Reno, Nevada 4/18/2008 10:30:00 PM
Seven Simple Ways to Travel Green
DestinationVillas.com Promotes Sustainable Travel
DestinationVillas.com offers seven simple ways to travel green and promote eco-friendly travel. Ecotravel is tourism that promotes a sustainable environment. By its nature, travel can be both an opportunity for people to experience the environment they visit and at the same time can be a threat to it. "Global warming has become a major issue worldwide. We all would like to be good global citizens but many times do not know what changes to make," states Tori Milan DestinationVillas Travel Expert. Sustainable tourism covers a variety of criteria, from low environmental impact and energy use, to respect for the culture and well-being of the local population.
DestinationVillas.com offers the seven sustainable travel tips.
1. Travel less and stay longer. Air travel leaves the largest carbon footprint of any other form of travel. If you must fly, do it fewer times per year and stay longer, or travel closer to home.
2. Don’t fly at night. Dr. Piers Forster from Leeds University has discovered that trails of condensation from aircraft contrails have a greater warming effect at night, trapping heat but without reflecting any of the sun's rays back into the atmosphere as they do during the day.
3. Leave no trace. Enjoy the beautiful places on the plant but be mindful that your very presence may damage it. Do not pick flowers, take rocks or break coral. Don’t liter. Be familiar with cultural mores prior to arrival be respectful of cultural practices.
4. Take public transportation. All transportation requires the combustion of fuel, so the greenest thing you can do is use public transportation. When possible, try taking the train or bus instead of flying. If you're driving, try to get as many people in the car as possible, instead of taking multiple vehicles. Always rent a hybrid vehicle.
5. Visit eco-friendly destinations that use renewable energy sources: visit Burlington, Vermont, Dry Tortugas National Park or Vail, Colorado.
6. Choose eco-friendly lodging. There is a wide variety of eco-friendly lodging these days. Start with the Green Hotel Association and EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com.
7. Shop local. Head to local markets, where you can purchase fresh food from local vendors. This benefits the community by increasing their economy, and you will get fresh fruits and veggies and maybe even some handmade souvenirs. Never buy products made from endangered species.
About DestinationVillas.com
Destination Villas, a leader in the vacation rental market, offers a directory of premium properties to make it easy to find vacation rentals. Each listed property offers photos, descriptions, online request forms, rate calculators, resort information, amenities, last minute deals and an ever-growing library of articles featuring local attractions and destination guides. Destination Villas allows travelers to bypass travel agents, managers, hotel chains and middlemen and rent directly from homeowners who have properties in world-class resorts and famous destinations. Save up to 70% on vacation rental vacations from Destination Villas. Vacation rental owners list property for free. Travelers search for properties for free.
