Green Way

Are you planning on traveling green in America in 2009?   There are an increasing array of eco-friendly travel options in green, greener and greenest hotels.

One of the greenest hotels in the U.S. is Greensboro’s Proximity Hotel, which achieved a LEED Platinum rating by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the USGBC’s rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.

What makes Proximity Hotel green? Here are some of the 70+ sustainable practices at Proximity and Print Works Bistro:
• “The building uses 39% less energy than a conventional hotel/restaurant by using ultra efficient materials and the latest construction technology.”
• “The sun’s energy heats hot water with 100 solar panels covering the 4,000 square feet of rooftop (enough hot water for a hundred homes). This heats around 60% of the water for both the hotel and restaurant.”

• “The bistro bar is made of salvaged, solid walnut trees that came down through sickness or storm and room service trays made of Plyboo (bamboo plywood).”
• “Geothermal energy is used for the restaurant’s refrigeration equipment, instead of a standard water-cooled system, saving significant amounts of water.”
• “Abundant natural lighting, including large energy-efficient “operable” windows (7’4” square windows in guest rooms), connects guests to the outdoors by achieving a direct line of sight to the outdoor environment for more than 97% of all regularly occupied spaces.”
• “Building materials with recycled content include reinforced steel with 90% post consumer recycled content, sheetrock 100%, asphalt 25% and staircase steel 50%. Concrete contains 4% fly ash (224,000 pounds), the mineral residue left after the combustion of coal that is diverted from landfills.”
• “87% of construction waste was recycled, diverting 1,535 tons of debris from landfills.”
• “Water usage has been reduced by 33% by installing high-efficiency Kohler plumbing fixtures, saving two million gallons of water the first year.”
• “Air quality improved by circulating large amounts of outside air into guestrooms (60 cubic feet per minute) and doing so in an energy efficient way by employing “energy recovery” technology where the outside air is tempered by the air being exhausted.”
• “Low-emitting volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, adhesives, carpets, etc reduces indoor air contamination.”
• “Guestroom shelving and the bistro’s tabletops are made of walnut veneer, over a substrate of SkyBlend, a particleboard made from 100% post-industrial recycled wood pulp with no added formaldehyde.”
• “‘Education Center’ for sustainable practices includes tours of our ‘green’ hotel for guests, sustainable practices symposia, and outreach programs for students of all ages.”
• “Bicycles are available for guests to ride on the nearby five-mile greenway.”

For more information, check out Proximity Hotel online.

Images courtesy of Proximity Hotel

Post from: Traveling the Green Way

“Traveling eco-friendly is not about giving up luxury, it’s about traveling more thoughtfully,” says actress and author Mariel Hemingway. “By traveling greener we not only enjoy this world’s beautiful destinations, but also help preserve them for people to enjoy for years to come.”

Hemingway recently teamed up with Travelers Advantage to talk about going green wherever you’re going.  They say it’s becoming easier to travel green.  Eco-tourism is the fastest growing market in the tourism industry, according to the World Tourism Organisation, growing 5 percent worldwide each year and representing 11.4 percent of all consumer spending.

Says Leslie Downey, director of Travelers Advantage and TravelersAdvantage.com: “A greener vacation doesn’t necessarily mean premium price…Unlike organic items in a grocery, green travel is accessible for any budget. And from your next business trip to an exotic excursion, it’s easy to go green regardless of where or why you travel.”

Travelers Advantage suggests these ways of making your trip greener:

• “Take a train instead of flying for shorter trips.”

• “Use public transportation instead of taxis or rental cars whenever possible.”

• “If you do have to take a rental car, consider a hybrid or smaller economy car instead of larger vehicles.”

• “Hang up your towels and leave a note to hotel staff that it is unnecessary to change your sheets every day.”

• “If your hotel doesn’t recycle, take your recyclables home with you.”

Image courtesy of Travelers Advantage

Post from: Traveling the Green Way

SpaFinder’s Top Ten 2009 Spa Trends are:

1. Energy Medicine
2. Casinos & Spas
3. The Medical and Spa Tourism Shuffle
4. Eco-Embedded Spas: A Deeper Shade of Green
5. Trains, Boats & Planes: In-Transit Spa-Going
6. Brain Health and ‘Mind’ Gyms
7. Learning Labs for Stress Reduction
8. Mindful Spending
9. Move Over Baby Boomers: Gen X & Y Are Spa-ing Their Way
10. Brands, Brands, Brands

Says SpaFinder of the trend “Eco-Embedded Spas: A Deeper Shade of Green”: “in 2009, we’re tracking a clear new direction—call it spa environmentalism 2.0—or the ‘eco-embedded spa.’”

“By ‘eco-embedded’ we mean expanded green initiatives and eco processes that are quietly and meaningfully enmeshed throughout the entire spa, so there’s no demanding efforts required by the spa guest, who is, after all, there to relax. While the spa consumer skews very green, consumers in general are suffering from green fatigue and sustainability stress. So, goodbye showy, loud, and superficial green gestures—as well as those that tax or confuse the spa-goer—in tandem with spa eco initiatives that are far bolder than ever before.”

For more information, check out SpaFinder online.

Image courtesy of www.freephoto1.com

Post from: Traveling the Green Way

Sweden’s Scandic Hotels has made a New Year’s resolution: “great tasting water and a sustainable world.”

Scandic recognized the environmental impact of transporting bottles of water and decided to no longer sell bottled water in its bars and restaurants.

Now the hotels serve chilled and filtered water in a beautiful bottle made from recycled glass and designed by swimmer Therese Alshammar.

“We used to have 3.6 million bottles of water a year transported to our hotels, which generated 160 tonnes of carbon dioxide. It’s fantastic to be able to stop that now and instead focus on a modern alternative that is much more considerate to the environment,” says Helena Nilsson, Scandic’s senior vice president, corporate communications and head of sustainability issues.

For every bottle sold, a contribution will be made to the Scandic Sustainability Fund. The fund will “reward organisations or individuals who make an outstanding contribution to a better and more sustainable world”.

“The response from guests has been overwhelming,” explains Thomas Fankl,  Scandic’s food & beverage director. “The bottle attracts attention and when people get to know what it means in terms of less environmental impact, a simple and everyday decision like drinking water suddenly takes on a positive glow.”

Check out Scandic Hotels online.

Image courtesy of Scandic Hotels

Post from: Traveling the Green Way

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved a new national wildlife refuge in Cherry Valley by establishing a boundary for the refuge that covers 20,466 acres in Monroe and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.

The refuge will benefit rare plants and animals, working farms and private homes throughout the valley, 75 miles from Philadelphia and Manhatten.

“The establishment of the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge will now give conservation-minded landowners the additional option that has been needed to assist them in preserving their land as a legacy for future generations,” says Debra Schuler, president of the Friends of Cherry Valley.

“Cherry Valley is such a unique place! Much of it has remained untouched, which is why it has the qualities it does. Now we can move forward with protecting the environment, the animals that inhabit it, and its rich history.”

Image courtesy of The Nature Conservancy

Post from: Traveling the Green Way