"Go explore ..."

So many travellers are forced to think about the ramifications of the most simplest of trips in a modern society that regularly uses such buzzwords as "sustainability" or "eco" as a method of questioning weather or not this trip is necessary in the first place...

So what to do? Fortunately a new report from Ethical Traveler helps to smooth the way by showing the 10 best developing places to go that are best protecting their natural environments, promoting responsible travel, and building a tourism industry which provides real benefits to local communities. ...

They say "Are you the kind of traveler who wants to have a great time AND feel good about where your travel budget is going?..."

"In drafting our report, we use scores of information sources - including publicly available data - to rate each country's genuine commitment to environmental protection, social welfare, and human rights," said Christy Hoover, co-author of the report. "Data sources include the United Nations Development Program, Human Rights Watch, Columbia University, Reporters Without Borders, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and many others. Private interviews with NGO leaders are part of the process, as well."

So, to help you sleep at night instead of worrying too much, visit http://www.eturbonews.com/13108/new-report-helps-travelers-plan-ethical-vacations for more information.

Barticus.

"And stay out...."

The European Commission has published it's twelfth update of the Community’s list of airlines banned in the European Union which comprises those of three additional countries following safety deficiencies highlighted by audits. With this update the ban imposed upon three airlines is lifted and one airline is allowed to resume operations under conditions given satisfactory improvements in safety...

With this update three carriers licensed in Ukraine have been removed from the list: Ukraine Cargo Airways and Volare have both lost their Air Operator Certificates; following the receipt of certain information from the Ukrainian authorities, the carrier Motor Sich is also removed from the list. A fourth carrier, Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines is allowed to resume operations with one aircraft. This is the result of a successful visit lead by the European Aviation Safety Agency with the participation of two Member States in Ukraine to verify improvements achieved by the companies...

In the same vein, the significant progress made by the civil aviation authority of Angola and the air carrier TAAG Angola Airlines to resolve progressively any safety deficiencies are recognised. TAAG is therefore allowed to increase the number of aircraft it uses for its flights to Portugal...

The Community’s list has five individual carriers whose operations are fully banned in the European Union – Air Koryo from the Democratic People Republic of Korea, Air West from Sudan, Ariana Afghan Airlines from Afghanistan, Siem Reap Airways International from Cambodia and Silverback Cargo Freighters from Rwanda...

For more news of how this is aiming to control the airways in European skies, please follow http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/34381-Commission-updates-the-list-of-airlines-banned-from-the-European-airspace

Barticus.

"It's good to be green..."

With people now starting to run scared from the ecological results of their family vacations, it is good to see guidance as to the options available within the "Green" marketplace...

In this article, Richard Hammond, travel editor of National Geographic's new "Green" supplement, recommends five eco-friendly trips for the new year...

From city breaks with rail and ride holidays in Amsterdam, to the idyllic countryside setting of tree houses in Italy, this article shows how it is possible for even the most green conscious of us to have a good holiday...

Read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/nov/27/green-short-breaks-2010

Barticus.

"Cut it out..."

This follows the news of the Eurocontrol and ACI Europe joint programme of reducing CO2 emission, and the growing support within the Airport sector of the tourism industry...

Eurocontrol and ACI Europe’s collaboration to increase operational efficiencies at European airports is already making progress with more than 30 airports so far engaged in the programme. Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM), directly links airports into the Air Traffic Management network and gives users access to a range of operational data allowing them to make their operations more efficient. Successful implementation leads to significant reduction in CO2 emissions, which in turn helps airlines save fuel..

David McMillan, Director General of Eurocontrol said “The environmental balance has clearly tipped from awareness and acknowledgement to concrete actions resulting in a willingness to adopt substantive changes to operational procedures. A-CDM and other initiatives such as continuous descent approaches are good examples of what can be achieved when a number of stakeholders work together in partnership..."

This is good news for the ecologically aware, and we hope that this goes further, taking in the rest of the airports in Europe, thus setting a standard for the world to follow...

Follow more at http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/34311-Eurocontrol-and-ACI-Europe-joint-programme-of-reducing-CO2-emissions

Barticus.

"How big is too big?..."

This follows the introduction of the newest "Super Cruiser," "The Oasis of the Seas" that is preparing to enter service in the Atlantic...

It is not yet carrying any paying passengers but when it goes into service next month, it will carry 6,300 of them, as well as its 2,100 crew...

To keep them busy, the ship has a 750-seat outdoor amphitheatre, an ice rink, golf course, an indoor theatre seating 1,300 people, volleyball and basketball courts, and several swimming pools....

Its manufacturers claim it will be the "most environmentally friendly cruise ship to date", discharging no sewage into the sea, reusing its waste water and consuming 25 per cent less power than similar, but smaller, cruise liners....

No sewage and reusing waste water? Sounds scary to me. But what of other implications. What of the effects on wildlife and terrains as it passes. But more importantly to the travelling fraternity, who really NEEDS to travel in a floating city? It is certainly beyond me...

For more on the news of this amphibious monster, please follow http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/6484930/Worlds-largest-cruise-ship-to-enter-Atlantic.html

Barticus.