Can You Really Have a Green Vacation in Florida?

G.G.'s been touting how easy it is to have a green vacation in Florida but what happens when we put theories to the test? Is it really easy to have a green Florida vacation? I mean, I had an awesome time in Pensacola last December, but that really wasn't a vacation, that was a staff retreat. (Here she is birdwatching with some of the VF crew.)

Soon enough, we'll be having a guest blogger sharing his spring break vaca to sunny Florida and all the green vacation opportunities he finds (and by green, I don't mean margaritas). Stay tuned!

Mission Accomplished! VFg3 Revealed

VFg3 made their first public debut in front of the corporation's higher ups yesterday and to say the least, it was a success! So much of a success that G.G. will probably be sticking around longer and "Team Green" will be established within the office to keep the green ball rolling.

So what does VFg3 stand for? VISIT FLORIDA Girls Gone Green. We chose this because all six of the sales representatives are women and wanted to have a little fun and parody the legendary "Girls Gone Wild" (or Girls Gone Mild, depending on what part of the Sunshine State). If the VF guys are feeling left out, a "G" can double as "Girls and Guys."

Each of the six sales reps presented a portion of the 45-minute presentation. G.G. was introduced early on, too. As part of the required multi-media presentation, the Power Point included video. Organic and other environmentally conscious food were served during the presentation. Water bottles with the VFg3 logo were given away to the higher ups along with green bags reading, "VISIT FLORIDA Goes Green," which were left over from this year's Governor's Conference on Travel. Of course, this blog served as another component of multi-media.

What's next? The Executive Committee said they'd like to see "Team Green" established in the office not only to help VISIT FLORIDA go green but serve as a leader and resource for the tourism industry to go green. Immediately, all six sales reps were assigned to the committee. Who would have thunk a simple goal could make such an impact. Stay tuned!

Imagine Florida without the Keys

Thinking of Florida without the Florida Keys and the Everglades seems impossible but according to Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University by 2060, this could be a very likely possibility. According to GDEI's November study called, "Florida and Climate Change: The Cost of Inaction," sea levels are anticipated to rise by 27 inches if Florida doesn't do anything to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Now if the Keys and other popular tourist areas disappear (beaches will be threatened), this will have a significant impact on tourism. As the report points out:

• Florida will be at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer by 2100, making it hotter and less attractive to tourists (Florida will truly be one hot destination!) during the low and shoulder seasons.
• There will be fewer places for tourists to visit in the Sunshine State meaning fewer places visiting meaning fewer things purchased. By 2025, GDEI predicts (if nothing is done in Florida to reduce carbon emissions) a $9 billion impact and $40 billion by 2050.
• Hurricane damage will increase due to hurricane intensity (warmer water temperatures , too.
• The cost of doing business in Florida will be expensive and this no doubt be passed along to tourists, making Florida an expensive place to vacation and live. Insurance rates will probably rise due to increased hurricane activity and it'll cost more to cool buildings with warmer temperatures.
• Foods associated with Florida, like oranges and shrimp, may not be able to survive the climate change. Warming waters may destroy the shrimp's habitat and land reduction and warmth may or they may not be able to thrive due to reduction in land.
• With warmer waters, marine habitats will change, coral reefs will bleach and die, popular snorkeling and diving destinations will no longer be popular for tourists.

It's not all doom in gloom. If Florida steps up to the plate to reduce greenhouse emissions, as directed by Gov. Charlie Crist's Executive Orders signed in July 2007, conditions can be stabilized. Global warming is inevitable but it can be slowed and stabilized.

G.G. has to ask, does the cost of inaction outweigh action?

Fast Company Says Tallahassee is a City on the Verge of Being a Green Leader

The magazine Fast Company published an article in July/August this year listing fast cities - cities moving forward. While Miami made the list for being a cultural hub, Tallahassee, Fla. almost made the list and was recognized as being "on the verge" as a green leader for its Go Green Tallahassee initiative. Tallahassee's Go Green efforts promote environmental responsibility. Let's hope the state's capitol city will set the example for the rest of the Sunshine State.

Crist Talks About Florida Trash in Brazil

There's a reason G.G. is a Gov. Charlie Crist fan, he understands the meaning of green. The Florida Govenor's on a trade mission in Brazil this week. On Monday, he announced two new initiatives to make alternative energies (vs. fossil fuels) more accessible in Florida:

1. The capital city (that's Tallahassee) is getting a $182 million garbage-to-electricity plant. This will convert trash into ethanol and will reduce waste sent to landfills.
2. A pledge to encourage Congress to end the import tax on Brazilian Ethanol. While G.G. believes in buying American first, if the import tax was removed, it would be cheaper to import it from Brazil through Port Everglades vs. trucking it in from the Midwest.

To read the complete article, visit The Center for Commodity Research and Training Web site.

Shrek Isn't the Only Green Thing at Universal Orlando Resort

The "mouse" will probably be green with envy over this. The folks over at Universal Orlando Resort announced earlier this week that all service vehicles and mobile equipment will be using "green" fuels (aka: alternative). This announcement coincided with the theme park's "Green Is Universal" week (Nov. 5 - 10) to spotlight environmental awareness. Included in UOR's green initiative is rececyling and energy conservation. Check out the Universal Is Green Web site to see all the other groovy things happening within the NBCUniversal family.

G.G. Will Be Blogging on Blog Action Day: October 15, 2007

G.G. is sooo delighted to learn about Blog Action Day on October 15, 2007. This is a day when bloggers around the globe will blog about one important topic: the environment. Of course, since VFg3's focus is learning about an aspect of Florida's tourism industry and how to reduce the impact of tourism on the Sunshine State's environment, you can be guaranteed Monday's post will be just about that. Pretty groovy!

And, We're Off! Survey Deployed This Week

Hey there! Well, VFg3 deployed their survey within the office to determine the recycling habits and green attitudes of co-workers. About 50% of the staff have responded and will be exciting to tally the results.

In green tourism news, results of the latest travelhorizons (TM) survey by Travel Industry Association (TIA) and Ypartnership revealed more than half of U.S. adults are more than likely to choose an airline, lodging accommodations or rental car from a service provider using environmentally friendly products and processes over non-environmentally friendly, but at a cost. U.S. travelers are conscious of being environmentally responsible but the most they are willing to pay is up to 10% more, compared to non-environmentally responsible services. Read the complete press release called, "AMERICAN TRAVELERS TURNING GREEN (BUT NOT AT ANY COST), ACCORDING TO NEW NATIONAL SURVEY."

Hello! Let the Journey of Greening Florida's Tourism Industry Begin

Hey, there! My name is Green Girl, but my friends call me G.G. and since I want us to be friends, please call me G.G. Anywho, I'm the designated blogging representative for six sassy Florida tourism sales representatives (aka: VFg3) tasked with the same goal: To increase group cohesiveness and knowledge about the tourism market. I know, sounds like a punishment but it's not. They chose to find ways in reducing the carbon footprint within Florida's tourism industry.

In Fiscal Year 2006-2007 (July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007), Florida generated $65 billion in direct travel spending and employed nearly a million Floridians directly in the tourism industry (can you imagine how many people are employed outside of Florida yet bring tourism here? This includes folks like travel agents, meeting planners and members of the media. And just think of the people indirectly employed by the tourism industry, like utility workers supplying services to resorts and attractions or facilities laundering hotel linens.). In 2006, 83.9 million travelers visited the Sunshine State (that's a lot of people!)*

With all these people visiting Florida, they're making a significant impact on the economy and environment. VFg3 is looking for ways to find a balance between a healthy tourism economy and healthy environment.

VFg3's company is the Florida tourism industry's leader and is ready to lead by example. Enjoy the journey as the six gals figure out how to make this happen. Enjoy the ride!

*Figures provided by VISIT FLORIDA(r), the official tourism marketing corporation for the State of Florida.