18 ttg_lux_eco 27/2/09 17:18 Page 18
voice of
r
i
p
reason
Andrew Harding
t
Founder, Nature & Kind
Not so long ago I, like an increasing number
of people, experienced something magical
while travelling which made me think ‘there
o
has to be another way’, and resolve not to
return to a former way of life – in my case,
as a corporate headhunter.
I started Nature & Kind for travellers
seeking authentic, enriching experiences but
without sacrificing comfort. I didn’t imagine
how fast the eco movement would evolve. But
ec
the worry is that when people are concerned
about the economy, will all that important
work start to unravel? I hope the answer is no.
I think now, more than ever, people are
foregoing a shallow travel experience in
FIVE-STAR GUESTS GIVING BACK favour of one that’s life-enhancing.
The financial downturn is failing to deter luxury travellers from green considerations Choosing to focus on the business case
according to Ritz-Carlton, writes Michael Lane. Sue Stephenson is vice-president of will carry us through. Consumers have come
Community Footprints, the hotelier’s social responsibility program. She says she’s too far to turn back now – the Future
seen an increase from guests demanding community action programmes: “Our sense Laboratory estimates that in the UK,
is that, if anything, people might be more interested in making a contribution now. It consumers are spending £3.4 billion a year on
opens guests’ eyes and gets them involved. We’re also seeing a number goods and services that help them reduce
of guests maintain contact with organisations we introduce them to.” their impact on the climate. Robert Frank of
Stephenson manages Ritz-Carlton’s Give Back Getaways programme, The Wall Street Journal says “the wealthy are
through which all guests can make a contribution with the focus on three going from conspicuous consumption to
charity areas: hunger and poverty relief, disadvantaged children and conscientious consumption” which definitely
environmental conservation. Guests pay to take part in the activities; puts eco-tourism in a strong position. Luxury
Stephenson says the fee is a maximum of $70 and all goes to charity. consumers don’t want to be identified by their
In June, guests at Half Moon Bay (above) in California will be helping wallets anymore, but by their hearts.
out at a hunger relief charity’s warehouse, unloading pallets of food and Injecting some glamour can also keep up
sorting for distribution. the profile – we recently supplied honorary
Launching in May, the ‘Growing Green’ project at Amelia Island (left), Nature & Kind travel club membership to all
Florida, gives young guests the chance to team up with the local 300 Bafta nominees, and partnered with Six
Boys & Girls’ Club to learn about gardening and dig a garden plot. Senses to give the stars a complimentary
During the same month, guests in Santiago can visit Chile’s forests to learn about week’s stay at any of their resorts, where the
conservation and plant trees and native plants with a local charity. eco philosophy is integral to everything Six
Stephenson says every Ritz-Carlton hotel now has at least one programme Senses does without seeming preachy.
running under the Give Back Getaways scheme. The hotelier has also launched a During the downturn, travel and tourism
‘Vow to Help Others’: couples getting wed at Ritz-Carlton properties can donate companies that adapt and integrate
5% of the food revenue from their event between a charity of their choice and the responsible business practices into their
Community Footprints Fund (ritzcarlton.com). product and service will be best placed for
survival, gaining a valuable point of
differentiation in the face of declining
ECO TIPS
ECO CHIC Alila Hotels has teamed up with sustainable architects Woha to consumer purchasing power.
create an eco-friendly all-pool villa resort on Bali’s southern coast. Due to open on April 1, Alila Consumers seem willing to trade up for
Villas Uluwatu is the first resort in Bali designed to achieve Green Globe certification and is built sustainability, thus operators should let
with local stone and bamboo. It’s already a member of Design Hotels (alilahotels.com). “conscientious consumption” now drive the
FOREST SAVERS Audley has helped the World Land Trust to raise more than £331,000 to industry through these uncertain times.
protect an important wildlife corridor in the forests of Borneo – enough to make the down Find out more at natureandkind.com
payment on the land in the Kinabatangan River area (audleytravel.com). GREEN SHORTLIST
Grupo Puntacana, owner of the Puntacana Resort & Club in the Dominican Republic, has been
‘Consumers have
shortlisted as a Destination Stewardship finalist for the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
(tourismfortomorrow.com). GO-SLOW SAFARI Chem Chem Safari Lodges launches Africa’s
come too far to
first ‘Slow Safari’ experience on the Northern Tanzania Circuit this June. Guests go on walking
safaris, dine under the stars and enjoy massages in turn back now’
the lodges’ spas (chemchemsafari.com). OUT OF
THEIR SHELLS At Constance Lemuria’s Turtle Club,
youngsters can now grow herbs and flowers in a nursery
garden and study turtles as part of the Eco Kids Project
(lemuriaresort.com). RESPONSIBLE VIEWING
St.Vincent & The Grenadines has launched a dedicated
channel on Responsibletravel.com. Features include
an accommodation and tours section with details
of properties with responsible travel policies
(responsibletravel.com) HELPFUL HOTELS
Le Meridien has launched a donation programme in its hotels in Europe, Africa and the
Middle East, with guests given the choice of supporting Unicef’s HIV-prevention programmes
18
in Africa by adding a £1 donation to their bill on check-out (lemeridien.com).
in the know
spring 09
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64