Valley Green Tips: The trends and trendiness of green travel
Bedbugs and rising airfare costs were the top two travel concerns cited in TripAdvisor’s recent survey of more than 3,000 travelers in the United States. But another interesting finding in this travel trends report indicates that almost half of those surveyed “will consider eco-friendly factors such as their carbon footprint or ‘green’ hotel policies when planning their vacation.”
Additionally, 78 percent of travelers said they decline to have their sheets and towels changed when provided the option by hoteliers; and, 66 percent believe environmentally-friendly measures in travel are making a difference.
At its most basic level, green travel is about trying to protect the natural and cultural environment and to contribute positively in the places you visit. It often includes the notion of reducing your personal carbon footprint, or the amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of your personal activity. The aim? Fewer harmful gasses emitted. Less air pollution. Greater visibility in our scenic areas. A reduction in the number of bad air days.
As there are many shades of green, there are many variations on how to travel green. Below are but a few:
Tips:
1. When you can, vacation locally. Travel by rail, sea or road (instead of by airplane), or even better, by bike, foot or public transportation. When you need to rent a car, choose a car with good gas mileage.
2. Get trendy. You can now search the Net or download apps at Apple that provide directories restaurant and lodging properties that have made efforts to be more green through energy conservation, recycling and more. New Hampshire even has its own app put out by the NH Sustainable Lodging and Restaurant Program. Learn more at nhslrp.org.
3. During your stay, keep showers short, shut off water when brushing your teeth, recycle, use your towels and sheets for more than a day, and turn off the lights, television and air conditioning when not in use. Use your own toiletries and drinking cup vs. the pre-packaged ones provided by hotels that get thrown away when you leave.
4. When sightseeing, ask your lodging host about local activities and less traveled destinations, like festivals, farmer’s markets and eco-friendly options like hiking, biking, snowshoeing trails. And be sure to stay on marked hiking and multi-use trails.
5. Buy local products and eat local foods instead of those flown in. And in other ways, support local causes. Upper Saco Valley Land Trust’s “Contribute to Place” is an excellent example of ways you can support a place locally while traveling. Voluntary gifts are encouraged at restaurants and attractions and proceeds support the local environment. For more information on this program, visit www.usvlt.org.
Valley Green Tips is brought to you by the Mount Washington Valley Green Team, a non-profit group dedicated to greening the Valley through programs including Valley Community Gardens, education, recycling programs, and Family Funergy events. For more information and other Valley Green Tips, visit www.mwvgreenteam.org. The Green Team is supported by Charter Sponsor Cormack Construction Management, Inc. For more information about Valley Community Garden programs, email mwvgardens@gmail.com or call (802) 299-6269.