Here’s Part 1 and Part 2. In Part 3, we’ll be looking at the presence of green travel information on the state tourism websites of 10 states from Massachusetts to New Jersey, alphabetically speaking.

Massachusetts (www.massvacation.com/):- No seperate green page. There’s no sitewide search facility (although you can search within ‘Activities & Destinations’), so I had to use Google site search, which showed up a couple of results for eco tours and one page which asked users to sign up to recieve a getaway guide which they say contains eco-friendly vacation tips.  And that’s about it, other than two press releases for events promoting sustainable urban living. 

Michigan (www.michigan.org/):- No seperate green page. Search came up with two eco-friendly stores, four companies offering ecotours, and one shop which ‘also sells’ eco-friendly bookshelfs.

There’s another page (its actually a dated report) which details Michigan’s efforts to promote green lodging. Nothing much on the page except a link to the Michigan state website’s green lodging page. Besides, you won’t be able to find it, or click thru to it, starting from the tourism site’s home page. But its there, so I thought it was worth a mention.

Minnesota (www.exploreminnesota.com/):- No seperate green page. Search came up with many non-relevant links, and one nutty but relevant story about ‘Breezy Point Resort’ going green.

Mississippi (www.visitmississippi.org/):- No green page per se, but they do have a page for environment. Not really helpful, considering it just tells you to admire the outdoors, but its better than nothing. No site search, so I had to use Google site search, which came up with exactly one business listing for a farm which practices sustainable aquaculture. And nothing else.

Missouri (www.visitmo.com/):- They have a geek running this website, for sure. Has a big search bar, and a tag system which occupied pretty much the entire home page. I poked through the tags and came up with ecotourism. The listings inside are neatly sorted into hotels, attractions, events, restaurants, and so on. There’s also a tag for green hotel and one for wildlife conservation.

And I found a listing for the EarthWays Center which showcases practical demonstrations of energy efficient systems, recycled products and waste reduction practices. Visitors experience hands-on applications of sustainable lifestyle choices. Its not much, and some results within the tags are non-relevant, but its a start.

Montana (www.visitmt.com/):- No seperate green page. Site search sucks. Kept returning zero results. Tried Google site search, which came up with one eco-friendly cabin lodge and a B&B, along with an event listing. The language used on the site is very friendly and gentle and down to earth, and somehow connects with you. Now all they need to do is go from friendly to eco-friendly.

Nebraska (www.visitnebraska.org/):- No seperate green page. Search came up some listings of sustainable farming tours and a press release which lists a number of attractions, parks, hotels and other vacation destinations across Nebraska are doing their part to “go green.” Very useful page.

Nevada (wwwtravelnevada.com/):- No green page. Search showed 2 results about a sustainable lifestyle in the desert and nothing else. They probably would have done more if there was to be something eco-friendly about gambling…

New Hampshire (www.visitnh.gov/):- No green page, but they do offer a link to the NH Sustainable Lodging and Restaurant Program. Search came up one department store selling eco-friendly goods.

New Jersey (www.nj.gov/travel/):- No green page. Search was a total wash. Tried Google site search which confirmed that the New Jersey state tourism bureau has no interest in handing out eco-friendly tips to visitors.

In summary, out of these 10 websites, I’d give plus points only to Nebraska and Missouri. The former for having a page which has a lot of useful info for eco-friendly travel (although they’d do well to link to the page from the home page), and to Missouri for having the right system in place for easily accesible information (so they can start adding the information now…). The other 8 states don’t really have anything, and Nevada and New Jersey are especially clueless.

Continued in  Part 4, Part 5

Posted on October 16th, 2008 by PLing
Filed under: Sustainable Travel