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How the travel industry is going green

With more clients looking for ways to help sustain the environment, it’s no wonder travel providers across the board are offering green options.

One of the newest approaches is to give travellers the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets that airlines can then use towards funding projects that develop sustainable-energy sources. This is important since it's estimated that air travel accounts for 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, with airplane emissions increasing 3% a year.

According to a May poll conducted by the Conference Board of Canada, 29% of Canadians are willing to pay an additional $10 for their airline ticket for carbon offsets — a statistic that has caught the attention of Canadian airlines. In response, WestJet and Air Canada have implemented carbon-offset programs over the past year. Harbour Air in western Canada is the first North American airline to make carbon-offset costs mandatory.

There are other ways airlines and tour operators are helping to save the environment. Electronic invoicing is becoming the travel industry standard. Did you know that travellers can now check in using their cell phones? The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced a global standard for how travellers check in with their cell phone — greatly eliminating paper waste. IATA has set a deadline of the end of 2010 to implement 100% electronic boarding passes.

RBC Insurance^® has also been making it easier for agents and clients to go green. The company has recently introduced Automated Policy Fulfillment (APF), which allows clients to choose how they wish to have their policy fulfilled. Clients who select the e-fulfillment option receive their entire policy electronically within 24 hours, saving time and trees in the process.

Beyond air travel, there are several car rental agencies that have made the conscious decision to offer hybrid and electric cars. So far, EVRental and Enterprise in the U.S. are leading the way. Some high-end hotel chains, such as the Four Seasons and Fairmont, are following green practices (for example, by using non-toxic cleaners, reducing water usage and practising organic landscaping) at some of their locations.

So the next time your clients ask about going green, why not advise them to purchase carbon offsets, rent a hybrid car or stay in a green hotel? Going green is truly the best way to travel!