Business news and articles from the tourism industry, including tourist board news, regulations in the travel industry, and local businesses in tourism.
Alaskan tourism goes green
Alaska has introduced a voluntary certification system that assesses the economical, social and environmental sustainability of the country’s tourist businesses. AGA is the first certificate of its kind in Alaska and was developed by The Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association (AWRTA), together with business owners, industry consultants, and conservation groups.
Read more on Alaskan tourism goes green
New Zealand wins top responsible tourism award
New Zealand has won the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2008. The country also scooped the Best Destination Award. The judges said: "New Zealand has implemented many of the principles of the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations and demonstrated what national government can achieve - working with the private sector, local communities and local government - by harnessing tourism to benefit their people and their environment."
Read more on New Zealand wins responsible tourism award
Ethiopia ecotourism program launched by USAID
USAID launched an ecotourism program which will contribute to the development of Ethiopia’s unique and potentially lucrative ecotourism sector. The five-year program will help to protect natural resources and cultural heritage sites and improve the livelihoods and quality of life of local communities, as part of an alliance using tourism development to reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, promote natural resource stewardship, and conserve biodiversity.
Read more on Ethiopia's ecotourism program
Oman's tourism balancing act
Oman is developing itself as an upmarket tourist destination with a focus on culture and adventure. Salim al-Mamari, director general of tourism promotion, says Oman has taken a “different approach” to tourism development. “We are paying attention to maintaining our identity. We are not into mass tourism. We are looking for responsible tourism, meaning those who can help me maintain Oman as it is.”
Read more on Oman's tourism balancing act
A new affiliate scheme has been launched this week by leading ethical travel directory www.responsibletravel.com. The scheme offers partners the chance to use responsibletravel.com ads, articles and other content on their site and be paid for enquiries and bookings generated as a result of traffic from their site.
Read more on responsibletravel.com's affiliate programme
Guilt-free relaxation
For years, the sun, sand and faux fried breakfasts of the Mediterranean was virtually the only option for the annual pack tour pilgrimage. But for an increasing number of travellers, it is the last way they want to spend their down time. There's a growing desire amongst modern Britons for adventure, for learning and for experiences. There's a growing desire amongst modern Britons for adventure, for learning and for authentic experiences.
Read more on guilt-free relaxation
Ecotourism - an oxymoron?
Tourism, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, is "organized touring; operation of touring as a business; provision of things and services that attract tourists." As such, it has been a source of income for centuries, whether it was pilgrims making their way to religious sites or more recently, individuals in search of natural environments... at the moment, there is nothing 'eco' about tourism. It is truly an oxymoron.
Read more on ecotourism - an oxymoron?
Green or greenwash?
We had a call from The Observer newspaper - not looking for last minute responsibletravel.com holidays or for our comment on the latest carbon offset scheme, but to defend ourselves against accusations of greenwashing for their article, 'Are you being greenwashed?'. Whether you read the article or not, we wanted to share our responses with you, our travellers, as they may answer questions you have had but never thought to ask!
Read more on green or greenwash?
Responsible tourism in the UK
The truth is, going on holiday is rarely environmentally sound. Just by flying out of the country your personal contribution to global warming goes way up. Stay in the UK and you are already picking up the greenie points. But travelling responsibly is not simply a case of reducing pollution. Minimising environmental damage, supporting local economies and being sensitive to cultural differences is as relevant to a trip through the English countryside as a visit to a Costa Rican rainforest.
Read more on responsible tourism in the UK
Supporting local businesses
We at responsibletravel.com feel that responsible tourism really does make a difference – travellers booking responsible holidays are supporting local businesses as well as helping local communities and minimising impact on the environment. We've asked some of our operators what responsibletravel.com membership has meant to their business.
Read more on supporting local businesses
Alaska has introduced a voluntary certification system that assesses the economical, social and environmental sustainability of the country’s tourist businesses. AGA is the first certificate of its kind in Alaska and was developed by The Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association (AWRTA), together with business owners, industry consultants, and conservation groups.
Read more on 
New Zealand has won the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2008. The country also scooped the Best Destination Award. The judges said: "New Zealand has implemented many of the principles of the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations and demonstrated what national government can achieve - working with the private sector, local communities and local government - by harnessing tourism to benefit their people and their environment."
Read more on 
USAID launched an ecotourism program which will contribute to the development of Ethiopia’s unique and potentially lucrative ecotourism sector. The five-year program will help to protect natural resources and cultural heritage sites and improve the livelihoods and quality of life of local communities, as part of an alliance using tourism development to reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, promote natural resource stewardship, and conserve biodiversity.
Read more on 
Oman is developing itself as an upmarket tourist destination with a focus on culture and adventure. Salim al-Mamari, director general of tourism promotion, says Oman has taken a “different approach” to tourism development. “We are paying attention to maintaining our identity. We are not into mass tourism. We are looking for responsible tourism, meaning those who can help me maintain Oman as it is.”
Read more on 
A new affiliate scheme has been launched this week by leading ethical travel directory www.responsibletravel.com. The scheme offers partners the chance to use responsibletravel.com ads, articles and other content on their site and be paid for enquiries and bookings generated as a result of traffic from their site.
Read more on 
For years, the sun, sand and faux fried breakfasts of the Mediterranean was virtually the only option for the annual pack tour pilgrimage. But for an increasing number of travellers, it is the last way they want to spend their down time. There's a growing desire amongst modern Britons for adventure, for learning and for experiences. There's a growing desire amongst modern Britons for adventure, for learning and for authentic experiences.
Read more on 
Tourism, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, is "organized touring; operation of touring as a business; provision of things and services that attract tourists." As such, it has been a source of income for centuries, whether it was pilgrims making their way to religious sites or more recently, individuals in search of natural environments... at the moment, there is nothing 'eco' about tourism. It is truly an oxymoron.
Read more on 
We had a call from The Observer newspaper - not looking for last minute responsibletravel.com holidays or for our comment on the latest carbon offset scheme, but to defend ourselves against accusations of greenwashing for their article, 'Are you being greenwashed?'. Whether you read the article or not, we wanted to share our responses with you, our travellers, as they may answer questions you have had but never thought to ask!
Read more on 
The truth is, going on holiday is rarely environmentally sound. Just by flying out of the country your personal contribution to global warming goes way up. Stay in the UK and you are already picking up the greenie points. But travelling responsibly is not simply a case of reducing pollution. Minimising environmental damage, supporting local economies and being sensitive to cultural differences is as relevant to a trip through the English countryside as a visit to a Costa Rican rainforest.
Read more on 
We at responsibletravel.com feel that responsible tourism really does make a difference – travellers booking responsible holidays are supporting local businesses as well as helping local communities and minimising impact on the environment. We've asked some of our operators what responsibletravel.com membership has meant to their business.
Read more on 
