Travel industry building for more sustainable future this Earth Day and beyond

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A day to promote environmental awareness and bring attention to the protection of the planet, Earth Day is celebrated in more than 193 countries each year. Earth Day is an important reminder of the need for a sustainable future and encourages people to show appreciation to the planet by making an effort to protect the environment and the ecosystems within it. Here are a few ways the travel industry is making a difference and doing their part to build for a more sustainable future.

Cut down on plastic: Plastic pollution has been a major topic over the past few years, and for good reason. Plastic is extremely slow to degrade and has created huge problems for our oceans, lakes, rivers and beaches.

Romeโ€™s Bettoja Hotels Collection eliminates plastic bottles

One of Italyโ€™s most renowned family-owned hospitality groups, Bettoja Hotels Collection will remove of all plastic bottles beginning on Earth Day 2019. Spanning five generations, there are 495 rooms among the three hotels, and the Bettoja family has renewed their commitment to their guests and the hospitality industry by beginning a 20 million-Euro renovation that began in the summer of 2018 across all hotels. This sustainability initiative marks the first achievement in the brandโ€™s commitment to environment. In celebration of Earth Day, Bettoja Hotels Collection will eliminate all plastic bottles in the mini-bars and the restaurants located in their 3 hotels in Rome: Hotel Mediterraneo, Hotel Massimo Dโ€™Azeglio and Hotel Atlantico. This year, Bettoja Hotels Collection invites its guests to honor this commitment to the environment and will turn off the lights for one minute in the halls of all three hotels at 18:00PM on April 22nd. In addition, Ristorante Massimo Dโ€™Azeglio will dine by candlelight and soft lights on Earth Day.

Saint Luciaโ€™s Calabash Cove Resort and Spaโ€™s embraces being plastic free

A popular all-inclusive, adults-only boutique hotel in Saint Lucia, Calabash Cove Resort and Spa is a Caribbean gem offering seclusion, beauty and mesmerizing views at every turn. Along with being completely plastic-free, here are some other notable green features the intimate 26-room property offers: solar power to heat water, energy saving LEDs in all light fixtures, operate own on-site water treatment plant and recycle the water for irrigation, timers for all pool pumps, collect rainwater, no disposable food containers or disposable cups and glasses, lunch boxes made from recycled material, straws made from degradable paper, no disposable plastics like cutlery or plates, all produce sourced from local farmers whenever possible, collect used kitchen oil and send to a commercial laundry and Saint Lucia Distillers on island – it is used as fuel to heat laundry water or fire a distillation still, extremely seldom fog grounds for mosquitos to allow birdlife to flourish, grass cuttings are mulched back into the ground, kitchen waste is collected and given to a pig farmer and more.

Protect our species: Coral Reef Restoration: Coral reefs are found in more than 100 countries across the globe, covering close to 110,000 square miles worldwide. 25% of coral reefs worldwide are already considered damaged beyond repair, and close to 65% of coral reefs are under serious threat.

Les Ilets de la Plage involved in coral regeneration in St Jean Bay

The owners of the understated boutique 12 villa resort, Les Ilets de la Plage in Saint Barths, are involved with Reef of Life, a grassroots organization designed to regenerate coral reefs in St Jean Bay. Reef of Life has set up coral nurseries in the bay of St Jean using the Biorock technology. Their mission is to develop projects on corals and the preservation of eroding reefs. Reef of Life assumes a scientific orientation and it is in this context that Dr. Thomas Goreau, inventor of the Biorock process was invited to ask the first plate Biorock in October 2014. The aim is to revive the declining coral reefs by developing original and innovative approaches. Guests staying at Les Ilets de la Plage can visit the Biorock by diving in the area which is very close to resort.

Plant a tree: Global Reforestation: Our planet is currently losing over 15 billion trees each year. Planting trees benefit local communities, increase habitat for species, and combat climate change. Trees provide food, energy and income to help communities achieve long-term economic and environmental sustainability. Trees also filter the air and help reverse the impacts of climate change.

Chaka Camps plants over 2000 indigenous trees in the past two years

Located in Tanzaniaโ€™s best wildlife destinations, Chaka Camps is a collection of boutique tented lodges offering the ultimate safari experience in comfort and style. Each property, unique in its style and design, is perfectly situated to deliver extraordinary wildlife experiences. Chaka Camps is committed to creating a unique and special experience for guests which is matched only by their concern for preserving the natural ecology of the parks and the local economies of Tanzania. The tented lodges use solar energy, recycled refuse and all of their fabrics and furnishings are handcrafted by artisans in nearby Arusha. In addition, Chaka Camps offsets their fuel consumption with Carbon Tanzania, a locally-based NGO protected virgin forest in Tanzania. Furthermore, the management team is actively involved in efforts to offset the campโ€™s carbon footprint by planting indigenous trees โ€“ just over 2000 in the past two years.

Go Vegan or Vegetarian for the day or more: Both raising beef and the pesticides used are major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention have harmful impact of your health. Eating plants protects our soil, conserves water, it saves energy, clears the air, and combats world hunger. Whether you choose to eat vegan or vegetarian just once a day, once a week, or once a month or take a trip that is vegan or vegetarian friendly, know that your decision is helping to improve your own health and the health of our planet.

Eat Like a Local Mexico City launches new vegan food tour

Born and raised in Mexico City, Eat Like a Local’s founder Rocio Vazquez Landeta gives insider access to the city’s dynamic food landscape that could only be experienced through the eyes of local. Starting April 11th, Eat Like a Local launches a NEW all-vegan food tour in the flower market and Roma Norte. This new curated tour features local Mexican vegan dishes and highlights a mix of vegan restaurants in Roma Norte, hip coffee shops and authentic street food delicacies at the flower market, the largest wholesale flower market in the city where travelers can enjoy grilled corn, squash blossom cheese-free quesadillas and the most complete fruit tasting with more than 12 local varieties. The tour also includes non-vegan restaurants with outstanding vegan dishes, including one of Enrique Olveraโ€™s restaurants (Pujol owner and head chef).

Get walking with On Foot Holidaysโ€™ new vegan-friendly routes

UK-based travel specialist On Foot Holidays offers three new vegan-friendly routes offering imaginative and creative vegan and vegetarian dishes that reflect the local authentic cuisine. The three vegan-friendly routes have hotels and inns along the route that can provide flavorful and varied vegan dishes, or where there are good vegan restaurants close by. All of the hosts at the properties can also offer suitable alternatives for vegetarians, gluten-free and lactose-free diets. In Italyโ€™s Ligurian Hills, On Foot Holidaysโ€™ route adviser has secured a varied and inspired diet along the route. All properties have vegan wine, soya, rice or almond-based milk, soya butter, margarine, soya yogurt and soya cream. The two other vegan-friendly routes are on the Greek island of Andros and in Lycian Way in Turkey. www.onfootholidays.co.uk

Fuel up with Duma Explorerโ€™s vegetarian Mountain Menu
Preparing for the climb of your life? Duma Explorer has been leading safaris and treks in Tanzania since 2004. As one of Tanzania’s only Travelife-certified tour operators and a founding partner of Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, Duma Explorer continually demonstrates their commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability. For all of their Kilimanjaro treks, Duma Explorerโ€™s โ€œMountain Menuโ€ includes breakfasts, lunches and dinners during the trek and can all be tailored for vegetarians and gluten-free and lactose-free travelers. Travelers can request the Tanzanian menu which feature hot banana, pumpkin or peanut soup with bread, Ndizi Nyama (cooked bananas mixed with vegetables), Maharage Nazi (beans cooked in a coconut sauce), Kachumbari (Cucumber, tomato and carrot salad, Viazi Mboga (potatoes topped with a vegetable coconut sauce) and Tanzanian pancake topped with honey.

Hotels and resorts that offer delicious vegetarian menus and vegan dishes include Romeโ€™s Bettoja Hotels Collection, Saint Luciaโ€™s Calabash Cove Resort and Spa (vegan dishes upon request), Tanzaniaโ€™s Chaka Camps (vegan dishes upon request) and more.

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Chief Assignment Editor

Chief Assignment editor is Oleg Siziakov

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