Since the United Nation's climate change conference in Copenhagen last month, low carbon tourism has seen a rise in popularity, with many travelers keen to reduce their carbon footprint while on vacation. China Tourism Administration recently announced low carbon development strategies as part of their plan to accelerate tourism, in an effort to minimalize the environmental impact of traveling.

Coinciding with the central government's inclusions, several local government administrations are implementing low carbon initiatives.

Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province offers free bicycles for hire around its famous West Lake, with plans for a low carbon science and technology museum to be built in the city's hi-tech industry development zone also under way. Chen Weimin from the Hangzhou Tourism Bureau told the Global Times that walking trails are currently being constructed to connect the Middle and East rivers in the old part of Hangzhou.

Chen also said that there is a growing demand for official standards for travel and tourism carbon emissions in China, to help bureaus and tour operators structure low carbon activities related to travel.

Source: Global Times

Editor: Xie Fang