Eco Tourism Handbook - have you seen it?

[Gra Curran]

Has anyone seen a copy of the ecotourism handbook? It’s a book compiled by Failte Ireland & Green box to help take the fear out of ecotourism for all tourism providers. But some of the information could be used by domestic households.

It would be interesting to hear the opinions of other people on the book. I certainly felt that there were some very useful tips on how to become greener in an easy way however as a consumer/guest I would draw the line at certain suggestions – like the nappy issue…..

Or the no television issue – I’m not convinced – I do agree that guests could be made more aware of the carbon impacts of leaving a TV on standby and although I don’t watch a lot of telly it’s good to have the choice and replacing the TV with an ipod or DVD just doesn’t do it for me….

This handbook really is worth looking at. There is loads of really really useful information and websites in it and lots of tips of how to become greener by changing things a little. Click into this link http://www.failteireland.ie/Research---Policy/Policy-Analysis/Environment (http://www.failteireland.ie/Research---Policy/Policy-Analysis/Environment)to download a copy of it.

Let us know what you think?

[Virginian]

Plenty of bedtime reading there alright, Eco tourism is not at all daunting if the CoCo's were to lead by example and carry out their own programme for litter management, sweep the streets regularly and empty litter bins more often. There is nothing more unsightly than to see crows picking the rubbish out of overflowing litter bins.

[Gra Curran]

Virginian

This (Litter) seems to be a big issue at the moment, with the crowds being drawn to the public places in this good weather, especially on our beaches. Joe Duffy covered it yesterday on his show and I heard a piece on Morning Ireland this morning.

Some of the Coco's are saying that litter is the responsibility of the individual - which I agree with - but in an ideal world everyone would take this responsibiltiy seriously!! Unfortunately this is not an ideal world.

Will this litter problem prohibit some of our beaches getting blue flag status?

[Virginian]

I think that the notion of people being responsible for their own litter is the same as saying that every piece of litter has a owner. The trouble is that some folks do not take responsibility for anything that they own including their children.
In Virginia for example most of the litter that is lying around the streets over a weekend comes from the takeaways and where the empties and leftovers may be put into litter bins by those responsible, the crows will then dig it out again and scatter it all about them.
My argument is that if the bins are of a suitable type to prevent the birds from pulling out the rubbish and that they were of a suitable size it would make life far more comfortable for everyone, including the CoCo.;)

[Gra Curran]

Thank you to Margaret who emailed us from Bavaria having read the post on Talktourism regarding the Ecotourism handbook . She has kindly given us a link to the Environmental policy they adhere to in their self catering accommodation in Bavaria.

http://www.bavarian-forest-holidays.com/environment-policy.php

Although they have spent a lot of money insulating, glazing and putting in solar panels into the accommodation Margaret also offers some simple tips and advice on how to become that bit greener. I particularly like her tip about washing fruit and vegetables over a bowl and use the collected water to water the window boxes!

Margaret I also had a quick look around the rest of your website and I think it’s a really good, practical site. I love the idea that you have comments previous guests made on trip advisor on the right hand side of your screen and that you have a really easy to read (even for me) floor plan of each house/apartment. You have included a section for children under “things to do” and “facilities” which is always a great help for parents.

This site is well worth looking at!
Grainne

[Virginian]

I used to visit Bavaria when I had dealings with a company near Deggandorf, close to the border with then Czechoslovakia. Then the environmental problems were from acid rain, so it is easy to see where the green culture comes from. Apart from that the winters are much colder in Bavaria and the summers are warmer and dryer, so insulation and solar panels are more for practical and sensible energy saving reasons. I too always admired the German thriftiness, whereby saving water is just another example of how they tend to put everything to good use.
Wait till domestic water charges come in here and you will see more people storing their rain water, particularly as more people begin to grow their own vegetbles. It makes perfect sense to me and anyway rain water without the addition of chemicals is far better for plant life than the stuff that comes out of the tap.:D

[Vito Niraj]

I used to visit Bavaria when i had dealings with a company near Deggandorf, close to the border with then Czechoslovakia.Then the environmental problems were from acid rain, so it is easy to see where the green culture comes from. Apart from that the winters are much colder in Bavaria and the summers are warmer and dryer, so insulation and solar panels are more for practical and sensible energy saving reasons.

[threeland]

I'm downloading this book.

[reiselaender]

I think that the notion of people being responsible for their own litter is the same as saying that every piece of litter has a owner. The trouble is that some folks do not take responsibility for anything that they own including their children.
In Virginia for example most of the litter that is lying around the streets over a weekend comes from the takeaways and where the empties and leftovers may be put into litter bins by those responsible, the crows will then dig it out again and scatter it all about them.
My argument is that if the bins are of a suitable type to prevent the birds from pulling out the rubbish and that they were of a suitable size it would make life far more comfortable for everyone, including the CoCo.;)
+-
++

Absolutely right. Each person should be held responsible for his/her own litter. Like whenever there are no trash bins around, temporarily put wrappers inside your bag, then later on throw it out in a trash bin in your house. Simple way of showing that you care for the environment.

[smith47]

Hello Friends,
Eco Tourism Handbook first of all provide the Clean Breaks unearths 500 unique experiences and new ways to travel that make a real difference to the lives of local people and the planet. Discover a wealth of new adventures from sleeping in houseboats in Kerala and witnessing the zebra migration in Botswana to taking the train-hotel from Paris to Madrid. Whether you fancy living like a local in a tipi with Native American Indians, riding with cowboys in Venezuela or staying in a bunkhouse barn in the Brecon Beacons, this guide is packed with the how, where and when to plan your next extraordinary experience.make your next trip a Clean Break.
Thanks.