As Kermit the Frog says, it’s not easy being green. However, we all need to contribute to protecting the future of our planet. Air travel produces more carbon that any other method of transportation, but there are things you can do to minimize your carbon footprint and/or offset it. These things don’t take a lot of effort or sacrifice and you will still have a wonderful, relaxing (and guilt-free) vacation. Here are a few tips that will help you be a little more eco friendly on your next trip.

Before you leave home:

There are many things you can do to conserve energy before you even leave home. Unplug all of the appliances, even the television and the surge protector. They can use up to 40 watts of electricity per hour even when they are off. Turn your heat and water heater way down or your air-conditioning off.  Make sure you put energy efficient light bulbs in any lamps you have on timers.  Stop your newspaper delivery or donate it to a school in the area.

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In the airport and on your flight:

When booking your flight, save a tree and request an e-ticket. Try to get a direct flight instead of one that makes multiple stops and don’t fly first class. First class seats take up twice as much space. Fly during the day, as studies have shown that daytime flights produce fewer carbon emissions. Use the plastic nametags that came with your luggage. The paper ones the airlines give out create unnecessary waste. Speaking of luggage, pack lightly because the heavier the plane, the more fuel it will use. If you buy a magazine or snacks in the airport, refuse the plastic bag and put your purchases in your carry-on.

At your hotel:

When you check-in, let management know that it is not necessary for them to change your sheets and towels every day. Always turn off the lights, T.V. and air-conditioning when you leave the room. Try using natural light by opening the curtains. If you plan to use the hotels’ toilerettes, don’t carry your own. At meals, especially buffets, take small amounts of food so that nothing is wasted. You can always go back for more. When checking-out, save another tree and ask for paperless billing.

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A few other tips:

Use a digital camera with rechargeable batteries. This way you won’t use film and you can reuse the batteries many times.

Walk places. This will also help burn some of those extra calories you are consuming. If you cannot walk, take public transportation instead of renting a car. If you must rent a car, rent a hybrid or a smart car.

Take a volunteer vacation. You may end up somewhere you never imagined helping with local education or to construct a drinkable water source.

Carbon Offsets:

This is a reduction in carbon emissions which is funded by a person or organization to lessen or erase their carbon footprint. Many companies, bands and celebrities are carbon neutral due to these offsets which include planting trees and producing renewable energy sources.

Ecotourism, Responsible Tourism, Sustainable Tourism: What do they all mean?

Preserving the environment is an important issue these days; it even extends into the business of tourism, which is especially important since it can be such an overindulgent (and potentially wasteful) industry.

The question is: what exactly is tourism that preserves the environment?

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With similar terms as “ecotourism,” “responsible tourism,” and “sustainable tourism,” it can be confusing.  One of the most misunderstood concepts about this type of tourism is the assumption that comfort and convenience are sacrificed on an environmentally friendly vacation.  This is absolutely not true.  To clarify any misconceptions, let’s define the three most common terms.

#1: Ecotourism

According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), “Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.”  An ecotourism organization must provide positive ecological and social influence in the region.  The nature activities and services it offers to travelers must benefit both the environment and its residents, ultimately aiming to conserve and support the travel destination itself.

Ecotourism criteria*:

1. The travel destination is in a natural environment.
2. The organization’s services and activities minimize negative environmental impact.
3. Its services and activities increase environmental awareness.
4. Its services contribute to financial support of conservation programs.
5. Its services result in financial and self-sustaining support to local communities.
6. The organization respects the local culture.
7. The organization enforces democracy and human rights.

*Source: “Ecotourism and Sustainable Development” by Martha Honey.

#2: Responsible Tourism

Closely linked to ecotourism, responsible tourism’s essential feature is minimizing negative impacts on the natural environment and maximizing economic, social, and environmental benefits.  According to the World Travel Market and World Summit on Sustainable Development, “Responsible tourism calls upon countries, multilateral agencies, tourism businesses, tourists and local communities to take responsibility for achieving sustainable tourism, and to create better places for people to live in and for people to visit.”

Responsible Tourism criteria*:

1. Improves the economy of local communities and the working conditions of its people.
2. Includes local people in decisions that may affect their lives and their opportunities.
3. Supports natural conservation and maintains the region’s cultural heritage.
4. Provides meaningful interactions between tourists and local people to increase understanding of their cultural, social, and environmental challenges.
5. Engenders cultural sensitivity and respect between tourists and local people.
6. Minimizes negative environmental, economic, and social impacts.

* Source: Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA), custodian of the Imvelo (“nature”) awards for responsible tourism.

#3: Sustainable Tourism

Incorporating the tenets of ecotourism and responsible tourism, sustainable tourism is Tres Ríos’ mission.  According to the World Tourism Organisation, “Sustainable tourism leads to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems…a process which meets the needs of present tourists and host communities while protecting and enhancing needs in the future.”

Sustainable Tourism criteria*:

1. Optimizes environmental resources needed for tourism development, by maintaining ecological systems and conserving the region’s natural heritage and biodiversity.
2. Respects the socio-cultural authenticity of the region as it preserves the existing and ongoing cultural heritage and traditional values, while promoting intercultural tolerance and understanding.
3. Provides practical, long-term economic operations and socioeconomic benefits, such as stable employment, income-earning opportunities, and social services that help reduce poverty.

* Source:  UN-World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO).

In comparison, sustainable tourism incorporates the principles of ecotourism − although not exclusive to nature areas (as in ecotourism) − and also implements eco-friendly strategies at the start of development and construction.  While responsible tourism and sustainable tourism both aim to maximize environmental integrity, social justice, and regional economics, responsible tourism invites a larger group of individuals, from businesses to tourists, to take responsibility for their actions by reducing negative effects on the environment.

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While all three environmentally friendly forms of tourism are beneficial, sustainable tourism integrates the criteria from both ecotourism and responsible tourism into its definition, adding the element of sustainable development.  Hacienda Tres Rios Resort is such a sustainable development, combining facilities and operations that preserve the environment with 5-star design and amenities: comfort, convenience, and Endless Luxury™.  You can vacation responsibly and vacation first class.

Do you consider yourself an eco-traveler?

While for many traveling green or eco-friendly travel means backpacking and camping in the jungle, some travelers have become accustomed to the luxury and comfort of their vacations. Studies show that consumers have increased their preference for brands that proved to be ethical, charitable, and eco-friendly.

But how can a luxury resort remain socially responsible and still sustain the preservation of nature?

The dictionary defines sustainable as “a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged” and luxury as “a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort.”

With this in mind, Tres Ríos has developed its mission around this concept. This green resort in the Riviera Maya serves a model for luxury travel and sustainable tourism and has been recognized nationally and internationally for its efforts.

We present our top sustainable tourism practices.

1. PLATFORMS To avoid changing the underground water flow, the foundations of all buildings have been set on permeable rock bases and elevated platforms.
2. INFRASTRUCTURE All permanent infrastructures will be placed at least 165 feet away from the shoreline, at least 65 feet away from all cenotes, and at least 35 feet away from the site’s three rivers.
3. CONSERVATION All vegetation to have been determined as environmentally valuable will be designated as a conservation area and no construction is allowed near the site. With that, more than 150 acres of mangrove and jungle have been preserved.

4. WATER FLOW Detailed geo-hydrological studies determined the direction of underground water flows, the precise depths from which drinking water should be extracted, and the depths to which residual and treated waters should be injected to avoid contaminating the aquifer, land and marine ecosystems.
5. CANALS Specially designed canals will operate and maintain themselves. This high rate of water exchange will ensure the proper balance of nutrients and oxygen for healthy plant and water life which in turn will create a new underwater and shoreline mangrove habitat for numerous birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and crustaceans.

6. MANGROVES The ongoing mangrove clean-up and reforestation program will rehabilitate over 20,000 m2 of damages to mangroves caused by Hurricane Wilma.
7. ROADS & PATHWAYS Tres Ríos is built using a series of digital models to identify roads and pathways to avoid affecting the flow of surface waters.
8. EMS TEAM A multidisciplinary team of scientists and specialists monitor day-to-day operations. The team is responsible for implementing more than 250 specific strategies as part of seven programs and twenty subprograms under our Environmental Management System (EMS).

With the rising level of carbon dioxide, rising number of endangered species and rising awareness of our impact on the environment, it is no longer a choice whether companies should be sustainable and whether travelers choose to be responsible travelers.

Eco-friendly travel has become one of the fastest growing trends in the tourism industry. With the pressing concern toward protecting the environment, an increasing number of businesses, resorts and ecological parks in the Riviera Maya are adopting environmentally-sustainable practices to preserve Earth’s natural wonders for generations to come.

The increasing number of tourists visiting Cancun and the Riviera Maya has provided great social and economic benefits for Mexico; however, the growth of tourism infrastructure has generated pressure on environmental and social resources of the area.
Here’s why you should opt to stay at an eco-friendly resort on your next vacation.

1- Eco-Friendly Resorts Reduce Environmental Waste

Traveling green is about supporting destinations that work to reduce their ecological footprint. Many resort developments ignore the impact they have on the environment and create massive waste and contamination that destroy the regional flora and fauna. While camping and backpacking on vacation is a good eco-friendly option, it is not for everyone. For tourists accustomed to traveling ‘in style’, it is possible to have an upscale vacation and be environmentally responsible at the same time.

Many luxury resorts are investing in programs, infrastructure, equipment and technology to reduce their environmental impact. Such programs include plant and wildlife management, environmental monitoring, waste management and environmental education.

Hacienda Tres Ríos serves as a model for luxury travel and sustainable tourism. Recently awarded the Leading All-Inclusive Resort and the Leading Green Hotel of Mexico and Central America, the resort used cutting edge technologies to protect the environment in every development stage of the resort; from design, to construction, to operation. It remains actively involved in energy saving, taking part in community projects, reducing utility consumption, recycling and making intelligent use of water. In addition, the resort participates in reforesting, protecting the wildlife, and educating both staff and guests to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle.

2- Eco-Friendly Resorts are Socially Responsible

Sustainable tourism also implies preserving and respecting the local culture and traditions, improving the standard of living of local communities and supporting the development of the local economy. Many green resorts employ local staff and purchase materials native to the region. Other resorts collaborate with nonprofit organizations and agencies for the development of rural communities and preservation of World Heritage Sites, through an economic and technical support agreement. These communities generate new ideas for sustainable development objectives in rural communities in the Yucatan Peninsula.

With the world at our fingertips, we must not let Earth’s natural treasures slip through our fingers; travel responsibly. Choosing to stay at one resort versus another may have a stronger environmental impact than you may imagine.