More News on Green Accommodations
January 3, 2008. Ever since VacationRental.org unveiled its Green Certified Vacation Rental program, we've been noticing more and more news about the greening of the travel industry. While we have yet to see another certification program for environmentally friendly luxury vacation rentals, the New York Times just published an article called "Pleasure Without Guilt: Green Hotels with Comfort."
The article cites several examples of green hotels in destinations such as Napa Valley and San Francisco.
The possibilities for the environmentally friendly travel options seem limitless. Boeing's new Dreamliner cuts fuel use by using carbon-fiber throughout parts of the airplane, thus making it lighter. Car rental agencies now offer fuel-efficient vehicles. Many restaurants have begun attracting travelers from near and far by using local and organic ingredients.
As the New York Times article states, none of these eco-conscious ideas sacrifice comfort. The Dreamliner is a two-aisle plan, hybrids are now available in full-sized sedans and SUVs, and local/organic restaurants have been getting rave reviews in the foodie media.
In many cases, the solutions are also improving bottom lines. High fuel prices are hammering consumers and airline companies alike, for example. Something as simple as a compact fluorescent light, which uses less energy than a traditional incandescent light bulb, can also reduce pollution and decrease the utility bills.
