TRAVEL TITBITS
KARNJANA KARNJANATAWE
Resorts, restaurants and bars on Boracay Island in the Philippines have joined hands with Greenpeace to implement energy-efficiency measures and use renewable energy.
The organisers of the campaign, dubbed "Save the Climate, Save Boracay", are hoping to enlist the support of entrepreneurs in other top island destinations across Southeast Asia in order to promote awareness of climate change and find ways to decrease the tourism industry's carbon footprint. The initiative kicked off in Bali last December with 15 hotels and resorts there signing up. One local business, Discovery Kartika Plaza, has already installed solar panels to power its water-heating system.
"Climate change poses real and huge risks to the tourism industry and the people who depend on the viability of this sector for their livelihood," said Von Hernandez, executive director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia. To fight climate change, renewable energy and energy efficiency are key solutions, he noted.
Research by Greenpeace shows that a rise in sea levels due to climate change could lead to the inundation of some 700 million km2 of land in coastal areas, including the island of Boracay, one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines.
The campaign is a partnership between Greenpeace, the municipality of Malay (of which the island is part), the departments of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, the Boracay Foundation, the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mother Earth Foundation. It is hoped to make local resorts, restaurants and bars more environmentally friendly through the use of a combination of regulations amd government incentives. "It is our hope that other travel destinations will follow the positive examples set by Boracay and Bali," Hernandez added.
Sun, sand and ... Swedes
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| The Philippine resort island of Boracay, where local business operators are participating in a green initiative to reduce the destination's carbon footprint. — KARNJANA KARNJANATAWE |
Krabi and Phuket were the top destinations for Swedish visitors to Thailand last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Stockholm office.
Its director, Manit Boonchim, said the number of Swedish arrivals increased to 378,387 last year, a jump of 23.62 per cent on the 2006 figure. In the first four months of 2008, 190,000 Swedes visited the country, more than half the number reached at the half-way mark in 2007. Swedes are now more inclined to visit a greater variety of places, Manit said, adding that most of them travel with their families. "They are quality visitors and their spending here is high."
JAL battles CO2 emissions
Japan Airlines will be the first Asian carrier to test biofuel as part of a campaign to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. It plans to blend biofuel with jet fuel and test it in one of its four Boeing 747-300 aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines. The demonstration flight, scheduled for March, is expected to last about an hour. JAL will become the fourth carrier to use biofuel after Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand and Continental Airlines. It plans to cut CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2010.
The lowdown on Khao San
There's a new Nancy Chandler publication out called Khao San and Old Bangkok. Backed up by maps, photos and the usual creative graphics, it covers not only Khao San Road and the nearby Bang Lamphu Market and arty Phra Arthit Road but also historic Rattanakosin Island, the oldest part of Bangkok.
The book lists places of interest, accommodation (with prices), nightlife spots and restaurants. For more information, visit nancychandler.net.
Din-dins for doggy charity
Phuket's Soi Dog Foundation is hosting its annual seaside fund-raiser on September 13 at the Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa. Dubbed "Tails at Twilight Annual Fundraising Bone A Fit", the event will be held on Rawai Beach and will feature a gala dinner and entertainment. The proceeds will be used to support the foundation's efforts to rescue stray dogs and the cost of its ongoing canine-sterilisation programme. Tickets cost 2,000 baht per person.
Visit http://www.soidog-foundation.org for more information.
If you have any comments or news to share, email them to karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th
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