Luxury Meets Sustainability at Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge with an Organic River Spa and On-Site Hydro Plant

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge, located in the pristine Sierra Barahuco Mountains of the Dominican Republic, offers travelers green luxury with ease. For the first time this innovative property is shedding light on its environmental focus, and the array of eco initiatives that set it apart. From its own hydroelectric generator to community efforts to clean the shore, these green practices are sure to excite the eco-conscious traveler.

Nurturing a symbiotic relationship with the natural environment and local community, Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge shows how the best of creature comforts and sustainable hospitality practices go hand-in-hand.

Eco-friendly initiatives include:

• Hydro Plant – Situated on the Riosito River that runs through the property, the lodge’s own hydroelectric generator supplies the hotel with 30% of its energy. Guests are taken to visit the hydro plant – raising awareness of the viability of renewable energy practices.

• Farm-to-Table Cuisine – With its own organic garden supplying the restaurant with fresh vegetables and herbs, Casa Bonita’s innovative cuisine is the product of the hotel’s commitment to sustainable farm-to-table practices. All produce is sourced locally and fishermen from the town of Barahuco catch the fresh fish daily.

• Tanama Eco Spa – Nestled in the Bahoruco forest, Tanama Eco Spa’s signature treatment is performed in the river for an all-encompassing natural experience that exemplifies the hotel’s environmental connection. The spa’s products are all locally sourced featuring ingredients such as organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and native stones, without the addition of chemicals or pesticides.

• Partnership with FEDOSURF — Casa Bonita has partnered with The Dominican Federation of Surf (FEDOSURF) to restore the beautiful beachfront of Barahona Bahoruco. In addition to working alongside locals to restore the shore, the initiative will provide training for the native surfers in ecosystem management and conservation practices.

• UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is adjacent to Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, the only UNESCO Biosphere reserve in the Dominican Republic. Offering guest’s excursions to the natural wonder, the hotel works to build awareness and celebrate the regions astounding biodiversity.

• Community Outreach – Guests can take part in community efforts to transform the small local shops that sell jewelry made from the Dominican Republic’s indigenous stone, Larimar. Working with the locals, guests can participate in the upkeep, spending an afternoon painting and refurbishing storefronts, while also learning how the native Larimar is worked.

Located in the Dominican Republic’s unspoiled southwestern Barahuco Mountains, the 12-cabaña Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge offers green luxury with ease for the eco-conscious traveler.

Situated on 160 acres of pristine wilderness, Casa Bonita features its own electricity-producing hydro plant, a signature, organic river spa, farm-to-table cuisine, and opportunities to partake in local sustainability initiatives.

For further information visit www.casabonitadr.com or call 800-961-5133.

For more travel features, visit:

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Vail Cascade Resort marks Earth Day with renewed focus on sustainability

Vail, Colorado in summer offers opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. Vail Cascade Resort is committed to sustainable travel © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The Vail Cascade Resort recognizes Earth Day on Friday, April 22 with a renewed focus on protecting the environment, fostering education regarding environmentally friendly actions and recognizing leaders within the resort who support sustainable living practices.  In celebration of Earth Day, associates have the opportunity to participate in “green initiatives” such as flower and herb garden planting on property, highway and river clean-ups, and encouragement to carpool, walk or ride a bike to work.

Additionally, Vail Cascade Resort general manager Brett Schoenfield has issued the following proclamation:

“Over the past three years, the Vail Cascade Resort has adopted the Destination Earth program with the knowledge that the resort’s customers and associates all benefit from a healthy, sustainable environment.   The property has a designated ‘green team’ onsite and has made a commitment to pursuing the following ideals:

• Sourcing environmentally responsible services and products locally, and purchasing organic, Earth-friendly and recycled supplies whenever possible.
• Purchasing fresh and sustainable foods locally grown, whenever possible.
• Creating partnerships with other organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to preserving the environment.
• Encouraging associates to apply eco-friendly practices in their daily operations.

Schoenfield concluded by stating, “At Vail Cascade Resort, we acknowledge that the Earth’s environment needs our genuine protection and care, and on the upcoming celebration of Earth Day this Friday, we proclaim our continued dedication to the Destination Earth program.”

Vail Cascade Resort was also awarded a “5 Green Keys” designation from Green Key Global, an organization that specifically recognizes eco-responsibility in the lodging and hospitality sector.  A statement regarding the award from Green Key Global noted that the Vail Cascade “is a hotel that exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of operations.  The hotel employs cutting-edge technologies, policies and programs which set an international standard for sustainable hotel operations.”

For more information on Destination Earth, visit www.destinationhotels.com/green-hotels-resorts/.  Green Key Global information is located at www.greenkeyglobal.com. Reservations and more information about Vail Cascade can be found at www.vailcascade.com, or by calling 1-800-420-2424.

Resort Specials:

Summer and autumn in Vail?  You have to see it to believe it, especially with these great rate.  Plus, the longer you stay the more you save and play:

• Stay 1-3 nights, receive 15% off
• Stay 4 nights, receive 20% off
• Stay 5 or more nights, receive 25% off

Book now through November 17, 2011 by calling 1-800-420-2424 and refer to promo code vctaymorew1

SANDOS CARACOL ECO RESORT & SPA BECOMES MOST ECO-FRIENDLY HOTEL IN RIVIERA MAYA

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa (www.Sandos.com), Mexico has just opened its eco-chic ocean view accommodations and facilities, making it the most sustainable hotel in the Riviera Maya region.

RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico (April 1, 2011) –

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa (www.Sandos.com), Mexico has just opened its eco-chic ocean view accommodations and facilities, making it the most sustainable hotel in the region.  A variety of environmental preservation programs, educational eco-tourism activities for guests and the new eco rooms combine to make Sandos Caracol one of the most eco-friendly hotels in the world.

Upgrading a total of 99 rooms, while maintaining the resort’s ecological standard of reducing CO2 emissions by 70%, Sandos Caracol incorporated new modern architectural designs for a more contemporary look.  In terms of sustainability, each room has an air conditioning system with low power consumption, a solar system to heat the water to eliminate using gas, an Internal lighting system based on energy-efficient LED and in-room water coolers to reduce the use of plastic water bottles.  Additionally, there is a new recycling system in place for waste water.

For more information, visit http://www.Sandos.com.

See our stories,

‘AUTHENTIC’: MEXICO’S RIVIERA MAYA IS BEACH DESTINATION WITH CHARACTER

and

SACRED MAYAN JOURNEY BRIDGES TIME ON MEXICO’S RIVIERA MAYA

Students Worldwide to ‘Fly Ideas’ for Greener Flight, €30,000 Prize in Airbus Competition

University students worldwide can shape the future of flight and win €30,000 (about $44,000) in a global competition launched today by Airbus at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.

The Airbus Fly Your Ideas (FYI) competition challenges students worldwide to develop new ideas for a greener aviation industry. The biennial contest involves three progressively challenging rounds judged by a panel of Airbus and industry experts. It concludes with a final at next summer’s International Paris Airshow – Le Bourget, France. The winners will share the top prize of € 30,000; the runners-up €15,000 (about $22,000).

Announcing the launch of FYI 2011, Charles Champion, Airbus Executive Vice President Engineering and FYI patron, said: “Fly Your Ideas is a unique opportunity for students to be part of Airbus’ vision for an eco-efficient aviation industry of the future. The competition is designed to stimulate ideas for both a more connected and sustainable world. It also enables Airbus to engage with students and research teams to identify R&T opportunities to balance the increased demand for air travel with a better environment.”

Students of any age, nationality, gender or discipline – from engineering to marketing; business to science; philosophy to design – are invited to take part. Proposals are welcome on all aspects of the ‘Environmental Life Cycle’ – an innovative approach Airbus uses to improve the environmental performance of an aircraft and its production process. It consists of five stages: design; supply chain; manufacturing; aircraft operations and aircraft end-of-life.

FYI 2011 follows the success of the inaugural contest launched in October 2008. Some 2,350 students from over 80 countries took part with the multinational team COz from the University of Queensland, Australia, judged eventual winners at Le Bourget 2009. Their project focused on the use of a pioneering natural fibre composite – made from castor plants – in aircraft cabins.

Benjamin Lindenberger (27), who was part of the FYI 2009 winning team “COz”, added: “Winning the FYI challenge 2009 was a great experience. But the opportunity to work with Airbus experts, gain industry insight and develop transferable skills was just as valuable.”

To enter FYI 2011 students must register as a team of three to five members on the competition website by 30 November 2010. For further information and to register visit: www.airbus-fyi.com

Registration closes November 30, 2010. Project proposals must be submitted by December 10, 2010. Those shortlisted for Round 2 will develop their ideas into more detailed submissions with support from Airbus staff. Five finalist teams will win a VIP trip to Paris in June 2011 and make presentations to an independent jury – including industry experts – who will announce their decision at the FYI 2011 awards ceremony.