Support for single-use plastic ban in the Galapagos

SPECIALISING in small group trips to Latin America, Southern Explorations has announced its full support of a new ban of single-use plastics in the #Galapagos Islands.  The ban, created to protect marine and wildlife and their habitats from the detrimental affects of plastic waste, will roll out in phases over four months and affects all residents, tour operators and visitors.

New Plastic Restrictions in the Galapagos, Starting the Summer of 2018.  The Galapagos Governing Council announced the plastic ban in April 2018. Each type of single-use plastic will be banned starting on the following dates:

May 22, 2018: plastic straws
June 21, 2018: single-use plastic bags
July 21, 2018: polythene take out containers
August 21, 2018: non returnable beverage containers

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Travellers’ Competition to promote sustainability

WITH the aim of promoting responsible travel, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched a travellers’ competition. The initiative is part of the ‘Travel.Enjoy.Respect’ campaign, taking place within the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. A one-month trip across the world visiting sustainable tourism initiatives will be awarded to the winner of the competition.

“Every action counts, and travellers have a strong role to play in building a more sustainable tourism sector, ” said Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO. “Imagine the impact of one small action multiplied by millions. We want to inspire all travellers to be the change they want to see in the world.” Competition entrants are invited to share their travel experiences at www.travelenjoyrespect.org and explain why they should be selected to represent the global responsible traveller.

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Seychelles signs sustainable tourism charter

THE #Seychelles minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alain St.Ange, signed the African Charter on Sustainable and Responsible Tourism during the recent UN climate change talks in Morocco. The document aims to provide the African continent with a common framework to promote best practices in #sustainable #tourism.

As a country that relies on the travel industry, Seychelles has been particularly active in preserving its natural heritage.

As much as 50% of the Seychelles’ territory consists of protected National Parks and the country has gone so far as to limit the number of tourist beds per island to ensure that tourism growth does not come at the expense of the environment.

Seychelles is found to have the purest air on the planet by the 2016 Environmental Performance Index and it is currently developing renewable energy sources.

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Picture Credit: Isabelle Odent flickr.com/photos/132229963@N04/31107165100 Seychelles 2016 via photopin

Belfast parks retain Green Flag status

ONCE AGAIN, 15 of #Belfast City Council’s parks have achieved prestigious Green Flag status for consistently maintaining high quality standards.

The UK-wide Green Flag status is awarded to parks that show excellence in management and maintaining clean, aesthetic open spaces. It’s also awarded to parks promoting conservation and heritage, environmental sustainability, safety, and community involvement.

The parks that have retained their Green Flags are: Belfast Botanic Gardens; Barnett Demesne; Grove, Belmont; Cavehill Country Park; Dunville; Lagan Meadows; Musgrave; Ormeau; Falls; Roselawn Cemetery; Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park; Woodvale; Knocknagoney and Waterworks Park.

Councillor Matt Garrett, chair of the People and Communities Committee, said: ‘To retain Green Flag status in so many of our parks is fantastic news for Belfast. The hard work and dedication shown by our parks staff on a daily basis is brilliant and I’m delighted that these awards give proper recognition to their efforts.

‘Parks right across our city provide fantastic open spaces for local communities and visitors to enjoy and are always a hive of activity.’

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Tourists banned from three more Thai islands

THAI authorities have ordered the removal of all tourist facilities on three small islands off Phuket, citing coral damage due to the sheer volume of sightseers. All tourist related structures including shops and restaurants will be removed from Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nui, and Koh Khai Nai islands, and designated areas only will be set aside for boat trips in the area.

The Thai government recently closes off the island of Koh Tachai in the Andaman Sea for similar reasons.

‘We want operators and guides in #PhangNga and surrounding areas to understand the rules and procedures in conducting a tour to prevent further damage to our marine natural resources and the coastal area. They must practice environmentally- friendly tourism,’ said the government’s department of marine and coastal resources.

‘Tour groups spend at least three hours swimming, feeding fish, and snorkelling in the water, which severely damages the marine ecosystem, especially on coral reefs.’

A report by the Phuket Marine Biology Centre said more than 60 speedboats a day visit the area.

Officials are clearing all beach umbrellas and beach chairs in the area. Shops and restaurants on the #KohKhai #islands will be removed.


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Picture Credit: Longtail boat</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

Being 'green' is paying off, claims ABTA study

TRAVEL companies with a good environmental record are increasingly gaining a commercial advantage, according to a study by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

Almost a third of consumers (29%) would be likely to choose one company over another based on their environmental record, up from one in five (19%) in 2011.

There is growing sentiment amongst consumers that it is the travel company's responsibility to be environmentally responsible. The majority (62%) believe that travel companies should ensure that their holidays help the environment, with only 5% disagreeing. One in four consumers believe that holidays should have an environmental and social rating.

ABTA’s head of destinations and sustainability, Nikki White, said: ‘This research shows that there is a growing appetite for holidays that are provided responsibly. The fact that younger consumers, aged 25-34, are the most likely to value companies with a good environmental record suggests that we will see demand for environmental credentials further increase in the future. 

‘The public are also very clear in their views that they see it as the industry’s job to take responsibility for this, and that there should also be certification systems in place such as ABTA’s Travelife scheme to ensure they can quickly and easily identify companies that are taking greater steps in sustainability.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31025616@N00/12378198374">Downtown Reykjavík</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)