We are taught in life that taking responsibility for our actions is always the right thing to do. In this post I’ll use Victoria’s Inn at Laurel Point as a fine example of leadership within the tourism industry in doing just that.

Recently, one of Victoria’s finest resorts announced that they are now British Columbia’s only Carbon-Neutral Property. This is wonderful news, and not just for Victoria! Before I list a bunch of reasons why this is a huge step in the right direction, you may be wondering what exactly does this mean?

Well, after some investigative internet research I have learned that declaring oneself as Carbon-Neutral is NOT just buying one’s way out of polluting the environment, nor is it just a slick marketing tactic. It’s a commitment. In fact, it is first and foremost, the responsible way to acknowledge that there are certain environmental impacts that cannot be avoided while conducting a business.

Let’s talk about Offsetters (this is the company that the Inn at Laurel Point has partnered with in order to declare themselves as Carbon Neutral). As referenced on www.offsetters.ca, “Offsetters helps individuals and companies understand, reduce, track, and offset their climate impact – in that order”.

First, Offsetters and the Inn at Laurel Point work together to determine the property’s carbon footprint (ie: the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by their business). Using an Offset Calculator of sorts, a dollar figure is then determined (in this case, 500 tonnes annually at $20 per tonne = $10,000) and the Inn at Laurel Point invests this dollar figure into Offsetters. I’d also just like to add that you can bet your bottom dollar that the number of annual visitors to the resort was considered in the process… thus every visitor to their resort is participating in this initiative at no additional cost!

In turn, Offsetters now invests these dollars into initiatives that are able to reduce the amount of GHG entering the atmosphere. (In attempt to keep my word count down, you can check out the projects right here) In essence with every project, Offsetters facilitates the feasibility and environmental and social benefit of emerging energy saving technologies. This is big stuff, really big stuff, considering one of the most globally accepted concerns is the environment!

I’d like to congratulate the Inn at Laurel Point for taking the first step on behalf of the accommodation sector in British Columbia. The transportation industry has been doing this for a while now (see Harbour Air Seaplanes) but one can only imagine the amount of extra considerations, steps, research and commitment this property has taken to get this far. I take my hat off to them in hopes that others will see the benefit beyond their bottom line!

If you are curious to see what other steps the Inn at Laurel Point has made in their commitment to environmental, economic, and social responsibilities check out www.laurelpoint.com.

Furthermore, the other day I read a neat blog entry on http://green.tourismvi.ca that discussed new proof that sustainable and green travel options are deemed important to travellers themselves. Travelling is often a time for us to nurture our soul and rejuvenate our minds. It is refreshing to see that travellers are now aware of the implications of their leisure time activities and are willing to follow this through with environmentally sound travel decisions.

The Victoria International Airport (YYJ) offers a bicycle assembly station which includes a work bench, air pump, bicycle parking, storage shed with cardboard bicycle boxes so you can take a box or leave one for someone else, and bicycle storage lockers. Next time you are travelling in or out of YYJ consider pedal power!

Victoria has been ranked the greenest transportation city in Canada (according to a University of British Columbia survey).  The 2^ND annual national ranking of environmentally friendly transportation and the second year Victoria has come out on top.

Meant as a means to foster competition and inspire improvements, the survey criteria considers the number of vehicles on the road, the percentage of people who walk, bike or ride transit and how many buses and taxis use hybrid power or alternate fuel sources.

Tourism Victoria acknowledges this delegation and is proud to promote Victoria, BC as Canada’s most walkable city.

In Victoria, BC alternative transportation options such as walking, biking and public transit are used by a significant portion of residents and visitors, reinforcing Victoria’s title as “Canada’s Fittest City” (Statistics Canada 2006). With the mildest climate in the country, Victoria’s natural beauty inspires people to get out and enjoy their surroundings, making healthy, car-free vacations easy and enjoyable.

Some key examples of  Victoria’s sustainable transportation options include:

• In 2007 Victoria Regional Transit conventional buses, community buses and handyDART vehicles began using a 20% bio-dieselfuel blend.

• Victoria, BC has been chosen as the testing grounds for the first hybrid double-decker bus in North America. A continuation of Victoria’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases, providing accessible transit options and sustainable living, the hybrid double-decker bus is a unique way to travel throughout the downtown core. The hybrid bus seats 77 passengers, has a smaller nine litre engine and uses electric cells to power the bus during start up mode, leading to considerable fuel savings.

• Harbour Air seaplanes is North America’s first carbon neutral airline.

• Wilson’s Transportation uses bio-diesel fuel, making them the first large private sector coach and school bus fleet in Canada to switch exclusively to bio-diesel fuel.

• CVS Cruise Victoria – All coaches operate on 100% Soy based Bio-Fuel.

• The Victoria International Airport (YYJ) offers a bicycle assembly station which includes a work bench, air pump, bicycle parking, storage shed with cardboard bicycle boxes so you can take a box or leave one for someone else, and (4) bicycle storage lockers.

• Yellow Cab has about 55 or so hybrids in its 90-odd-member fleet.

With excellent air quality, a high number of municipal and transit vehicles using alternative fuels, an extensive network of cycling trails and high housing and hotel density in the city core, Victoria not only shows its commitment to being a leader in sustainable transportation, but also allows visitors to experience a car-free vacation in British Columbia’s capital city.