Solar powered Resort opens at the Roof of the World

Posted on November 21, 2010 by quest

Lhasa known as the“Place of the Gods” by ancient Tibetans is now home to a 150 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and 12 spacious villas and suites. The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is blending Tibet’s rich culture and exotic natural surroundings with sustainable features including solar panels, locally-sourced produce and herbs for the resort’s restaurants and an underground water recycling system. Guest accommodations feature beautiful residential interiors, custom-designed furniture and spacious marble bathrooms in addition to luxurious linens and amenities such as high-speed internet and plasma televisions in room. “Lhasa is one of the most intriguing and beautiful cities in the world,” said Magdy Anis, General Manager of The St. Regis Lhasa Resort. “We are honored to be opening Tibet’s first luxury resort, offering global St. Regis guests the opportunity to experience Tibet’s mysterious traditions and stunning beauty while enjoying St. Regis signature amenities and services.”

The resort boasts awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas and the Lhasa Valley. St. Regis will also premiere its new spa brand, the Iridium Spa at The St. Regis Lhasa Resort and an array of epicurean taste and experiences in a variety of culturally designed settings.The St. Regis Lhasa Resort will present the first wine bar in the region serving over 140 labels of wine, liquors and aged cigars. Also the first of its kind, the Tea Room will offer guests a relaxing afternoon with different blends of local and imported teas, and serving vintage teas aged from 10-25 years.

The first St. Regis was opened in New York City over a century ago is owned by Starwood Hotels a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences around the world.

DEEP TIBETAN MEDITATION MUSIC

ECO FRIENDS SHOP

Ecotourism making a difference

Posted on November 21, 2010 by quest

From Toronto Bruce Poon Tip founder of Gap Adventures and Planeterra announced today the appointment of Megan Epler Wood as Director of Planeterra, a global non-profit dedicated to sustainable community development through travel and voluntourism. Epler Wood will share duties with newly named Associate Director Paula Vlamings. A pioneer in the field of sustainable travel and founder and past-president of the The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Epler Wood has devoted her life to helping governments, travelers, and businesses throughout the world understand how tourism can be a tool to conserve threatened natural areas and help alleviate poverty. Epler Wood has increasingly focused on the economics of tourism as a tactic to combat poverty, demonstrating how tourist dollars can help countries to ethically and sustainably develop even in the most challenging circumstances.

In making the appointment Bruce Tip Poon said, “I have known Megan for many years and have such deep respect for her and for her commitment and leadership in defining and building on her vision for sustainable travel. She is the best person on Earth to lead Planeterra and expand its programs’ influence,”

Founded by Poon Tip in 2003, Planeterra evolved from adventure travel leader Gap Adventures’ commitment to give back to the people and places its travelers visit. The organization supports projects throughout the world in health, education, and community development and arranges sustainable voluntour travel programs.

SEEK PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Royal Caribbeans’ Ocean Fund Wins World Travel Award

Posted on November 12, 2010 by quest

Royal Caribbean Cruises along with the museum for African Art and The Travel Foundation have won recognition from the World Travel Market. Staged annually in London, World Travel Market is is a vibrant four-day event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to International travel professionals. The award was given to Royal Caribbean Cruises for establishing the Ocean Fund. The Ocean Fund has awarded over $11 million in annual grants supporting nonprofit marine conservation organizations in protecting the world’s oceans through research, education and development of innovative technologies. From London

NatureWorks and Climate Action show how to cut Carbon Footprints

NatureWorks will partner with Climate Action to develop a series of activities based on the theme of “Innovative, Sustainable Product Development for Everyday Use.” Their goal is to share how every individual and company can do something tangible for the environment. An innovation gallery of commercially available, low carbon footprint Ingeo products produced by key international consumer brands will be on display at the Climate Action launch reception Dec. 3, 2010. Nature Works biopolymers (fibers) are made from plants, not oil. From MINNETONKA

QUESTPOINT GOES MOBILE

Recycling organically

Posted on November 11, 2010 by quest

Organic

is one of those words that gets used so much you might just forget what it really means…. simple and healthful and close to nature, “an organic lifestyle.” And recycling? To use again in the original form or with minimal alteration: So that’s it! Core values on going green. Reusing what it close to nature with minimal alteration. Seems that’s what Recycling.com and OrganicAuthority.com are doing with a new partnership they’ve created. An online resource that provides a wide range of information while educating the public about the benefits of buying and choosing organic produce, meats, and products, while promoting sustainable living and an organic lifestyle. From Los Angeles

VANCOUVER: ECO FASHION

PlanetSolar on world tour heading for Miami

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

After a four days stopover, the largest solar powered boat, PlanetSolar left Las Palmas. After its stay on the Canary Islands the solar catamaran continues its transatlantic crossing, setting course for Miami. The boat is expected in Miami by end of November / beginning of December. For the 1st solar boat expedition has commenced and the longest leg since the start in Monaco at the end of September. The goal of the PlanetSolar is to circumnavigate the globe driven exclusively by solar energy.

The current routing around the globe (subject to suitable weather and nautical conditions) foresees stopovers in Miami, Cancun, San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and returning to Monaco. The project PlanetSolar will inform the public about the importance of sustainability and
renewable energies. PlanetSolar has already made technological developments possible in many fields such as the production of composite materials and structures, and also the production and storage of solar energy (or electricity). Each stage in the project and each day that PlanetSolar sails will enable science to progress. At the heart of this project is the conservation of our planet by the promotion of solar energy, energy efficiency and eco-mobility. This is a great occasion to advance knowledge and to inform and make the general public aware of the importance of renewable energy

Planet Solar has an impressive group of supporters such as IMMOSOLAR, Candino Swiss Watch, SunPower and Jean Verne, Great-Grandson of the writer, Jules Verne who writes, ” In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industries, financiers and scholars who are working together on an “extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds,” I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking the unthinkable question of its own survival. A special thanks to my Great-Grandfather Jules Verne who has given the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and who has inspired such an exciting, valuable project.”

The leading-edge solar catamaran (without flaps) boosts 31m in length, 16m in width, and approximately 540 square meters of solar panels as the solar generator. The specially developed energy storage should permit the boat to move for approximately 3 days and nights without sunlight. The MS
TÛRANOR PlanetSolar was designed by the extraordinary designer and constructor Craig Loomes and his company LOMOcean (New Zealand). It has been built by high-performance yacht builder Knierim, based in Kiel (Germany). The boat is navigating under Swiss flag.

PLANETSOLAR ON WORLD TOUR

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Colin Powell to Give Keynote at Green Conference

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

Former Secretary of State and retired Gen. Colin L. Powell will give the keynote address at the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo being held Nov.17-19, 2010, in Chicago, Ill. The Greenbuild International Conference & Expo is sponsored by Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council that is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With its 80 nationwide affiliates, 16,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. General Powell will deliver the keynote address. Greenbuild 2010 will feature an array of inspiring speakers and more than 100 education sessions and the world’s largest exhibit hall devoted to green building with over 900 exhibiting companies with over 1,800 booths showcasing the latest in innovative, cutting-edge products and services. “General Powell has made another career of sharing his lessons of leadership.” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC. “His keen insights and global perspective are especially relevant to our movement in these times of great challenge and change. He exemplifies that leadership is about more than a title: It’s about taking charge during times of great crisis.” As a sign of General Powell’s wide-ranging leadership and the powerful message he will bring as Greenbuild’s opening keynote speaker, a LEED Platinum affordable housing building in his childhood neighborhood bears his name. The General Colin L. Powell Apartments in the South Bronx, N.Y., is a cutting-edge 50-unit multifamily project resulting from a partnership between Habitat for Humanity-New York City and Blue Sea Development. General Powell participated in the LEED certification ceremony.