Thoughtful travelers are safety and service to owners and employees treading lightly on the must extend to the larger global community environment while still we impact as well,” said Brad Ferrell, Executive embracing the ultimate in Vice President of Administrative Services. Committed to reducing its environmental comfort and amenities. footprint, in 2020, NetJets expanded its Global Sustainability Program—which includes purchasing sustainable aviation Place—it’s the beating heart of travel. From fuel—and has “offset its administrative local cuisine and cultural experiences to and training flights in the U.S. since 2021, natural marvels, we travel to embrace the amounting to 1,600 flights annually,” reported essence of a place. Ironically, the tourism a NetJets representative. industry threatens this very thing. Sustainable Sailing at its Finest Today, responsible travelers are prioritizing sustainable solutions and authentic cultural Sun, salt, and glittering water—cruising is a experiences, opting to make eco-friendly popular choice for those who love to explore purchases, support local businesses, and the world by sea. It’s also unfriendly toward engage in meaningful and educational the environment. excursions. Yet, travelers are yearning for companies to do their part as well, making Cruise-goers emit eight times more CO per 2 sustainable travel more attainable. According day than those vacationing on land, according to Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainable Travel to data collected by Friends of the Earth. Report, 74% of people surveyed said they want Yet, thanks to a new wave of sustainably- travel companies to offer more sustainable minded cruise companies, planet-conscious travel choices. Luckily, these companies are travelers don’t have to sacrifice their summers responding to demand. of sailing. Our devices take us Green Travel is Taking Off Travelers can enjoy an exclusively adult away from connecting vacation at sea on Virgin Voyages’ sustainably Demand for premium charter services is designed ships. On the way to Barcelona, with people, growing, as corporate travel rises and the you can luxuriate in a relaxing mani-pedi as resulting in missed global elite crave more exclusive travel you cruise through the stunning turquoise opportunities while options. But as more travelers opt to fly solo, waters of the Canary Islands, sipping on carbon dioxide (CO ) emissions will continue complimentary sparkling water from one of 2 the brain needs time to increase. In fact, a 2022 study found that their refilling stations. Then head down to one to rest and reset.” private aviation in the United States increased of the ship’s restaurants to explore a by 20% after the pandemic, resulting in a 23% Michelin-star menu featuring sustainably Dr. Renee Solomon, increase in CO -equivalent emissions. sourced seafood. Beverly Hills-based Clinical 2 Psychologist and CEO of Fortunately, there are ways that fliers can Forward Recovery reduce their environmental footprint. In 2015, Committing itself to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Virgin Voyages is focusing NetJets, the world’s leading private aviation its attention on energy efficiency and fuel . company, launched Blue Skies, a carbon optimization to shrink its carbon footprint. In s offset program for participating owners. e 2023, the company completed its first test g Those enrolled in the program purchase the trial of sustainable marine fuel. “Completing a y equivalent number of carbon credits as the o n V our first sustainable fuel trial is incredibly i emissions generated by their annual flight promising; this is a near-term solution for rg i hours, which funds a portfolio of carbon the shipping and cruising industry,” said Jill f V Left: projects, such as forest protection in Malawi Stoneburg, Sr. Director of Social Impact and y o The Scarlet Lady by s and solar power in India. Sustainability for Virgin Voyages. “Sustainable, e t Virgin Voyages. r bio-based fuels can work with our existing u o s c Right: “As the largest and most experienced engines today, and we could transition to o Fine dining on the Virgin company in the private aviation space these cleaner fuels now if they were more t o h Voyages’ Valiant Lady. worldwide, NetJets’ promise of exceptional readily available and affordable,” she added. P BERKSHIREHATHAWAYHS.COM 33