Green Globetrotting Girls
Who care more about the environmental and the social impact of their holiday? According to an ethical online travel directory, women are beginning to lead the way.
Responsible Travel recently reported that over 67% of holidays arranged through their website in 2007 were made by women or so called GGG’s – Green Globetrotting Girls!
Over 33% of the women that booked holidays chose to travel alone, a statistic that sheds some light on a trend towards growing confidence and independence of travel among women. A further 45% were booking holidays for two, perhaps reflecting the fact that women are wearing the trousers when it comes to making greener holiday decisions.
Jane Burton, a newly initiated GGG and physiotherapist from London recently travelled solo to join a cycling trip in Cuba. “I wanted to go away on my own but I didn’t want to lie on a beach for a week and stay at an all-inclusive resort. I wanted to know that my holiday would benefit local people as much as possible and that in the process, I would learn about the real Cuba.”
“The cycling trip I took was terrific. We stayed two nights in casa particulares (homestays with local people) which offered a unique insight into Cuban lives. Also one of our guides was Cuban – he had some incredible stories to tell – and cycling everywhere meant we could visit places that were well off the beaten track. I never thought that going on holiday on your own could be so much fun. I met a brilliant bunch of people from all different walks of life and everyday was an adventure. I have such fond memories of my holiday.”
The statistics were released by Responsible Travel only days before International Women’s Day on the 8th March, heralding the fact that women appear to be at the forefront of taking responsibility for greener holidays for everyone.
Mar 12, 2008
I work for an adventure travel company for women and we offer a variety of active vacations throughout the world. The majority of our clients come on their own, something which I find very brave and inspiring. It’s great to see that this is a growing trend. Check us out!
Mar 17, 2008
Call me an idiot, but how is globetrotting green?
Sure, you can do things to benefit the local people, but you’re still chucking out tons of pollution on your way there and back, and destroying the planet.
I think the planet may be a dot more important than the local community, since it encompasses all communities.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see the world, but not at its expense.
Mar 17, 2008
Oh, and every time you fly, drive, or cruise, you’re making it less likely that the planet will recover.
Every time you just have to nip to Spain for the week, cos your job is getting you down, you’re helping to ensure the destruction of all life on this planet.
Maybe we should stop thinking about what we want, and start looking at the truth – we can have a great time with a group of friends a few miles from home.
We don’t have to shoot off half way around the world to relax.
And we don’t have to drive to the store, just cos our cars are right there, and the store’s all the way around the corner.
Walking will stop you becoming fat and blobby, you’ll have more energy, you’ll save money, and you won’t be adding yet more junk to this already suffering environment.
We don’t have another planet, and when it all goes down the pan thanks to our fuel hungry habits, we’ll all suffer – that includes you.