Accidental Travel Writer

Environment: World's Top 10 Sustainable Tourism Bodies

Green Travel

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council of the United Nations Foundation has recognized 10 national bodies around the world for their activities to promote sustainable tourism.

To achieve this recognition, these organizations underwent a thorough review and authorization process. Pictured: traditional irrigation is used in the rice paddies of Bali, Indonesia. Photo Credit: Bali Hotels Assocation.

Tourism Bodies Go Green 

• Ecotourism Australia's Ecotourism and Advanced Ecotourism Certification
• Bundesministerium für Land - und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLFUW)'s Austrian Ecolabel for Tourism (Österreichisches Umweltzeichen)
• Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT)'s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)
• Ecotourism Ireland's Ecotourism Ireland Label
• European Ecotourism Knowledge Network's European Ecotourism Labelling Standard (EETLS)
• Fair Trade in Tourism for South Africa (FTTSA)
• Instituto de Turismo Responsable's Biosphere Hotels
• Japan Ecolodge Association's Environmentally sustainable accommodations standard
• Rainforest Alliance's Standard for Tourism Operations
• Sustainable Travel International's Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP).

"We are thrilled to have this global recognition for the Australian ecotourism industry," says Kym Cheatham, Chief Executive of Ecotourism Australia.

"While Ecotourism Australia's environmental certification was a world first 16 years ago, since then many other programmes have been developed. This recognition shows that Australian ecotourism continues to lead the world in environmental best practice."

Book Your Hotel Room Now

• Readers in Australia can book hotels at the following link: Hotels.com Australia
• Readers in New Zealand can book hotels at the following link: Hotels.com New Zealand

 

Aviation: Emirates to Double Flights to Glasgow This Summer

Business

Emirates will add a second daily flight linking Dubai, UAE, with Glasgow, Scotland, in June 2012.

"This announcement illustrates our commitment to Scotland and to our wider UK route network in difficult economic times," says Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe and Russian Federation. "Our Glasgow route has been a real success story, and we are confident that there is demand for additional services flying to and from Dubai and beyond to our global network of over 100 destinations.”

Pictured: Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo Credit: Thyes via Wikimedia Commons.

Economic Boon for Glasgow

Emirates launched service to Glasgow in 2004. It has proven to be a boon to the city's economy.

"From a starting point in 2004, Emirates' Dubai route has proved a huge success, generating over AED 931 million (£164 million) to date for the local economy and bringing more than 687,000 inbound passengers to Glasgow," says Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

"The operation of a double daily service is a major step forward in terms of forging greater business links and increasing access between Glasgow and key Asian economic decision centres, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as emerging markets in China and India.”

140,000 Inbound Passengers Expected

Local officials in Glasgow expect that the introduction of twice daily service linking Glasgow with Dubai will add £33 million, or AED 187 million, to the local economy in 2012 alone as nearly 140,000 inbound passengers are expected.

Over the next five years, the route will be worth more than £200m, or AED 1.1 billion, to Glasgow, bringing more than 846,000 inbound passengers to the Scottish city through 2016.

"As part of our strategy to support economic growth, the Scottish Government is determined to improve our international air connections,” Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The announcement of this new expanded service cements our growing business, education, and cultural links with Dubai and provides an additional link to this key gateway through which to boost trade and tourism opportunities with key global markets such as South and South-east Asia, Africa, and Australasia.”

Glasgow Tourism

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and the third largest city in Britain after London and Manchester. Check out the following link for more information on things to see and do: See Glasgow.

Travel Tip

For more information on Emirates and to book flight at low fares, please click on the following link: Emirates

 

Environment: Asia's Top Convention Centres Go Green

MICE

Convention and exhibition centres in Asia's top destinations for events and conferences – Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Taipei – are starting to take environmental sustainability seriously, CEI Asia reports.

CEI stands for meetings, incentives, conventions or conferences, and events. Pictured: the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre at night. Photo Credit: Erik Charlton via Wikimedia Commons.

Environmental Excellence

Take the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition, for example. Energy consumption has been reduced by 16% over the last two years.

“Efforts to reduce the centre's carbon footprint were recognized with a certificate for 14% reduction,” write Megan Gell and Jacqueline Kot in CEI.

“HKCEC obtained the highest level of carbon footprint reduction among 103 organizations in the government's Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence.”

For More

Please click on the following link to read the original article in CEI: Sustainable Venues Take Next Steps

 

Singapore: Top Seven Reasons to Visit the Lion City in 2012

Travel Destinations

With a fascinating blend of cultures, a bustling harbour, and some of the region's yummiest cuisine, Singapore is one of Asia's top travel destinations.

Every year, the calendar is packed full of festivals, exhibitions, and sporting events, which complement the Lion City's fabulous shopping, beautiful gardens, heritage architecture, exciting nightlife, and fantastic restaurants.

Pictured: according to Chinese tradition, the Gates of Hell are thrown open every summer. During the Hungry Ghost Festival, Singapore's Chinese community pulls out all the stops to appease the wandering spirits.

Visitor Highlights

Here's a preview of what Singapore has in store for visitors to the city in 2012:  

• Singapore Fringe Festival – 15 to 26 February 2010 . The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is an annual festival of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and mixed media. This year's festival will see 17 international and local works from 11 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Burma, and Iraq. Check it out at: Singapore Fringe Festival.
• World Gourmet Summit - 23 April to May 2012. The World Gourmet Summit is an annual gourmet food and wine festival offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the finest foods from around the world. Wine tastings and table luncheons are included.Check it out at: World Gourmet Summit.
• The Great Singapore Sale - 25 May to 22 July 2012. Each year, shopaholics make a beeline to the Lion City for some serious retail therapy during The Great Singapore Sale. This annual mega sale offers tremendous bargains on items from both Singaporean and international brands at the city's many shopping malls. Check it out at: The Great Singapore Sale.
• Beerfest Asia - 31 May to 3 June 2012. Now in its fourth year, Beerfest Asia is a four-day festival celebrating more than 300 types of beer from around the world. Food, performances, and educational seminars by beer experts round out the list of events. Check it out at: Beerfest Asia.
• Singapore Garden Festival - 7 to 15 July 2012. Held biennially, the Singapore Garden Festival has floral displays and award-winning exhibits, with more than 250,000 tropical and temperate plants and 65,000 cut flowers on display. Check it out at: Singapore Garden Festival.
• Hungry Ghost Festival - 17 August to 15 September. Singapore's Chinese community celebrates the Hungry Ghost Festival every year during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which comes mid summer. According to traditional beliefs, the Gates of Hell are thrown open during this period. There are feasts, prayer offerings, and live performances. Large incense sticks are also burned to appease the wandering spirits, or hungry ghousts. Check it out at: Your Singapore.
• Singapore Grand Prix - 29 to 30 September 2012. September revs up its engines every September during the action packed Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix. This annual race sees international visitors flocking to the city, and not just for the races. There is also a full schedule of glamorous parties, music sensations, and memorable events running 10 full days. Check it out at:.2012 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix.

For More Information

Singapore is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia, with a fascinating blend of cultures and fabulous food. For more information on Singapore and what's on, things to see and do, dining, shopping, accommodation, and specials, please click on the following link: Your Singapore.

Travel Tip

• Singapore Hotel Deals. Enjoy up to 25% off.