Australia’s Eco Lodges

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Australia’s most recent ECO marketing initiative, Eco Lodges of Australia has announced the launch of its website http://www.ecolodgesaustralia.com.au along with welcoming three new members.

“We are thrilled to welcome Taronga Zoo Roar & Snore and Western Plains Zoofari Lodge in New South Wales, and Yelverton Brook Eco-Spa Retreat and Conservation Sanctuary from the Margaret River in South Western Australia to Eco Lodges of Australia” said Kym Cheatham, CEO, Ecotourism Australia. “Eco Lodges of Australia provides the ECO conscious traveler with great environmentally friendly accommodation options around Australia on every type of budget”

Australia is globally recognized for outstanding eco tourism experiences. Eco Lodges of Australia offers the ECO conscious traveler responsible, ethical and sustainable ECO experiences in Australia’s most amazing natural locations.

As Advanced Eco tourism certified operators, the Eco Lodges are dedicating themselves to raising awareness of the environmentally responsible and properly credential accommodation operators around Australia.

“By using the brand Eco lodges of Australia, we collectively will help educate the traveler so that they do not get confused by the various ‘green claims’ in the marketplace” said Kym Cheatham.

Eco Lodges of Australia is made up of Advanced Eco tourism certified accommodation providers in Australia, managed by Eco tourism Australia (EA).

For more information on Eco Lodges of Australia go to http://www.ecolodgesaustralia.com.au

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An eco-friendly, “green”, beauty pageant?

Believe it!

Canada has been chosen as the host country of the first “Miss Green Planet” competition for the Americas, scheduled for May 21-22, 2011. Canada’s largest city, Toronto, will play host to 38 contestants, each representing individual countries of North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, as well as Puerto Rico and Greenland.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for environmentally conscious young women, and will help raise Toronto’s and Canada’s profile as an ecotourism destination,” says pageant director, Tegi Obanda. According to Obanda, the Miss Green Planet is more than just an ordinary pageant. “By simply participating, each delegate has the chance to develop a fulfilling career path, while protecting and healing our planet,” says Obanda.

The pageant will select 29 finalists who will represent the Americas in the first Miss Green Planet International Pageant scheduled for September 24-Oct 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

If you are interested in participating or competing (I don’t meet the qualifications), and if you are a young woman aged between 18 and 29, you may enter the contest to represent your city at the national pageant. The Miss Green Planet Canada pageant will take place in Victoria BC on April 23rd, 2011.

With no swimsuit competition, the Miss Green Planet styles itself as ‘the premier truly green pageant in the world”. Says Obanda: “Others use the environment as a means of marketing pageants. The Miss Green Planet, on the other hand, is using the pageant system to help heal the environment.” Obanda explains that the contestants will develop climate change mitigation projects in their respective cities, countries or regions. “The aim is to create one of the most extensive networks of eco-change projects on the planet,” he says.

Auditions at universities across the country have already begun. Details are available at http://missgreenplanet.com.