Responsible Travel News Blog reaches the finals of Tripbase.com Awards!

We were pleased to find out today that the Responsible Travel News Blog made it into the finals for providing one of the best Eco Travel-related blogs.

Katie Sorene of Tripbase.com said:

"We feel your blog is an excellent example of what a blog should be and trust that you feel proud in this respect. We congratulate you on your achievement and are providing you with a badge to display proudly at your own discretion on your blog as a sign that you are in the top echelons of the blogosphere."

The Responsible Travel News Blog has been developed through the hard work and commitment of a team of bloggers from the UK and other parts of the world and continues to go from strength to strength as we increase the network of contributers and their draw on their experience and expertise.

Olly

ICRT Conference: Responsible Tourism-Progress & Pitfalls.

The International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) conference is being held at Leeds Metropolitan University on July 14th.

The conference will discuss Responsible Tourism-Progress & Pitfalls, various issues that the ICRT team have investigated over the past 12 months.

Topics covered will include the marketing of developments in responsible tourism and the volunteer role in community based tourism with a case study from Indonesia.

Responsible tourism is continuing to grow throughout the economic downturn, but the ICRT now believe that; “the focus is now on demonstrating the difference between those who are exploiting the consumer demand for more responsible practices whilst doing very little or even nothing, and those who are really making a difference. “

Professor Harold Goodwin will also be delivering a speech and a discussion on advances in responsible tourism.

There will be opportunities for discussion and networking at the end of the day, along with drinks with students and alumni to congratulate those that are graduating from their masters the following day.

For more information and how to register visit http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/international/emailimages/ICRT%20one%20day%20conference%20July%202009.html

Abu Dhabi: Un-paving the Parking Lot

With an ecological footprint larger than any other city in the world, Abu Dhabi is planning for change.

Its goal to become “the capital of sustainable development” seems a far cry for a city where energy resources account for 60% of its economy, vast skyscrapers dominate the skyline and the car is king.

Over the past 40 years, Abu Dhabi has experienced rapid economic growth and where economy grows, so does population. Its current one million inhabitants were under half that number just 10 years ago and in the next twenty years it is expected to triple.

The emirate’s massive oil and gas resources are responsible for this transformation but despite still having considerable reserves it has decided to diversify its economy.

Vision 2030, overseen by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been designed to do just that. The non-fuel sector’s contribution to the emirate’s GDP will increase by 20% by the year 2030. The reliance on oil and gas will be reduced and replaced with financial services, tourism and education.

This change in economy will go hand-in-hand with urban development. However, transforming a city of this scale is certainly not going to be without difficulty. Huge blocks of skyscrapers are connected by exceptionally wide roads to cope with the amount of traffic. There are very few pedestrian walkways, shaded areas are limited and greenery is sparse.

Michael White, a Canadian urban planner brought in by the Abu Dhabi Planning Council, has found a solution. “By recreating sidewalks, adding vegetation and cutting new streets into the blocks, we can transfigure the city.”

“We will be applying density, compression and diversity principles. We want to promote contemporary Arab architecture around narrow, shaded, livable streets that are welcoming for pedestrians and offer public transportation.”

An immense star-shaped plaza will become the heart of a brand new city centre. The Capital District, as it will be known, will boast federal government centres, embassies, universities, business offices and also provide energy efficient housing for 400,000 residents.

To ensure all new constructions conform to the sustainable philosophy, Estidama (which means ‘sustainability’ in Arabic) is Abu Dhabi’s eco-friendly building design methodology. Set up in May 2008, the aspiration is ‘to balance environmental, economic, cultural and social imperatives in pursuit of a higher quality of life for all living things’.

The cost of the entire project is indeterminable, but the question that is being asked is not ‘what will it cost us to do?’ but rather ‘what will it cost us if we don’t?’

350.org - Get involved

There will be a coordinated day of events on 24 October, uniting the world around a common call to action--and you're being asked to help.

You don't need to have ever done anything like this before--you'll have lots of support through 350.org. And if you're stuck for action ideas, just visit the website - www.350.org

Thomas Cook launches Green Week

This week Thomas Cook launched Green Week to promote World Environmental Day, which takes place on June 5th.

The travel operator is working on this year’s theme “Your planet needs you to unite to combat climate change” and is involving employees in the UK and abroad. Initiatives include the Green Your Commute campaign which encourages staff to travel to work by bike or public transport. Also staff will take part in ‘make travel greener’ training exercises to create a clearer understanding of responsible tourism.

The green message will also be delivered throughout the company with the aid of the company’s retail intranet and in-house magazine. For staff abroad beach cleans, fashion shows and sponsored walks for green causes have been organised.

Thomas Cook are engaging responsible travel, Soeren Stoeber acting head of sustainability said: “Making travellers aware of the local communities they are visiting and the positive impact their holiday can have is all-important.

“It is up to companies like Thomas Cook to educate both our employees and guests about the environmental impact of travel and ensure that we are offering the most effective sustainable options when it comes to leisure travel.”

New Yorkers green up their reclaimed urban spaces.

Anyone who's been to New York knows that negotiating Times Square at any time of day is a bit like dodging bulls at Pamplona. A second's missattention will find you smushed under a yellow cab, falling down a pothole and definitely spilling your Starbucks skinny mocha-choca latte all over your Bloomingdale's Little Brown Bag. Affectionately known as the "crossroads of the world", New York's movie-famous landmark is a traffic gomorrah, the seventh-circle of automobile hell.

Not so after last week when entire sections of Broadway and sections of 42nd and 47th street which cross the Square were pedestrianised, leaving cabbies fuming in the fumes and irrate delivery men nost-to-tail under the glare of the flashing red ticker tape screens. Deckchairs were set up along the five block car-free road space and tables were laid out with food, music played and the notoriously workaholic, frenzied-lifestyle New Yorkers chilled out in the mid-day sun. An initative of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the enterprise has had a warm reception from... well, pretty much anyone who doesn't rely on four wheels to earn their daily bread. I for one, relish the thought of being able to sunbathe on a hammock on the very street where two years ago I nearly lost my limbs in a split-second moment of "Oooh, look at the big skyscraper!" distraction.

Another project that has me all excited is the High Line park. A former elevated freight railroad from the 1930s, the gutted remains have been an eyesore dominating the city's trendy West Village since the 80s since when they have been in disuse. THis summer, the first section of the High Line is due to repone, as a park and gardens. Due to open in June 2009, the park willb e accessible by stairs and elevator and boast flower gardens, grassy areas to picnic on and park benches. Eventually the park will cover an area of a mile and a half, the whole thing being designed by uber-cool landscape designer James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio and Renfro. A number of works by local artists will also feature along the High Line park seeing as it runs through arguably the heart of artistic and creative New York.

THe project is an effort by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. So if you're heading stateside this summer, pack your sunhat, lotion and a good book and look out for these quirky alternatives to Central Park. Click on the link for a Green Map of New York to help you find all those eco-friendly locations. [web link]

Photo courtesy of www.treehugger.com

"Luxury" is the new green.

21 May - The Luxury Eco Certification Standard (LECS) was launched by non-profit sustainable tourism industry leader Sustainable Travel International (STI). The program is voluntary and is designed specifically with luxury and boutique accommodation in mind - both existing and new. The standard aims to to confront challenges both on an environmental and social level, protecting both the "luxury" standards of the operations as well as the destinations and local areas where the accommodation are based. 

"People, Planet and Profit" is the so-called Triple Bottom Line which the LECS adheres to in its move to gain global accreditation by meeting the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. In order to be given the LECS approval, hotels must meet a set of standards covering five general areas - a total of 100 different criteria. These areas are: Policy and Documentation, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Recycling and Community. The assessment will be undertaken by third party auditing firm Leading Quality Assurance. THe cost of applying totals $2995, including all the processing and 1-2 day auditing fees and most of the auditor travel expenses. 

In his statement to the press, STI Vice President and Co-founder, Peter D. Krahenbuhl said,  “Becoming a LECS eco-certified hotel will be challenging and will require serious commitment... However, the standard provides education and guidance for developing a sustainability framework and operational activities. In return, implementing LECS will help hoteliers operate their facilities more efficiently and sustainably, which will likely reduce their long term operating costs, and create customer and employee good will.”