Orbitz Survey: 67% of Americans Stress Importance of Eco-friendly Travel

U.S. Tourism Industry Not Environmentally Friendly, According to 51% of
Travelers

CHICAGO, April 11 /PRNewswire/ — With over two-thirds* (67%) of
Americans placing importance on the eco-friendliness of a destination, this
market segment has a growing future ahead of it. Orbitz.com
(http://www.orbitz.com) is taking time out of this spring to review just
how much Americans consider the environment in their travels.
Travelers are reassessing how they travel, where they stay and the
impact they leave behind when on vacation, according to the Orbitz survey.
Conducted by MarketTool’s Zoomerang’s polling service, the Orbitz
survey highlights that:
– More than half (65%) state it would somewhat impact their decision to
stay at a hotel if they knew the hotel was using solar or wind energy
to supplement the powering of the building.
– A strong majority (63%) state they would pay a little more to rent a
hybrid vehicle or stay at a “green” hotel.
– More than half (52%) of Americans state they would be willing to donate
a small portion of their vacation budget to help save the environment
when booking a trip.
Although great strides have been made regarding eco-travel awareness,
it is clear that many Americans feel that destinations in the United States
could be doing a better job when it comes to working to preserve Mother
Nature. More than half (51%) of Americans surveyed feel the tourism
industry in the United States is not environmentally friendly.
“As a responsible global business within the tourism industry, Orbitz
is working to provide its customers with more eco-friendly travel
information and choices,” said Heather Leisman, senior director of
merchandising for Orbitz. “Orbitz encourages our customers increase their
awareness and consideration of the planet — whether sea kayaking in Alaska
or cleaning up a beach in Key West.”
*MarketTool’s Zommerang Methodology
The Orbitz poll was conducted online using MarketTool’s Zommerang panel
of 320 adults ages 19-65, who are regular travelers. Zommerang is a market
research service, owned by MarketTool, that directly manages a
nationally-representative online panel of more than 2.5 million
individuals, with a global network extending to more than 8 million
consumers worldwide.
Orbitz Staff Insider Picks
As summer vacation preparation heats up, the travel experts at Orbitz
have profiled beautiful destinations that support the preservation of the
environment. A trip to any one of these locations provides opportunities to
help maintain the health and well-being of natural locations that belong to
everyone.
Zion, Utah
Zion National Park is a landscape that truly allows visitors to escape
the modern world. Featuring soaring cliffs, a labyrinth of canyons and
breathtaking waterfalls, travelers will delight in the variety of
awe-inspiring landscapes in this 229 square mile park. One of the most
unique experiences travelers can take part in while visiting Zion is hiking
the “narrows.” Snaking its way through the park, the Virgin River has
carved a narrow 16 mile long path through the upper region of Zion canyon.
Although it is beautiful, it can also be dangerous as much of the hike is
spent walking or swimming through water. For travelers seeking a calmer way
to enjoy Zion, visitors can explore the landscape by horseback. Providing
travelers with a fun, “Wild West” way to see the park, horseback riding
excursions can be taken for as little as one hour or as long as multiple
days. In an effort to conserve this increasingly popular park, Zion has
implemented a mandatory shuttle bus system, reducing air and noise
pollution from heavy traffic during peak visiting season.
Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Whether you’re simply looking to stay at an eco-friendly resort or want
to get in on the eco-friendly action by participating in environmental
activities such as trail clean-up and conversation education, the majestic
Rocky Mountains is the place to go this summer. As the ski season nears its
end and the snow begins to melt, opportunities for involvement become
plentiful. More and more resorts in this mountain region are becoming
actively involved in eco-tourism as well. Vail Resorts, which operates the
mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in
Colorado, Heavenly in California and Nevada, and the Grand Teton Lodge
Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is 100% powered by wind. And the company
has recently announced the development of “Ever Vail”, the soon-to-be
largest “green” resort village in North America. Ever Vail will be designed
and built incorporating the highest quality materials and finishes and the
latest in green building techniques. This summer, The Lodge at Vail along
with other Vail Resorts properties will be offer special eco-friendly
packages that incorporate environmental volunteer opportunities, making it
easy for travelers to get involved, whether for a few hours or a few days.
St. John, U.S.V.I.
For those who love the environment, but would also like some time at
the beach, look no further than St. John. At only 28 acres, the smallest of
the U.S. Virgin Islands, two-thirds of the island is a U.S. National Park,
allowing visitors the opportunity to experience forested beauty, as well as
beautiful beaches. Because of this unique atmosphere, plenty awaits the
eco-tourist. Local companies offer tours that include hiking, kayaking and
more, all while educating visitors on local flora and fauna. Visitors to
the island should be sure to bring their snorkeling gear as the island
features beautiful, nationally protected, coral reefs teeming with sea
life. For travelers looking to spend time helping the environment, contact
the Friends of V.I. National Park, who organize weekly park clean-ups.
After a long day of exploration and helping to maintain this scenic
paradise, take time to relax by visiting one of St. John’s many beaches
with a chair, a good book and the sunset.
Alaska
Seeking to reconnect with Mother Nature? If so, Alaska’s 365 million
acres supply endless opportunities to explore, discover and commune with
the wild. Two extremely popular Alaska activities include visiting Mount
McKinley and sea kayaking. Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North
America, is a breathtaking site to behold. Exploring the mountain and its
surrounding area, Denali National Park, can be done via horseback or foot
for the most minimal impact to the environment. If investigating this area
by foot is your preferred way to travel, be aware, Denali Park has almost
no trails, most hiking is cross-country. Moving towards the coastline, sea
kayaking or boating in Alaska is a spectacular experience not to be missed.
This environmentally low-impact activity gets travelers up-close and
personal with beautiful icebergs and wildlife. Some of the best places to
visit in Alaska for sea kayaking include Kachemak Bay State Park, Kenai
Fjords National Park, Glacier Bay National Park and Prince William Sound.
Yosemite National Park, California
With giant sequoias, towering granite cliffs and impressive waterfalls,
Yosemite National Park is simply spectacular! Although there are plenty of
activities within Yosemite, one of the best is taking in the magnificent
views of Yosemite Valley, representing only one percent of the park area.
To avoid the crowds that descend upon the valley in the summer, go for a
hike. One of the best trails in the park takes visitors to Cloud’s Rest.
From Tenaya Lake, this is a 14 mile round-trip hike that provides
awe-inspiring views of Yosemite. Those left with a bit more energy can head
to the Mariposa Grove, home to giant sequoia trees which can be 150-280
feet tall. In an effort to conserve and protect this great environment,
Yosemite implemented the use of 18 hybrid electric buses in 2005. These
buses produce fewer carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions compared to
the park’s older buses.
Clayoquot Sound/Tofino, Vancouver Island, Canada
Only covering about 0.2 percent of the Earth’s land surface, the type
of ancient coastal temperate rainforest found around the Clayoquot Sound is
truly special. Including rivers, lakes, a rainforest, marine areas and
beaches, a visit to Clayoquot Sound provides the opportunity to explore a
rare type of forest. For a unique perspective of this landscape, take to
the sea by boat or kayak. Paddling the waters around Clayoquot Sound,
travelers can discover hidden lagoons and isolated sand beaches. Run-ins
with local marine animals such as seals, porpoises, Grey whales and otters
are often a regular occurrence. If staying dry is more your style, explore
Clayoquot Sound via one of many hiking trails. Two popular trials are the
Wild Pacific Trail and the Hot Springs Trail. The Wild Pacific Trail runs
along the ocean and through the rainforest and the Hot Springs Trail
features a boardwalk path through the rainforest, providing access to
natural springs. In order to help protect this area, in 2000 it was named
by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization) as a World Biosphere Reserve. Biosphere Reserves work to
support and display a balanced relationship between humans and the
environment.
Costa Rica
Extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is an
exuberant country where nature fully manifests itself thanks to the
magnificent biodiversity of its territory. Known to many as the birthplace
of ecotourism, Costa Rica has 20 natural parks, eight biological reserves
and a series of protected areas that captivate eco-tourists with one of the
world’s most abundant manifestations of flora and fauna. Though Costa Rica
covers roughly 0.3 percent of the surface of the Earth, approximately five
percent of the world’s animal and plant species are found there. From
horseback riding through deep forests or on pristine beaches, to rafting or
kayaking in white water rivers, Costa Rica offers a variety of eco-friendly
activities for the traveler that is looking to bond deeply with nature. The
variety of landscapes and microclimates that can be enjoyed in one single
day make Costa Rica a paradisiacal destination filled with sun, beaches,
nature, adventure and culture.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Encompassing some 1.4 million acres of splendid wilderness, containing
two majestic mountain ranges, several glacial valleys, over 130 named
lakes, more than 1,000 species of plants and hundreds of animals, Glacier
National Park in Montana is recognized as the “crown of the continent
ecosystem.” Breathtaking views of peaks, glaciers, lakes, forests and
waterfalls abound, and the park offers hundreds of trails for hikers and
backpackers looking to find that perfect spot along the Rocky Mountains –
over 700 miles of trail provide fantastic opportunities for both short
hikes and extended backpacking trips. A wide variety of camping options are
also available. Starting in July 2007, visitors will be able to access many
popular destinations along the Going-to-the-Sun road by riding on the
park’s environmentally-friendly, bio-diesel powered shuttle buses. The
Going-to-the-Sun road is the main parkway through the heart of the park,
spanning over 50 miles, and offering a great way to explore one of the
world’s finest scenic drives.
About Orbitz:
Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com) is a leading online travel company that
enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel
products, including airline tickets, lodging, rental cars, cruises and
vacation packages. Since launching its website http://www.orbitz.com to the
general public in June 2001, Orbitz has become the third largest online
travel site based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search
more than 400 airlines, more than 65,000 lodging properties worldwide and
13 car rental companies. Orbitz is a Travelport brand. Travelport
(http://www.travelport.com) is one of the largest and most geographically
diverse travel companies, dedicated to creating the exceptional travel
experiences the world demands.

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