ELITE TRAVEL TRENDS
ELITE TRAVEL TRENDS ECOTOURISM VIRTUOSO LAUNCHES SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT Virtuoso convened its first sustainability summit in Las Vegas during Travel Week, at which, among other things, Fairmont released its first “green guide for running hotels”, in tune with the UN Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. We asked Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch what Virtuoso is doing to advance the cause… “About eight years ago, we hired Costas Christ – one of the fathers of green travel – and now he’s almost full time with us. In the early days of the green travel revolution, it was all about certification, and the whole certification thing has been pretty much a train wreck. In most cases, these schemes have been very confusing and not very effective. Within the Virtuoso network, there are some of the most extraordinary examples of sustainability. Take the Brando for example, literally a zero-carbon footprint, zero fossil fuel resort. We felt that our #1 responsibility at Virtuoso was to shine a spotlight on the things our partners were already doing. Another very interesting thing is that when it comes to millennials, you have to be very careful how you address this, because millennials in particular will say ‘Please don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back’ for doing something you should actually be doing in the first place”
Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #36 2017 Autumn Edition 23 THE BIOROCK PROGRAMME TOWARDS THE RESTORATION OF CORAL THE “TESLA OF THE SEA” SAILS THE ISLANDS OF TAHITI It takes passionate people and visionaries to produce something like this. The first solar-electric powered catamaran, Soel Cat 12 by Soel Yachts has been introduced under the name Okeanos Pearl. Built in New Zealand on an initiative from Okeanos Transport Tahiti, the Okeanos Pearl might be termed the “Tesla of the sea”! The SoelCat 12 is a trailblazing energy autonomous solar electric catamaran, bringing true eco-tourism to waterbound resorts, lagoons, nature reserves and reefs. It is integrally designed for electric propulsion right from the first lines drawing to the matched propeller. Every aspect of the vessel contributes towards highly efficient solar electric sailing. and range. The electric catamaran can even be used as a mobile AC power station with 15kVA of AC inverter power. After re-assembly in Raiatea (the catamaran was shipped from New Zealand in 2 shipping containers), this beautiful baby made its first Raiatea to Bora Bora crossing this summer. The Mayor of Bora Bora, Gaston Tong Sang was there to greet the catamaran and the team. Pearl Resorts of Tahiti were the first to say “yes” to the project and embark on the adventure with the Okeanos Foundation and Soel Yachts. As a locally-owned hotel group, promoting sustainable tourism and a better future for the islands matters. Since last year, Le Taha’a, in French Polynesia, has joined the Biorock programme to help with coral restoration and preservation in the area. The resort has one of the most amazing coral gardens right at its doorstep and guests have been enjoying this underwater wonderland for some time. In order to help preserve and protect this beautiful natural environment, Espace Bleu and Le Taha’a have joined forces. A small non-obligatory fee added to the check-out invoices helps with this endeavour. Evidently, most clients opt to assist! Snorkeling, Bora Bora The lightweight yet tough and durable fiberglass construction, the large solar roof and the slender hulls are the major key factors for the solar vessel’s high performance when it comes to speed The Okeanos Pearl will be used for sunset cruises and private tours. The team has been finalising the tests in the lagoon of Bora Bora and working on rates and tours details. Stay tuned! SMARTreport Commercial Content
