WALKING THE WALK

LOOK AT THE LABELS. Those eco-seals on a hotel’s website mean something—usually. While some sustainable endorsements are pay-to-play designations that companies “earn” simply by forking over a membership fee, others, such as Green Key Global or Green Seal, have a stringent certification process. How can you tell the difference? The Global Sustainable Tourism Council lists 23 organizations that meet its standards in the “For Travelers” section of its site, gstc.org. If a label’s not there, visit the website of the certifying body itself to learn its requirements. They should be looking at the property’s environmental practices, clean energy usage, and impact on the community. DO A TARGETED SEARCH. Websites like Bookdifferent and ResponsibleVacation offer more than a million real-deal vetted spots to rest your eco-conscious head, searchable by location, price, and activities. If…