Tag Archive for Environmental

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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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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10 May 2011
Theme Parks

Regional Theme Park Extends Environmental Efforts Energy Plan to Reduce Park Consumption by 6 Million Kilowatts

Regional Theme Park Extends Environmental Efforts Energy Plan to Reduce Park Consumption by 6 Million Kilowatts











Valdosta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB) February 22, 2011

Wild Adventures Theme Park (WA) turns its focus to the environment with the announcement of two new conservation projects. The park continues efforts to conserve energy and resources by changing to energy efficient lighting and adding a park wide recycling program, all before the season begins March 12. WA began environmental efforts in 2010 with the planning of more than 500 trees and looks for future projects that will continue to decrease its carbon footprint.

The WA energy-focused project involves the replacement of light fixtures and bulbs, park wide, retrofitting more than 900 light fixtures and replacing 400 lights with energy efficient components. The bulbs, light fixtures, and components removed from the project will be recycled into various materials, avoiding landfills. These upgrades will reduce the park’s kilowatt consumption by almost six million kilowatts, and greenhouse emissions equivalent to the removal of 800 cars from the road.

In addition to the energy project, the park builds on its existing recycling program, adding containers to collect cardboard and plastic bottles. Three large recycling containers, located behind the scenes, give park employees a convenient place to gather recyclable items. This follows the 2010 addition of 50 plastic bottle recycling containers, for guest use, located throughout the park. According to Evan Schukman, Director of Maintenance, these recycling programs will save several tons of cardboard and plastic bottles from going into landfills each year.

“We are looking into anything we can do to decrease the materials and energy we use,” said Schukman. “Environmental conservation is an important focus of WA and we strive to conduct business in a manner that is good for the environment by introducing programs that help us to conserve energy and resources and help our guests and employees participate in these efforts. The energy we save from replacing light fixtures throughout the park will be the equivalent to the energy needed to power 485 houses for ten years.”

Wild Adventures is a 170-acre theme park, water park, and animal park all in one place for less located in Valdosta, Georgia. The park features one of the largest ride collections in the South, more than 500 wild animals, Splash Island Water Park, the region’s largest water park, shows, festivals and all-star concerts. The park is owned and operated by Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE), a company specializing in family entertainment. For nearly half a century, HFE has owned, operated or partnered in 21 properties across nine states, including Branson, Missouri’s Silver Dollar City; operating partner with Dolly Parton in Tennessee’s Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country; operating partner in Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park and owners of Ride the Ducks amphibious tours in six cities.

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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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01 Feb 2011
Ecotourism

Learning Center Announces Formation of International Board of Directors to Expand and Integrate Community and Environmental Programming

Learning Center Announces Formation of International Board of Directors to Expand and Integrate Community and Environmental Programming










(PRWEB) January 22, 2005

Members are selected for a variety of characteristics, including personal and professional abilities and geographical representation. The SCLC Board of Directors consists of:

Amos Bien – President, Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge, Director of International Programs, The International Ecotourism Society, and Founding Member, Costa Rican Ecotourism Association

Christa Dillabaugh – Consultant, Environmental Education

Pamela Donovan – Director Communications & Marketing, Sweetbriar Nature Center

Martha Honey – Executive Director, The International Ecotourism Society

Andrea Holbrook – President, Holbrook Travel

Polly Margaret Hunt – Student Groups and Community Programs Coordinator, Hacienda Pozo Azul

William Rojas – President, The National Ecotourism Board (CANAECO)

Lidia Murillo Sanchez – Community Development Member, SCLC, and President, Indio Chorotega Ceramics

Paulo Valerio C. – Sales & Marketing Director, Best Adventure Travel

“As one of the founders of the SCLC, I feel that huge strides have been made by implementing this Board,” said Andrea Holbrook, SCLC International Board President. “For over 10 years we have been working on what Dr. Martha Honey, Director of the International Ecotourism Society and world-renowned expert on ecotourism and sustainable development, accurately terms as an experiment – the process of finding innovative ways to integrate ecotourism, community development, and environmental education. This effort will benefit immensely from active board members who are involved in guiding the Center and helping to obtain much needed resources. Through leadership and legal status, we will be able to better connect with local institutions—an important goal for the Center.”

“The new board will be a huge asset to the SCLC as we look to strengthen existing environmental and community programming and to expand into grassroots reforestation, water monitoring, and sustainable micro-enterprise support,” explains Greg Basco, Executive Director of SCLC. “Board members offer expertise in ecotourism, conservation, environmental education, public relations, and the local community. The SCLC now is poised to make great strides in promoting a greener Sarapiquí region.”

Since its inception in 1995, SCLC has focused its mission on linking local communities and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica. The Center has become a resource for the Sarapiquí community by providing and coordinating activities that will both enhance education and support sustainable development in surrounding areas. For additional information on SCLC and its programs, please visit the website at http://www.learningcentercostarica.org

Note to editors: Photos and Interviews Available Upon Request

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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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