2010 Green Travel Outlook

For two years now I've been keeping an eye on the world of ecotourism for Green Globetrotter. During that time, several glossy magazines and fresh websites (some that I've written for) heralding the "era of eco" have gone into production... and many of them have ceased production, too. It's a scary world in today's media industry, where our nation's daily newspapers and influential weekly and monthly mags are struggling to stay afloat despite dwindling subscriptions and fewer advertising dollars. One thing, however, remains constant: People want - and need - reliable information more than ever. That includes the goods on green. And it's convenient for me, because newsworthy environmental tidbits just keep cropping up in the travel industry.

So, what's the scoop for 2010? In August of last year, the U.S. Travel Association released a study that revealed a growing understanding of the terms "carbon footprint" (from 12 percent in July 2007 to 54 percent in July 2009) and "green travel" (from 9 percent in July 2007 to 22 percent in July 2009). Regardless of whether you're a believer in offsetting carbon use (and there are certainly skeptics that point to "green travel" as an oxymoron itself), it's a good sign that this terminology is become more widely referred to and understood by everyday travelers, many of whom haven't given much thought to the waste factor of leisure and business travel.

According to Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, consumers are looking for green travel options at the right price. To help them easily locate and learn about offerings, the organization even launched a new site - www.TravelGreen.org - in partnership with American Express. Take a gander, there's good stuff there.

And more recent data compiled in December by TripAdvisor points to an influx in leisure travel in 2010, with 41 percent of U.S. survey respondents saying they'll shell out more money on travel in the New Year. Twenty-two percent of travelers plan to be more eco-conscious in their travel decisions in 2010, and 44 percent will go as far as to book stays at green lodging providers. (Bonus news for hotels with eco policies: 33 percent of potential guests count your policy as a factor when choosing accommodations.)

What does it all mean? Since I first started typing away at this blog, there's been a continued interest in doing good and doing green while we're fulfilling all of those wanderlusting tendencies along the way. As long as new, eco efforts keep popping up, I'll keep notifying you of them. And with all of the forward-thinking steps we've seen taken in 2009, I've got a feeling there's a lot more to come in 2010. Stay tuned!

America's First LEED Airport to Launch in May

The country's first LEED certified airport - the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, also the first international airport to be built since 9/11 - is on track to open in May 2010.

The 4,000-acre international gateway has landed both Southwest and Delta airlines as mainstays of a terminal that is on its way to becoming the first U.S. LEED certified. According to a news release, development includes sustainable construction materials and minimal irrigation landscaping. And to offset the building of the property, an Airport Conservation Easement has been set aside, containing - and maintaining - 9,600 acres of West Bay coastland, wetlands and pine forest.

To watch an interview with airport construction manager Roy Willett, peek here, and see how the surrounding grounds are being protected during project work.

India's Royal Gardenia Lands Largest LEED

On Christmas Eve, a splash sounded in the travel industry as India's Hotel Royal Gardenia announced itself as the largest LEED Platinum certified hotel in the world. That's right... the WORLD. The new luxury digs in Bengaluru join the lineup of ITC properties to be carbon positive, water positive, and solid waste recycling positive.

Dubbed a "monument to the future" by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Hotel Gardenia's sister Green Centre in Gurgaon, was the world's first largest green building. This time around, ITC is boasting the slogan "Forward to Green, Back to Nature," highlighting efficiencies such as energy savings, solid waste management and the newest en vougue terminology: green banqueting.

What greens the guest experience? Besides a wash of natural light, vertical gardens hang, electric cars are available through the hotel concierge, and "Dudson" crockery - eco friendly cooking tools - are used for food and beverage.

If you're booking a stay in Bengaluru, the country's third largest city, get the deets by calling +91 80 22119898.

Eco Adventurer Gift Guide

This year, you'll want to stuff the stocking of your resident adventurer with the newest tools for eco exploration. We've rounded up our favorite pieces, which fit the bill whether you're planning to scale rocks, trek desert or hike Denali in 2010.

Retro BPA-Free Bottle ($6.50)
Rough and tough bottle manufacturer Nalgene brings retro design to the market this year, offering up BPA-free choices like this wide-mouth screw top bottle. With a 32-ounce capacity, it promises zero leakage and easy access hydration.

Organic & Fair Trade Hiking Sock ($14)
During the colder months, I live in Maggie's Functional Organic Killington Mountain Hiker socks. Made of certified organic wool and cushioned for long days on the trail, these specialty socks are a must-have. You can pick up a pair at most Whole Foods.

Patagonia Recycled Retro-X Vest ($140)
Made of recycled polyester (think used soda bottles and pre- and post-consumer fabrics) and privy to Patagonia's Common Threads Recycling Program, this durable vest is a smart choice for the classic outdoor enthusiast. Windproof and lined in mesh, it's also available in a slim fit for women.

Smart Wool Arm & Knee Warmers ($25)
Since layers are key to a comfortable day outdoors, we trust the convenience factor of the arm and knee warmers from Smart Wool. Machine washable and dryer-safe, they stand the test of time and since they're made with New Zealand's sustainable, natural and renewable wool, they're as warm you'd imagine.

Osprey Messenger Bag ($89)
Crafted from nearly all recycled materials, this convenient messenger bag boasts enough space to squeeze a laptop between adventures. A padded strap and waist stabilizer make it a solid choice on the go, and with one zillion pockets, there's a place to store everything.

Chunky Cherry Bumble Bars ($3)
I'm a die hard fan of these agave-sweetened energy bars. Vegan, organic and gluten-free, they're an option for almost every picky eater while sneaking in the benefit of flax, organic cherries and coconut. Naturally, they taste delicious, although the chance that you'll be likened to a bird picking at seed is fairly high.

Experiential travel with ekoVenture

Another new social media travel site hit the web recently. ekoVenture, a "social marketplace for experiential travel," offers access to more than 10,000 tours from operators worldwide while allowing users to post reviews, blogs, photos, and videos to the site.

What sets it apart from the plethora of identical web destinations is the "go do good" philosophy and commitment to donate 10 percent of profits to the sustainability-focused causes it supports when you book a trip. A cool feature: users are also able to create charity-driven events to leverage the community for a charitable cause.

Visit www.ekoventure.com to take a look around.

Eco Chic Globetrotter Gift Guide

I'm a shopaholic at heart, so it's no surprise that when the holidays roll around, I'm keen on digging up the greatest gifts available. This year, we've created guides by recipient type, but you can always stroll through our archives of gift guides and travel products for additional eco ideas.

First up - the Eco Chic Traveler Gift Guide, guaranteed to warm the heart of every fresh fashionista on Santa's list. 

Recycled Organic Jewelry Roll ($50)
So sweet, this soft, lemony jewelry roll is by Dogeared and crafted from recycled tees and organic cotton. Inside, you'll find a place to safely store necklaces, as well as two zippered pockets for otherwise easily-lost earrings and bracelets. Naturally, it's made in the USA.

icu Eyewear Eco Sunglasses ($21.95)
In shades like tortoise, red and black, these aviator-style shades make an impact whether you're snoozing during a layover or deckside on a cruise. Made from reclaimed materials, they're the cutest green sunglasses I've seen and also one heck of a deal.

Jane Manvel Jitney Travel Bag ($119)
Outfitted with inside pockets and a handy magnetic snap, this durable tote is a dream find, but as part of Jane Manvel's collection things only get better. All products are completely vegan - without the sky-high price point.

Hemp & Organic Cotton Circle Scarf ($40)
I'm in love with this hand-dyed, organic cotton and hemp circle scarf from Pretty Birdie's Etsy shop, which can be wrapped, slung, or belted for a variety of looks. Not only will it ward the chill on a long flight, it works with warm and cold climates, doesn't take up crucial space, and always looks artfully draped. 

MamaOm Organic Bumble Dress ($90)
The princess cut of this dress makes it a favored go-to that's perfectly packable. Designed with the environment in mind, it's made from 100 percent organic Pima cotton utilizing fair-trade practices and transitions from day (paired with flats and a chunky bracelet) to evening (throw on comfortable wedge heels and layer a few beaded necklaces) in a snap.

Heys Three Piece Eco Luggage Set ($360)
Tough and brilliantly teal, these EcoCases are the first in a series of earth friendly offerings from Heys USA. Made of 100 percent recycled plastic, each lightweight piece of luggae features four spinner-style wheels that make terminal treks a breeze.

Marriott announces pre-certified LEED prototype

How familiar are you with pre-certified LEED building? If you're like me, not very - and it's because it hasn't been happening all too frequently. Turns out, Marriott, in its plan to expand its green hotel portfolio ten-fold over the next five years, will be participating in "volume build certification" through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with an eco prototype of new Courtyard Hotels.

The hotel, which will be available in April 2010, will cut design time by six months, reduce energy and water consumption by one quarter, and payback the LEED building investment in two years time.

This summer, the first green prototype will open as the Courtyard Settler's Ride in Pittsburgh, Penn., joining Marriott's 50 currently LEED registered properties.

To find out more, check out YouTube's Marriott Green channel (featuring recent broadcast coverage of the initiative) or the brand's "Spirit to Preserve" site.

No applause necessary, unless you'd really like

I just love being included in great green round-ups, here's a new one that highlights our certifiably green travel content: 100 Great Blogs for Green Students.

Do you have other favorites that didn't make the list? Leave it in the comments!

Snapshot of paradise

You know those days when you feel like you could really use a vacation?

This is one of them. Seeking serenity now, I'm uploading some of my favorite snapshots from Clayoquot Wilderness Resort's site... full of rock-you-to-sleep type scenes that have me wishing for a little bit of British Columbia right here in Michigan.

For the full scoop on the resort, read my post @ Alternative Consumer.

Planning an Eco-Scape in Jackson Hole

Hotel Terra, skier's dream and Jackson Hole's green darling, has begun its campaign to lure the winter-ready among us to Wyoming with a lineup of green theme "eco-scapes."

The posh property, which blends rustic appeal with admirable LEED Silver certification, offers an impressive array of green efforts in addition to chic accommodations and superb location. Included in my list of favorites are 90 percent, naturally-lit hotel interiors; 100 percent offset electricity; guest-accessible water stations for  aluminum bottle refills; and clever, eco-chic design components (like those recycled seatbelt chairs in the photo below).

Opened last year, the 132-room hotel is tempting travelers with a bevy of packages for the looming season:

Winter Eco-Scape: A four-night package with one day of private guided skiing or ski lesson, a snowcoach tour in Yellowstone, lift tickets to  Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for two and a 50-minute spa treatment at Chill Spa, where only 100 percent natural products are used. Starts at $598 per night.

America's largest (greenest) companies

This week, Newsweek announced their 2009 Green Rankings - an "exclusive" look at the environmental impact of our nation's 500 largest corporations. The well-known  names dominating the travel sector are hardly surprising if you're a frequent consumer of eco news.

Can you guess who landed at the top of travel?

1. Walt Disney (Disney's Eco Makeover)
2. Marriott International (Marriott's Eco Initiative)
3. Starwood Hotels & Resorts (Starwood's Element Hotels)
4. Wyndham Worldwide (New WyndhamGreen Program)
5. Las Vegas Sands
6. Carnival
7. MGM Mirage
8. Wynn Resorts
9. Southwest Airlines
10. Delta Air Lines

Oregon Adds Another LEED: Courtyard City Ctr.

Earlier today, on the west coast's "hub" of alternative action, Marriott's Courtyard Portland City Center hotel was certified LEED-Gold by the USGBC. Powered by wind and hydroelectricity, the 256-room property reduced energy consumption by 30 percent during its recent redesign. This feat is coupled with the composting of kitchen waste, creation of biodiesel fuel (from used cooking oil), and employee garb that's fashioned from recycled plastic bottles. Chic, no?

Located near shopper's central, the Pearl District, and ever-blooming Rose Garden, this hotel is a hop, skip and jump from eco-dining options like the Farm Cafe, Wildwood, and Urban Farmer. Want to scope out the city's leafy appeal? TravelPortland lists their top-notch nature-viewing suggestions here.

Nature: Captured in Time

The only thing better than witnessing a rare and wondrous moment in nature is capturing the moment with a swift click of a button. As time erodes memories, the fortunate among us have photographic proof... the kind that you never tire of losing yourself in.

Next month, the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole will debut "The Natural World: Photographs by Thomas D. Mangelsen." Chronicling 20 years of photography (nowhere near a studio), the exhibit highlights a selection of panoramic images that span 10 ecosystems, each accompanied with excerpts from Mangelsen's journal.

A theme that runs throughout the photo line-up is conservation. Says Mangelsen in a press release, "These animals, even the most seemingly insignificant ones, are the barometer of the health of this planet. It doesn't take long to realize that we are on that same chain, we are all linked in nature."

If you're not in Jackson Hole, but are as curious as I am, check out the accompanying book, "The Natural World," a 256-page hardcover filled to the brim with Mangelsen's moving artwork.

The National Parks: America's Best Idea

In 2008, 275 million visitors geared up for a trek through America's National Parks. From Yellowstone to Yosemite, that's a lot of Gore-Tex.

With the first audible "crunch" of leaves, a new rush of nature lovers and adventurers will hit the trails for the season's dramatic display of foliage. If you're one of them (and you happen to live in NCY), you'll want to get a taste of what's in store by checking out National Parks Week NYC, which kicked off last Saturday. View all the events here.

This Wednesday, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and PBS will host a free concert--featuring the Counting Crows, Eric Benet, Gavin DeGraw, Alison Krauss and the Union Station, and more--while doling out teasers for Ken Burn's upcoming film "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."

Want in? Head to Central Park's East Meadow @ 7:00 pm.

The New Alternative Consumer

Oooh, have you seen? The Alternative Consumer, the go-to resource for eco-minded shoppers, has just launched a new, beauiful website. You'll definitely want to check it out.