Green Travel Choices – New iPhone Apps!

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CO2 reduction made simple for responsible travelers

Green Travel Choice on your iPhone provides you with transparency to make an informed travel choice while on the road taking CO2 emissions into consideration.  Whether it is your next trip overseas or just a ride downtown: Green Travel Choice gives responsible travelers a simple and effective way to make informed travel choices.

Remember that for example if you take the SUV from New York City to Washington D.C., the CO2 emissions are about 110 kg (240 lbs). If you would take the train they are only 21 kg (46 lbs). The average weekly CO2 emissions per person for travel in industrialised nations is around 50-66 kg (110-145 lbs).

Click Here to get the App!

Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen application is an easy way to check just how effective your sunscreen is at protecting your skin. EWG’s Sunscreen guide ranks the current crop of 500 beach and sport sunscreens, listing products as green (recommended), yellow (caution), or red (avoid). Our researchers considered how well each sunscreen blocks the sun’s harmful rays, and if it contains ingredients that could soak through the skin to pose other kinds of health risks.

The need for the guide? A surge in exaggerated SPF claims above 50 and new disclosures about potentially hazardous ingredients, in particular recently developed government data linking the common sunscreen ingredient vitamin A to accelerated development of skin tumors and lesions.

Industry’s lackluster performance and the federal Food and Drug Administration’s failure to issue regulations for sunscreens lead EWG to warn consumers not to depend on any sunscreen for primary protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Hats, clothing and shade are still the most reliable sun protection.

 

What is Ecotourism?

The Definition:

Ecotourism is: “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” (TIES, 1990)

Principles of Ecotourism:

Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:

• Minimize impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
• Raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate.

Ecotourism Facts & Statistics:

Size of Global Tourism:

• As the largest business sector in the world economy, the Travel & Tourism industry is responsible for over 230 million jobs and over 10% of the gross domestic product worldwide.
• In 2006, Travel & Tourism (consumption, investment, government spending and exports) is expected to grow 4.6% and total US$6.5 trillion.

Importance to Tourism in Developing Countries:

• Tourism is a principle “export” (foreign exchange earner) for 83% of developing countries, and the leading export for 1/3 of poorest countries.
• For the world’s 40 poorest countries, tourism is the second most important source of foreign exchange, after oil.

 

March: Featured ecoDestination – Mexico

109 Million People, 200,000 Species,               Countless Opportunities

Throughout the month of March, Legendary World will feature inspiring ecotourism initiatives, eco-adventure stories and responsible travel tips from the featured destination of the month, Mexico.

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Mexico (the United Mexican States) is the fifth-largest country in the Americas, with 2 million square kilometers, and the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. Northern regions (noth of the Tropic of Cancer) of Mexico are temperate climate zones with cooler temperatures during the winter months, where as areas south of the twenty-fourth parallel experience tropical climate with fairly constant temperatures year round. With climate varying as a function of elevation, Mexico is also home to one of the world’s most diverse weather systems. Mexico is the seventh major tourist destination in the world according the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), with spectacular beaches, mountains, rainforests, deserts, and friendly and welcoming haciendas.

As a member of EcoTourism.org, Legendary World works with a diverse group of EcoLodges, Destinations, Tour Companies, Tour Guides and professionals all over the world dedicated to building awareness of EcoTourism, and preserving the world we live in.

Featured Partner: Eco Colors Tours – Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Eco Colors Tours aims to protect and preserve the unique ecosystems in Mexico by combining environmental conservation and tourism. Through unique nature tours, Eco Colors offers the opportunity for travelers to explore Mexico’s amazing ecosystems in an educational and safe manner.

 

Come to Balamku Inn on the Beach, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Experience beach front tranquility in our ecological hotel on Costa Maya, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, just south of Mahahual (Majahual). Our beautiful cabanas are designed for comfort and luxury while respecting the environment. Enjoy the privacy, tranquility and hospitality of our small resort on our secluded Caribbean beach.

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Snorkel, scuba dive on our local reef or at Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, kayak, fish, visit the Mayan ruins and relax in the unspoiled beauty of nature here at Balamku.

• All rooms have terraces facing the Sea.

• Breakfast, taxes and use of kayaks are included.

ECOLOGY:
In keeping with our philosophy of protecting the natural elements, our inn is designed to be environmentally low impact with a strong emphasis on renewable energy and ecological systems.

We believe that we have an obligation to protect the environment and reduce the impact of tourism by using eco-efficient energy and water systems, waste management practices and preserving the natural environment.

ENERGY

All of our energy is provided by solar panels and wind generation. We supply our guests with 24 hour electricity without a generator. Our lights and ceiling fans are energy efficient.

WATER MANAGEMENT

All the water from the showers and sinks supports constructed wetlands, providing controlled nutrition to a variety of plants. The toilets are low-flush, reducing water usage and the waste is filtered into composting units eliminating septic tanks. This is extremely important when building so close to the sea.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

The planning design of Balamku considered the protection of the many local species of trees and plants. We are proud of our efforts to protect the endangered trees on the property which include a variety of palms, zapote (the original source of chewing gum), sea grapes (Uvas) and more. We are continuously planting hibiscus, bougainvillea, banana trees, papaya, melon, watermelon, salvia (aloe vera), cactus and other local species.

Each unit is situated to maximize the natural ventilation as well as the view of the sea.

 

Seeking Lasting Knowledge and Inspirations in Mexican Riviera Maya

By Stefanie Baeker, Project Mayan Encounter

There is a lot to learn and explore in Riviera Maya, if one chooses to go beyond the tourist areas. Having lived in this region for six years, I have personally gained valuable insights in terms of downsizing my life. Simplifying our lives does not mean that we have to let go of quality. Downsizing can be liberating, and can help us become more at ease with our lives during the current times of economical and ecological “cleansing.” We have to ask ourselves, what do we really need? Knowledge and experience gained through travel lasts for a whole life and beyond; material gains are subject to the law of impermanence.

Insider Tips on Traveling in the Yucatan Peninsula

Probably the most outstanding feature of this part of the globe is the Caribbean Sea with its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. If you are into snorkeling or scuba diving, you will love this place: the world’s second largest barrier reefs runs right in front of our noses. You can also snorkel and dive in regional cenotes, sweet water sinkholes that are typical for the Yucatan peninsula. They are openings in the limestone and are connected to a giant subterranean river system that flows into the ocean. Guided cave dives are offered in various cenotes.

Sunset view from a roof at the beach in Tulum

If you feel like escaping to an island, visit Cozumel, which is among the five best places in the world for diving, or enjoy the Caribbean charm of Isla Mujeres. On the more peaceful islands of Contoy and Holbox, you can swim with whale sharks.

There is an abundant offer of things that you can do to reconnect with nature: ocean or lagoon kayaking, snorkeling, kite surfing, catamaran cruising, horseback riding, exploring jungles and mangroves, or just enjoying an endless beach walk. The Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve was declared UNESCO world heritage in 1987, and is a bird watcher’s paradise. The Bacalar lagoon is said to be of seven different shades of blue.

El Castillo, Muyil archaeological site

Considered one of the Seven World Wonders, Chichen Itza is the most popular archaeological site of the Yucatan peninsula. Overlooking the ocean, the Tulum temple served as a calendar to indicate important dates. Ek Balam’s ruins are not as well known, but you will be surprised in what excellent condition the wall paintings are.

Mexican Riviera Maya Today

The Riviera Maya has evolved tremendously in the past six years. Playa del Carmen has made it into the Guiness Book of World Records as fastest-growing city in Latin America. Today, the Tulum ‘hotel zone’ is an outstanding example of solar and wind-powered small lodges and beach cabanas, appealing to backpackers as well as high-end travelers.

New living communities are designed to comply with green building criteria, and workshops are offered in a range of sustainability practices from composting and recycling to bio-architecture, to alternative energies. Locals offer many natural, organic, and biodegradable products. Eco park staff does not allow regular sun block in the water, and will send tourists to the shower. Beach cleaning and turtle conservation initiatives are strongly supported.

In recent years, several eco-conscious, annual expos (such as Think Green Expo and Green Expo Tulum) have been launched, attracting exhibitors and attendees from across the nation, and from beyond the national borders.

Project Mayan Encounter

As one of the supporters of ecotourism in this region, I have launched Project Mayan Encounter in 2008, to offer group tours and escorted trips to Riviera Maya, with the primary goals of promoting ecotourism and making available the unique experience of the rich Mayan culture and nature reserves to active seniors, students and special needs groups. Our trips can be adapted to wheelchair users and travelers with other physical needs.

Due to our individualized service, we see travelers from all walks of life. Our tours always include healthy food, and sufficient time left to enjoy some of the world’s top-rated beaches. We work with guides certified by INAH (Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History), for tours inside the archaeological sites, and with Mayan natives and biologists in the nature reserves. We offer small group tours (no larger than 20 travelers) to ensure each participant can follow the guide’s presentation inside the archaeological sites, and that our impact on the local Mayan communities is kept as low as possible.

In January 2010, we launched a new small-group 8-day Study Trip, which is primarily geared to school classes, but equally fitting for active seniors or any adults who love to learn. The focus of this trip is to learn about the unique ecosystems of the Yucatan peninsula with its underground river network and cenotes, rich marine life and the world’s second largest barrier reef, as well as Mayan history, culture, and archaeology.

Large caterpillar on a guide’s hands

Our goal is to help students interpret Mayan history and sharpen their analysis skills and chronological and spatial thinking. Depending on the age group, tours are designed to match school curriculum requirements, and we set the focus accordingly.

The following is an example based on California’s state curriculum:

History & Social Science:

5th grade: The entrepreneurial characteristics and aims of the early explorers of the Americas, technical development of navigation instruments, caste war, and epidemics.

6th grade: World history and geography, ancient civilizations and archaeological studies; geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures during the development of Mayan civilization.

7th grade: The geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Mayan civilization; landforms and climates of the Yucatan peninsula, and their effects on economies and development of urban societies; Mayan class structures, family life, warfare, religious beliefs and practices; and Mayan achievements in astronomy and mathematics.

8th grade: The relationship between neighboring nations Mexico and the US.

10th grade: World history, culture, and geography; Mexico’s roles in the modern world and patterns of global change in the era of New Imperialism in Latin America.

11th grade: The origins and geopolitical consequences of the Cold War and the Latin American Policy.

Geography and Earth Science:

5th grade: The underground river system (cenotes) and water conservation, the barrier reef, hurricanes and their effects, and Mayan astronomy.

6th grade: Ecosystems and cenotes.

7th grade: The solar system and Mayan astronomy, and the importance of Venus.

9th-12th grades: Astronomy, ecology and the geographical uniqueness of the Yucatan peninsula.

 

10 Tips for Energy Friendly Travel

Energy-Saving Tips for Travelers
10 things you can do to conserve energy when you travel

1. Fly Wisely:
Air travel is often the most energy consuming aspect of your travel. Plan your trip so that you minimize air travel, and choose, whenever possible, to stay longer in a destination instead of making many short trips.
2. Travel Light:
Pack only what you need, and don’t bring things that will become waste. By reducing the weight of luggage travelers can significantly cut green house gas emissions.
3. Book Responsibly:
When choosing your hotel, tour operator, or other service providers, select ones that have good sustainability practices. Look for information on the company’s environmental initiatives; strategies, save energy and minimize waste; involvement in sustainable tourism certification program.
4. Before You Leave:
Turn off lights and unplug household appliances that can be left unplugged while you are away.
5. While You Are There:
Turn off all the lights and air conditioner/heater when you leave your room, and unplug unnecessary appliances.
6. Greener Way To Get Around:
Utilize public transportation (bus, train, city car, etc.) and alternative modes of transportation (walking, bicycle, non-motorized vehicles, horse, camel) as much as possible. It’s a more sustainable way to get around, and also a healthier and more enjoyable way to get to know the place you are visiting.
7. Eat Local:
Reduce your ‘food miles’ by choosing local. Visit a local farmer’s market, shop at a locally owned grocery store and choose locally owned restaurants that buy local. Locally produced foods are a tastier and more sustainable option.
8. Save Water:
Use the minimum amount of water needed for a shower/bath, don’t let water run while shaving, brushing or washing, and check if the hotel has a linen reuse program – if so, reuse your towels and bed sheets by placing the card to indicate you don’t wish to have them washed every day, if not, request hospitality staff not to change them every day.
9. Charge Your Trip Sustainably:
Whenever possible, utilize options that do not require batteries. Buy rechargeable batteries for your essential travel items such as cameras, razors, and flash lights.

Contribute to a credible carbon offsetting program to support conservation, renewable energy, and other energy saving projects.