Fairmont Offers Up 10 Valuable Green Travel Tips

Fairmont Says it's Easy Being Green on the Road

As a leader in environmental stewardship for over a decade, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (www.fairmont.com/environment) knows that when it comes to the earth's balance sheet, less is usually more and being green is generally easier to do at home than on the road. With that, Michelle White, Fairmont's Corporate Manager of Environmental Affairs, offers up 10 valuable green travel tips making it easy to balance environmental concerns with travel and workday realities.

1. Make How you Travel as Important as Why you Travel

When determining your mode of transportation, always consider the distance. Often it makes sense to use mass transit as opposed to private vehicles, but if cars are on your agenda, try renting a hybrid. In Washington D.C., California and other states, look for EV Rentals, which has an entire fleet of hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape. Guests staying at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa can book the 'Luxury of Green' package that pairs accommodation with a hybrid vehicle rental. And many hotels such as The Fairmont San Jose offer free parking to overnight guests with hybrids.

2. Before you Board, Consider the Impact

An average American who takes one or two trips abroad, emits 19,841 pounds of carbon a year. If everyone in the world emitted this much carbon, we would need 2 1/2 planets to support us all. (Source: Guardian Unlimited February 8, 2001). To mitigate the effects, consider carbon offsets, which can be purchased from organizations such as Sustainable Travel International's My Climate(TM) Program (www.sustainabletravel.com).

3. Stay Green

Choose accommodations known for their environmental policies and programs - these facilities strive to reduce the consumption of resources through such initiatives as recycling, energy efficient lighting and water saving devices in guest bathrooms. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts implemented the Green Partnership program in 1990 to minimize the operating impacts of their hotels on the planet and today the program can be seen throughout the international portfolio from Hawaii to Dubai.

4. Shop with your Head

When on the road, seek out local food and crafts. Be careful with your souvenir selections and never by those made from endangered plants or animals. Use reusable bags or totes and take only as many brochures and maps as you really need for your sightseeing jaunts.

5. Have a Whale of a Time

Be sure to incorporate eco activities into your next vacation. Many properties feature special programs that make it a breeze to be a friend to the earth while having fun. Kids at Quebec's Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello receive an age-customized activity kit created in partnership with Environment Canada's Biosphere. Look for packages that provide access to attractions, such as zoos, aquariums and walking tours - they support the efforts of local organizations and are a great value for guests.

6. Eat Local

Patronize local restaurants. Order regional wines and beers. Choose seasonal specials instead of 'flown in fresh daily'. It's amazing to think that the average meal travels approximately 1500 miles before it reaches your table! Did you know that there are nine Fairmont properties that boast on site herb gardens? At The Fairmont Royal York, home to an 18th floor high-rise herbarium, organically grown lemon balm, edible pansies, and red basil are just a few of the many herbs growing in the 'four poster beds' custom built to fill fresh herb needs in the hotel's three kitchens. And many other Fairmont restaurants offer 'farm-to-fork' menu items, featuring local purveyors and farmers.

7. Green your Meeting

Green meetings are becoming increasingly common planners can easily incorporate simple tactics to make functions more eco-friendly. Fairmont has designed Eco-Meet, a green meeting and conference planning option featuring disposable-free service, Eco Adventure activities, themed meeting breaks and Sustainable Gourmet menus including organic wines such as California's Bonterra Vineyards.

8. Little Things Mean A Lot

When traveling, consider resource consumption the same way you would at home. Turn off lights before you leave the room, use air conditioning wisely, and ask yourself if you really do need sheets and towels changed everyday.

9. Think about it from the Cellular Level

Given their ever-shrinking size, you might not consider your cell phone a waste stream problem. But with an average cell ownership lifespan of just 18 months (upgrades for the latest model have skyrocketed with plan switches and trendy photo phones), the millions of cells in use worldwide, and the fact that they contain plastic, lead, nickel, cadmium and fire retardants, we really are talking trash. Commit to making a good call - buy the phone that you need, own it as long as possible and consider donating it to charity afterwards.

10. Recognize Green Efforts

Provide feedback to the businesses that you think are doing great work! Applaud their efforts by passing along compliments to owners, managers and staff. And don't be afraid to provide suggestions! Guest comments are a great way to streamline operational programs.