Sustainable Travel International is Studying the Business of Green Travel

From Sustainable Travel International - 3.31.08

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Proprietary Research: The Business of Green Travel
Seize the Opportunities of Green Travel

Invest in this first-of-its-kind report and discover the truth about green travel.

The explosive growth of interest in the green lifestyle is impacting businesses across all verticals, representing a tremendous opportunity for brands to align with this powerful social movement. Sustainable Travel International, in conjunction with PhoCusWright and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, is embarking upon a new study to help the travel industry understand the potential impact of going green, including its financial and social benefits.

You can help shape our research — Going Green: The Business Impact of Environmental Awareness on Travel—a study that will help the industry harness the influence of green.

• Understand how to integrate green strategies for a positive impact on your bottom line.
  
• Understand the size and strength of the green movement as it relates to consumer travel purchase decisions.
  
• Hone green travel product and marketing messages to match consumer motivators.

Realize the risk/reward of investing in new green product development.
As a participant in this ground-breaking study, your research investment will deliver:

• Input into the consumer survey.
  
• Findings, analysis and recommendations delivered as an in-depth PowerPoint presentation.
  
• Customized analyst presentation via private two-hour Webinar.
  
• Access to tabulated survey results from the consumer survey.
  
• Branding and publicity rights.
  
• A PDF of the summary report that can be shared internally and with clients and partners.

There are a limited number of sponsor opportunities available. Contact us today to help craft this proprietary research. Call 1-800-276-7764, email Brian T. Mullis, or visit our website for more information.

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Instituto Conexiones commentary: We will be getting in touch with Mr. Mullis to discuss the social aspects of this study.

Generosity in Action Gives some Great Advice on how to Travel Responsibly

From: Generosity in Action

Travelers' philanthropy supporting local people in developing countries.

Travelers: When you travel you may come across a village, school or community that inspires you to want to give-back, contact us to see if we can coordinate with local ground operators in the community to insure that your goal is fulfilled. We may be able to structure the program to allow your donation to qualify for a tax deduction in the US. Read on for examples of successful projects that helped local people.

Tour Operators: Consider creating a Give-Back program in communities that are key to the success of your business. Organize the project so that your travelers might wish to contribute and further benefit the community. Donations may be tax deductible in the US. Read on for examples of how others have made giving-back a part of their core business plan.

Travel Philanthropy! What a great Concept!

From Sustainable Travel International

Introduction to Travelers' Philanthropy
There are a growing number of conscientious consumers and responsible travel companies who are donating financial resources, time, talent and economic patronage to protect and positively impact the cultures and environments they visit. This voluntary movement is becoming known as Travelers' Philanthropy.

Travelers' or Travel Philanthropy, as it's also commonly known, is helping to support community development, biodiversity conservation, and other environmental, socio-cultural and economic improvements including providing jobs, educational and professional training opportunities, health care and environmental stewardship.

Why Travel Philanthropy?

	Government budgets and international aid is decreasing in some developed and many undeveloped countries, increasing the level of need.
	Protecting the environmental and socio-cultural needs of host countries strengthens relationships and improves business.
	Almost 90% of the U.S. population state that it is important for companies to not just be profitable, but to be mindful of their impact on the environment and society (Source: Corporate Social Responsibility: Consumer Understanding and Influence, Natural Marketing Institute, 2005)
	Industry leaders who have strong environmental and social values and ethics are pioneering the movement.
	Growing movement toward corporate responsibility as it improves market differentiation and increases consumer demand

Attributes of Travel Philanthropy
Though many Travel Philanthropy programs are unrelated, most have similar attributes.

Most Travel Philanthropy programs have a focus on educating travelers about local environmental, socio-cultural and economic issues. They also encourage a constructive interaction between travelers, travel companies and the communities and local people who are being visited. By taking this approach, these programs help to inspire visitors to donate financial resources or time where it's most needed.

Successful projects also determine the needs of local and indigenous people while empowering them to help manage funding resources for community development and conservation initiatives. Often, this means establishing partnerships between travelers and the tourism industry as well as non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies, complimenting their international development and aid programs.

The Importance of Travel Philanthropy
More than 500 million people travel for leisure each year and there is an increasing demand for travel as air travel prices fall and remote corners of the world become increasingly accessible.

Among the most severe environmental effects of travel are pollution, intensified or unsustainable use of land, the depletion of natural resources, and alteration of ecosystems. Host communities can also be adversely affected. Loss of indigenous identity and values, resource use conflicts, cultural deterioration, and land-use disputes are among the many challenges host communities face.

Travel and tourism clearly contribute to globalization. However, if estimates are accurate, charitable giving by Americans alone could exceed $300 billion annually by 2020, providing a real opportunity to reduce the economic inequalities that exist in the world today.

Useful Links and Contacts
Generosity in Action
The International Centre for Responsible Tourism
The Responsible Tourism Partnership
Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel
Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development

Eco-Tourism Cooperative Created by Local Farmers Going out of Business due to Influx of Foreign-owned tourism businesses, Costa Rica

One of the reasons why Instituto Conexiones started looking at the issue of sustainable travel was because one of our founders was down in Costa Rica helping support local farmers in their efforts to convert from unsustainable cattle ranching practices to something that would not harm the fragile rainforest they live in. Many of them were open to eco-tourism as an alternative form of making money. However, they were unable to make a living from it after many years of investment of time and money because of the foreign owned "eco-tourism" lodges going up all around them. Ironically, most of the farmers are now logging and ranching again.

Making Travel More Socially and Ecologically Responsible

There is much talk about how the travel sector needs to be more eco-friendly, but what is always missing in the conversation is the social and cultural impacts of travel. If we do not take the social sustainability part into account, we may find ourselves having to be behind high walls everywhere we go as tourists. Stay tuned on this blog to find out what sustainable travel can mean when the social and cultural implications are taken into account.

Thank you!