Atlas Travel Web.com Blog

Adventure Center is a One-stop source for world-class sustainable adventure travel experiences at affordable prices. Choose from a range of over 1,000 adventure vacations worldwide including hiking and biking trips, cultural tours, African safaris, Antarctica expedition cruises, and much more. The environmental effects of a trip are key considerations during the itinerary design process. Everyone involved with the organization of a trip, from tour leaders to office staff, promote and adhere to sustainable travel principles, which travelers are encouraged to embrace.

Backroads, Country Walkers, National Geographic and Mt. Travel Sobek are all adventure companies offering unique itineraries including hiking, biking and walking trips to lessen the environmental impact and allow travelers to be culturally unobtrusive.

Would you be more likely to travel with a company that promotes environmentally friendly practices over one that doesn’t?

With 2009 right around the corner, it’s time to plan your next big getaway. Where are you looking forward to traveling next year? Here are some of the predictions, trends and statistics for travel in 2009.

The U.S. Tour Operators Association reported that for the 5th straight year, Italy placed first as the most popular international destination for vacation packages and tours. Modern Bride’s annual “World Best Honeymoon” survey showed Italy has even beaten out Hawaii as the #1 honeymoon destination.  Recommend Magazine’s Readers Choice awards also listed Italy as the #1 destination. Croatia and China were the hottest up-and-coming countries for tours and travel packages. We were surprised not to see Dubai on the list.

Lonely Planet’s top 10 destinations: #1 U.S. with emphasis on National parks and Hawaii;  #2 Mexico, with an emphasis on Mexico City and the Pacific Coast; #3 Argentina; #4 Japan; #5 India & #6 Canada (tied);#7 Australia #8 China (tied);#9 Spain and #10 France.

Frommers recently released its top destinations for 2009, focusing on international destinations that are affordable and seeking the newest “hot spots”.  Washington D.C.; Waiheke Island, New Zealand; Saqqara, Egypt; Lassen Volcanic National Park, California; Istanbul, Turkey; Civil Rights Trail, USA; Cartagena, Colombia; Cape Town, South Africa; Berlin, Germany;  Belfast, Northern Ireland; Angkor Wat, Cambodia; Waterton National Park, Alberta, Canada

According to TripAdvisor, the top three predicted hot spots for North America travel are Florida, North Carolina and Alaska.

At Atlas Cruises & Tours, we are seeing a number of trends. Italy continues to be very popular. Consumers are booking specialty travel packages including river cruises, cooking and wine vacations, as well as religious travel. Several dates for the 2010 Passion Play are already sold out. We have been doing several blogs about sustainable travel in the past 6 months, as we are finding consumers more concerned in traveling with suppliers that are environmentally conscious, as well as the desire to visit destinations threatened by climate change such as Antarctica, Alaska, Galapagos and Machu Picchu. Cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and South America are up, and we except a surge in Europe cruises, as air prices should be coming down considerably, and cruise lines are offering aggressive fares. For those staying close to home, National Parks, Canada & Hawaii are up as well.

Where are you planning to travel in 2009? We’d love to hear your top 3 list!

Viking river cruises recently unveiled the Viking Legend, a “green” ship with hybrid engines which are 20% more energy-efficient.  The ship will be sailing a 15 day Grand European itinerary from Amsterdam to Budapest along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. The cruise visits 5 countries with 14 guided tour included in the cruise fare. The world’s largest river cruise line, Viking River Cruises was established by a Scandinavian and Dutch consortium experienced in cruising. With 25 ships, Viking River Cruises continues to expand to new destinations, and builds innovative vessels that provide all the comfort of a fine hotel with attentive Swiss management. Viking River Cruises offers European river cruises, China river cruises along the Yangtze, and Russian river cruises.

In partnership with Conservation International, Celebrity Solstice offers a venue onboard called Team Earth which is highlighted by a Globe on Deck 7.

Team Earth is an interactive exhibit onboard the new Celebrity Solstice designed to capture the interest & imagination of guest through brilliant nature photography, museum-quality exhibits and digital touch-screen displays.  Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan described Team Earth as ”A vivid example of our shared belief in doing all we can to preserve the earth’s fresh water, clean air, natural resources and rich beauty.”

You can read news, see short films, audio clips and learn about the world’s oceans, marine life and the environment. Guests will also have the opportunity to join the Team Earth online community to receive pertinent news & support global conservation efforts.

You can learn more about the Solstice, as well as their energy efficient features onboard the Solstice by reading my previous blogs, and you can view over 95 photos of the ship by visiting my Flickr account.

Those of you following my blogs, have seen that I have been conducting ongoing research on sustainable travel. I read an article published today by Roberta Roberti from Travel Agent Central discussing “going green” when dining. That caught my interest as my focus had been on the travel companies at this point. She explains how we can ensure our eating habits are low-impact on the global environment. To sum it up, it means purchasing food from local producers and eating at restaurants that are locally sourced. People who adhere to this practice are called “locavores.” By purchasing from local vendors, you are keeping the economy of that region alive. Also, the local vendor drove less to sell his product, so less pollution in the air and less fuel was consumed.

Roberti also states that “For foodies on the road, there’s a special treat in eating locally. It’s not hard to figure out what that is: It’s the opportunity to sample the regional cuisine, the stuff the local people eat, which is—logically—based on whatever grew/grows in the area. ”

Tour operators have responded to client’s wanting to taste the “local cuisine” & in turn become more environment friendly. Globus Journeys has a food and wine brochure with select trips focused on regional wine and food. Trafalgar added “Be My Guest” on their French, Italian and Spanish trips. Be My Guest are dining experiences at either local family homes or unique dining locations to experience local life with an unforgettable cooked meal accompanied by local or estate wines. Some hotels are also starting to grow herb and vegetable gardens or building partnerships with local farmers.

Want to research your local options? Use resources like the Eat Well Guide (US and Canada) to find sustainable food and restaurants wherever you are.

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels announced the launch of its “Passion por el Medio Ambiente” program. The translation is Passion for the Environment. The program is designed to encourage staff & guests’ participation in environmentally sustainable practices.

El Dorado resorts has been committed to the environment for years, including installing solar panels throughout all of their properties.  They also have implemented quality controls over towels and sheets, restroom sensors and the use of green cleaning suppliers like Johnson Diversery.  Among sustainable practices implemented, a major recycling initiative is also underway. El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels has taken extensive measures to ensure that all garbage is separated and recycled properly including dangerous waste, organic items, glass and paper. Employees have undergone an extensive training program outlining the MARTI initiatives and illustrating the benefits derived by its implementation. Employees are also encouraged to bring in recycled goods from home once a week, which are processed on property.

Eco-conscious guests will enjoy the extra care taken at these resorts. El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels is a fabulous collection of luxurious All Inclusive Adult-Only beach resorts located throughout the most beautiful sites and exclusive beaches of the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Providing a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea, El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels standout by exceptional hospitality service, innovating Gourmet Inclusive Cuisine and outstanding accommodations that transform your dreamlike vacation into a lifetime experience.

To check prices on Mexico vacation packages, click here

Collette has announced the launch of its newest initiative, Project Green & Blue. The program is Collette’s latest step in reducing its carbon footprint & environmental impact. The domestic tour operator’s initiative is aimed at ensuring Collette’s worldwide offices are operating as “green” as possible on a day-to-day basis.

“Everyone needs to take responsibility for the impact they have on our environment,” said John Galvin, CFO. “We want to do everything we possibly can to leave the world a better place as a result of our being here.” Project Green and Blue is aimed at doing just that.

On Arbor Day, Collette planted 519 trees, one in honor of each of their employees. Collette is also working on the design & construction of the new Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certified building for their office in Canada. The building should be complete in April 2009 will include a geothermal heating system, so they will use less fossil fuel for heat.

Future projects will include installing a 20-kilowatt wind turbine in the company’s Vermont retreat location which will provide renewable energy for the house and in clean energy that can be sold back to the utility company.  They will also make changes & upgrades to their corporate office in Rhode Island including replacing lights & installing water saving fixtures, installing programmable thermostats & occupancy sensing light systems, as well as changing over to environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Collette Vacations makes traveling the world simple and hassle-free. For more information on their travel packages visit: www.escortedcollettetours.com

Tourism Cares’ Mission is to preserve the travel experience for future generations.  Volunteers from the travel and tourism industry clean up & restore culturally significant, tourism-related sites needing care & rejuvenation. More than 2,000 volunteers have donated more than 20,000 hours at sites across North America.

The next project is April 16-18, 2009 to restore Gettysburg.   Corporate sponsors are accepted.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association is completing it’s guidelines to help hotels become more “green.” At this point, there is no plan to create a certification program, but rather ask for minimal environmental guidelines to be followed. Some items being addressed are energy saving measures such as towel & linen reuse programs, waste management & use of fluorescent bulbs & digital thermometers. It’s not much, but it is a start to what we hope will be increased changes in the coming years.

Many individual hotel chains are taking their own steps to help the environment. InterContinental Hotels has set up a new Innovation Hotel, which is a specially dedicated section of the IHG web site that will showcase the hotel’s green efforts both now & for properties in the future. Many things are being put into place within the next few years, such as solar roof panels, recycled furniture & low-emissions paint, where other items such as “green roof” & rainwater harvesting will take more time to implement as new hotels are built.

Ask an agent to assist you in finding hotels worldwide that are committed to the environment & “greening” the hospitality industry.

Solstice, largest ship in Celebrity’s fleet, & one of 4 that will be launched: Solstice in 2008, Equinox in 2009, Eclipe in 2010 & a fourth vessel yet to be named for 2011.  One unique area not available on any other cruise line is the “Lawn Club.” On the highest deck, you will find a carefully manicured area of real grass. By day, you can play lawn games or have a picnic.  You can watch the Hot Glass Show offered in collabortation with the Corning Museum of Glass.  A gift shop offers glass souvenirs. In the evening, the Patio on the Lawn & Sunset Bar offer amazing ocean views, as well as luxurious coffee drinks & cocktails.

Celebrity has always been known for their excellent cuisine onboard. Sostice offers 4 new specialty restaurants: Blu, Murano, Silk Harvest Restaurant & the Tuscan Grille. Blu is for guests staying in Aqua Class suites. Silk Harvest will offer authentic Asian cruisine. Tuscan Grille is a sophisticated steak house with an Italian accent and Murano will serve Europe’s finest cruisine. The main dining room is beautifully decorated & features a champagne tasting menu. Room service is available 24 hours for day for simple snacks or a dinner for two.

Other ship highlights include the Martini Bar, Cellar Masters & the pool area which offers shaded canopies & fountains synchronized to music.

I will be sailing on the Solstice November 12th or a 2 day cruise, so watch for posts with details on our experience onboard!  Watch the commercial for the Celebrity Solstice