GREEN GOSSIP


 

Welcome to our new green section! Each month we will be discussing green issues and sharing our plans and achievements with you

Announcements
In response to the growing importance of being green we are launching a new space on our website called The Green Room. The Green Room will be opening very soon and when it arrives you are very welcome to join us! In the Green Room you will be able to keep up to date with what the TAT is doing this year to be more environmentally friendly. We will be sharing our ideas and thoughts on the green debate and bringing you the latest of green happenings in Thailand. So watch this space!

Fair Trade Fortnight started on 26 February 2007 and the two weeks will be dedicated to raising awareness of the initiative which works hard to put the pounds we spend on goods from developing countries back into the pockets of those who produce them.

There are lots of ways you can get involved over the next two weeks, for further information visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

Did you know?
Thailand has its own environmental programme called The Green Leaf Foundation. It was founded in March 1998 by 6 organisations: the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Hotels Association, United Nations Environment Programme, Demand Side Management Office of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Association for the Development of Environmental Quality and Metropolitan Water works Authority. It is a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to the promotion and implementation of environmentally friendly  sustainable tourism.

Happy 9th Birthday Green Leaf!

The Green Leaf Program for Hotels is part of the Green Leaf Foundation and is the first step in the development of environmental quality for the hotel and tourism industry. There are 80 certified Green Leaf hotels throughout Thailand!

Go to Win! for your chance to enter our auction – place your bid to win 7 nights 5* luxury accommodation in Thailand – all proceeds will be donated to the Green Leaf Foundation.

What is ecotourism?
Ecotourism is the buzzword for 2007 and in Thailand, over recent years, it has consistently gained popularity in response to the worldwide trend of being more considerate to, and preserving, the natural environment. Ecotourism is a form of tourism that occurs in a country’s natural areas and integrates the local socio-cultural identity with much consideration to the environment.

Thailand is quite unique to have such an abundance and variety of natural resources which makeup its playground. Thanks to this Thailand has become a favoured destination for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Activities such as mountain biking, white water rafting, trekking and camping, bird watching, scuba diving and rock climbing are all growing in popularity and are available in many natural tourist areas. The most popular activities are trekking, mountain biking, bird watching and scuba diving.

Thailand has many national parks and most are under the safe control of the Royal Forest Department. Most national parks provide trekking trails and campsites for nature explorers, while these are not new tourist interests, they have gained a good reputation as they are better managed.
Essentially, eco-tourism promotes the sustainability of a destination through strict environmental management with the vital aid of all its stakeholders; tourists, locals and businesses alike.