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September 2004


Sustainable Travel International
Media Update: September 2004


FOR A LIVE CONNECTION
Email Brian T. Mullis or call 800-276-7764

MEDIA KIT
Background Information, Fact Sheet and Much More!

PHOTOS FOR EDITORIAL USE
For photography to accompany Sustainable Travel International editorial, please contact Brian T. Mullis.

NEWS AND FEATURES
Travel Service Providers Invited to Combat Global Climate Change While Increasing Profits

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Travel Service Providers Invited to Combat Global Climate Change While Increasing Profits

Boulder, Colorado (September 2004) - Global climate change is the single greatest ecological threat facing humanity. The emissions of greenhouse gasses are causing irreparable harm to our atmosphere, and travel related services such as air and ground transportation are major contributors. Sustainable Travel International (STI), a US-based not-for-profit organization, aims to help change that by offering travelers and travel service providers the opportunity to neutralize their travel related impacts.

“Most of our educated public realizes that human activities are causing potentially devastating harm to the planet,” exclaims STI Co-founder Peter D. Krahenbuhl. “What they may not know is that most of the damage is occurring right here in the US, and more specifically, it’s related to the travel and tourism industry. Air travel alone accounts for a large percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions.” As such, STI is about to launch a major initiative that offers a win-win-win situation.

Through it’s MyClimate Carbon Offset Initiative, STI will provide a user friendly, voluntary program that offers travel service providers - such as travel agencies, airlines, tour operators and on-line booking agencies - a program to increase their revenue stream while doing the right thing. "In a nutshell," Krahenbuhl continues, "people and companies will be able to mitigate their carbon emissions by sponsoring an equal amount of emission reductions from their choice of sustainable projects, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation.

Evidence supports a shift in consumer purchasing habits toward more responsible travel choices. Those companies that hop on board, STI claims, will do well, and those that don’t will be left behind.

To learn more about STI’s MyClimate Initiative or how to partner in the upcoming launch please Contact Us.

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For More Information

Visit Sustainable Travel International's on-line PR Kit, call 800-276-7764 or email the organization.

We hope you enjoyed our Media Update for August. However, if you prefer not to receive our Media Updates, just reply to this message with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. You will be removed from this email list.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL
3250 O'NEAL CIRCLE SUITE H-11
BOULDER COLORADO 80301

PHONE (720) 273-2975
EMAIL info@sustainabletravel.com
BUSINESS HOURS 8am-5pm MST
STI's goal is to align the values of travelers and their growing demand for responsible travel options with a realistic and user-friendly certification program designed for U.S.-based travel providers.

In practical terms, sustainable tourism certification programs measure a company's environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impacts both internally and on the surrounding communities and environments in which it operates. As a result of the certification rating system, travelers can easily distinguish exactly what is being evaluated and the extent to which a travel and tourism provider is integrating sustainable business practices into their operations.

Peter Krahenbuhl, co-founder and Vice President of STI further explains, "Our eco-certification program is based on standardized measurement and reporting methods for the 'triple bottom line' of economic, environmental and social performance." Krahenbuhl continues, "travel and tourism providers pursuing eco-certification will receive a numerical rating up to 100 points based on their performance. And verification of the information provided will be derived through independent third party audits. This, in turn, will assist travelers in making informed decisions based on an industry baseline level of performance that will allow them to compare two companies regardless of their size. At the same time, it will offer certified companies a stronger market presence."

Although there is adequate evidence of demand for sustainable tourism in the U.S. travel market, receiving backing from stakeholders prior to releasing its eco-certification program is integral to the success of STI. Brian T. Mullis, co-founder and President of STI explains, "the proliferation of tourism eco-certification programs in Europe made it difficult for travelers to distinguish exactly what was being certified and brought criticism from conservation-based organizations and governmental regulatory agencies. Eco-certification must gain support from all stakeholders and establish clear brand recognition in order to actualize the full potential for sustainable tourism in the U.S."

Mullis continues, "though we continue to receive backing for our initiative from key stakeholders in the U.S., we do not want to launch our program too quickly. By developing our program through a widely consultative process that brings together all interested parties, we can hammer out our criteria and ensure we have adequate buy-in before launching."

Travel providers, employees, non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies, and consumers interested in reviewing and critiquing STI's sustainable tourism eco-certification program can download or view a PDF version. The deadline for feedback is October 31, 2003.

For more information or to view an on-line PR Kit, please visit www.SustainableTravelInternational.org. You can also call 720-273-2975, or e-mail STI. Charitable contributions are welcome.

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Sustainable Travel International offers
FREE Memberships to promote
Responsible Tourism Businesses

Boulder, Colorado - Sustainable Travel International (STI), the leader in promoting sustainable tourism development in the U.S. travel industry, is offering FREE memberships to businesses for a limited time.

The Colorado-based non-profit promotes U.S.-based travel and tourism providers who engage in responsible business practices while helping consumers make responsible choices. With consumers demanding higher standards of corporate social responsibility as part of their spending habits, STI is spearheading the movement for clearly defined standards of sustainability for the travel and tourism industry.

To increase the already quickly building momentum for sustainable tourism in the U.S., STI is currently asking travel and tourism providers interested in lowering costs through resource productivity and reducing waste while making a positive contribution to the natural, social and cultural environment to sample their membership services at no cost.

Specifically, STI is currently offering FREE 6-month "Supporting Business" memberships to eco-tourism companies, community development projects, and tourism providers engaged in sustainable business practices. STI feels that this timeframe will allot ample time for new members to evaluate the benefits of participating in their program:

1. List your company's profile in Sustainable Travel International's (STI) Eco-Directory
2. Submit best practice stories for inclusion in their Sustainable Travel Report e-Newsletter
3. Receive worldwide on-line marketing exposure
4. And attract responsible travelers, one of the fastest growing segments in the travel industry

Travel and tourism providers interested in taking advantage of this offer need only follow the directions outlined below:

1. Add a descriptive hyper-link from your web site's link page (or equivalent) to STI's web site as follows (required): Sustainable Travel International: Promoting global sustainable tourism development and providing responsible choices for travelers.
2. Complete your Membership Application with STI.
3. Click paying by "check" or "money order" to override STI's credit card payment function and automatically post your Membership web page.

FREE memberships are valid from September 1, 2003 through February 28, 2004. STI is extending this offer through midnight on October 31, 2003; no extension is available.

Companies wishing to renew their memberships with STI in March of 2004 will be charged $250 per year. Members of any eco-tourism society or any companies certified by another sustainable tourism certification program are entitled to a membership renewal discount.

Travel and tourism providers with questions about STI's FREE membership offer may reach the not-for-profit company via e-mail or phone at 720-273-2975.

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For More Information

To contact STI, call 720-273-2975, e-mail, or visit their on-line press kit.

We hope you enjoyed our Press Releases. However, if you prefer not to receive them, just reply to this message with "unsubscribe" in the subject line, and you will be removed from this email list.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL
3250 O'NEAL CIRCLE SUITE H-11
BOULDER COLORADO 80301

PHONE 720.273.2975

info@SustainableTravelInternational.org

BUSINESS HOURS: 8am-5pm MST

Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">"BEF's high standards for Green Tag sources and its non-profit status fits in well with STI's current carbon offset product offerings in the travel and tourism industry," said Brian T. Mullis, Co-founder of STI. "Our clients have been demanding that we provide them with opportunities to invest in renewable energy projects in the United States. Now they can choose to invest in projects that are closer to home, in developing countries, or a combination of both."