🌿 Top 10 most environmentally friendly companies in tourism
When it comes to the impact of tourism development on the environment, it is difficult to say clearly what is bad and what is good. Thus, a huge amount of garbage accumulates in hotels every day, airplanes are not an environmentally friendly means of transport, and airports are traditionally considered an area with poor ecology. But most companies and airlines since the beginning of the 21st century have been paying great attention to protecting the environment and using technologies that help reduce harmful emissions.
Renewable energy sources, waste recycling, restoration of flora and fauna of the area – all this helps to make the tourism sector environmentally friendly in all aspects. We have collected in one material those companies that have managed to advance further than others in this direction.
The most eco-friendly hotels
Chateau Mcely, Czech Republic
This amazing hotel is located in a real castle! The noble estate on a hill an hour's drive from Prague was built in the 17th century, after which it was rebuilt several times until Chateau Mceli opened its doors to tourists in 2006. The focus was on environmental friendliness.
Even during the reconstruction stage, the owners purchased new furniture from local manufacturers, minimizing transportation costs. The products for the restaurant are also exclusively Czech, often from farmers. Near the castle they grow herbs and flowers and pick berries. Even the plants on the shore of the pond were planted not ordinary, but suitable for maintaining the purity of the water.
Heating in the castle is provided by an energy-efficient stove, and electricity is obtained from renewable sources. Further more. The staff cares not only about the guests, but also about the planet. The garbage here is sorted manually, sending what is suitable for recycling. There is also an electric vehicle charging station in the parking lot. The furnishings in the rooms have also been thought out from an environmental point of view. You won’t find any unnecessary plastic packaging or containers here, and it’s easy to refuse to wash towels that you used to dry your hands once.
By the way, there are many amazing museums in the Czech Republic that are definitely worth visiting, but do not forget that you will need a visa.
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Are the Maldives a paradise on earth or just a well-advertised destination? You decide. But this hotel definitely deserves attention. At first glance, it is no different from hundreds of other private islands. But the Soneva Fushi complex is carefully thought out from an environmental point of view. The villas are built from environmentally friendly wood and fast-growing bamboo, and the interiors and decor use handmade items from local artisans. Even insects are controlled here using methods that are safe for the unique local nature.
For tourists there is an environmental tax of 2% for all types of accommodation. The money raised is invested in projects that have a positive environmental, social and economic impact. Each guest can participate in important initiatives, offsetting direct and indirect carbon emissions.
Garbage is treated here as a resource. 90% of the solid waste collected on the island is recycled, generating up to $400,000 a year. They also pay a lot of attention to drinking water – you won’t find branded bottled water at the resort. Here the local one is cleaned and mineralized, and then poured into glass containers. Thus, over the past 10 years, the production of 1,500,000 plastic bottles has been prevented.
Eco-hotel Refuge du Gouter, France
This amazing hotel is located at an altitude of 3817 meters in the middle of the French Alps on the most popular route to reach the top of Mont Blanc. The small building, perched on a rocky ridge, can accommodate 120 people. Everything in it is done with an eye on the surrounding nature.
The building is fixed on a metal platform in the most convenient place. Inside there are wooden posts and beams, outside there is stainless steel. All elements were made here in the valley and assembled on site. Electricity and heat are provided by solar panels and a gas-fired cogeneration unit.
Water for household needs is obtained by melting snow using a solar-powered system. They didn’t forget about waste sorting – garbage is reduced as much as possible, and a dry toilet ensures the absence of waste water without harmful effects on the environment.
The most environmentally friendly airports
Helsinki-Vantaa, Finland
This is the main airport of Finavia. According to their forecasts, by 2025, 20 airports in the network will achieve zero emissions. This particular hub is the largest in Finland in terms of the number of passengers. About 90% of the country's international air traffic passes through it, including connecting flights. Almost everyone who comes to Finland has been here at least once. This airport is visited especially often by employees going on business trips. Organizing a business trip is a very important process, so it is important to choose the best conditions and the most convenient hub.
The concept of the airport is to respect and protect the environment, as well as to minimize the harmful impact on the world . Several interesting techniques are used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
A powerful solar power plant is equipped on the roof of the passenger terminal. It provides 5% of the airport's energy needs. The rest is obtained using wind generators. Thanks to this system, the airport’s operations are fully powered by renewable energy sources.
Seymour, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Baltra is the least touristy of the Galapagos Islands. You will not find luxury hotels and restaurants on it, but it is here that the main air harbor of the archipelago operates – Seymour. And this is the world's first green airport!
It began to meet all environmental standards after reconstruction in 2012. During the reconstruction, 80% of the building materials from the old building were reused. The project took into account natural lighting and ventilation, avoiding the need to install air conditioners and artificial lamps. The terminal operates 100% on renewable energy. It is provided by wind generators and solar panels. And clean water is obtained from sea water using its own desalination station.
Airport employees pay great attention to protecting the island’s unique ecosystem. They remove garbage throughout its territory and restore endemic flora and fauna. In almost all photographs taken on the territory of the hub, you can see iguanas, whose movement here is not interfered with by anyone.
Sheremetyevo International Airport named after A.S. Pushkin, Russia
This airport has the highest level of passenger traffic in Russia. Taking into account the enormous load on its territory, several successful environmental projects have been implemented here.
Thus, in terminals D, E, F there are electric cars that can accommodate up to 6 people at once. Most often, this type of travel is chosen by families with children or people of retirement age. By the way, some categories of passengers can use electric cars for free.
In addition, they try to combine technology with the natural environment. Natural landscaping and natural materials were actively used in the design of the complex: stone, wood, glass. There are more than 30 installations with fresh flowers and dwarf trees. Particularly attractive is the large-scale phytowall in the arrival hall of Terminal C. About 3,000 plants are installed on an area of more than 100 m2, and a separate irrigation and lighting system has been created.
There is a corporate program “Green Environment”. The money received for waste paper collected at the airport is transferred to charities and orphanages. Inside the hub there are also containers for used batteries and several dozen comprehensive bins for separate waste collection.
The most environmentally friendly airlines
But determining the most environmentally friendly carrier is quite difficult. Yes, many companies publish annual reports on their CO₂ emissions. However, these indicators alone are not enough to draw objective conclusions. The analysis and calculation of data itself is not always accurate. Thus, different companies allow passengers to take on board different amounts of luggage; the greater the weight, the greater the harm. And low-cost airlines, thanks to their cheap prices, create a stir and increase the number of flights during the tourist season.
According to experts, aviation accounts for 12% of all harmful emissions in the transport sector. By 2050, this figure is planned to be halved. There are several carriers that are actively taking care of their environmental footprint.
Finnish Finnair is the leader in this ranking. It was she who launched the first transatlantic flight Helsinki – New York, which uses aircraft flying on biofuel. In addition, EasyJet, TAP Portugal, Virgin Australia, Ryanair, Wizz Air demonstrate low CO2 emissions.
And the list of airlines that cause the greatest harm to the environment includes such well-known carriers as Turkish Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air China, ANA Group, China Southern, Singapore Airlines.