VirtuosoLife - January/February 2008 - (Page 140) ECOTRAVEL Start-to-finish sustainably minded trips that don’t skimp on the pampering. cotourism once conjured up images of roughing it – rustic accommodations in the middle of a jungle with little chance of a hot shower – but these days there’s hardly a five-star resort around that doesn’t tout its green credibility. Whether they clean with nontoxic products, run on renewable energy, or build green hotels from the ground up, more high-end travel companies are launching eco-friendly initiatives. While some are purely green, others embrace sustainable travel practices, a broader concept that encompasses not only conserving the environment, but also preserving the culture and It’s a Green World After All BY MARGARET LOFTUS E boosting the economy of the communities in which they operate. Either way, it’s good business, explains Brian Mullis, president of the nonprofit Sustainable Travel International, which promotes responsible, eco-friendly travel. “More and more people want to travel to places where they can experience authenticity,” he says, “and the industry has realized that if they don’t take measures to protect these special and fragile destinations, the very thing that has attracted travelers will be lost.” At the same time, says Mullis, the travel community is trying to meet the demands of an increasingly sophisticated green Big Five Expeditions sails across to Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay with the planet’s best interest in focus. 140 V I RT U O S O L I F E BIG FIVE TOURS & EXPEDITIONS market: More than half of U.S. travelers say they would be more likely to select a travel company that strives to protect the environment, according to a recent Travel Industry Association poll. Need a jump start? From eco-friendly modes of transportation to planet-wise travel accessories to sustainable outfitters, we’ve done the homework on these green itineraries to take you from your doorstep to Angkor Wat, penguin colony, or tropical island – and back – with minimum impact.
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