Your Travel Choice Makes a Difference How you can travel green: Your Travel Choice Makes a Difference How you can travel green Moderator: Federico Solano Rainforest Alliance Presenters: Katie Maschman, Dir. Membership & Communications The International Ecotourism Society Brian Mullis, President Sustainable Travel International Zoe Chafe, Researcher WorldWatch Institute


Agenda : 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


Trends in Tourism: Trends in Tourism More countries in the LAC region are looking at their tourism industries as a development priority. More travelers visiting biodiversity- rich countries. Tourism in biodiversity hotspots has increased by more than 100 per cent between 1990 and 2000. Increased impacts on the environment and local cultures. Latin American countries are increasingly highlighting their natural and cultural assets to position themselves in the market.


Trends in Tourism: Trends in Tourism Increased support from National Tourism Authorities to market nature-based tourism. Growing concern from consumer advocacy groups, NGOs, proactive industry players and governments regarding the negative impacts. Increasing numbers of voluntary programs throughout the region aimed at promoting the principles of sustainable tourism.


Consumer Demand for Responsible Tourism: Consumer Demand for Responsible Tourism Majority of tourists are interested in their destinations’ social, cultural and environmental issues (50-60%). They want to learn about the issues both before they travel, and while they are at their destination. Seek out pristine environments. The vast majority consider it important that their trips not damage local ecosystems (75+%). Consumer Demand and Tour Operator Support for Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Zoe Chafe 09-02-04


What is Ecotourism?: 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


What is Sustainable Tourism?: What is Sustainable Tourism? Tourism that “meets the needs of present tourists & host regions while protecting & enhancing opportunities for the future.” By definition, sustainable tourism includes ecotourism, but can also include urban & beach tourism. Source: Agenda 21 for the Travel & Tourism Industry


What is Ecotourism?: 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


Before You Leave: Finding and Booking Eco-Travel : Before You Leave: Finding and Booking Eco-Travel Presented by: Katie Maschman Membership & Communications Director The International Ecotourism Society Washington, DC


Overview of Resources for the Traveler: Overview of Resources for the Traveler Press/Magazines Guide Books Word of Mouth Internet & Travel Agents


Resources-Press/Magazines: Resources-Press/Magazines Travel Choice brochure Newspaper Travel sections Magazines National Geographic Traveler & Adventure Wanderlust


Resources - Guide Books & Word of Mouth: Resources - Guide Books & Word of Mouth Rough Guide Lonely Planet Moon Handbooks Ask your friends!


Resources-Internet: Resources-Internet TIES Travel Choice Directory: www.ecotourism.org Rainforest Alliance~Sustainable Travel: www.eco-index.org/tourism Certification Network of the Americas: www.certificationnetwork.org Best Green Hotels: www.bestgreenhotels.com Conservation International: www.ecotour.org Ecoclub.com: www.ecoclub.com EcoTour Directory: www.ecotourdirectory.com Ecotrans: www.eco-tip.org Ecotravel.com: www.ecotravel.com Green Hotels Association: www.greenhotels.com Green Stop: www.greenstop.net Mesoamerican Ecotourism Alliance: www.travelwithmea.com Planeta: www.planeta.com Responsible Travel.com: www.responsibletravel.com Sustainable Travel International: www.sustainabletravelinternational.org The Travel Foundation: www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk Tourism Concern: www.tourismconcern.org.uk VISIT: www.yourvisit.info Worldsurface.com: www.worldsurface.com


Resources-Internet: Resources-Internet Key search words: responsible travel ecotour ecotourism eco travel sustainable tourism nature tourism


Resources-Internet: 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: 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: Criteria for Choosing ECO Options Environmental impact Cultural and community impact Awards Certification/eco-labels


Criteria for Choosing ECO Options: Criteria for Choosing ECO Options Environment Build 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: Criteria for Choosing ECO Options Culture and Community Build 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: 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: 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: Beware of Greenwashing Conventional tourism with superficial changes. Ecotourism Lite: Check behind the labels and ask the right questions.


The Right Questions to Ask: 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: 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: Getting There and Around How to be an eco-traveler Presented By: Brian Mullis President, Sustainable Travel International


Traveling with the Climate in Mind: Traveling with the Climate in Mind What is the issue? Ecotourism often involves long distance travel and remote places Travel is a main culprit of climate change, accounting for almost 1/3 of world-wide climate damaging emissions. Air travel is the fastest growing contributor of global climate change. It accounts for 4% of global emissions but projected to raise to 7% by 2050 Ecotourists often take tours involving several local attractions. How can you ensure that you don’t negatively impact local people or the environment? What can be done about it? Evaluate your travel behavior and consider making changes Use environmentally friendly means of transportation Participate in Voluntary Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Offset Programs


Traveling with the Climate in Mind: Traveling with the Climate in Mind Definitions Green Power: There is a physical connection between the buyer and the generating renewable energy asset. You are buying and paying for kWh from a renewable source. Green Tags / REC: There is no connection between the buyer and the generating renewable energy asset, but you are still buying and paying for the incremental cost of producing kWh from a renewable source. Carbon Offset: A mechanism by which the impact of emitting a ton of CO2 can be negated or diminished by avoiding the release of a ton elsewhere, or absorbing a ton of CO2 from the air that otherwise would have remained in the atmosphere. Additionality: Based on the Kyoto Protocol, additionality refers to offset projects that achieve reductions that are "additional to those that otherwise would occur". Financial Additionality: Projects that generate funding additional to existing commitments that is specifically allocated to achieving greenhouse gas reductions. Environmental Additionality: Emission reductions represent a physical reduction or avoidance of emissions over what would have occurred.


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: 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: Voluntary Carbon Off-Set Programs My Climate - www.my-climate.com Through MyClimate™, a greenhouse gas offsets program offered by Sustainable Travel International in North America, traveler’s and travel companies can support sustainable development projects while helping to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions that result from their clients' and their employees' travel. 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: Comparison of Emission Calculators 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: Tips on Being a Responsible Traveler Business Policies and Practices Ask about environmental policies and practices. Talk with staff about working conditions. Determine if they support community projects or environmental conservation or if they focus on reducing waste or on energy efficiency Educate Yourself Read up on local culture so you have an understanding of social norms including how to dress appropriately. Learn a few worlds of the local language and use them Respect Local People Be respectful of local people’s privacy. Ask permission before taking pictures or entering sacred places, homes, or private land. Respect their wishes if they refuse. Public Transport Traveling by your own muscle power or via public transport is a much better way to interact with the locals and is better for the environment


Tips on Being a Responsible Traveler: Tips on Being a Responsible Traveler Environment Respect the natural environment. Familiarize yourself and follow all advisories, rules and regulations when visiting protected areas and wildlife habitats. Never touch or harass animals. Always follow designated trails and support conservation by paying entrance fees to parks and protected sites Animal Products Never buy crafts or products made from endangered species Pay the Fair Price Although bargaining is expected in many cultures, don't be overly aggressive when negotiating. Pocket change to you may equate to an entire family's daily wages. Determine when/if tips are expected and how much to pay. Buy Local Ensure the locals benefit financially from your trip Choose locally owned lodges, hotels, and B&Bs. Use local buses, car rental agencies, and airlines. Eat in locally owned restaurants, shop in local markets. Attend local festivals/events, and support local artisans. Hire Local Guides Enrich your experience and support the local economy. Ask guides if they are licensed and live locally. How many years experience do they have? Are they recommended by tour operators?


Responsible Travel: After Your Trip: Responsible Travel: After Your Trip Presented By: Zoë Chafe Researcher, WorldWatch Institute


After your trip…: After your trip… Contribute to Travelers’ Philanthropy projects Write to your tour operator Host a community event


Contribute to projects: 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 : Contribute to projects Africa Foundation Affiliated with CCAfrica safari company Has raised $4 million for community development projects, built 100 classrooms and 18 preschools, awarded university scholarships to 140 people


Contribute to projects: 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: 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: 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: 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


Questions?: Questions?