In today’s travel industry, eco-conscious travelers are choosing where to stay based on hotels that have eco-progressive programs and business practices. To gain more business, travel PR firms are flying the “eco-friendly flags” for the hotels and destinations that they represent.

In today’s travel industry, eco-conscious travelers are looking for their next overnight stay to preserve their own “green” ideals, choosing where to stay based on hotels that have eco-progressive programs and business practices. To gain more business, travel PR firms are flying the “eco-friendly flags” for the hotels and destinations that they represent.

America’s first LEED-certified hotel brand, Element by Starwood, has recently opened its first property under that brand in Lexington, MA as well as Palmdale, California, and plans to open more properties exponentially each year, including a property in Abu Dhabi bu 2011.

Abelow PR, a popular travel public-relations firm, has issued news about their client, Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, whose Chairman was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his involvement in developing environmentally sensitive hotels. The Leela brand has also planted thousands of trees from the airports to their properties along main boulevards in Mumbai and Bangalore.

Although there are plenty of non-government standards (such as the renowned Green Seal), the Environmental Protection Agency’s U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system for environmental buildings is called LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). It’s truly the gold standard in eco-construction. There are also new, more independent certification programs sprouting up across the world, such as NaturCert, a Greece-based organization, whose “vision to become a globally leading organization in sustainability standards development for certification…for the hospitality and tourism sector,” according to Akis Laopodis, the Managing Partner of NaturCert.

Sustainable, responsible travel destinations have gained popularity over the past few years, as travelers (both leisure and business alike) are showing interest in destinations that promote conservation of local cultures, environment and wildlife. Eco-friendly, educational, “green” vacations are far-more

“Being green has entered every part of many people’s lives, including travel,” says David Krantz, a coordinator with the Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development in Washington D.C. “Americans take their impact more seriously than ever before.”

This October’s Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008 (ESTC 2008), by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), will bring together leaders in sustainable tourism from across North America at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Vancouver, British Columbia. The aim of the conference is to empower individuals and businesses within North American to increase their potential within the latest trends in ecotourism and sustainable tourism, learn practical skills, and participate in invaluable networking and knowledge sharing. This will be the third occurrence of the ESTC, which commenced in 2005.

Over the past 3 years, TIES has reportedly seen a significant growth of the sustainable tourism community in North America. Their goal with ESTC is to expand the network of industry practitioners and experts and to encourage greater awareness and implementation of the principles of ecotourism and sustainability.

For more information, visit www.ecotourismconference.org.