Greener Travel Options

Good news for environmentally conscious travelers: Hotels are getting religion on ecology.

Leading Hotels of the World, a conglomeration of some of the finest properties across the globe, has introduced a new booking site, www.lhwgreen.com, which includes several eco-friendly tools travelers can use. As part of its Leading Green Initiative, LHW will contribute 50 cents a night to Sustainable Travel International (STI) for each guest who books in one of its properties through the new site. The contribution will also be made when guests book over the phone and mention the "Leading Green" initiative.

STI, a nonprofit organization charged with helping to save the environment worldwide, will invest the carbon offset funds into the development of wind solar power on other energy initiatives that do not burn carbons. The Leading Green site also allows visitors to calculate how much carbon they burn during a trip and how to calculate that level of carbon-burning into dollars. Travelers are encouraged to make their own tax-deductible contributions to STI.

LHW's program is one of many environmental programs hotels have launched. At the Serrano Hotel in San Francisco, managers have agreed to offset the greenhouse gas emissions they use in their cars. Other hotels have gone much further by investing in solar power and other energy saving devices.

I am curious to know how readers think LHW's initiative rates. Also, as you travel the world, what interesting eco hotels have you discovered? Any thoughts on how travelers can better do their part for the environment?

By Gary Lee |  May 8, 2007; 10:05 AM ET  | Category:  Gary Lee , Hotels
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