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Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop

Planning a Green Vacation

By Rachel Bertsche for Green Goes Simple

I recently returned from a weeklong honeymoon. Aside from being in awe of Croatia’s breathtaking scenery, delicious wine and fabulous seafood, I was struck by the little steps my hotel took to be greener. We had to use our key to turn the lights on in our room, which meant we could never leave the lights on when we weren’t there. Brilliant! Also, the air conditioner only worked when all the windows were closed, so no energy was wasted. Genius!

The hotel’s green tendencies got me thinking about what I could do to increase the eco-friendly factor of all my vacations. Turns out you don’t have to sleep in a tree house to travel green. The International Ecotourism Society offers plenty of tips for making your trip safe for the earth, no matter if you’re booking a five-star getaway or a rustic trek.

“People think sustainable travel means really roughing it, but there are a range of options and a range of opportunities,” says Ayako Ezaki, director of communications for TIES. “You don’t need to be one specific kind of traveler, and you don’t need to be overwhelmed.” Follow these tips for a green vacation everyone will love:

Before you book, call any hotels or tour operators you’re thinking of using and ask them if they have any environmental policies and if they employ local citizens. Find out if they have any eco-label ratings or have won any eco-awards.

When choosing your method of travel, think about the hierarchy of transportation. According to TIES, air traffic is responsible for 10 percent of greenhouse gases worldwide. Coach buses are the greenest option, followed by trains, then cars. If you don’t have to fly, consider another mode of transportation.

While you’re there, support the local community. “The key words we often use are ‘local’ and ‘authentic,’” says Ezaki. “Take advantage of the vast knowledge of the citizens by hiring local tour guides.” Also, skip souvenirs that may have been manufactured thousands of miles away and instead buy gifts made in the community.

Once you’re home, write reviews and give feedback. “The tourism industry is reputation-focused, so what each traveler can tell a business is more important than you may think,” says Ezaki. “Your message as a consumer is saying, ‘I care about the environment; I want you to be greener.’ That alone will get people to implement change.”

is a Web producer, blogger and journalist who lives in Chicago. She's written for O, The Oprah Magazine; Marie Claire; Every Day With Rachael Ray, Outside and Fitness. Her first book, MWF Seeking BFF, will be out next year. Her articles have previously appeared on Green Goes Simple.

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	<h2>Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop</h2>
<h1>Planning a Green Vacation</h1>

<p>By Rachel Bertsche for <em><a href="http://www.greengoessimple.com">Green Goes Simple</a></em></p>

<img src="http://www.greengoessimple.com/partner/content/ecochicmommyftp/archive/2010-09-13/feature/green_vacation/images/large.jpg" width="202" height="138" alt=""/>	<p>I recently returned from a weeklong honeymoon. Aside from being in
awe of Croatia’s breathtaking scenery, delicious wine and fabulous
seafood, I was struck by the little steps my hotel took to be greener.
We had to use our key to turn the lights on in our room, which meant we
could never leave the lights on when we weren’t there. Brilliant! Also,
the air conditioner only worked when all the windows were closed, so no
energy was wasted. Genius!</p>

<p>The hotel’s green tendencies got me thinking about what I could do to
 increase the eco-friendly factor of all my vacations. Turns out you
don’t have to sleep in a tree house to travel green. The International
Ecotourism Society offers plenty of tips for making your trip safe for
the earth, no matter if you’re booking a five-star getaway or a rustic
trek.</p>

<p>“People think sustainable travel means really roughing it, but there
are a range of options and a range of opportunities,” says Ayako Ezaki,
director of communications for TIES. “You don’t need to be one specific
kind of traveler, and you don’t need to be overwhelmed.” Follow these
tips for a green vacation everyone will love:</p>

<ul type="disc"><li>Before you book, call any hotels or tour operators you’re thinking
of using and ask them if they have any environmental policies and if
they employ local citizens. Find out if they have any eco-label ratings
or have won any eco-awards.</li></ul>

<ul type="disc"><li>When choosing your method of travel, think about the hierarchy of
transportation. According to TIES, air traffic is responsible for 10
percent of greenhouse gases worldwide. Coach buses are the greenest
option, followed by trains, then cars. If you don’t <em>have</em> to fly, consider another mode of transportation.</li></ul>

<ul type="disc"><li>While you’re there, support the local community. “The key words we
often use are ‘local’ and ‘authentic,’” says Ezaki. “Take advantage of
the vast knowledge of the citizens by hiring local tour guides.” Also,
skip souvenirs that may have been manufactured thousands of miles away
and instead buy gifts made in the community.</li></ul>

<ul type="disc"><li>Once you’re home, write reviews and give feedback. “The tourism
industry is reputation-focused, so what each traveler can tell a
business is more important than you may think,” says Ezaki. “Your
message as a consumer is saying, ‘I care about the environment; I want
you to be greener.’ That alone will get people to implement change.”</li></ul>
				<p><em><em>is a Web producer, blogger and journalist who lives in Chicago. She's written for</em> O, The Oprah Magazine; Marie Claire; Every Day With Rachael Ray, Outside <em>and</em> Fitness. <em>Her first book</em>, MWF Seeking BFF, <em>will be out next year. Her articles have previously appeared on <a href="http://www.greengoessimple.com">Green Goes Simple</a>.</em></em></p>
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