Archive for Ecotourism

15 Jan 2012
Ecotourism

Growing Ecotourism Industry In Hawaii Protects Environmental Assets While Increasing Profits

Growing Ecotourism Industry In Hawaii Protects Environmental Assets While Increasing Profits











Maui, HI (PRWEB) December 30, 2006

According to the Hawaii Ecotourism Association (HEA), ecotourism is nature and culture based tourism that is ecologically sustainable and supports the well being of local communities. Commercial entities have become a positive influence on the environment because they promote a tourism industry that is environmentally and culturally sensitive while increasing profits. The availability of vacation accommodations through online resources such as HawaiianBeachRentals.com affords tourists the opportunity to plan customized, environmentally-friendly Hawaii vacations.

Recent statistics published in dBusinessNews reveal that visitor expenditures in Maui totaled 3.1 billion dollars in 2005 and 2.9 billion dollars in 2004. Maui’s tourism sector is sound and growing, as evidenced by the fact that hotel occupancy is well above average for the Hawaiian Islands. Since Maui’s economy is tourism-based, practicing ecotourism protects valuable environmental assets while luring savvy travelers to experience the raw beauty of a Pacific Island. Visiting an online vacation site is the simplest way to plan a customized trip to Maui or Kauai based on the principles of ecotourism. Jeff Berzolla of Hawaiian Beach Rentals states that, “We have traditionally specialized in providing our customers with alternative trips to Hawaii allowing them to stay in unique places and helping them coordinate the details of their dream vacation, be it romantic, active or relaxation focused. Also, our staff enjoys living and playing in Hawaii. Time off is often spent visiting the units we rent to our customers, whether they’re Maui vacation rentals or condos on Kauai, to better understand the Islands and the beautiful paradise we share with the world.”

According to Wayne Nastri, the western regional administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 95 million dollars has been committed to Hawaii within the past year to correct environmental violations while preventing future pollution. Clearly, capitalists and tree huggers are now teaming up as opposed to being at odds, finding it more progressive and profitable to protect the environment rather than exploit it. Environmentally responsible hotels known as “green hotels” use energy and natural resources in environmentally-friendly ways and give visitors a realistic Hawaiian experience without compromising the world around them. As a result, breathtaking natural wonders such as the majestic Na Pali coast can be found just steps away from many Kauai vacation rentals. Hawaiian vacations offer hiking, boating, snorkeling and whale watching in an unaffected, natural habitat. Since it is the incredible flora and fauna of Hawaii that lures vacationers, it is in the best interest of big business to protect the environment to keep the visitors coming back.

According to a recent poll of HEA members, to be considered as genuinely engaging in ecotourism, Hawaii travel operators need to minimize the negative impact on Hawaii’s natural environment, cultural heritage and local communities, as well as maximize the positive impact on these factors. Additionally, rental operators must foster an appreciation of Hawaii’s sense of place among staff and visitors. The spirit of the land is referred to as “aina” in Hawaii. Kauai condo rentals and hotels are sensitive to this “aina” because they are built with special care to have the least impact possible on the precious local land and wildlife. Securing such accommodations is easy with the online help of informed locals. Jeff Berzolla further says, “We like working with folks that have a passion for travel and want a customized experience that only a local person can help coordinate. Hawaiian Beach Rentals offers accommodations such as vacation homes, condos and hotels, as well as airfare and car rentals to customers wanting to travel to Hawaii. We want to help our customers have a unique experience in Hawaii so we can show them what Aloha is all about. Our services include the most up to date local information about Hawaii and the ability for customers to quickly and easily pay for their vacation online via a secure payment process.”

A savvy traveler seeking information about ecotourism-based excursions to Maui and Kauai can visit HawaiianBeachRentals.com for additional details. Take advantage of technology to plan the most unique, socially-conscious trip of a lifetime!

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24 Dec 2011
Ecotourism

Now Available: Ecotourism with Great Food and Maasai at Campi Ya Kanzi at Kuku Group Ranch in Kenya

Now Available: Ecotourism with Great Food and Maasai at Campi Ya Kanzi at Kuku Group Ranch in Kenya











Uncharted Outposts


Los Angeles, CA (Vocus) November 29, 2007

For those who have never been to Africa, the idea of a safari conjures up images of adventure and breathtaking scenery. One imagines sepia-drenched plains filled with lions and giraffes and all sorts of other exciting animal wildlife. But today’s travelers are also looking to travel comfortably without leaving a large ecological footprint.

It was with the romantic images in mind while growing up in a small Italian town that Luca Belpietro dreamed of one day living in Africa. And he made his dream come true.

Today, Belpietro and his wife, Antonella Bonomi, and their two young children, operate their own safari camp deep in the rolling green hills of southern Kenya, where they delight in sharing this very wild and beautiful place.

Campi Ya Kanzi (Kishswahili for “Camp of the Hidden Treasures”) is truly a bush-country ecotourism paradise, located on the Kuku Group Ranch, a 400-square-mile Maasai reserve in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

About the camp.

Centered around Luca and Antonella’s residence, Tembo House, guests at Campi Ya Kanzi are treated to delicious fresh-cooked Italian meals. This enchanting camp can accommodate 14 lucky guests in luxurious tented cottages constructed of stone, fabric and wood, each with a veranda taking in a superb view. Furnished with king beds made from locally hewn logs, the cottages feature a full, elegant bath with shower, bidet and basin. Brass plumbing fixtures add an unexpected touch of old-world elegance and comfort with hot and cold running water.

Interior Bath

One can read a book from the charming library, play backgammon, or simply listen to music. With Campi Ya Kanzi as a backdrop, all of these simple activities become transporting experiences.

About the Kenya safaris.

Guests at Campi Ya Kanzi enjoy private safari game drives in open Land Rovers, accompanied by professional guides and Maasai game trackers. The incredibly pristine, varied landscape around Campi Ya Kanzi – savannah plains, river courses, forest, and even lava flows – gives rise to astonishing biodiversity. The hiking and walking in the Chyulu Hills – in the shadow of the majestic Kilimanjaro – is a breathtaking experience.

About the ecotourism

Luca and Antonella offer their guests a chance to reconnect with the wild, while providing insight into the unusual partnership they have forged with the local Maasai community. The Kuku Group Ranch, bordering Tsavo West and Chyulu National Parks, and close to Amboseli National Park – is home to three thousand Maasai.

Luca and Antonella collaborate with the Maasai to involve them in the preservation of their land, wildlife and culture, by creating sustainable ventures that offer them employment and empowerment. For too long the needs of rural communities have been neglected by people involved in conservation work. Campi Ya Kanzi has created a model that may well serve as the future basis of conservation in Africa.

Additionally, earlier this year Ecotourism Kenya recognized Campi Ya Kanzi for its outstanding work in protecting the environment. In addition to locally harvested building materials, including lava rocks, thatched roofs and trees from a reforestation program, Luca and Antonella use solar boilers to supply hot water and photovoltaic cells to provide electricity. The kitchen relies on eco-friendly charcoal and waste is recycled or incinerated, while organic material is used to make compost for a small organic vegetable garden. With the nearest springs 12 miles away, water is a scarce resource. Rainwater is collected from the roofs into cisterns. Used water is filtered and purified through lava filters and goes into a pond for wildlife.

After spending time with Luca and Antonella and their Maasai team at Campi Ya Kanzi, you will carry this incredible, intelligent ecotourism experience with you forever.

Contact:

Sandy Cunningham

Uncharted Outposts

Uncharted Outposts offers ecotourism with Kenya safaris

Local: 505-795-7710

Toll-free: 888-995-0909

Contact:

Maya Benyehuda

Ballantines PR

310 454 3080

Ballantines pr

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07 Oct 2011
Ecotourism

Vacation Rental Market Offers Tourism With Minimal Environmental Impact and Encourages Ecotourism in Kauai, Hawaii

Vacation Rental Market Offers Tourism With Minimal Environmental Impact and Encourages Ecotourism in Kauai, Hawaii












Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) November 27, 2006

Kauai, HI: Kauai, Hawaii provides one of the most effective examples of ecotourism in the United States today by offering a tourist destination that has preserved its natural beauty while opening its arms to visitors from around the world. The growing availability of vacation rentals in places such as Kauai, Poipu, Princeville and Hanalei has lead to a change in the visitor experience. These vacation rentals offer tourists a unique opportunity to engage in the local communities and share in the true “Aloha” of Hawaii.

Ecotourism is defined by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association as “nature and culture based tourism that is ecologically sustainable and supports the well being of local communities”. According to a poll of HEA members in 2004, to be considered as genuinely engaging in ecotourism, operators need to minimize the negative impact on Hawaii’s cultural heritage, local communities and natural environment, as well as maximize the positive impact on these factors. Furthermore, these operators must also foster an appreciation of Hawaii’s sense of place among staff and visitors. In Hawaii, the spirit of the land is referred to as “aina”. Kauai condo complexes and hotels are sensitive to this “aina” because they are built with special care to have the least impact possible on the land and wildlife in the local area.

For the savvy traveler who is also environmentally concerned, Kauai vacation rentals can offer a true Hawaiian experience that does an outstanding job of providing first class amenities and service while allowing the traveler to experience the incredible raw beauty of a Pacific Island.    Online resources make it simple to plan a vacation based around the concepts of ecotourism because you can browse for Kauai vacations with just a few simple clicks of your mouse and yet still be able to get personalized, one-on-one service. Charles Koehl of Hawaiian Beach Rentals states that, “Every vacationer is looking to have the vacation of a lifetime and we aim to help them find it in Hawaii. Our customers want to be able to ask questions about their trip and have a human interact with them and listen to their desires and dreams and make suggestions on what they would like.”

The focus on ecotourism in Hawaii causes operators to lean toward renewable tourism as opposed to building a 20 story hotel on the beach without considering its environmental impact. This creates an unprecedented opportunity for tourists to revel in the natural magnificence of Hawaii in a special setting of their own choice. Protecting the environment also gives tourists the opportunity to fully understand the wildlife, flora and traditions of Hawaii. Simply by surfing the Internet, travelers can view their potential Kauai vacation condos and finalize arrangements for their trip securely online. Koehl of Hawaiian Beach Rentals further says that, “Allowing our customers to make a transaction easily and securely online also makes us unique. We provide our customers with service on all of the major Hawaiian Islands and offer accommodations, airfare and car rentals to customers wanting to travel to Hawaii.”

Environmentally responsible hotels are known as “green hotels” because they use energy and other natural resources in environmentally responsible ways. Ecotourism was also internationally recognized when the United Nations celebrated the “International Year of Ecotourism” in 2002. Hawaii has been engaging in the practice of ecotourism for many years and Kauai vacation rentals evidence the success of this vibrant, important movement. Incredible, first-class accommodations are available all over the island, from a Poipu vacation home to Kauai hotels, that enable visitors to have a realistic Hawaiian experience without compromising the world around them.

In short, ecotourism is a vehicle to sustainable development that makes it possible to accept tourists without compromising the quality of the land and its precious resources. A Kauai vacation gives well-informed tourists an opportunity to see the benefits of ecotourism in action, especially since this is a long-standing concept in this area of Hawaii.

Environmentally-friendly Hawaiian vacations are easier and more affordable to plan than was ever thought possible with the growing online resources available to travelers today. Take advantage of this technology to plan the most unique, socially-conscious trip of a lifetime! After all, today’s vacation rental market is filled with incredible travel opportunities that make a tropical trip more accessible than it ever was before.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







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12 Aug 2011
Ecotourism

Francisco Ver

Francisco Verástegui Wins 2007 Colibri Ecotourism Award










(PRWEB) June 8, 2007

As part of the global celebration of World Environment Day, Planeta.com presents the seventh annual Colibri Ecotourism Award to Francisco Verástegui, who created Mexico’s first map of notable and historic trees.

First presented in 2001, the Colibri Ecotourism Award is presented to a leading authority and catalyst at the vanguard of ecotourism in Mexico.

The winner of the award is selected by Planeta.com founder Ron Mader following consultation with members of the Mexico Ecotourism Network.

The United Nations celebrates World Environment Day each year on June 5 as a means to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and enhance political action.

About the Colibri Award

Francisco Verástegui receives the Colibri (“Hummingbird”) Award for his work in protecting the historic and notable trees of Oaxaca City and raising awareness of the urban environment.

Announcing this year’s winner, Planeta.com founder Ron Mader said, “Ecotourism depends on the leadership of individuals exemplified by Francisco Verástegui who are resourceful and who create new linkages connecting tourism and environmental conservation.”

Colibri means “Hummingbird” in Spanish and in 2007 the Colibri Award celebrates its seventh anniversary, making this one of the longest-running ecotourism awards. The winner of the annual award receives a trophy, diploma and a $ 1,000 cash award from Emilio Kifuri, president of Canyon Travel.

“Mexico is one of the world’s mega diverse countries with one of the most successful tourism industries,” said Emilio Kifuri. “If ecotourism is to overtake the senseless destruction of the world’s natural areas, it has to develop at a faster pace. We feel fortunate to be in a position to demonstrate to the tourism industry that ecotourism can be more profitable than mainstream tourism.”

The Colibri Ecotourism Award’s co-sponsor, Destination Ventures, is contributing another $ 1,000 directly to Planeta.com for development of spin-off media, including an English-language version of the map and DVD. The company specializes in travel industry education and currently works for the Mexico Tourism Board and United Nations Foundation in promoting sustainable travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Previous winners include Steve Bridger , Jennifer Morfín, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain , Jorge Chàvez de la Peña, Fernando Garcia Aguinaco, Marlene Ehrenberg, Juan Carlos Ibarra and Antonio Suarez.

2007 winner

Francisco Verástegui is an artist born in Mexico City’s Condesa neighborhood who has lived in Oaxaca for the past twenty years.

His work is featured at prominent galleries, including Arte Cocodrilo and Arte de Oaxaca.

Verástegui’s passion for Oaxaca’s urban parks and gardens has never been stronger and in the spring of 2007 he collaborated with colleagues in producing the map Árboles Históricos y Notables. The first printing has a run of 7,000 copies, courtesy of La Curtiduria and Carteles de Sur, and is available in Oaxaca City at Amate Books, Macedonio Alcalá #307.

The map has attracted the attention of the local TV 9 which is preparing a video documentary about the trees.

Future work

In the planning stage is a portfolio of engravings of the historic trees created by Oaxaca’s most famous artists to be published by Fernando Sandoval, one of Mexico’s most prestigous printers. This will be sold to raise funds to pay for scientific studies, signage plaques and fences to protect the trees. The publication is sponsored by La Curtiduria and the Alfredo Harp Helú Foundation.

Planeta.com is preparing a DVD documenting trees in Oaxaca and is researching how to locate the trees using Google Earth. Planeta.com is also updating our online guides to forestry issues and documenting reforestation efforts in Mexico.

Testimonials

Sin lugar a dudas, hay pocas personas como Francisco Verástegui, interesados en crear proyectos para el bien común. Artista de gran talento y trayectoria, escritor de verdades y luchador incansable por nuestro patrimonio cultural e histórico y sobre todo un gran observador y pensador de nuestro tiempo, Verástegui es indiscutiblemente el mejor candidato para recibir el premio Colíbri por su dedicación en conservar, difundir y promover proyectos novedosos como La Hoja Volante uno dedicado a los árboles notables de la Ciudad de Oaxaca.

Demián Flores

Francisco Verástegui es alguien ha trabajado a favor del patrimonio natural e histórico de Oaxaca y en especial de nuestros entrañables árboles en los últimos tiempos ha sido precisamente él, quién con su decidida y significativa participación ha logrado despertar en nosotros el deseo de contribuir a la protección y salvaguarda de nuestro invaluable patrimonio. Sin embargo, el camino por recorrer el largo y difícil, por lo mismo considero que cualquier premio u apoyo que reciba Francisco le será de gran utilidad y le motivará a continuar con esta importante labor.

Víctor González Sánchez, Galeria Arte de Oaxaca

Tengo varios años de conocer a Francisco Verástegui y hoy mas que nunca me sorprende su personalidad ya que no logra estar sin movimiento un momento, siempre tiene en su ser una creatividad inmensa para el bienestar social que es realmente su pasion por la vida. Comenzo a mirar a los arboles de Oaxaca pero como solo él sabe hacerlo…..observando y dandose cuenta de su belleza y trascendio esta mirada a la Historia de cada uno. Hoy que me entero que esta propuesto para recibir el Premio Planeta me lleno de alegria porque es decir sí a la vida y sí a las personas que como Verástegui la viven atentos a la realidad.

Dora Luz Martinez Vasconcelos

Francisco Verástegui’s Oaxaca tree map is an innovative product that is of great interest to residents and visitors alike. This is urban ecotourism in action and it really works as the map results in one wanting to find more of these hidden green wonders in the city.

Gerhard Buttner

Kudos

Many thanks to friends and colleagues who are relaying the word about the Colibri Award including the United Nations Environment Programme.

Details

Colibri Ecotourism Award

http://www.planeta.com/colibri.html

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







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04 Aug 2011
Ecotourism

Sri Lanka’s Ranweli wins first annual ECOCLUB Ecolodge Award

Sri Lanka’s Ranweli wins first annual ECOCLUB Ecolodge Award










Athens, Greece (PRWEB) July 5, 2004

To celebrate its 5th anniversary, ECOCLUB, http://www.ecoclub.com, the international ecotourism club, has just held its first annual Ecolodge project competition, the “ECOCLUB Ecolodge Award 2004″. ECOCLUB Members were asked to choose by email vote from project proposals submitted by Ecolodges around the world. The winners were Ranweli Holiday Village of Sri Lanka, http://ecoclub.com/ranweli who proposed the creation of an organic vegetable plot and green house in school premises close to the Lodge. The all-girl school has over one thousand students.

Presenting the award at a live on-line event, ECOCLUB Founder, Antonis B. Petropoulos, noted that “this new Award is not a beauty contest, but aims to implement and verify the implementation of meaningful small-scale projects, by existing, successful, genuine Ecolodges, selected in a democratic fashion. ECOCLUB believes that genuine Ecotourism should be self-sustained, and supported from within, from its roots, rather than from governmental organisations and charities that arbitrarily splash out millions to the wrong hands, without even following up, and in so doing encourage corruption.”

RANWELI Director, Mr Chandra de Silva noted that “the ECOCLUB Ecolodge Award will further strengthen us in our endeavour to link the community with our enterprise. We hope to extend our Bio-Vegetable and pesticide free farming project through school children to the community, to areas of environmental conservation and education of the children. We thank the members of the Ecoclub for giving us this opportunity of taking forward the project.”

The 2004 Award is accompanied by the monetary sum of Euros 500, raised by ECOCLUB Members, and this amount is meant to cover the expenses of the project. Half of the funds will be awarded immediately, and the other half on completion of the project. The project implementation will be monitored and details, including photos, will be made available on-line, at http://ecoclub.com/award.html as the program progresses.

ECOCLUB is an international ecotourism club / ecotourism cooperative,

with members in over 50 countries. It is managed by ECOCLUB S.A. of Athens, Greece. On July 1, 2004 ECOCLUB celebrated its 5 years promoting genuine ecotourism.

To find out more:

For details on the winning project and all the candidate projects:

http://www.ecoclub.com/news/060/ecofocus.html

For information on ECOCLUB please see:

http://ecoclub.com/aboutus.html

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







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05 Jun 2011
Ecotourism

Eco-Together at Grande Lakes Orlando; Parents Paddle and Kids Kayak Through the Orlando Resort’s Shingle Creek

Eco-Together at Grande Lakes Orlando; Parents Paddle and Kids Kayak Through the Orlando Resort’s Shingle Creek










Orlando, FL (PRWEB) November 21, 2007

Nurture meets nature as Grande Lakes Orlando expands its Grande Lakes Outfitters program to include specialized Eco-Tours for families. Priced at just $ 80 per adult and $ 50 per child under 12 years of age (child must be at least 2 years old), the two-hour eco-tour experience at the Orlando resort can accommodate families of up to 15.

Orlando is known throughout the world as being the ideal family vacation destination and Grande Lakes Outfitters’ Eco-Tours add an important learning element to any Orlando adventure, further complimented by the resort’s luxury experience.

The interactive eco-tours include active canoe or kayak journeys through Shingle Creek. Enthusiastic guides start the adventure by picking families up in camouflage golf carts set out for one of the most remote sections of Grande Lakes. After a mini “off-road” experience, groups have the option to explore the creek while paddling in a canoe or kayak, depending on the comfort level

Throughout the journey, the guides share the history of Shingle Creek, and take parties through a series of close-up observations of native species in their natural habitat. Baby alligators, bald eagles, ospreys, and the endangered wood stork species are all part of the wonderment that is on display during a Shingle Creek Eco-Tour.

For those in search of an instructional experience, an Orvis fly-fishing school (one of only ten in the U.S.) is located on-site and available to guests at both The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels, as well as to all outside visitors.

Guests at both luxury hotels in Orlando can also enjoy all the facilities and services at Grande Lakes Orlando, including the 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Greg Norman, the 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa offering a wide selection of natural treatments, baths and hydrotherapies, and advice from the world’s first Citrus Consultant.

About JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes

This striking Orlando resort is an architectural masterpiece, anchoring 500 acres of lush, tropical landscape with remarkable prominence and grace. As Florida’s premier destination, the JW Marriott Orlando luxury hotel features an absolutely invigorating, full-service Orlando spa, the championship Greg Norman-designed golf course, and a variety of delightful restaurants from organic Southern Italian cuisine at Primo, to freshly prepared sushi in the Lobby Lounge. Location is everything, and the JW Marriott is situated minutes from Orlando International Airport, Orange County Convention Center, and the area’s top attractions. Elect this exceptional resort as your retreat to your Orlando hotel room after exploring action-packed theme parks, effortlessly orchestrate your next business endeavor for a group of any size, or celebrate your dream wedding in sophisticated style. For any occasion, simply relax and enjoy the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Florida, leaving nothing to be desired. For more information or to make a reservation, call 407-206-2300 or visit our website.

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31 May 2011
Ecotourism

Australia?s Red Centre Solar City hosts Global Eco Tourism Conference

Australia’s Red Centre Solar City hosts Global Eco Tourism Conference













Alice Springs accommodation using solar power


(PRWEB) November 4, 2009

The Northern Territory’s solar city, Alice Springs, will host the brightest sparks of the ecotourism industry at the Asia Pacific ecotourism conference, Global Eco, from 9-11 November.

As travellers continue to display their growing appetites for all things green, the conference program will introduce tourism operators and industry participants to new technologies, research, product partnerships and policies, and showcase the “full gamut” of challenges, and potential solutions, facing the industry.

The impressive list of speakers includes chief executive of Ecotourism Australia, Kym Cheatham; Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett; president of non-profit organisation Sustainable Travel International, Brian T. Mullis; director of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Tourism and Recreation Group, Lisha Mulqueeny, and Frank Hubbard, director of corporate responsibility for IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group).

IHG includes the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs, which has set the green benchmark for the Australian business sector and hotel industry, by covering its roof in solar panels, creating the largest building-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system in the southern hemisphere. This ground-breaking $ 3.3 million installation will reduce the hotel’s energy consumption by between 40 and 80 percent.

The most anticipated speaker will be Costas Christ, the global travel editor of National Geographic Adventure, and an internationally recognised expert on sustainable tourism. An ecotourism pioneer, he is also the lead author of Tourism and Biodiversity: Mapping Tourism’s Global Footprint and a contributing author in Wilderness: Earth’s Last Wild Places.

Alice Springs was deemed the most suitable location for the conference in light of the extensive ‘green’ initiatives that have been instigated by its local government and tourism operators, in an attempt to create the most sustainable tourist destination in Australia.

Tourism NT Environmental Tourism Development Officer Natasha Smith said that the Alice Springs businesses and community had shown tremendous initiative in making Alice Springs the solar capital of Australia.

“Tourists travelling to Alice Springs now have a fantastic opportunity to learn about solar technologies at the new, world class Desert Knowledge Solar Centre,” Ms Smith said.

“This 3.1million centre showcases the largest range of solar power technologies in the southern hemisphere, through commercial-scale installations.

Within the town of Alice Springs, the local community and businesses are also heavily engaged in embracing sustainable technologies. Since the Alice Solar City was launched in March 2008, 1121 households and 75 businesses have got on board to reduce their energy consumption.

For more information visit:

http://www.globaleco.com.au

http://www.alicesolarcity.com.au/

http://www.dkasolarcentre.com.au/

http://www.australiasoutback.com

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







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28 May 2011
Ecotourism

Jennifer Morfín Wins 2005 Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award

Jennifer Morfín Wins 2005 Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award










(PRWEB) June 4, 2005

Planeta.com – As part of the global celebration of World Environment Day, Planeta.com presents the fifth annual Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award to Jennifer Morfín Morgan

About the Colibri Award

First presented in 2001, the Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award is presented to a leading catalyst working toward ecotourism in Mexico.

Colibri means “Hummingbird” in Spanish and the Colibri Award is celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2005. The winner of the annual award receives a trophy, diploma and a $ 1,000 cash award from Emilio Kifuri, president of Canyon Travel.

The winner of the Colibri Award is selected by Planeta.com founder Ron Mader with consultation from members of the Mexico Ecotourism Network.

“Ecotourism depends on the leadership of individuals who are resourceful and innovative and who are bold enough to bridge the traditional divisions between tourism and the environment,” said Planeta.com founder Ron Mader.

“Mexico is one of the world’s mega diverse countries with one of the most successful tourism industries,” said Emilio Kifuri. “If ecotourism is ever to overtake the senseless destruction of the world’s natural areas, it certainly has to develop at a much faster pace. We feel fortunate to be in a position to demonstrate to the tourism industry that ecotourism can be more profitable than mainstream tourism. It is this potential for profit that has the greatest ability to cause the most profound changes.”

Planeta.com will participate in several environmental events in Mexico City during the World Environment Day weekend and will present the Colibri on the waters of the Xochimilco Gardens.

“If we desire to make our cities greener, making tourism greener is a great step forward,” said Mader, adding that urban ecotourism is a reality in Mexico City with such pioneering projects as the ciclovia (bike path) and the hiking and biking trails in the Ajusco mountains.

Planeta.com is no stranger to city-based nature tourism, having hosted the 2004 Conference on Urban Ecotourism. Participants at that event agreed upon the Urban Ecotourism Declaration, a collective response to a common challenge – making urban spaces more livable while protecting biodiversity.

Winner

Jennifer Morfín Morgan’s interest in ecotourism began when she began working at the Mexican Nature Conservation Fund (FMCN) and took part in several online conferences hosted by Planeta.com to see whether tourism could benefit conservation.

Jennifer’s work with communities goes back 10 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in International Affairs at Mexico City’s Universidad Iberoamericana and recently received a masters degree in Sustainable Tourism Management from the International Cooperation University of Costa Rica.

Her tenure at the FMCN began in 2000 and she was part of a team that created the Mexican Conservation Learning Network (IMAC). Jennifer’s work at IMAC is that of a web-savvy training manager specializing in sustainable tourism and wildfire management.

Jennifer describes her work as a way that connects conservation in the natural world with improving communication using a variety of media:

“I believe that promoting communication among institutions and communities links people with similar interests in a way that encourages transparency and sustainable development,” she said. “Sustainable development has renewed purpose when we use current technology to improve not only what we know, but how we collaborate and learn new things that improve our quality of life.”

Jennifer’s interest in sustainable tourism and ecotourism continues as IMAC strengths its coverage and Jennifer continues to work face-to-face with community leaders.

Feedback

Jenny is one of the most dedicated people I know in the conservation field, besides being one of the most efficient people I have worked with! Certainly she deserves it!

Edna Aguinaga

Totalmente de acuerdo con que Jennifer sea este año la ganadora del Premio Colibrí. Me entusiasma la idea. Más allá de que sea una amiga. Poca gente hay en iniciativas ligadas a gobierno que hayan favorecido al ecoturismo, Jennifer es una de ellas, quien además tiene un gran entusiasmo.

Fernando Garcia Aguinaco

I completely agree with Jennifer’s designation as a recipient of the 2005 Colibri Award. Her work in IMAC has been outstanding and she fully deserves this award.

Hector Ceballos-Lascurain

Of course Jennifer has all the qualifications for the Colibri Award. She has done a marvelous work and, as you say, her dedication to the “cause” is remarkable.

Verena Gerber

Excelente la propuesta para que Jennifer sea acreedora al Premio Colibrí 2005.

Angel Nieva

About World Environment Day

The United Nations General Assembly established the first World Environment Day in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. 2005 spotlights green cities.

Planeta.com is submitting our Declaration on Urban Ecotourism (the theme of our 2004 online conference) to the organizers of WED 2005. The declaration is a collective response to a common challenge — making urban spaces more livable while protecting biodiversity.

Organizers

Planeta.com

http://www.planeta.com

Canyon Travel

http://www.canyontravel.com

References

Colibri Award

http://www.planeta.com/colibri.html

World Environment Day

http://www.unep.org/wed

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22 Apr 2011
Ecotourism

Greenloons Eco Travel Certification Guide Sheds Light on Ecotourism Industry Standards

Greenloons Eco Travel Certification Guide Sheds Light on Ecotourism Industry Standards










Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 5, 2011

Growing ecotourism provider, http://www.greenloons.com, just published a comprehensive online certification reference guide aimed at aiding environmentally conscious travelers as they endeavor to make more responsible vacation purchasing decisions that ultimately make a positive impact on the world around them. The first of its kind, this trailblazing handbook helps Greenloons improve the environmental tourism landscape through increased certification transparency, which consumers have been calling for since 2002 when the United Nations designated that year as the International Year of Ecotourism.

The release of this type of reference guide is more necessary than ever given the estimated 5% annual growth rate in the ecotourism market worldwide. The manual compares eco-vacation certifications by 14 major evaluation criteria as well as general standards including whether the certification requires multiple levels of endorsement , reauthorization, and if it is aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC).

“As we continue our work with organizations like the Rainforest Alliance, Greenloons hopes to engage consumers so that they ask about and support those tourism businesses that help to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring that tourism meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation” says Greenloons founder & CEO, Irene Lane. Greenloons currently partners with ClimateCare and the Rainforest Alliance in order to further promote best management practices in sustainable tourism and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

With the increasing advertorial power of the term “eco”, the Greenloons Certification Standards Summary will help consumers understand the political, economic and social issues that surround sustainable tourism and ecotourism. “We hope consumers will choose authentic ecotourism providers that support local communities, emphasize environmental education, sustain conservation efforts, minimize tourist waste, and respect local cultural traditions,” says Lane. “By adding much needed clarity to the eco certification process, we hope more people will connect at a deeper level with the places and people they are visiting.”

About Greenloons

Greenloons L.L.C. is a Washington D.C. based company dedicated to providing nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists worldwide with trusted information about responsible, sustainable, and certified ecotourism in the U.S. and internationally. From inspiring wildlife adventures to ecosystem education, Greenloons is an easy to use one-stop shop for ecotourism destination services. The site provides key information regarding regional certifications and international standards for ecotourism, third-party certified vacation tour search and reservation capabilities, volunteer conservation effort search, and topical news. For more information, please visit: http://www.greenloons.com

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







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30 Mar 2011
Ecotourism

NatureAir Launches Educational Eco-Tourism Blog

NatureAir Launches Educational Eco-Tourism Blog












San Jose, Costa Rica (Vocus) October 20, 2008

Today NatureAir, the world’s first certified carbon neutral airline, announced the official launch of its Nature Blog. The blog was created to help educate readers on sustainable travel and keep people informed and involved in Costa Rica as an ecotourist destination. Nature Blog provides an educational outlet for people to share and exchange information on ecotourism, global warming, climate change and its impact on the world.

NatureAir as an airline is working to combat the effects of global warming by using carbon credits from every passenger to help conserve Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, one of the region’s most biologically diverse rainforests.

“It becomes a duty and necessity for us to preserve and protect the environment that we are living in,” said Alex Khajavi, Founder and CEO of NatureAir. “We are the users of resources and this should motivate us to protect and to give back to the environment.”

Nature Air’s blogger, Naturally Larry, offers information relating to the efforts of people and institutions that make a difference, helping to create a balance between commerce and conservation amidst the backdrop of some very serious global issues, like climate change, and sustainable travel. In addition, NatureAir’s flight captain will be sharing his stories from the sky. This column will give readers an inside perspective on what it means for this pilot to be an integral part of a sustainable airline.

The blog was created to be a social networking educational outlet. Travelers, pilots and professionals in all fields are encouraged to share their stories and thoughts about Central American travel, ecotourism, global warming and climate change. To learn more about how to become involved and post stories, questions or comments visit: http://blog.natureair.com

About NatureAir:

Since its inception in 2000, NatureAir has grown from flying 18,000 passengers annually to more than 150,000 in 2007. The company got its start with one plane and 17 employees. Now it has a fleet of eight planes and more than 150 employees. NatureAir offsets more than 6,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually and uses carbon credits to help conserve Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, one of the region’s most biologically diverse rainforests. It’s the only twin-engine airline in Costa Rica with both scheduled and chartered flights, and offers 74 daily flights to 17 destinations in Costa Rica, and Panama. For pricing, and a complete list of flight schedules visit: http://www.natureair.com or call 800-235-9272.

CONTACT:

Alexi Huntley

TEL: 506-299-6000

E-MAIL: ahuntley @ natureair.com

WEB: http://www.natureair.com/

Click here for Media Kit.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







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