Environmentalists from such groups as Conservation International, Environment Education Center of Global Village of Beijing and Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base have gathered in Beijing and called on people to join in a "green travel" and make the upcoming May Day holiday a nature-friendly golden week.
These environmentalists said that they advocate green travel in response to China National Tourism Administration's efforts in calling on tourists to be more civilized and to welcome the 2008 Beijing Green Olympics as well as to reduce the damage done to the environment.
The commitments of green travel include carefully preparing for a trip; knowing about the detailed information of a travel destination; choosing scenic spot, travel agency, hotel and tour guide that provides environmentally-friendly information; calculating one's carbon emissions and choosing the a low carbon means during travel; reducing one's carbon emissions by planting more trees; not eating wild animals or buying wildlife products; buying local craftwork and food; not using disposable plastic bags; not throwing away waste or batteries; and trying to use less detergent.
Conservation International's Sun Shan told local media that there is currently not a unified international standard for green travel, and the standards they advocate are based on the situations faced by Chinese tourists.
