In this final issue of 2008, Vacation Agent focuses on travel that benefits or, at the very least, does not harm our planet. It’s heartening to see how many companies and organizations are taking very real steps toward protecting the world that sustains our industry. Some suppliers have been doing so for years, while others are joining the parade now as awareness has greatly increased about “green” travel.

However, while most of us in the travel industry are aware of suppliers’ environmental efforts, apparently not all of your clients are. Most are more consumed with putting food on the table and gas in the car, and whether they can afford to get away at all these days.

In our Question of the Month (page 12), I asked you, the readers, how many of your clients are asking about sustainable tourism. To be sure, a number of you said clients do ask about environmental issues when they plan travel. However, a great many of you said not a single customer has asked about sustainable travel or carbon footprints.

“During these trying times, the only green my clients seem interested in are their paychecks,” wrote Linda Herron of Tempo Travel in Cleveland, Ohio. Indeed, she lives in a depressed area where auto plants are closing. Another agent, Peggy Riley of Dolphin Vacations in Grand Rapids, Mich., said one client admitted he lived green at home to “even out not being green on vacation.”

I find it interesting that some clients don’t ask about green travel when they first start planning travel, but that they appreciate booking a resort that institutes green practices. Indeed, some agents said the environmental issue was just the ticket to close the deal. “If we mention [that] a property has eco features, they usually will seem very pleased. One traveler said, ‘That’s great—book it! It is just the incentive I needed,’” wrote Donna Gladbach of Seminars International Travel in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Agreeing with Gladbach is April Schmitt of All About Honeymoons in Granite Bay, Calif.: “I have not had a single client expressly say they want an environmentally friendly vacation, although I use it as a sweetener. When I propose a destination and offer a green resort or eco-friendly resort option, the clients love the idea!”

So please consider promoting environmentally friendly travel options—it’s good for our world and also potentially beneficial to your bottom line. As we enter 2009, let’s keep the Earth’s health in mind, even as we try to endure and overcome these trying economic times. Have a happy and healthy New Year!