Baobab studded camp set to open in 2020

MASHATU Game Reserve’s portfolio of camps is expanding with the introduction of Mashatu Euphorbia. Mashatu Euphorbia is the new 5-star camp, situated in this privately owned, baobab-studded reserve in #Botswana. 

This “green” camp combines luxury with conservation and sustainability, where solar energy and state of the art water processing systems ensure a harmonious blend with the African bush. Set high up on a cliff face amongst a forest of euphorbia succulents which open up to reveal exquisite vistas of the Majale River and endless plains below.

Mashatu Euphorbia will begin welcoming guests from June 2020, but reservations are now open mashatu.com 

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Travel less often for longer

STRANGE, but true: a travel organization that is calling on travellers to fly less often. And yet long-distance travel specialist Better Places Travel is doing just that. “Flying is bad for the environment,” acknowledges founder Saskia Griep. “That’s why it’s better to travel less often to faraway destinations.” When people do travel, Better Places Travel advises travellers to leave as much positive impact as possible during their trip. The travel organization provides helpful tips for this and has even designed several trips with maximum positive impact.

With much of the media focusing on the negative consequences of flying, it’s easy to forget that travel also has many positive effects. Sakia Griep: “While we won’t stop flying, we can make sure to become more aware about the way we fly, reduce our negative impact as much as possible, and ensure that everyone involved profits from travel.” That’s why Better Places Travel is introducing positive impact trips. “We want to create travel itineraries that contribute positively to local communities and the natural environment, and at the same time offer the best travel experience for the traveller. By working together with local initiatives like Resirest, Backstreet Academy and I Like Local we are able to increase our impact much more quickly and efficiently.”

The impact trips (www.betterplacestravel.com/positive-impact-travel) created by Better Places Travel are all at least three weeks long and provide many opportunities for contact with locals during the trip. After all, the best memories are often made by meeting and interacting with the local people. Think about using local drivers and guides, choosing special excursions and staying in homestays or small-scale sustainable accommodations. You will not only see the highlights of a country, but also visit the more off-the-beaten-track places.

Better Places Travel shares some of their tips for making travel a positive experience:

· Travel less often, less far and for longer periods at a time.
· Fly directly to the destination (no layover) with a modern airplane to reduce  

  your CO2 emissions up to 50%.
· Interact often with the locals by, for example, taking a cooking course or 

  sleeping in a homestay.
· Stay in small-scale family hotels that operate sustainably.
· Travel by train or bus instead of taking a domestic flight.
· Take a refillable water bottle and/or filter with you to prevent plastic waste.
· Go on animal-friendly excursions and visit national parks.
· Buy sustainable souvenirs and eat vegetarian food.
· Travel in low season and visit the off-the-beaten path destinations.



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Gloriously Green

ONE of the first things people remark on when they visit Glen Avon Lodge Boutique Hotel in Cape Town’s famous Constantia Valley is often its greenery. Usually they are referring to its magnificent rose-filled gardens – but whilst a lot of love and care goes into the grounds, they are not what this 5-star boutique hotel is most proud of. What the Stringer family and the team at Glen Avon is most proud of is their top rating for other green credentials! 

General Manager Hans Heuer and his team were delighted with its most recent accolade as a “Green Champion with Distinction”, scoring 88% overall for Sustainable Tourism Management. This recognition as a CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY was awarded by Green Tourism Active which is a non-profit, global sustainability assessment & certification company that is recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and is also a member of the UN World Tourism Organization.

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Columbia: future larder for the world

COLOMBIA has been identified by the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture as one of the countries with the greatest agricultural potential in the world. By the year 2030 the world population will surpass 8.3 million inhabitants, which will create a 50% increase in food consumption. Colombia has the ideal lands to be one of the countries capable of satisfying this demand.

According to the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture, #Colombia has 114 million hectares, of which 44.8 million are suitable for the agriculture, livestock and reforestation sectors. The agricultural production of Colombia presented an annual growth of 6.8% between 2010 and 2015, reaching 4.5 million hectares sown.

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European Capital of Smart Tourism nominees

A new EU initiative aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, foster innovative, sustainable and inclusive tourism development, as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best practices. The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding achievements in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity, by European cities as tourism destinations.

The following cities have been shortlisted as finalists in the competition for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 are:

Brussels (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Lyon (France), Málaga (Spain), Nantes (France), Palma (Spain), Poznań (Poland), Tallinn (Estonia), and Valencia (Spain).


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World's Largest 3-D Printed Reef Installed at Summer Island Maldives

THE world's largest 3-D printed reef was submerged on Saturday (11 August) at Summer Island #Maldives, in what is hoped could be a new technology-driven method to help coral reefs survive a warming climate.

The artificial reef, assembled with hundreds of ceramic and concrete modules, was submerged at Summer Island's 'Blue Lagoon' -- a sandy part of the lagoon, where the resort hopes to create a new coral reef ecosystem.

The project started in a lab in Melbourne, Australia, where industrial designer Alex Goad of Reef Design Lab used sophisticated computing modeling to design reef structures similar to the coral reefs found naturally in the Maldives.

A large 3-D printer whirred away for 24 hours to print moulds of the reef structures. These moulds were cast in ceramic -- an inert substance, similar to the calcium carbonate found in coral reefs. The ceramic moulds were shipped to the Maldives, and filled with concrete on the beach at Summer Island. 220 ceramic, concrete filled moulds were then slotted together, like a giant LEGO set, to create the new reef.

The new reef sits in seven metres of water, close to the resort's existing coral nursery. Fragments of coral from the nursery are being transplanted onto the 3-D reef, where they will grow and colonise the structure.

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Reducing plastic consumption

FOLLOWING up on Swiss-Belhotel International’s global initiative to enhance the sustainability of its operations and reduce plastic consumption, the group has announced plans to eliminate the use of disposable plastic straws from its existing and upcoming properties across the Middle East and Africa region. 

According to industry reports the ‘throw-away’ culture is doing a catastrophic damage to the environment. An estimated eight million tons of plastic waste enter oceans every year and research projects that plastic in our oceans could triple in a decade. 

The scale of the plastic problem is evident from these figures: 480 billion plastic bottles were sold worldwide in 2016; one trillion single-use plastic bags were used every year; more than half a million plastic straws were used every day around the world. If the world continues to generate plastic waste at the current rate approximately 12 billion tonnes will be in landfills or the natural environment by 2050.

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Hands On Gardening in New York

THE New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) has opened a new $28 million Edible Academy. The indoor-outdoor campus, designed by the distinguished architecture firm Cooper Robertson, is at the cutting edge of sustainable technology and will allow NYBG’s edible gardening program for children, families, teachers, and the general public to double its capacity to 100,000 people annually and operate year-round. 

For visitors to #NewYorkCity, NYBG’s Edible Academy is just 20 minutes from Midtown and opens up a new range of summer and year-round workshops, camps and courses that will add an experiential, learning vacation component to urban adventures. For visiting families, a day trip or week-long camp program offers kids of all ages the chance to experience hands-on gardening activities and attend camps in summer that are focused on art, sustainability and culinary themes at one of New York City’s greatest cultural treasures.

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TUI's 'greenest' resort

CRETA MARIS Beach Resort has emerged as a top-quality but also as one of the “greenest” resorts, by receiving two great distinctions, the “Tui Umwelt Champion 2018” and “Tui Top Quality 2018” awards, from the world’s leading tourism group TUI.

With particularly strict criteria, the "Tui Umwelt Champion" award received by Creta Maris Beach Resort is one of the most important distinctions awarded by TUI, as the rating is given by the visitors themselves to those hotels that take actions to protect the environment and implement a sustainability program.

The second distinction "TUI Top Quality" rewards the overall holidays’ experience enjoyed by the guests while staying at the hotel. The guests of the resort, distinguished Creta Maris for the provision of high quality services.

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Dive, dive, dive

FEATURING dive destinations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and the Maldives ZuBlu provides an easy-to-use platform allowing guests to discover new and exciting #dive destinations in #Asia. The website marries a powerful search tool with an exciting range of dive destinations, eco-friendly resorts and conservation experiences, putting the power of discovery and choice into the hands of ZuBlu’s guests.

ZuBlu ensures conservation and sustainability are at the heart of its business. Each resort listing displays an ‘at-a-glance’ summary of sustainable practices, as well as information about conservation activities. And as part of its commitment to the environment, ZuBlu donates a percentage of revenue to local conservation organisations.


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Go Green in Monaco

THE Monaco Government and Tourist Authority, Visit #Monaco, is delighted to announce the launch of the principality’s ‘Green is the New Glam’ campaign to become a destination that is as environmentally conscious as it is glamorous.

Home to the hugely successful Monaco e-Rally, the eco-responsible Grimaldi Forum and Cultural Centre, and the marine conservation Monaco Blue Initiative attended annually by experts in ocean management and conservation from the UN, UNESCO, European Commission and more, Monaco has long made bridging the gap between luxury and sustainability a priority. The ‘Green is the New Glam’ campaign aims to build on this commitment and bring it to the forefront of the principalities agenda.

Several targets have been put in place in order to achieve this, including the ultimate goals of cutting greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 by 50 percent compared with 1990 levels and of achieving total carbon neutrality by 2050.

With 386,000 trips made daily within the 2.02km-squared principality, new transportation options have made it easier for citizens and tourists alike to reduce their carbon footprint. 17 bike stations, a solar powered bus boat and a dozen hybrid buses are available, while two Tesla-compatible charging stations mean that eco-conscious travellers can still experience the thrill of Monaco’s iconic roads and hairpin bends in style.

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Picture credit: Cletus Awreetus 42250269@N06/27989057766 via photopin

Congratulations Cape St Francis Resort

THE Cape St Francis Resort is located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa between Port Elizabeth and Plettenberg Bay, flanked by nature reserves housing rich and endemic flora as well as one of the most beautiful and natural beaches in the country.

Adding to their worthy list of travel and tourism accreditations, Cape St Francis Resort has recently become the first accommodation establishment in #SouthAfrica to receive a prestigious gold certification from Travelife, an internationally recognised sustainability certification scheme that assists its members around the world to positively impact on their environment in a socially conscious and cost effective way.


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Cape Town's water crisis, tourists asked to act mindfully

EARLIER this year, as news of Cape Town’s water crisis reach the world and ‘Day Zero’ predictions loomed ever larger (on 17 January Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille announced the city had reached “a point of no return” in its water supplies, and that Day Zero was virtually guaranteed in a matter of weeks) so vital questions were raised as to the impact on visitor numbers to the Mother City and the potential dimming tourism, the country’s economic bright spot.

The majority of #CapeTown hotels, however, currently state that they ask guests not to use baths and to limit showers to two minutes or less. Many, such as Tsogo Sun (who are building a desalination plant to help supply its Cape Town hotels with their own water) and the Vineyard Hotel and Table Bay, amongst others, are implementing innovative water saving measures and say that, on the whole, guests are responding positively, are aware of the city’s challenges and act mindfully when visiting.

Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde recently stated that the Western Cape has worked hard to develop the Cape Town tourism industry into the award-winning sector it is. He urged visitors to not cancel their trips, but to join Capetonians by using water responsibly while they were visiting. “Saving water in Cape Town means saving jobs in Cape Town,” said Winde.

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Not just for grownups

WELLNESS and sustainability have always been integrated into every aspect of the guest experience at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. Now it’s time for the parents to step aside so the kids can gain useful life skills and knowledge too. Grow With #SixSenses is the group’s new framework for the kids programs which incorporate six dimensions of wellness into all activities for younger guests and the company’s approach to kids and #family wellness. 

Grow With Six Senses encourages younger guests to understand more about what’s going on inside them and in the world around them. The approach is to learn through natural play (after all, there is nothing less fun than when children are told, “this will be fun!”). It’s an adventure, and as they journey through each activity, they’ll get a new stamp for their personal Six Senses passport.

Programs vary from resort to resort, but introduce specifically designed physical activities, yoga and mindfulness, local culture, sustainability and social experiences. Activities at Six Senses Yao Noi include roselle harvesting and flying yoga, while at Six Senses Fiji, opening in April, kids can make their own snacks using a solar oven. Six Senses Laamu has a beautiful garden for salad foraging and offers junior Zumba and healthy cookie making.

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Heathrow offers prize for green aviation ideas

UK businesses and organisations are being invited to apply for Heathrow’s first Sustainable Innovation Prize submitting ideas on how to address the environmental challenges of airports and the aviation industry.

The winning entry of the Sustainable Innovation Prize will be awarded £20,000 and the green light to develop their idea, earning the opportunity to use Heathrow as a ‘live laboratory.’ Here they will be able to trial and develop their winning concept and gain exposure to Heathrow’s operation and partners in the process.

This launch of the Sustainable Innovation Prize coincides with activity marking the anniversary of the Heathrow 2.0 - the airport’s plan for sustainable growth. The prize will further Heathrow’s ambitions to make its business a centre of excellence for aviation sustainability, reducing the airport’s social and environmental impacts, while maximising the economic opportunities in the UK.

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‘Ecotourism Corridor’ introduced in Argentina

THE Litoral region in #Argentina has recently launched a new tourist route called the ‘Ecotourism Corridor’. The circuit encompasses four major areas including Iguazu & Mancona, Ibera, Impenetrable and Bañado La Estrella, and features hiking routes, horse riding paths as well as offering visitors the chance to learn about native people and their culture. 

The aim of the project is to encourage the conservation of endemic species and to promote #tourism to these regions, whilst also positioning Argentina as one of Latin America’s number one tourist destinations. 

www.argentina.travel

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Picture Credit: By popejon2 from Paddington, Australia - Iguazu Falls, /commons.wikimedia.org 24659310

The Big Blue

A series of unique natural habitat guest experiences that blend the spirit of sustainability with a stylish stay has been announced by Cantaloupe Hotels Group at each of its two boutique hotels in Galle, on Sri Lanka’s stunning south coast. 

Cantaloupe Aqua, which opened in Talpe in 2013, features 15 contemporary rooms overlooking the beach, while Cantaloupe Levels, opened shortly afterwards, faces Galle Bay in Rumassala, looking out over the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort with short-walk access to Jungle Beach near the iconic Peace Pagoda.

The two hip hideaways have combined to offer ‘Big Blue’ experiences, taking guests out into the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and to the heart of one of the most ideal breeding grounds for marine animals in the world. With nothing but an expanse of ocean separating #SriLanka from Antarctica, the waters off the island’s south coast are home to a breath-taking array of marine mammals, including dolphins, sperm whales, pilot whales and blue whales. And with the breeding ground for a 200-strong pod of blue whales lying just six miles offshore, there are few better places to see the largest animal ever to inhabit the Earth in its natural environment.

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Picture Credit: By "Mike" Michael L. Baird, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.

Slovenia, one of the safest countries in the world

GREEN, active and healthy #Slovenia is one of the safest countries in the world. 

The World Economic Forum, the popular Australian travel site, Travel Weekly, published a list of the safest countries in the world. Slovenia achieved excellent results and ranked in 14th place on the list of 141 countries. The #safety ranking is based on the levels of the costs of common crime and violence, as well as acts of terrorism and how reliable the police services are in an individual country.

In addition to safety, Slovenia is also recognised as one of the most sustainable countries in the world. In 2016, Slovenia became the first country with an overall green assessment, having achieved a 96% match with the indicators of sustainability in #tourism under the international Green Destinations Standard certification system. 

At ITB Berlin 2017, the Slovenian Tourist Board was declared a winner of the National Geographic’s World Legacy Award, awarded to companies, organisations or destinations encouraging sustainable tourism. Slovenia won in the Destination Leadership segment.

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UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism : Call for applications

APPLICATIONS for the 14th edition of the UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism by the World Tourism Organization are now being accepted. Winners will be announced in January 2018 on the occasion of the UNWTO Awards Ceremony, to be held at the International Tourism Fair in Spain (FITUR).

Applications for the UNWTO Awards span four categories: Public Policy and Governance; Enterprises; Non-Governmental Organizations, and Research and Technology.

Since their creation in 2003, the UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism recognize the work of organizations and individuals around the world that contribute to foster innovation in tourism and build a more sustainable and responsible sector.

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Hole In One

THE Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort won in the Nature Protection category in the 2017 IAGTO #Sustainability Awards for its reforestation programme alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service and Rafiki Foundation in the local Eburru community.

Each year global #golf tourism industry body IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), in partnership with GEO (Golf Environment Organization), celebrates the outstanding sustainability achievements of golf facilities, resorts and destinations around the world.

Alongside her partners, the Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort will help in restoration of one thousand acres of native forest in Eburru Forest, providing valuable habitat for local wildlife, encouraging biodiversity and protecting watersheds and soil from erosion. The introduction of zebras, impalas, antelopes and reedbucks will also return a balance to the ecosystem and a more natural food-chain cycle.

The Great Rift Valley golf course lies 12 km off the Nairobi to Nakuru highway on the slopes of Eburru Range. From the golf course one can view the Mount Longonot volcano, Lake Naivasha, the Mau escarpment, Mt Kipipiri and the Aberdare ranges. Built to USGA specs with “tiffgreen” grass, the course has 3 par 5’s, 11 par 4’s and 4 par 3’s with the 3rd hole par 3 the most spectacular. Every golf hole is a challenge, with the par 5 - 17th the “signature” hole being 654 yards from the championship tee.

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