In a survey by YouGov, carried out for Marketing Week, three other airlines – American Airlines (second), Ryanair (third) and easyJet (fifth) – were in the top five most environmentally unfriendly brands.

Car manufacturer Range Rover came in at number four.

The top five most green friendly brands were The Body Shop, Ecover, WholeEarth, The Co-op and Tesco.

“The public harshly judges those brands that fail to shrug off a reputation for contributing to environmental ruin,” said Marketing Week.

“Gas-guzzling 4x4s, airlines and fast food retailers have scored worst of all in our green survey.

“British Airways, American Airways and Ryanair are identified as the most environmentally unfriendly brands by well over 40% of respondents, closely followed by Range Rover, easyJet, Land Rover and Jeep.”

The online survey was carried out earlier this month and probed the views of 1,132 adults.

By Bev Fearis

Nearly 25% believe that air travel should be avoided, whenever possible, to help preserve the environment, while 38% said would pay more to take an eco-friendly flight and 26% would pay a 5-10% premium.

But only 3% have ever purchased carbon credits.

Just over a third (34%) said they would pay more to stay at an environmentally-friendly hotel, while 38% said they had already stayed at an environmentally-friendly property, and 9% would specifically seek out environmentally-friendly establishments. When asked to specify how much they extra they would be prepared to pay for ‘green’ accommodation, 25% said they would pay a 5-10% premium, and 12% would pay a 10-20% premium.

“This survey shows that far from being irresponsible, planet polluting energy wastrels that they are often portrayed, many travellers do care about the environment and are willing to pay for it,” said Ian Rumgay, European communications manager for TripAdvisor.

“It is a wake-up call for all sectors of the travel industry to provide more green options”.

Britain has a budding green travel market with over a million responsible holidays, worth a total of £409m, taken last year, according to the latest research from Mintel.

Green tourists still form a tiny minority, the survey finds, with responsible breaks accounting for only 1.2% of the 2006 UK travel market. However Mintel’s research detects the seeds of change, predicting a 25% growth in the responsible travel market year on year.

Awareness of ethical travel issues is already strong among British travellers, though their actions can often lag behind. Around a fifth of the population is prepared to pay to offset carbon emissions from flights, but only 2% of UK consumers’ carbon is currently offset.

Similarly, some 42% of those surveyed said they were aware that tourism could help the local economies of their holiday destinations. However, only a minority of travellers actively sought holidays with an ethical code of practice and even fewer had changed their holiday plans because of responsible tourism.

Obstacles to a greater take-up of ethical travel products include public scepticism over corporate practices and consumers’ saturation with ethical concerns. An overwhelming 63% of consumers believe that companies are “just using green and ethical issues for PR purposes”, the study finds, while greater transparency and consistency among carbon offsetting businesses would increase consumer confidence.

Green travellers are more likely to have an above-average income or be in the “third age”, according to the survey, though they were “fairly evenly” spread across the short- and long-haul as well as the independent and package holiday sectors. The youth and family markets scored worst, with younger travellers “appearing keener to close their eyes to the situation beneath their sunglasses” and those travelling with children preferring to “relax, rather than worry about ethical issues or future consequences”.

Nonetheless, 9% overall expressed a desire to volunteer on an aid, teaching or construction project as part of a future holiday.

The study also underlines the relentless rise of air travel, putting the current growth in UK air passengers at 6.4% per year. Some 38% of those surveyed had taken a low-cost flight in the past 12 months, while budget airlines (22%) and overseas property ownership (11%) are causing Britons to fly ever more frequently.

As for non-flying alternatives, efforts to promote domestic and international rail journeys are being “derailed by the legacy of overpricing and overcrowding on domestic services”, with more affordable tickets and greater capacity “desperately required” at home.

Coach travel, in decline since 2001, could also benefit from recent rises in aviation taxes as well as the growing green travel market. Separate research from Mintel suggests that companies such as Eurolines are already reporting an uplift in business from those concerned about climate change, while companies such as Stagecoach are trialling greener fuels in their fleets.

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.

It was 31^st March 2007, 09h30 local time, in the breakfast room of the Angkor Paradise Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia. A Swazi, a Samoan, a Fijian, a Kenyan and a Tanzanian from Zanzibar, sat down for breakfast. An idea was floated, a very simple idea and within 5 minutes the 1^st leaf appeared on

the breast of Ghy Sokhum, a Cambodian waiter. There was a sense of this being a moment in history and Bernard (the Kenyan) snapped a picture.

The idea is simple, it effects every single person and in fact every living organism on this planet. Whoever and wherever you are reading this blog…it effects YOU.

We human beings are the smallest common denominator of every organization, government, country and continent. We are at the bottom of a huge pyramid of human achievement, development, trade, economics, travel and discovery. In the past hundred years or so that pyramid has grown so phenomenally fast – that it towers above us. In contrast we often feel very small and insignificant.

The problem is that we have built this pyramid in the wrong way. It is now so large and top-heavy that it is throwing the operation of our planet into jeopardy. Climate change is the main issue here…and the issue is immediate, it is not tomorrow’s problem. We also can’t point fingers anywhere but at ourselves, we are the foundation of this pyramid. We, at ground-level, have to immediately change the way that we are living, consuming resources and unconsciously abusing this planet. We have to simultaneously stand-up and shift this pyramid to a new and better position.

The simple idea that we had in Siem Reap that morning was about how to get this issue of climatic change and the need to change resource usage into the daily consciousness of the entire world’s population.

So we pinned a leaf on a waiter’s chest, just above his heart. It was a green natural leaf, a renewable resource, a symbol of planet earth. Ghy Sokhum wasn’t immediately sure what we were going on about, but one of his colleagues was and helped explain the link between his daily decisions and climate change. The real value of this leaf “badge” is that it is going to whither and die, just like this planet is going to, if we don’t individually and globally change our behaviour. It is a daily reminder that YOU have to do something NOW.

Our leaf campaign had kicked off and the idea was to encourage ourselves and everyone around us to wear a single leaf every day from that moment onwards. The challenge is, that before the leaf dries up, cracks and finally falls off your chest, you need to make sure you had done something, anything that lessens the drain on natural resources and reduces climate change. If you live in the developed world, it could be taking a shorter shower, switching off an energy-chewing device or walking to the park rather than driving. In the developing world it could be burning a little less wood to heat your food, deciding to ride a bicycle rather than catching a bus or planting an extra tree outside your home. Then for each day of heightened conscious, start aiming for a bigger target. Change to energy-saving light-bulbs, buy fresh locally produced food, avoid excessive plastic packaging, start farming organically, vote for leadership that has the same consciousness as you.

So having dispersed from the breakfast room I found myself standing in the hotel lobby 20 minutes later. My own consciousness told me that I wasn’t too aware of how to live with less impact, was it better to hire a tuk-tuk (Cambodian style 2-man carriage pulled behind a scooter) or to share a bus with 25 others? So I resolved to find out more about it as soon as possible. It’s pointless being aware of a problem, but unaware of how to solve it. The other thing is I needed a pin, because I didn’t have a leaf on my chest and I was feeling like a naked traitor without it.

Ron from Lebanon (another conference delegate) and I headed off to the market. We shared a tuk-tuk, because that would have saved a little petrol (gasoline). In the market, finding someone who sold pins was like finding a needle in a proverbial haystack. It gave us an opportunity to explore a labyrinth of stalls, alley’s and passageways. These markets (and there is more than one of them, are a fascinating example of entrepreneurial activity, they are the hub of the city. You can buy almost anything you want here, its like a huge mall or shopping centre, except that it is made up of individual people all playing their small part. At home in Swaziland, the supermarket or mall concept has taken over and the old traditional markets are slowly dying. There were probably more entrepreneurs in a single market here than we have in the whole of our country, its no wonder we have an unemployment problem.

Ron and I overcame the communication problem in our search for pins by borrowing one from a dressmaker. With the little sharp object in our hands it didn’t take long to track down a supplier. We headed off to the Paper Tiger Restaurant (Tigre de Papier to be more precise) in nearby Bar Street. Its not actually called “bar street”, but precisely what it is no one seems to know. According to the locals, it has developed from two small restaurants to the centre of Siem Reap’s restaurant and nightlife culture in a matter of a few years.

Ron and I were sporting leaves and our waitress turned over a new leaf too, as did her supervisor. Two backpackers also got the story and enthusiastically pinned a leaf on. The campaign was on the move. I parted ways with Ron, who was off the the airport. He took the campaign onwards to Lebanon, he’s a very Internet savvy guy so I had no doubt this idea was going to spread like a virus…mmm… “virus” is such a negative word…let’s rather say spread like a cure. Ron’s business site is www.greymatterX.com by the way and it’s a gateway to many useful tourism sites in Lebanon. I’ve resolved to go skiing in Lebanon next year…yes…you can ski in Lebanon and yes…the place is safe, just ask Ron, he’s my local connection, now he’s yours too.

Later on in the day I checked into Earthwalkers, a local backpackers lodge-cum-guesthouse. Our conference at the hotel was now over. Talk about a soft target. The story of the leaf spread rapidly. Earthwalkers (www.earthwalkers.no) is really a model for sustainable tourism development. They are probably the main reason that our WHL conference (www.worldhotel-link.com) was held in Cambodia in the first place…it was an in-your-face example of how to do things RIGHT. No doubt as a result of this Earthwalkers is packed full of volunteers, travelers with conscience and all sorts of nice folk. It was a viral hotspot, the leaf concept was debated refined formalized with input from all over the world.

So in a nutshell, if you want to turn over a new leaf and be part of the climate crisis cure:

• Pin a leaf on your chest
• Wear it daily and prominently
• Replace it when it shrivels up and falls off
• Let the leaf be your consciousness or awareness of climate change issues
• Make personal daily decisions that are guided by this constant awareness
• Feel sad when your leaf shrivels rapidly and use this to renew your personal commitment to improving the way you live even faster.
• Proactively use the leaf badge to attract attention
• Carry a box of pins with you and get others to pin their awareness on their chests
• Contact opinion leaders, politicians, company CEO’s and get them to pin their consciousness for everyone to see.
• Write to websites, chatgroups, blogs, and newspapers and get everyone to turn over a new leaf.
• Find and research ways of living more sustainably and share this info around.
• Most importantly, when you see someone else wearing a leaf; smile, greet them and get a light fuzzy feel-good sensation. That feeling of lightness is the human burden of ignorance slowly being lifted. It is the huge development pyramid being slowly shifted in the right direction.
• We, each one of us, can work to reverse climate change.

Day one of turning over a new leaf was great. I hit the bed and slept like a baby…mmm “slept like a baby”, that’s a term I use regularly without thinking. Now that it crosses my mind, that doesn’t make any sense at all. I’ve got two young kid of my own, who woke me up incessantly when they were babies. I slept a lot better than that.