Viator.com has formed a partnership with Carbonfund.org to offset its company-related carbon emissions and help educate travelers about minimizing their carbon footprint on the environment.

Through its partnership with Carbonfund, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting climate change education, carbon offsets and green power, Viator is targeting a 100 percent carbon-neutral corporate environment. As part of its roadmap to reach its goal, Viator will offset its corporate travel - estimated at 1.2 million miles in 2007 - with renewable energy credits, and minimize business-related CO2 emissions through conservation practices and more conscientious technology purchases. As an e-commerce business, Viator’s operations are virtually paper-free and involve limited shipping, often associated with high CO2 emissions.

Viator will also serve as an information source for travelers who want to learn more about carbon offsetting and environmental sustainability.  As Viator’s customers research and book destination activities, they will also have the opportunity to link to Carbonfund.org to offset their travel-related emissions, and any CO2 emissions related to their annual household carbon footprint.

“At Viator we are passionate about travel, but also sensitive to the effects many types of travel can have on our environment,” said Rod Cuthbert, CEO and founder of Viator.com. “As a global travel company, we have an important responsibility to neutralize our impact on the environment while also helping our customers around the world minimize theirs. Carbonfund.org is an ideal partner and we’re excited to join with them to work toward a solution to this very complex problem.”

“Carbonfund.org is thrilled to partner with Viator in the fight against climate change,” said Carbonfund.org Executive Director Eric Carlson. “Climate change affects every one of us, we are all responsible for it and we all must be part of the solution. Viator’s leadership is further proof that protecting our climate is good for the environment and business.”

Many of the products in Viator’s range of more than 5,000 destination activities have low-to-no impact on the environment they explore. Walking and hiking tours, bicycle tours and Segway excursions (battery operated) are all increasingly popular (and aerobic) ways to explore a destination that help to minimize any environmental impact.

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