PATA's environmental plan

PATA's environmental plan

JAKARTA (JP): The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
launched the "Green Leaf" environmental awards program yesterday,
designed to promote environmentally-sensitive business practices.

PATA's chairman Joop Ave, at the opening of the eighth meeting
of the organization's Asian chapters yesterday, said that Green
Leaf status will be awarded to companies and organizations
involved in the travel and tourism industry that meet PATA
standards for environmentally-responsible tourism.

Joop, who is also Indonesian Minister of Tourism, Post and
Telecommunications, said travelers can support the program by
purchasing from companies which have achieved "Green" status.

In 1995, PATA will issue a brochure with tips on how to travel
in an environmentally responsible way. The publication will also
feature a listing of companies and organizations that have earned
PATA Green Leaf status.

Joop said the program will be supervised by a panel of
industry leaders and environmentalists.(icn)