LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has launched www.greentravelarkansas.com. The new website contains sections featuring Arkansas green lodging, dining, and attractions including a list of LEED certified buildings. Targeted toward the individual traveler, a section offering ideas to help the tourist find wellness options such as yoga studios and running trails is also included. The Department has even added a tool to help travelers keep a little green in their wallets. Special promotions offering green discounts and packages are available by clicking on the Arkansas Green Deals and Packages tab.
“We added this to our website offerings because of the growing interest in eco-friendly travel,” said Dena Woerner, communications manager for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. “We are trying to make it easier for the traveler to find these options. Consumers understand that protecting the Earth’s resources applies to everywhere they visit and not just in their home cities. It is a perfect fit for the Natural State to highlight green tourism options. Eco-conscious travelers need only to browse through this website to select the perfect place to stay, eat, shop, and play.”
The new site does not incorporate a green lodging certification program. Twenty-nine lodging establishments are currently listed on the site, none of which are LEED certified. Lodging participants must follow at least some of the guidelines listed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association at its Green Resource Center in order to be listed. On the LEED certified buildings page are 11 buildings, including the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. Attractions listed range from farmer’s markets to state parks. Participating restaurants have pledged to buy locally grown items and reduce their overall environmental impact. The site includes a list of green events. One upcoming event is The Great Arkansas Cleanup.
Businesses interested in being listed on www.greentravelarkansas.com and in offering green deals and packages should contact the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism at (501) 682-7602, or e-mail the Department at info@arkansas.com.
