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Spread the Word ::
If you want to spread the word about sustainable travel, refer us to your friends, contact us or link to us!
MyClimate™ :: Offset the greenhouse gas emissions associated with your client's and your businesses' air travel and earn revenue while helping to protect the planet!
Eco-directory ::
Visit our online eco-directory - a unique destination guide designed to help you make responsible travel choices, so you can book and buy with confidence.
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Responsible Travel Report
The Sustainable Tourism e-Newsletter
A Message from STI's President
As more organizations within the travel and tourism industry get involved with neutralizing their global climate change impacts, it is timely that STI is now offering a new service - custom greenhouse gas (GHG) calculators. Travel providers can now easily integrate a GHG calculator onto their websites and provide clients with an opportunity to offset their climate related emissions, including hotel stays, ground transportation, air travel and much more.
We are also happy to announce that STI has formed a collaborative relationship with George Washington University's International Institute of Tourism Studies (IITS). STI is now offering new Lifelong and Distance Learning courses as well as a Tourism Destination Management certificate program. All programs and courses are designed for tourism industry professionals, students, conscientious consumers, and community groups.
Please contact us for additional information on our Lifelong and Distance Learning courses and new custom greenhouse gas calculators.
Eco regards,
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Climate Corner:
Proactively Addressing Global Climate Change
We recently educated several hundred Whole Foods Market (WFM) employees about global warming, carbon offsetting, and what WFM is doing to address both. During the presentation, it was challenging to get so many people from a variety of backgrounds with varying interest levels excited about the issue. Perhaps the greatest thing we did there was to encourage everyone to see "An Inconvenient Truth."
If you're not familiar with the science behind global warming, if you think there's nothing to worry about, or if you have a keen interest in the subject, we strongly encourage you to see this highly rated documentary as well.
Below is our top 10 list for tour operators to implement greenhouse gas offsetting into their business operations. Enjoy!
Tour Operator's Top 10 - Integrating Greenhouse Gas Offsets into Your Business
1. Energy Audit / Calculate your Emissions
Typically, the starting point for becoming carbon impact neutral is to undertake an energy audit and determine th e annual amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from your business and tour operations. The most accurate way of collecting this data is by documenting and calculating your overall emissions using a nationally or internationally accepted GHG calculator or protocol. Though calculators exist that provide a simple means of measuring your emission levels, the process can be complicated. For example, Climate Neutral Network's GHG Accounting Worksheet covers many different aspects of a business, so you may not need to fill out every category. STI's comprehensive GHG calculator is much more user friendly, and is available for tour operators other travel providers, and related organizations wishing to integrate STI supported GHG offsetting programs into their operations.
Alternatively, you can hire an independent auditor or consultant to perform the energy audit for your business, which could cost thousands of dollars. If taking this approach isn't feasible, the best option is to work with a non-profit organization like STI that offers both GHG offset programs as well as emission calculations and energy audits. Though rough estimates cost little to nothing, STI typically charges less than $1000 for small to medium-sized companies who cater to 1000-5000 passengers per year. In some cases, these fees can be classified as charitable donations since they're in line with STI's mandate to educate the travel and tourism industry about sustainability. Pricing, however, varies according to the complexity of your business e.g., on the number of different tours and types of vehicles utilized in company operations.
As an incentive to help you manage associated expenses, STI will calculate your businesses emissions and undertaken a comprehensive energy audit for as little as $300 for companies that become Premium Partner members of STI, resulting in a savings of $200 for small to medium-sized companies. By taking this approach, your company will also receive numerous attractive membership benefits, including being listed in STI's popular Eco-Directory, receiving a link from our "Sponsors" page directly to your website, and much more.
2. Choose Investment Level and Offset Options
After calculating your total GHG emissions, you should then review your investment options for becoming carbon impact neutral and determine the extent to which you want to offset your total emissions. For example, do you simply wish to offset your office related energy consumption, or do you want to take a holistic approach and also offset all the emissions associated with your business (i.e., the waste generated by your company, staff and client hotel stays, staff and client air and land travel, and supplier-related emissions)?
Your decision should be made within the context of your overall emissions impact, offset options, and associated investment costs. The highest level of commitment includes a complete offset paid for by the company for its internal emissions from business related activity, and providing clients with an opportunity to voluntarily offset their own travel-related emissions. Other options include offering a matching program or partial offsets for tour-related emissions and or client air travel through the integration of a custom GHG emissions calculator into your website.
Most businesses support the investment in GHG emissions through their marketing or corporate responsibility budget or through philanthropic funds.
3. Customized GHG Calculators for Your Website
For businesses who wish to offer their clients with an option to voluntarily offset their air travel and or tour-related emissions, STI can create and help you integrate a customized GHG calculator onto your website. For example, visit Natural Habitat Adventures website, and then click on the "Stop Global Warming" link to view a great example.
4. Trip Itineraries
In addition, we suggest that you list the GHG emissions associated with each tour in its respective detailed itinerary and in related pre-departure materials (see below). You should also include some educational information on what offsets are and why your clients should care about supporting your offset initiative.
If your itineraries are on-line and you're providing your clients with opportunities to voluntarily offset their own emissions, be sure to provide links to your GHG calculatr page. This will make it easier for them to support your program. STI can provide examples and implementation support.
5. Website Home Page
Actively educating your clients about the importance of taking steps to address their impacts on global climate change is paramount to the success of your offsets program. This is why we suggest that you promote the program in prominent locations like your website home page, as well as through your marketing and media outlets.
6. Catalog Content and Inserts
Catalog content and inserts devoted to your efforts to address global climate change will help differentiate your company from competitors. Your approach could be purely educational in nature, or you could integrate options for purchasing offsets into your catalog. STI can provide examples and implementation support.
7. Sales - Reservation Process
In order to create a successful offset program, it must be integrated it into your sales and booking process and systems. Integrate the option to add-on an offset into sales processes and related systems. Also, develop educational materials and train your staff about offsetting and how to pitch the opportunity to clients.
If you're covering the offset in the tour price (typically $1-$20), simply list it in the invoice or better yet mention the "value add" during the sales process: "Your tour is 'global warming impact' neutral. We've offset associated GHG emissions."
8. On-line Booking Function
If you're offering a voluntary offset program, integrate a simple check box with automated calculations into your on-line booking systems. Offer clients opportunities to offset different percentages of their GHG impacts (i.e., 100%, 50%, etc.). The easier it is for your clients to support your offset program, the more successful it will be.
9. Pre and Post-trip Materials
As we all know, communications with clients don't end when we hang up the phone. Correspondence related to offsetting is the same. Some tour operators choose to place a higher emphasis on offsetting into pre- and even post-trip client correspondence versus pushing the opportunity during the sales process. STI can provide examples and implementation support.
10. Marketing and Public Relations
Getting the word out and promoting your efforts can help differentiate your business, broaden your marketing reach and increase customer loyalty. Targeted advertising and press releases as well as client outreach efforts such as e-Newsletters can all play a vital role. We can help with specific suggestions.
For More Information
STI provides educational service package designed to help tour operators and other travel-related businesses integrate any combination of these recommendations into your business operations. Please contact us for more information.
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Conflict and its Impact on the
Nepali Tourism Industry
Tourism in Nepal has emerged as one of the major economic sectors, having contributed a great deal to the overall growth of the economy. However, the current security situation within this small Himalayan country has become a serious issue for sustaining and expanding the tourism industry. In the past, travelers looked upon Nepal as a peaceful, safe and tranquil destination, but this view has now been challenged.
During the past thirty years, Nepal experienced a unprecedented growth in international tourist arrivals. However, the growth has been thwarted by internal instability arising from a radical movement popularly known as the Maoist insurgency, which began in February 13, 1996 in an effort to create a People's Democratic Republic. The international community has declared the movement to be one of the deadliest and the most brutal conflicts in Asia, having claimed more than 13,000 lives. In addition, significant changes in the political arena have put the country under pressure. Consequently, Nepal's immense tourism potential has been thwarted as tourist arrivals have plummeted.
In fact, domestic instability, the regional war in Afghanistan, and the global war on terrorism have all negatively impacted the tourism industry in Nepal. In 1962, international arrivals were at 6,179, while the highest visitation was recorded in 1999 with 491,504 visitors. In 2005, a total of 277,129 tourists visited Nepal in 2005 as compared to 288,356 the previous year.
Visitors come to Nepal primarily for trekking and mountaineering usually during the high season from October to May. Because a majority of the military operations have been in the mountain communities where trekking is popular, many of these host communities have been hit the hardest. Hotel and related service industries located around National Parks and conservation areas have also been badly hurt by the conflict. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project, for example, which is the country's most popular destination, has been severely affected as offices have been attacked, various buildings have been destroyed, and management has been threatened and various conservation and social development programs have been hampered.
Nearly a million people are directly or indirectly employed by tourism related sectors in the country. Collectively, the accommodations' sector alone has the capability of serving 1.5 million visitors a year, but at present, it's serving less than 30,000 visitors a year. The upsurge in political unrest and imposition of curfews at the beginning of 2006 is partly to blame, resulting in 20-50% cancellations in bookings causing many hotels and tour operators to struggle to keep their doors open.
Since tourism is integral to Nepal's economic health, stakeholders feel that only a fully committed and integrated approach can revive tourism and uplift the country's economy. Measures taken by the government to address the problem have not been effective. Even the Nepal Tourism Board's laudable efforts have not been able to revive the industry. Regardless, most tourism experts feel that Nepal will thrive again once stability is restored. After all, the Himalayan Kingdom is one of the most well known tourism destinations in the world due to its dramatic natural beauty and its geographical and cultural diversity.
Source: Based on research undertaken by students of Kathmandu University (KUSOM), EMBA, and Batch I (Bharat Bishwakarma, Kiran Lal Joshi, Nogendra Sapkota, Preeti Shrestha Chettry, Sandipa Thapa Basnyat and Sunil Devkota)
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International Eco- and Responsible Tourism Award Nominations
The 2006 Skål International Ecotourism Awards and First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards are now accepting nominations.
Both programs need your help in finding tourism ventures that make a positive contribution to conservation and the economies of local communities while minimizing any negative impacts of tourism.
To nominate a tourism venture or company for the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards email the name, website and contact details of the venture or company you would like to nominate, with up to 100 words explaining why they should win a Responsible Tourism Award.
The First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards' judging panel is chaired by Dr. Harold Goodwin, Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism. The awards will be announced on Responsible Tourism Day at World Travel Market on November 8th. For more information, visit the initiatives' website.
Skål International is also inviting companies from the public and private sectors as well as non-governmental organizations to submit entries for the Ecotourism Awards. The 2006 Awards will be presented in Pattaya, Thailand on October 16th during the Opening Ceremony of the 67th Skål World Congress.
Skål, founded as an international association in 1934 is the largest organization of travel and tourism professionals in the world, embracing all sectors of the tourism industry from hoteliers to travel agents, to airlines, tourism media, tourism students and similar. Skål, with 22,000 members, is a powerful force in the travel and tourism industry to initiate change and encourage sustainable tourism development.
The deadline to send in nominations for the Ecotourism Awards is June 30th. For more information, visit the initiatives' website.
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Providing Economic Benefits to Local and Indigenous Communities
Tourism has the potential to support community development, including providing jobs, educational and professional training opportunities, health care, improved infrastructure, and enhanced environmental stewardship.
Economic sustainability is achieved, in part, when businesses actively contribute to the economic well being of the local communities where they operate without adversely affecting other aspects of local people's lives. By enhancing your business' positive economic impacts on local and indigenous communities, you can improve their quality of life and help protect the health and well-being of each community as a whole while enhancing employee morale and your business' appeal to guests - ensuring their continued support and the longevity of your business.
Measuring Your Impact: Economically Benefiting Local Communities
There are many ways to measure how your business economically impacts local communities. To understand the full scope of your businesses' direct economic impacts on local communities, utilize the following variables or if resources permit, consider hiring a professional to do an economic impact assessment:
- The number of employees living within a 20-mile radius of your domestic workplace.
- The number of employees living within a 10-mile radius of your international workplace.
- Lowest hourly domestic wage. As a best practice, consider basing wages on the current cost of living index. If applying for STEP, be sure to provide wage information for each country where your company operates.
- Legal minimum hourly domestic wage. As a best practice, consider basing wages on the current cost of living index. If applying for STEP, be sure to provide wage information for each country where your company operates.
- Annual value of charitable donations to socio-cultural projects or local community projects.
- Annual hours of in kind or volunteer contributions to local communities.
Measures of indirect economic benefits to host communities include the following:
- Total annual value of locally produced products and or services purchased from locally owned businesses.
Managing Your Impact
To manage your economic impacts on local communities, analyze your business' direct, indirect, and induced impacts, and take the steps necessary to minimize leakage.
Direct Economic Impacts
No Cost and Low Cost Actions
- Encourage clients to buy locally produced products by orienting them to visit locally owned businesses, artisans, city centers, and markets.
- Designate an area where local organizations and artisans can display their tourism projects, culture, handicrafts, and other initiatives.
- Encourage clients to visit cultural attractions, and publicize and promote local cultural activities that are open to the public.
- Form partnerships with locally owned, responsible businesses (e.g., restaurants, hotels, etc.)
Investing in Economically Benefiting Local Communities
- Establish a travel philanthropy program. Creating your own foundation for a travelers' philanthropy project that gives back to the people and places you visit provides an outlet for the public to contribute and further enhance your sustainability-related goals.
- Avoid importing food, products, and other goods by purchasing these items locally where feasible.
Indirect and induced economic impacts
No Cost Actions
- Create a system for identifying and selecting philanthropic projects.
- Discourage clients from giving money to beggars. This only reinforces a "we are poor, tourists are rich" mentality. As appropriate, tell clients who want to economically support local people that donating to a local philanthropic initiative is their best option.
- Ensure that hiring practices and labor and contractual arrangements are not exploitive.
- Do not discriminate based on race, sex, religion, or political affiliation.
- Do not permit employment or contract of the services of minors under the age of 14.
Low Cost Actions
- Conform to local laws and international labor standards. Exceed minimum legal conditions (i.e., employee's wages, salaries and benefits are equal to or higher than the industry's minimums for the respective region and country, according to the employees' tasks, experience and level of responsibility).
- Ensure that operational demand for basic services (water, electricity, roads, food, and other resources) never competes with local communities needs.
- Support the training of local and indigenous people for non-competitive tourism activities that complement your company's services.
- Use handicrafts and other works of art produced locally to decorate your facilities and or accommodations.
- Require employees to buy locally produced products and services for the business and encourage them to do the same for personal purchases.
Investing in Economically Benefiting Local Communities
- Create a philanthropic project to ensure that benefits are generated to support community development, biodiversity conservation, and other environmental, socio-cultural, and economic improvements.
- Consider providing resources, education, training, financial assistance, or in-kind support for community development and environmental conservation related projects.
- Help increase local capacity: focus on creating jobs, upgrading infrastructure, improving health and transport, and funding community facilities and public spaces.
- Train and employ local and indigenous people in the regions where your company offers its services, and provide them with opportunities for advancement.
- Consider contributing at least 5% of annual net revenues, or the equivalent, in in-kind support to local non-profit conservation-based organizations.
Useful Links
For more useful ideas, purchase a copy of our Guide to Sustainable Tourism or view it on-line.
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Why Are Companies and Employees Concerned About Ethics
There is a correlation between high business ethics and high business efficiency. High valued-ethical companies are responsible for creating and sustaining a healthier working environment within the company in terms of safety, trust, loyalty, and commitment to their superiors, peers, customers, suppliers, and vendors. High-valued ethicl companies are viewed by their customers and competition as proactive and engaging from the top levels of leadership on down and possess more integrity regarding culture, core values, and pride in workmanship. Taking their roles and responsibility as corporate citizens seriously is yet another benefit earned by such organizations.
Research and facts support the findings that corporations with high-valued ethical standards are more profitable than their counterparts and are less susceptible to employee theft, malfeasance, dishonesty, and turnover while investigated less often for product safety, employee harassment, or sexual/ diversity discrimination cases. What's not to like about being ethical, making a profit, and leaving the world a better place all at the same time?
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Responsible Travel: Escape to the Spa at Mohonk Mountain House
To align with the natural Shawangunk Mountains setting, overlooking the deep waters of Lake Mohonk, architects Saratoga Associates, New York, have designed a state-of-the-art energy-efficient 30,000-square-foot spa at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, N.Y.
The spa features 16 treatment rooms, a solarium, yoga / motion room, fully-equipped fitness center, outdoor heated mineral pool and indoor heated swimming pool. But what guests may not realize as they enjoy the holistic spa are the environmental aspects. A geothermal heat ing system, lighting fixtures that use less than 2.4 watts of electricity per square foot, and low-flow and sensor-activated plumbing fixtures are features of this rustic resort spa. The spa also employs a biological storm-water system that includes 6-foot sedimentation filtration tanks buried beneath wetland plants growing in a fine stone substrate. The tanks filter particles from the building's roof.
Above the pool locker rooms, a 2,000-square-foot vegetative roof demonstrates shallow shade plantings on precast concrete decking. The system enhances roof-membrane durability, filters air, binds dust particles and reduces glare. Once established, the roof will contain several medicinal and herbal plants that can be used in spa treatments.
Linoleum floors consisting of all-natural biodegradable materials, ceiling tiles manufactured from postindustrial recycled material and recyclable wallboard containing recycled paper products also can be found in the spa.
Outside, this national historic landmark's grounds feature exquisite gardens and 85 miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. A challenging nine-hole Scottish-designed golf course and red-clay tennis courts provide outdoor activities. Horseback riding and horse-drawn carriage rides also are available. Glacial-formed Lake Mohonk offers boating, fishing and swimming, and the Victorian Skating Pavilion hosts skating parties and lessons.
The Mohonk Mountain House and its spa capitalize on their extraordinary natural setting and commitment to stewardship as a way to enhance and heighten the relaxation and renewal of the resort's guests.
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Responsible Travel:
Community-based Tours in Vietnam
Imagine seeing the highlights of Vietnam's mountainous hill-tribe region, while helping disadvantaged communities build a school. Or teaching English to orphans in Cambodia. These are unique and rewarding ways to experience a new culture and country.
Anyone can take part and everyone has something to contribute. From one day to several weeks - depending on your interests and availability Buffalo Tours can help match you to a community project or incorporate some volunteer work or a visit to disadvantaged communities within your travel itinerary. Your placement is part of a wider development plan that aims to bring about sustainable long-term changes; you will live in the local community and work alongside its members to achieve these development goals.
Binh Luc orphanage is an example of community project in much need of volunteers, visitors and external support. Established in 1990, the Binh Luc Orphanage provides a home for 41 children aged between six and 15. As the patron spo nsor of Binh Luc orphanage in the Ha Nam province (50km from Hanoi), Buffalo Tours recently implemented a nutritional program for the children of Binh Luc. The nutritional program involves funding for protein, vegetables and fruits to specifically increase the daily nutritional intake of each child. This program is monitored with tri-monthly height, weight and measurement checks of each child.
The children of Binh Luc come from disadvantaged agricultural communities. In many cases the families cannot afford to raise or educate the children and are forced to abandon them. With limited assistance from the local government, the orphanage relies heavily on donations and sponsorships. The most urgent requirements being nutrition followed by education. Depending on time and availability, volunteers may be involved in teaching English, preparing nutritional meals or building educational facilities.
The Friendship Village is another community project that Buffalo Tours supports. It is a residential treatment center for children and veterans affected by Agent Orange based just outside of Hanoi and provides the opportunity to volunteer from one day to five days in their organic garden or vocational training programs. The children, who suffer from a range of physical and intellectual disabilities, come from 34 provinces. At the village, they are provided with health care and basic education, and they're taught new vocational skills such as sewing, embroidery and horticulture.
Volunteers have the opportunity to assist with the Organic Gardening project or to join in activities with the children, such as assisting with meal preparations and educational courses. The children are extremely friendly, warm, and welcoming though many have severe physical and mental disabilities.
Buffalo Tours' goal in providing Community Project Adventures is to offer travelers an alternative, affordable and unique experience that will not only change their outlook on life but will also make an enormous difference to the lives of the communities they work with.
For more information or to learn more about Buffalo Tours' Community Project Adventures, please visit their listing in STI's Eco-Directory, email them, call 0084 4 828 0702 or visit their website. The experience promises to be interactive, philanthropic, educational and uplifting in every sense.
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Green Tip:
Had a chance to chat with Uncle Sam
about your eco-purchases?
The Bite: Now is the time to take advantage of the new 2006 tax breaks for energy efficient vehicles and homes. Not sure where to start?
The Benefits: Click here to learn how you save $1000's in new tax credit incentives.
Submit a Green Tip
Do you have any green tips? If so, submit them to us, and our friends at Ideal Bite will include you name along with the tip in their e-Newsletter and on their website.
Tips on giving good tips:
- You did it and liked it
- You bought it and liked it
- You remembered that this service is not called "Tips for Millionaires." Keep it real.
- You can show how it is good for the environment or society
- You tried to quantify the environmental impact
- You can show that it is positive and not preachy .
Sign up for the Ideal Bite
By joining the Ideal Bite community, each weekday you'll receive an eco-living tip.
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Conferences and Continuing Education
The Adventure Council, in collaboration with the Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE) has announced it will host the first Adventure Travel Professional Symposium (ATPRO), September 8 and 9, 2006 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with THETRADESHOW, the premier event of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and The Travel Institute's National Forum.
This highly focused event will provide a forum for senior tourism leaders, tour operators, destination marketing organizations, CVB's and specialized travel agents to network and learn about the latest trends in adventure and active travel including market conditions, risk management, emerging destinations, sustainable tourism, integrated sales and marketing strategies, information technology and industry integration.
For more information on attending Adventure Travel Professional Symposium, please call 203-878-2577 x125 or visit www.adventuretravelpro.com.
Other conferences, events and continuing education opportunities include:
- The Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) is scheduled for June 22-24. BITE 2006 aims to be the prime marketplace for exhibitors keen to target China's huge domestic and international tourism market.
- The Australia Chapter of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism will be holding its 3rd Australian Conference on July 15 at the Avillion Hotel Sydney. The focus of this conference will be an examination of the role of tourism as an agent for peace.
- Hosted by Tai Poutini Polytechnic, the Ecotourism in New Zealand Conference will be held in Shantytown, Greymouth, New Zealand on August 9-11.
- The TourismAfrica2006 conference in Geneva, Switzerland is scheduled for September 10-15.
- Watchable Wildlife will hold its annual conference in Anchorage, Alaska October 3-5. The theme of this year's conference is Preserving Communities through Sustainable Wildlife Tourism Programs.
- The Adventure Travel Trade Association's 2nd Adventure Travel World Summit is scheduled for October 19-21, 2006 in Seattle. Building upon the successful 2005 Summit, the 2006 Summit will delve into the more practical elements of business strategy/planning, marketing, technology and operations that can help to favorably improve organizations' bottom lines. For more information, contact ATTA or call 360-805-3131.
- The IH&RA's 43rd Annual Congress, Hospitality Takes Center Stage, is to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from October 26-29.
- Destinations2006, World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, 3rd annual Summit, will be held in Porto Alegre, Brazil from November 29 through December 2.
- The Green Meeting Industry Council's 2007 Greening the Hospitality Industry conference is scheduled for February 6-8, in Portland, Oregon.
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High Moon Cartoons
If you would like to purchase any one of High Moon's six cartoon books, you may order them directly from the Japan Environmental Exchange via email or JEE's website.
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