Zion National Park lodge accommodation, USA

Zion National Park lodge accommodation, USA

How this holiday makes a difference

We have solar powered carts for the maintenance team and to transport guests and luggage. We use solar panels and purchase renewable energy (wind turbines). We have six eco-friendly suites; sustainable bamboo floor entryways, recycled content carpet, dual-flush toilets, filtered drinking water, organic cotton sheets and linens, all-natural biodegradable soaps and other amenities, shampoos and moisturisers in bulk dispensers, compact fluorescent lighting, automated heat and air-conditioning sensors, use of biodegradable and non-toxic cleaners, complimentary organic coffee and tea, key card lighting controls and LED nightlights.

We enforce a complete ban on plastic bottles. For the price of a normal disposable bottle of water, guests can purchase a re-useable bottle from the gift shop which can be filled up at the natural mineral water taps located around the park. We have a sustainable cuisine programme; MSC certified fish, free range chicken and eggs, all locally produced wherever possible. Since April 2009, a free shuttle service has operated within the park. The shuttle system was established to eliminate traffic and parking problems, protect vegetation, and restore tranquility to Zion Canyon.

As a tour operator
People and places. When you think about it, that’s what holidays are all about. As the UK’s leading long haul tour operator we want to protect them both by striking a balance between having a great time and acting with consideration for the planet and its people. We are working to achieve this balance in 3 ways:

Getting our business in order
We are working hard to address our own direct impacts. These are mainly energy, water use and waste disposal and of course the holiday brochures we produce each year. At our Head Office we are focusing on reducing our energy usage and carbon emissions and of course recycling is law.

Being a good partner
As part of being a good partner we aim to work with our suppliers to encourage them to be more sustainable. We audit our hotel suppliers under the Travelife Sustainability System. This scheme assesses hotels for environmental impact, staff relations and level of community support. Successful hotels can qualify for a bronze, silver or gold Travelife Award.

We also want to highlight excellence in sustainable tourism. That's why we act as headline sponsor of the Responsible Tourism Awards each year and through our own in-house ‘Partnership in Sustainability Award’.

We realise our suppliers face many challenges and are often not large businesses themselves. That's why we invest in destination initiatives that help make it easier for our suppliers to do the right thing. Some of the projects we are currently supporting are;


- A joint project with Oxfam and the Travel Foundation to help Caribbean farmers to grow more and encourage local hotels to buy it, supporting local economies and reducing the reliance on imported goods.
- Switch Off - Save Big; a project with the Travel Foundation to encourage Caribbean hoteliers to save energy and water.
- A Travel Foundation project in Kenya to empower local Maasai communities to earn a fair wage from tourism. The income generated helps the village to provide health care, fresh water and education for the community.

Giving something back
We are committed to helping youth shine by providing life changing opportunities for young people both in the UK and overseas. Through our Caribbean scholarships and support of numerous destination projects we are helping youth shine in whatever they choose to do.

Zion National Park lodge accommodation, USA