New laws "in the bag" - a new take on an old trick

You've heard the popular travel tip: carry your purse or other valuables in a plastic grocery store bag to conceal them and "look like a local". However, is this trick still feasable with today's environmentally-conscious goals?

Consider: many countries are already starting to ban plastic bags to reduce waste, avoid litter problems and help the environment. For example, China has already banned plastic bags, and Australia recently announced it will follow suit. Cities across Canada and the U.S. have new rules in place.

Paper and clothe bags are expected to become the norm, though many places will simply start charging for plastic rather than banning them. Many countries such as Ireland, Kenya and Tanzania have leveled fees to discourage use. Baskets and tote bags are becoming the norm where bans or fees are in place.

Still want to look like a local? The solution is quite simple: purchase a cloth tote bag. The cloth conceals valuables better than plastic (who can tell if you are carrying your purse, books or a bag of vegetables?) and the bag can be used at home as well as throughout your trip.

For more information on bans across the world, check out this article from Yahoo! News.

New surcharge at Jamaican hotels

Travelling to Jamaica? Confirm your costs before you go.

Planning a trip to Jamaica this winter to beat the cold? It may cost more than you think. According to recent travel advice and media reports, hotels in Jamaica will be adding an “occupancy surcharge” of USD$10 per night per room. Following suit with many cruise companies and other travel service providers, hotels are implementing the surcharge to cover the rising costs of fuel.

What can you do about it? Unfortunately, not much – The Jamaica Hotels and Tourist Association (JHTA) supports the move. Currently, organizations such as the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) are warning hotels against the surcharge on the grounds it could damage tourism.

What do to if you’ve planned a trip: A recent article on TravelMole notes that not all hotels and resorts will implement the surcharge and will instead focus on energy conservation. A recent update to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice for Jamaica recommends that travellers confirm the costs of their accommodations ahead of time to avoid any misunderstandings.

For the latest news and advice, see our Jamaica Travel Advisory page.

Buy nothing vs. buy wisely

November 24 is International Buy Nothing Day – but are travellers up for the challenge?

Originating in Vancouver, Canada, International Buy Nothing Day was created to call attention to over-consumption – an issue that is especially pressing this year in light of the focus on climate change. The challenge seems simple: don’t buy anything for 24 hours.

But is this possible for travellers, who need often need to purchase items that often can’t be purchased ahead of time, such as food, transportation, souvenirs and accommodations? Not spending any money can be difficult, or even impossible.

If you’re on the road, you can still observe the spirit of Buy Nothing Day by using your tourist dollars to support local economies. Avoid typical tourist traps and flashy souvenirs. Instead, spend your money in local shops and restaurants where your cash will help support the local economy. Look for other ways to make your travel environmentally and socially responsible.

For more information, see the official website.

“Green means go” in a whole new way

Stop lights are literally turning green in South Africa. According to an article in on AllAfrica.com, a pilot project in Cape Town, South Africa aims to reduce a common drain on energy resources: traffic lights. Cape Town’s stop lights use the same amount of electricity as an estimated 1 200 homes.

The project is testing the effectiveness of solar powered traffic lights – and the possibility of extending the project all across the country known for its year-round sun. So far, the lights have been installed in one main intersection.

In addition to using clean, renewable energy, the new lights are hoped to reduce traffic chaos due lights not working. Another bonus? The lights will continue to function during blackouts.

For more information, see South Africa: Cape Town Traffic Lights Go "Green"

Luxury or waste? You decide.

Are the travel trends of the wealthy luxurious or wasteful? You be the judge.

A recent article on Forbes entitled “Ten Travel Trends You Can’t Ignore” outlines some of the most recent, and most luxurious, travel trends. Whether you want to stay in a hotel-owned private villa, travel by private jet or have a personal consultant plan your entire trip, many companies are now gearing up to cater to luxury travel.

But how do these trends fit with growing concerns for responsible travel? They don’t, according to a commentary on GoBudgetTravel.com. “Ten Travel Trends You Can’t Ignore” - and why you should ignore them uses humour to point out some how some of these trends are harmful to the environment and local economies.

Fortunatley, one travel trend everyone can afford to indulge in does meet universal approval: Green travel.

LP survey reveals green travel trends

How are travellers planning to safe guard the planet?

Lonely Planet’s annual Travellers’ Pulse survey reveals some interesting changes in environmental awareness and travel. The survey polled 24 500 people from 144 countries, through online polls and partners. According to the press release, respondents’ answers show an increasing awareness about the environmental impact of travel – and a willingness to do something about it.

For example, 84% now say they would consider offsetting their emissions in the future (a jump from 31% who have done so in the past). In the past, 70% said they have opted for low-impact travel (such as buses instead of flying), while 90% said they would do so in the future. A full 93% said they would or might “partake in environmentally friendly travel in the future”.

Lonely Planet reports that the biggest jump in the numbers was volunteering abroad. While only 25% of respondents reported volunteering in the past, almost 80% said they might do so in the future.

The survey comes after the June 2007 release of Lonely Planet’s Volunteer: A Traveller’s Guide to Making a Difference Around the World, a guide which includes all kinds of volunteer experiences.

For more information see the full press release.

Losing the green on vacation

A new survey shows that when travellers hit the road conservation stays at home. Despite the popularity of eco-tourism and growing awareness of climate change few American travellers take their environmentally friendly habits on vacation, a new survey commissioned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts reveals.

Most of the respondents from the over 1000 American travellers surveyed indicated that they are less likely to conserve water and electricity while they are away. In fact, more than 60 % admitted they used more of these resources because it was “free”. The same number said they were more likely to leave the lights on in a hotel room than at home.

When it comes to staying more than one night, 75% of respondents still felt it necessary to have new bed sheets and towels every day – “an environmentally unfriendly habit few practice at home” according to the article on Travel Mole.