Make Your Hotel Visit Eco-Friendly
Learn what you can do to make your hotel stay more "green."
Aug. 30, 2007 — -- According to AAA, nearly 35 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their homes this Labor Day weekend.
While the holiday usually symbolizes the official end to the summer travel season, you can learn how to travel all year round in an environmentally friendly way. You can help your hotel become eco-friendly by following a few green travel tips.
Pack Smart
Pack your own bath and body products. The average-size hotel produces more product waste in one week than 100 families in a year. To avoid unnecessary waste, bring your own refillable bottles of shampoos, soaps and lotions.
Reuse Towels and Sheets
Hang your towels to dry and request that the hospitality staff not change the sheets. This will save water and lessen the dumping of bleach and detergents into the environment. Hotels that have linen card programs save 5 percent on their utility bill.
Save Energy
The hospitality industry spends $3.7 billion per year on energy. Treat your hotel room like you are paying the bills and turn off unnecessary lights. Keep heaters or air conditioners off or on low and close the drapes when you are not there to keep out the heat of the sun.
Go Solar
Save your hotel on electric and energy by taking along a solar charger. It's great for charging electronics like cell phones, cameras, a Global Positioning System and MP3 players while you're on the road. A solar power charger is a great tool in a foreign country so you won't have to worry about voltage converters.
Get more tips at www.PlentyMag.com
Will You Be Traveling Green This Weekend?
According to a survey conducted by the travel Web site www.TripAdvisor.com:
Where Will Travelers Stay This Labor Day Weekend?
39 percent are staying at a hotel
6 percent are staying at a bed and breakfast
31 percent are staying are staying with family or friends
18 percent are staying in a vacation home or rental
6 percent are staying in motor home or are camping
Will Travelers Consider Going Green?
46 percent said that eco-friendly accommodations were a consideration
54 percent said that eco-friendly accommodations were not a consideration
Who's Taking The Plunge?
12 percent said they will be staying at eco-friendly accommodations
42 percent said they will not be staying at eco-friendly accommodations
46 percent said they did not know whether their accommodations were eco-friendly