Plan a Trip

Green Concierge Travel makes travel arrangements for business and leisure travelers. Our difference is that we ask you up front if you want to use the train instead of flying or whether you want to use the local transit system at your destination. In addition, we will provide, whenever possible, an option that meets your travel needs in the greenest way possible.

Biking around an area you're visiting is one of the best ways to really see a place. With a bike you might find that you don't even need to rent a car. Photo courtesy of the California Board of Tourism.

GREEN BUSINESS TRAVEL

Every time you walk out the door, the opportunity presents itself to make your travel greener. So why not business travel?

Many companies are changing to more sustainable business practices through programs like the Natural Step or ISO 14000. Or they are meeting the criteria for programs like Coop America’s Business Network or Travel Green Wisconsin. As you and your company rethink operations, put transportation and travel on your list.

Business travelers log many miles and nights in accommodations away from home and rely on services at their destinations which means you can reduce the company environmental footprint and support local businesses and services like your own at your destination.

Shades of green.. Just like leisure travelers, business travel comes in all shades of green. It starts by being willing to look at options. From how you get to your destination to where you stay and how you get around, your business travel can be more sustainable.

Creating a sustainable travel policy may be an option or just start by making changes in your travel and see what works for you, your company and your budget. What changes will be successful in the short term and more challenging changes that take leadership and encouragement depends on the company culture and the values of employees. For example, getting employees to consider a Bed and Breakfast may be an easy sell vs. taking mass transit to get to a meeting on the other side of town or in a nearby city.

In researching this article, we looked for examples of corporate travel policies and information on web sites. Most of what we found applied directly to the individual business traveler and not a policy. So below are some features to consider as you green your business travel.

Planning

• Can the goal be achieved without travel? Advances in teleconferencing make this option more viable even for small businesses.
• Incorporate the travel carbon footprint into the travel budget for the company and allocate the budget accordingly.
• Consider a more flexible policy with regards to time out of office; working from home and train travel both allow work to progress without the employee’s physical presence in the office.
• If having green travel options is important, consider a public position on greening travel. Communities regularly choose on where to invest transportation dollars and knowing that business travelers value accessibility (other than by air and auto), can make a difference.

Transportation: Distinguish between commuting, regional and national/international travel.

• For regional travel, depending on the location, rail and bus options often exist for frequently made trips. Many cities never lost their rail service to nearby communities and suburbs. For example, Chicago’s Metra and Amtrak’s Hiawatha service provide options for business travelers going to and from Wisconsin and Illinois. Look for the Quiet Car on Amtrak trains for a place to focus on getting work done without distractions.
• And for national travel, consider a rail journey one way or both. Overnight trains can provide sleeping accommodations, meals and time away from distractions to prepare for meetings. In most Amtrak trains, First Class and Business Class seats and sleepers have standard 110-volt electrical power outlets available to supply power for electronic devices.
• Consider eliminating reimbursements for single occupancy taxis and favor shared vans and group taxis.
• Use local mass transit. Cities in the United States have struggled to maintain and fund their transit systems. While some have managed to expand and upgrade services (Portland OR integrated bus, light rail, tram and bike system), other cities have the remnants of much more extensive systems. Getting businesses to advocate and support public transit could be critical for future green travel.

Accommodation

• Ask for green accommodations. Energy efficiency, water conservation, green building materials, recycling and waste reduction are all fair game.
• Ask for properties that are locally owned and run by local people. If breakfast is provided, is it a “disposable” meal using styrofoam, plastic or paper plates and materials?
• Do they provide organic or locally grow options for the meals? Organic cream for coffee, local fruit or baked goods?

Do you have a company travel policy?
If you do have a corporate/company policy and are willing to share it, please send it to Green Concierge Travel with appropriate information on who to contact and whether or not we can post on the Green Concierge Travel web site with the other Green Business Travel information. Thank you!!

Finally, be flexible looking for the best option to fit your travels needs and you will achieve some shade of green business travel!

Check out our sample business itineraries for Boston (coming soon) and Chicago. For more information, contact Green Concierge Travel at 1.877.200.2844 or info@greenconciergetravel.com. Let us help you plan your next business trip!