Travel

3 Companies that Protect the Environment while You Travel

September 27, 2016 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

It doesn’t make much sense for companies that profit from helping people travel the world to neglect that world in the process. A few companies in the travel industry understand that they owe a debt to the planet and try to give it respect it deserves. Companies like JetBlue, Southwest, and Park ‘N Fly are among the best at also protecting the environment while getting you to your destination.

Image via Flickr by eastleighbusman

JetBlue

JetBlue has shared detailed information on its social and environmental impact every year since 2006. In its 2015 report, JetBlue devotes an entire section to its environmental sustainability efforts. The company acknowledges how much its affordable flights depend on natural resources and the beauty of the earth, which is why the company takes a proactive approach to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint by minimizing pollution and waste.

To evaluate that footprint, JetBlue looks at its emissions footprint in revenue ton miles (RTM), which is a common environmental metric in the airline industry. This number reflects the weight in tons of cargo and customers carried multiplied by the number of miles flown. The company compared the metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted per 1,000 RTM. Since 2009, JetBlue has shrunk this ratio, also known as the Scope 1 emissions intensity ratio, by 3.7 percent.

The company has also incorporated recycling into virtually every aspect of its business. For example, since 2013, JetBlue’s recycling tracking system estimates that the company has recycled more than 60 million bottles and cans. Similarly, JetBlue donated the 110,000 pounds of food waste that it collected from JFK airport in 2015 to an upstate New York farm for conversion to organic compost.

Park ‘N Fly

Park ‘N Fly’s business concept helps protect the environment by offering travelers off-airport parking. Rather than having to ask someone to make two trips to drop them off and pick them up, travelers can park in a conveniently located lot and share a shuttle to their destination gate.

Park ‘N Fly has also created a foundation of the same name devoted to natural disaster preparedness and relief. The company is also a subsidiary of BCD Travel, which earned the top Corporate Social Responsibility rating in 2016 largely due to its environmental sustainability efforts.

Southwest Airlines

In an effort to maximize efficiency, Southwest has developed an independent climate change strategy in addition to its standard business strategies. In 2014, the airline signed a contract to purchase 3 million gallons of low-carbon, renewable jet fuel each year from Red Rock Biofuels. Red Rock refines the fuel from the residues of Oregon’s forests.

The company has also managed to boost its RTM efficiency by 29 percent since 2005. Additionally, the company maintains a commitment to local sourcing to reduce transportation costs, receiving 39 percent of its construction materials from sources within 500 miles of the site.

Without a beautiful planet to explore, the travel industry won’t experience much demand. These three companies have incorporated that principle in their ongoing efforts to respect and reinvigorate the environment.

Ideal Vacation Holiday Destinations for the Whole Family

May 23, 2014 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

This is a partnered post…

A family holiday is the perfect way to relax and unwind away from the pressures of the modern rat-race. All inclusive family holidays are becoming more prevalent nowadays because of the number of people who want to bond with those who are dear to them and enjoy quality time with each other.

Why choose an all-inclusive deal?

Taking your family away on holiday can be an expensive business. Not only do you have to think about the flights, accommodation and meals, but extras such as drinks or children’s activities, can rack up the cost alarmingly quickly. You don’t want the hassle of counting your pennies every time the kids want a drink, so an all-inclusive deal gives you the peace of mind of knowing exactly how much your holiday will cost.

Holidays in Africa

There are many destinations in Africa which are ideal for families. For example, an all-inclusive holiday in The Gambia guarantees unbroken sunshine and glorious temperatures. Only six hours flying time away, and with no jet lag to worry about, Gambia has beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels, and plenty of interesting excursions to offer.

Holidays in Brazil

A holiday in Brazil is an unforgettable experience. The modern city of Rio de Janeiro has the iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches to enjoy. For a more traditional feel, Salvador boasts colonial architecture, as well as stunning beaches. And of course, the natural beauty of the untamed jungle, with its breathtaking hosts of wildlife, is sure to delight any family.

Holidays in The Caribbean

With sun-kissed tropical beaches and crystal-clear seas, the the Caribbean is a matchless family destination. Luxury hotels offer wonderful facilities including pools with panoramic views, water parks, kids clubs and much more. Sports activities, cocktail bars, and buzzing nightly entertainment are all provided, so you can be sure that adults and children alike will have a fantastic time.

Holidays in Costa Rica

With all-inclusive deals to suit every budget, Costa Rica is the ideal spot for families wanting sun, sea and sand. Surrounded by a unique volcanic landscape as well as tropical rainforest, this is a great choice if you are looking for somewhere a little unusual. With all the facilities you would expect from family hotels Costa Rica is hard to beat.

So if you are looking to build a store of family memories, why not opt for an all-inclusive holiday that your family will remember for years to come?

Family Holidays in Paradise

July 2, 2013 by Painter Mommy 2 Comments

There is so much to love about holidays to Goa, especially when you’re traveling with the family. Naturally, most visitors choose to stay by the beach and soak up the sun on Goa’s glorious exotic beaches, which gives you the chance to kick back and live life in the slow lane. Of course that doesn’t always work when you’ve got the kids in tow, but fear not – once they’ve tired of building sandcastles or splashing in the shallows, there are plenty of other ways to keep them entertained.

Based on India’s beautiful west coast, Goa is a simply stunning part of the world that’s enriched with culture and alive with a fascinating heritage. You’ll find a distinctive Portuguese flavour in this area of India that stemmed from old colonies based here – you’ll find it in everything from the local architecture to the cuisine, which is a tasty blend of Portuguese fare and spicy Indian creations. And if the kids aren’t too keen on trying new tastes, there are always alternatives available – many of which cater to British tastes!

In Old Goa you’ll discover a truly authentic version of this holiday paradise which is worlds away from the holiday resorts near the coast, however this is a trip best reserved for the grown-ups as the kids could get bored. If that’s the case, you can always book into a family hotel and let them while away a few hours in the local kids’ club while you wander off to discover the ‘real’ Goa.

A great way to entertain the kids outside of the hotel and the resort is to head off to explore some of Goa’s natural wonders. Visit the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, take a tour along Goa’s winding river to see animals in their natural habitat, or head off to the stunning Dudhsagar Waterfalls in the middle of the jungle, where the kids can splash about in pristine waters and enjoy the spectacle of these magnificent crashing falls.

It might not be the most obvious place for a family holiday, but that’s exactly why holidays in Goa are so special. When will you treat the kids to a holiday in paradise?

5 Trips to Take the Kids on Before They Grow Up

March 31, 2012 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

There is a certain age that all children suddenly turn into the too-cool-for-mom pre-teen. The groans, the eye rolling, mass food consumption and the yearning to be anywhere their parents aren’t is something all parents dread. So before they turn into these monsters, take them on a family trip that will produce the much deserved hugs and ‘oohhs’ and ‘ahhhs’:

Disney World: A place where a child’s wild imagination can run free! Disney World is a must for any child under the age of 12. There are plenty of rides, tours, excursions and yummy foods to do. Watch your child’s eyes grow big with wonderment as they meet their favorite princess or prince. Disney World is always offering great family package prices, so start looking online now!

The Grand Canyon: Hit up one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and spend your time exploring the 227-mile-long, 5,000-foot-deep Arizona canyon. And don’t forget to head over to the Hoover Dam to see the impressive 726-foot-tall man made dam.

Statue of Liberty: Take the children on a boat ride on the Circle Line to heaver over and see the popular Lady Liberty in all her glory. Then hike up 10 floors to the observatory deck and finish by visiting the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. A great history lesson to your children about America’s quest for freedom.

Navarre Beach, Florida: A perfect place to wet their toes and build sandcastles! This kid-friendly beach is Florida’s best kept secret. The sands are clean and white and the water a beautiful clear aqua color. This beach is tucked away between Pensacola and Destin and provides a great beach experience for younger kiddos. It almost feels like a private beach!

Mount Rushmore: One of the coolest manmade wonders of the world that your children will go nuts over. Four former presidents faces stand over 60 feet tall to represent the first 150 years of American’s history. It took approximately 400 men, 14 years to finish the carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Book your next flight and plan your next road trip before your kiddos get to ‘cool’ and too ‘old’ for fun family trips like these. Pack your sunscreen, camera and prepare to make many favorite childhood memories! Happy and safe travels!

Guest post author Jenny Ellis is a freelance writer, and a regular contributor for aupair care.