Going Green with Summer Travel

By Mattie Walker, Assistant Account Executive, Consumer

Being eco-friendly has been trendy for a few years now. We know Leonardo DiCaprio and U2’s Bono are leading the way on the celebrity front. Johnson & Johnson, Dell and HP boast some of the greenest policies by Fortune 500 companies. And, not to be outdone, the fashion industry is well represented by the likes of American Apparel and TOM Shoes and, in addition to being eco-friendly, both of these companies help children in need around the world. So what industry is missing from this list? It came to my attention recently that travel is often left out in green discussions.

The world recently celebrated Earth Week and my colleague Meredith and I were busy coordinating an eco-friendly trip to New York for our client Travelocity’s Roaming Gnome. When conducting research and brainstorming with the client, it amazed me all the green options available to travelers these days. Hybrid rental cars, green hotels and volunteer opportunities for guests to give back to the environment while on vacation. Green travel has truly come along way.

Now, if you’re like me lying on the beach with a peach margarita in hand easily beats out hiking to the top of a mountain to plant a tree. But that’s the point. Traveling green has never been easier and you don’t have to sacrifice your five-star hotel for a bed made out of a bale of straw. (Although there is a hotel that offers this … if you’re interested let me know.) From all-inclusive resorts to luxury boutique hotels, green travel possibilities are endless.

For example, Travelocity alone has more than 2,900 eco-friendly hotels flagged on its site indicating each hotel that has implemented rigorous green standards and policies. And, many vacation hot spots are now inviting guests to partake in their green programs. Traveling this summer? Here are a few easy ways to get started and go green on your next vacation:

• Use real glassware and silverware when possible
• Conserve water and don’t have your bedding changed every night 
• Opt for a paperless checkout
• Check out local sights by public transportation or by walking to them

These are just a few of the small, but important steps to protect our favorite destinations so we can still enjoy them in the future.