Articles About Travel

Virginia Connects the Green Dots for Eco-Conscious Travelers with New Web Site -VirginiaGreenTravel.org Makes Green Travel Convenient for Travelers Pa

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- Virginia's state tourism office today launched VirginiaGreenTravel.org, a new Web site dedicated to environmentally friendly travel in Virginia. The new travel site supports Virginia Green, a partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that promotes environmentally friendly practices in Virginia's tourism industry.

VirginiaGreenTravel.org will serve as a gateway to the state's certified green tourism businesses including more than 140 lodging facilities as well as restaurants, attractions and more. The new site also has convenient links to Virginia state parks, outdoor adventure programs, the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, eco-friendly events and travel tips. Virginia debuted the site in advance of Earth Day at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center in Virginia Beach, a local leader in the state's Virginia Green program.

"Virginia Green is a new and important focus for our tourism industry, as we work to educate ourselves and improve upon how we treat the natural habitat that helps make Virginia a top travel destination," said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. "It's smart business sense for Virginia and will help preserve and protect our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and tourists."

"Virginia Green is a unique voluntary program that has great potential to benefit Virginia's environment," said David Paylor, Director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. "Participating businesses reduce their environmental impacts and help increase awareness about environmental issues. We all are consumers in the tourism industry, and Virginia Green gives us the opportunity to make decisions based on our concern for the environment."

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) manages Virginia Green. The program awards Virginia Green Certification to tourism-related business such as hotels, restaurants and attractions taking voluntary actions to reduce harmful impacts on the environment. Certified businesses commit to waste-reducing activities such as recycling, optional linen service, water and energy conservation, green cleaning, purchasing environmentally friendly products and other steps that help reduce harmful environmental effects.

Virginia Green launched in pilot phase in 2006, with DEQ working with the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association to educate businesses such as hotels, inns and B&Bs about the benefits of green practices. Since that time the program has grown to 140 lodging facilities, 23 restaurants, 20 conference centers, two convention centers and six attractions, including the Virginia Aquarium, making it the first Virginia Green attraction in the Hampton Roads region and one of only six in the state.

DEQ plans to expand Virginia Green to include wineries, golf courses and Virginia's welcome centers and rest areas. Virginia's two new welcome centers, in Fredericksburg and Clear Brook, are LEED certified.

Tourism is a $17.7 billion industry in Virginia, generating $1.2 billion in state and local taxes and providing 208,000 jobs across the state. In addition to having a positive effect on the environment, Virginia Green certified businesses enjoy significant cost savings from their efforts, especially due to recycling and conservation. Studies have shown that facilities may see a 30 to 50 percent reduction in fees associated with energy, water and trash removal.

Visit www.VirginiaGreenTravel.org to connect with green certified travel destinations in Virginia. For specific information about how to become a Virginia Green certified tourism business, go to www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/virginiagreen. For more travel information about Virginia, go to www.Virginia.org or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a Live Passionately - Virginia is for Lovers travel guide.

###

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

Leading Travel Insurance Comparison Site launches Plans From Travel Insurance Services
Squaremouth, the industry leader in travel insurance comparison shopping today adds Travel Insurance Services products to its lineup.

Squaremouth Travel Insurance Comparison Site Features New Travel Insured Product Enhancements
Squaremouth, the fastest growing travel insurance comparison site, today unveils a trio of travel insurance plans from Travel Insured International.

Travel Insurance - Gap Year And Backpacker Travel
There are many hazards and dangers that gappers can encounter if they don't do their homework and plenty of research before setting off. Many of us wish we could blaze a trail across new frontiers, but the reality is that someone has already been there, done that, and got the tee shirt. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to network with those who've gone before you and take advantage of their knowledge.

Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries (ATII) Responds to UK Treasury Review on Travel Insurance
In their response to the Treasury review on Travel Insurance, the Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries has identified that the main area of concern is the inconsistency of point of sale material provided to prospective purchasers of travel insurance by both regulated and non regulated outlets.

Traveling by Train a Great Alternative to Ease Air Travel Frustration
IgoUgo.com: "2008 'The Summer of the Train'"

1 Cover Travel Insurance: Five Ways to Choose Best Travel Insurance for Your Holiday
Travel insurance is one of those areas that mean nothing to you until you decide to hit the road - or the air - then suddenly every ad is for travel insurance and everywhere you look another company is touting for your business. So how do you choose the best insurance company and the best travel insurance for your unique traveling needs?

TRAMS Expands Product by Adding Squaremouth as First Travel Insurance Comparison Solution for Travel Agents
Squaremouth, a leading online travel insurance comparison site, today announced its technology solution has been added to travel industry software provider TRAMS' product offerings. Travel agents using TRAMS Live Connect will now realize a greater product selection, increased sales, preferred supplier customization features, real time reports, saved customer quotes and more.

CSA Travel Protection Spotlights Travel Insurance, New Passport Rules, Ski Season and Wave Season
CSA Travel Protection encourages consumers to "travel well and travel wisely," and in that spirit, offers up its Consumer TraveList, a periodic roundup of important travel notes and seasonal happenings. Equally important, the Consumer TraveList identifies how travel insurance enhances and safeguards vacations.

Travel Insurance When Pregnant Or Traveling With Children
There was a time when pregnant women would avoid traveling altogether, but these days women don't let pregnancy stop them from going abroad and having fun. Only you can decide whether the pros outweigh the cons when travelling while pregnant or with small children.

Travel Tours And Travel Insurance
If you are thinking of taking a vacation but you are not sure whether to take out travel insurance or not then this article is for you. Here you will find out the reasons why travel insurance is often an essential for every vacation that you take which will hopefully help you to understand whether or not you need it.

SATH Selects Travel Insured International As Its Preferred Travel Insurance Partner
SATH, the Society For Accessible Travel & Hospitality, has named Travel Insured International as its exclusive, preferred partner in providing travel insurance plans to SATH members, guests and partners.

Squaremouth Announces Travel Agency Partner Program for Travel Insurance
Squaremouth announces travel agency partner program for travel insurance. Online travel insurance comparison site offers agencies commission & personalization.

Travel Threats Announces Initiative to Increase Safety and Security Awareness for Students Traveling Overseas
Travel Threats Student International Travel Safety (SITS) Program raises the knowledge level of students travling abroad concerning threats within countries being visited.

Travel Insured International Introduces New Travel Insurance Plans with Stronger Benefits, More Insurance Options
Travel Insured International (www.travelinsured.com), a leading provider of travel protection plans for travelers, has unveiled a new trio of travel insurance plans under the company's popular Worldwide Trip Protector brand. The new plans, with stronger benefits and several new options, include Worldwide Trip Protector, a comprehensive travel insurance plan for broad protection of most travel itineraries, Trip Protector Gold for luxury-minded travelers, and Trip Protector Lite and Lite Expanded for budget conscious travelers.