what is green tourism definition

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What Is Green Tourism

Published: December 12, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Nedi Breland

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• Sustainability

Introduction

Welcome to the world of green tourism, where sustainable travel meets environmental responsibility. As the global awareness of climate change and ecological preservation continues to grow, so does the importance of adopting eco-friendly practices in the tourism industry. Green tourism, also known as sustainable tourism or eco-tourism, is a concept that focuses on promoting travel activities that have minimal impact on the environment, preserve local cultures, and provide social and economic benefits to the host communities.

Green tourism goes beyond simply visiting natural attractions or staying in eco-friendly accommodations. It encompasses a range of practices that prioritize sustainability, conservation, and respect for local communities. This type of tourism aims to strike a balance between experiencing the beauty of our planet and actively contributing to its protection.

In recent years, green tourism has gained significant momentum, with travelers becoming more conscious of their environmental footprint and seeking out destinations and experiences that align with their values. This shift in consumer behavior has prompted tour operators, hoteliers, and governments to embrace sustainable practices in their operations and make conscious efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

Moreover, the concept of green tourism extends beyond environmental considerations. It also takes into account the social and economic impact of tourism on local communities. Green tourism initiatives often promote community involvement, fair employment practices, and the preservation of cultural heritage, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared with all stakeholders.

With the increasing popularity of green tourism, a range of certification programs and guidelines have been established to help travelers identify truly sustainable options. These certifications not only provide travelers with the reassurance that they are making responsible travel choices but also incentivize businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices.

In this article, we will explore the various aspects of green tourism, including its definition, benefits, principles, and practices. We will also delve into the world of green tourism certification programs and examine real-life case studies showcasing successful implementations. Finally, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise in the realm of green tourism.

So strap on your backpack and get ready to embark on a sustainable journey to explore the wonders of green tourism!

Definition of Green Tourism

Green tourism, also referred to as sustainable tourism or eco-tourism, is a form of travel that focuses on minimizing the negative impact on the environment, supporting local communities, and preserving cultural heritage. It aims to create a balance between enjoying the beauty of natural and cultural attractions while promoting responsible and sustainable practices.

At its core, green tourism revolves around three main pillars: environmental conservation, socio-cultural respect, and economic viability. These pillars guide travelers, tour operators, and destination managers in adopting sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the communities they visit.

From an environmental perspective, green tourism places a strong emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and protecting biodiversity. Travelers are encouraged to choose eco-friendly accommodations, participate in nature-based activities with minimal disturbance to ecosystems, and support businesses that implement sustainable waste management and energy conservation practices.

In terms of socio-cultural respect, green tourism promotes the preservation of local cultures, traditions, and ways of life. It encourages travelers to interact with local communities in a respectful manner, fostering cultural exchange and supporting the local economy through the purchase of locally made products and services. By doing so, green tourism helps preserve cultural diversity and heritage, ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate and learn from them.

Lastly, economic viability is a crucial aspect of green tourism. It recognizes the importance of ensuring that tourism generates economic benefits for local communities rather than exploiting or displacing them. Green tourism initiatives aim to create opportunities for local employment, promote fair wages and working conditions, and encourage the reinvestment of tourism revenue back into the community for infrastructure development, education, and healthcare.

Overall, green tourism strives to create a sustainable travel experience for both travelers and host communities. It encourages responsible behavior, raises awareness about environmental and social issues, and fosters a sense of appreciation for the natural and cultural wonders of the world.

Benefits of Green Tourism

Green tourism offers a multitude of benefits, not only for travelers but also for the environment, local communities, and the tourism industry as a whole.

One of the primary benefits of green tourism is its positive impact on the environment. By promoting sustainable practices such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and the use of renewable resources, green tourism helps minimize the ecological footprint of travel activities. This leads to a reduced carbon footprint, decreased pollution, and the preservation of natural habitats and biodiversity.

Furthermore, green tourism encourages travelers to engage in nature-based activities that foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the environment. This heightened appreciation can lead to increased support for conservation efforts and the protection of fragile ecosystems.

Green tourism also brings significant socio-cultural benefits. By promoting respect for local customs, traditions, and cultures, it helps preserve and celebrate cultural heritage. Travelers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in authentic cultural experiences, engage with local communities, and contribute to the economic growth of these communities through the purchase of locally made products and services.

Moreover, green tourism often leads to the creation of employment opportunities for local residents. By supporting small businesses, eco-lodges, and community-based tourism initiatives, green tourism generates income for local communities, empowering them economically and reducing dependence on external sources of income.

For travelers, green tourism offers a unique and meaningful travel experience. It allows them to connect with nature, gain a deeper understanding of local cultures, and make a positive impact on the destinations they visit. Green tourism provides opportunities for personal growth, self-reflection, and a sense of fulfillment that comes from traveling responsibly and sustainably.

From a business perspective, adopting green tourism practices can lead to a competitive advantage. By demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, businesses can attract environmentally conscious travelers who actively seek out eco-friendly options. Green tourism initiatives also often result in cost savings through energy efficiency measures, waste reduction, and operational optimization.

Overall, green tourism benefits not only the travelers but also the environment, local communities, and the tourism industry. It offers a more responsible and sustainable approach to travel, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our world.

Principles of Green Tourism

Green tourism is guided by a set of principles that help ensure sustainable and responsible practices in the industry. These principles serve as a framework for businesses, travelers, and destination managers to make informed decisions that prioritize environmental conservation, socio-cultural respect, and economic viability.

1. Environmental Conservation: The principle of environmental conservation focuses on minimizing the negative impact of tourism on natural resources and ecosystems. This includes reducing carbon emissions, conserving water and energy, protecting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable waste management practices. Businesses and travelers are encouraged to choose eco-friendly accommodations, engage in low-impact activities, and support initiatives that contribute to the preservation and restoration of the environment.

2. Socio-cultural Respect: Green tourism emphasizes the importance of respecting and celebrating local cultures, traditions, and ways of life. This principle encourages travelers to engage in meaningful interactions with local communities, learn about their customs and traditions, and contribute to the local economy through the support of locally owned businesses. It also emphasizes the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of fair and responsible tourism practices that benefit host communities.

3. Community Involvement: Green tourism recognizes the value of involving local communities in decision-making processes and ensuring that they benefit from tourism activities. This principle aims to empower local residents by creating opportunities for employment, supporting community-based tourism initiatives, and facilitating the equitable distribution of tourism revenue. It encourages social and economic development that is inclusive and sustainable.

4. Education and Awareness: Green tourism promotes education and awareness about sustainability issues among travelers, businesses, and local communities. This principle emphasizes the importance of educating travelers about responsible travel practices, environmental conservation, and cultural sensitivity. It encourages businesses to provide training and resources to employees, fostering a culture of sustainability throughout the tourism industry.

5. Collaboration and Partnerships: Green tourism recognizes that achieving sustainability goals requires collaboration and partnerships among various stakeholders. This principle encourages businesses, government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to work together in implementing sustainable tourism practices. Collaboration promotes knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and the development of innovative solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities.

6. Continuous Improvement: Green tourism embraces the principle of continuous improvement, acknowledging that sustainability is an ongoing process. Businesses and destinations are encouraged to regularly evaluate their practices, set goals for improvement, and measure their environmental and socio-cultural performance. By striving for continuous improvement, green tourism ensures that initiatives remain relevant, effective, and adaptable to changing circumstances and emerging sustainability challenges.

By adhering to these principles, green tourism aims to provide a framework for responsible and sustainable travel practices that not only benefit the environment but also contribute to the well-being and prosperity of local communities.

Green Tourism Practices

Green tourism involves a range of practices that prioritize sustainability, conservation, and responsible behavior. These practices span various aspects of travel, from transportation and accommodation to activities and interactions with local communities. Here are some key green tourism practices:

1. Sustainable Transportation: Traveling to and within destinations in a sustainable manner is an important aspect of green tourism. This includes opting for public transportation, cycling, or walking whenever possible, as well as choosing fuel-efficient vehicles or carpooling. Travelers can also offset their carbon emissions by supporting carbon offset programs.

2. Eco-friendly Accommodations: Green tourism encourages staying in eco-friendly accommodations that have implemented sustainable practices. Look for accommodations that have energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, waste recycling programs, and use renewable energy sources. Eco-lodges, eco-resorts, and eco-hotels often prioritize sustainability and offer unique and authentic experiences.

3. Responsible Wildlife and Nature Experiences: Green tourism promotes responsible wildlife and nature experiences that prioritize the well-being and conservation of animals and ecosystems. Choose tour operators and activities that adhere to responsible wildlife viewing practices, such as maintaining a safe distance, avoiding interactions that disrupt natural behaviors, and supporting initiatives that contribute to conservation efforts.

4. Support Local Communities: Green tourism emphasizes supporting local communities by engaging in responsible and ethical tourism practices. This includes purchasing locally made products, participating in cultural activities and events, and patronizing local businesses and restaurants. By supporting the local economy, travelers can contribute to the socio-economic development of the community.

5. Minimize Waste: Green tourism encourages the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste. Travelers are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles, utensils, and shopping bags to minimize single-use plastics. Using refill stations and recycling facilities provided by the accommodations and destinations is also important in minimizing waste generation.

6. Respect Local Culture and Customs: Green tourism promotes cultural sensitivity and respect for local culture and customs. Before visiting a destination, familiarize yourself with the local customs, traditions, and etiquette to ensure respectful interactions. Seek permission before taking photographs, refrain from inappropriate behavior, and support cultural preservation initiatives.

7. Responsible Water Usage: Water conservation is a critical aspect of green tourism. Travelers are encouraged to be conscious of their water consumption, limiting unnecessary water use such as taking shorter showers, reusing towels, and reporting any leaks or water wastage to the accommodation staff. Additionally, supporting initiatives that promote access to clean water for local communities is crucial.

These are just a few examples of the green tourism practices that travelers can adopt to minimize their environmental impact and contribute positively to the destinations they visit. By being mindful of these practices, travelers can play an active role in promoting sustainability and conservation in the tourism industry.

Green Tourism Certification Programs

To help travelers identify truly sustainable and responsible travel options, various green tourism certification programs have been established around the world. These certification programs assess and recognize businesses that meet specific criteria and standards related to environmentally and socially responsible practices. Here are a few notable green tourism certification programs:

1. Green Globe: Green Globe is a leading sustainability certification program for the travel and tourism industry. It provides certification to businesses that meet strict criteria in areas such as environmental management, social responsibility, cultural heritage protection, and economic benefits to local communities. Green Globe-certified businesses are committed to sustainable practices across their operations.

2. Rainforest Alliance: The Rainforest Alliance certification program focuses on promoting sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and tourism. Their certification ensures that businesses adhere to environmental and social standards that protect ecosystems, conserve natural resources, and promote the well-being of local communities. Rainforest Alliance-certified accommodations, tour operators, and attractions contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and the fight against climate change.

3. LEED Certification: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized green building certification program. While it primarily focuses on building design and construction, LEED certification is also applicable to hotels and accommodations that meet specific sustainability and energy efficiency standards. LEED-certified properties prioritize resource conservation, waste reduction, and indoor environmental quality.

4. EarthCheck: EarthCheck is a certification program that assesses the environmental and social sustainability performance of tourism operators and destinations. It provides businesses with feedback and guidance on ways to improve their sustainability practices. EarthCheck-certified businesses undergo regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance with internationally recognized standards in areas such as waste management, energy efficiency, and community engagement.

5. Travelife: Travelife is an internationally recognized certification program for tour operators, travel agencies, and accommodations. It assesses the sustainability performance of businesses based on a comprehensive set of criteria, covering environmental, social, and economic aspects. Travelife-certified businesses are committed to reducing their environmental footprint and contributing to the welfare of local communities through responsible practices and initiatives.

These are just a few examples of the many green tourism certification programs available worldwide. By seeking out and supporting businesses with these certifications, travelers can have confidence in the sustainability and responsible practices of the establishments they choose to visit. These certifications also incentivize businesses to continually improve and uphold environmentally and socially sustainable practices within the tourism industry.

Case Studies of Green Tourism Success

Several destinations and businesses have successfully implemented green tourism practices, showcasing the positive impact that sustainability can have on both the environment and local communities. Here are a few inspiring case studies:

1. Costa Rica: Costa Rica has long been regarded as a leader in green tourism. The country has made significant strides in the conservation of its rich biodiversity and natural resources. Costa Rica implemented a payment for environmental services program that incentivizes landowners to protect and preserve forests. It also promotes sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and eco-tourism initiatives. This dedication to sustainability has positioned Costa Rica as a top destination for eco-conscious travelers, contributing to the country’s economic growth and environmental preservation.

2. Soneva Resorts, Maldives: Soneva Resorts is a group of luxury resorts in the Maldives that has pioneered sustainable tourism practices. They prioritize waste reduction and have implemented initiatives such as on-site composting, water filtration and bottling plants, and a carbon offset program. Soneva Resorts also actively engages with local communities, providing employment opportunities and supporting education and healthcare initiatives. These efforts have not only minimized the environmental impact of their operations but have also positively impacted the well-being of local communities.

3. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is an award-winning eco-lodge in South Africa. It focuses on conservation, sustainable land management, and community empowerment. The reserve offers guided tours that educate visitors about local flora and fauna, reforestation projects, and community development initiatives. Grootbos also supports local schools, provides training for community members, and contributes to the preservation of the unique Fynbos biome. Its commitment to environmental and social sustainability has made it a role model for responsible tourism in the region.

4. Glacier National Park, USA: Glacier National Park in Montana, USA, has implemented a range of sustainable practices to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect its pristine wilderness. The park encourages eco-friendly transportation by providing shuttle services and promoting cycling and hiking trails. It also focuses on waste reduction and recycling, energy efficiency, and the preservation of wildlife habitats. Glacier National Park serves as both a natural haven for visitors and an example of how protected areas can actively combat environmental challenges.

These case studies highlight the positive outcomes that can be achieved through the implementation of green tourism practices. From the conservation of natural resources to the support of local communities, these examples demonstrate the potential for sustainability to thrive within the tourism industry. By learning from these success stories, other destinations and businesses can be inspired to adopt and prioritize green tourism practices.

Challenges and Opportunities in Green Tourism

While green tourism brings numerous benefits, it also faces challenges that need to be addressed for the industry to continue its sustainable growth. At the same time, these challenges present opportunities for innovation and improvement. Here are some key challenges and opportunities in green tourism:

1. Awareness and Education: One of the main challenges in green tourism is the lack of awareness and understanding among both travelers and businesses. Many people are still unfamiliar with sustainable travel practices or the importance of choosing eco-friendly options. The opportunity lies in education and raising awareness about the benefits of green tourism. By providing information and promoting sustainable practices, the tourism industry can empower travelers to make more responsible choices.

2. Infrastructure and Technology: The availability of sustainable infrastructure and technologies is crucial for the growth of green tourism. However, implementing green infrastructure and adopting sustainable technologies can be challenging, particularly for smaller businesses and destinations. The opportunity lies in investing in renewable energy, efficient waste management systems, and eco-friendly transportation options. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and technology providers can help overcome these challenges and create more sustainable tourism infrastructures.

3. Balancing Conservation and Tourism: Sustainable tourism must strike a balance between meeting the needs of tourists and conserving natural and cultural assets. Managing visitor numbers, preserving delicate ecosystems, and mitigating the impact of tourism activities on local communities can be challenging. The opportunity lies in implementing responsible tourism practices, setting carrying capacity limits, and involving local communities in decision-making processes. By managing tourism sustainably, destinations can protect their unique assets while ensuring a positive and authentic travel experience.

4. Economic Viability: Green tourism initiatives can require upfront investments and may have higher operating costs compared to conventional practices. This can pose a challenge to businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises. However, green tourism also presents opportunities for new revenue streams and niche markets. Sustainable tourism practices can attract environmentally conscious travelers who are willing to pay a premium for a responsible travel experience. By focusing on innovative business models and promoting sustainability as a marketing asset, businesses can tap into the growing market of eco-conscious travelers.

5. Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaboration between various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, local communities, and non-governmental organizations, is essential for the success of green tourism. However, building strong partnerships can be challenging due to diverse interests, limited resources, and differing priorities. The opportunity lies in fostering collaboration and establishing platforms for dialogue and knowledge sharing. By working together, stakeholders can address common challenges, share best practices, and develop sustainable tourism strategies that benefit all parties involved.

By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, the tourism industry can embrace the opportunities presented by green tourism. Collaboration, innovation, education, and responsible practices are key to overcoming hurdles and creating a sustainable future for the industry.

Green tourism offers a transformative approach to travel, emphasizing sustainability, conservation, and responsible practices. It has the power to not only protect the environment and preserve cultural heritage but also bring economic benefits to local communities. By adopting green tourism practices, travelers can contribute to the well-being of the planet and make a positive impact on the destinations they visit.

Throughout this article, we have explored the definition of green tourism and its core principles. We have delved into the benefits of green tourism, including environmental conservation, socio-cultural respect, and economic viability. We have also examined various green tourism practices, such as sustainable transportation, eco-friendly accommodations, and responsible wildlife experiences.

Moreover, we have highlighted the importance of green tourism certification programs, which help travelers identify businesses committed to sustainable practices. We have provided case studies showcasing successful implementation of green tourism initiatives, as well as discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry.

As we conclude, it is clear that green tourism is more than a trend; it is a necessary shift towards a more sustainable and responsible travel industry. The power to make a difference lies in the hands of individual travelers, businesses, and governments. By making conscious choices, supporting sustainable initiatives, and advocating for change, we can ensure the preservation of our planet’s natural and cultural treasures for future generations.

So, let us embark on our travel journeys with the principles of green tourism in mind. Let us strive to minimize our environmental footprint, respect local cultures, and support the well-being of host communities. Together, we can create a world where travel not only enriches our lives but also protects the world we call home.

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What is Green Tourism?

Green tourism, a form of ecotourism , is low-impact tourism with an eye toward protecting the environment and culture of an area. The United Nations has set up certain criteria for ecotourism, but green tourism can cover a wide range of standards and conditions, from fully compliant to less stressful on the environment than standard tourism. There are many opportunities for green travel available worldwide.

The number of tourists traveling the world has been increasing, which makes green tourism not only preferable but a necessity in some areas. It might seem wiser to some people to protect natural habitats and pristine, fragile environments by banning visitors completely to these areas, but many areas depend on the income from tourism to support the local economy. Green, sustainable tourism is considered offer the best of both worlds, protecting the ecology of an area while keeping local schools and businesses thriving.

Green tourism doesn't necessarily mean a vacation spent roughing it with little or no comforts. On the contrary, many people believe that it can be a wonderful adventure. Ecotourism resorts and ecolodges exist in almost every style and taste. From recycling and gray water systems to tents on tree house-like platforms with a rain forest canopy, there are numerous vacationing options. Simple efforts, such as keeping to designated pathways, eating where locally grown cuisine is served and visiting cultural areas instead of typical tourist attractions, can go a long way toward "greening up" a standard vacation.

A very green holiday can be spent studying the local flora, fauna and cultural heritage of the area, as well as learning ways to protect and preserve it. Guides, tours and wildlife-viewing platforms help tourists experience all that an area has to offer while making little or no impact on the environment. There also are trips available in which vacationers take an active part in improving the local area by working to preserve the natural habitat, helping to build a school or performing other services that benefit the area. These vacations can be a lot of work, but many people find them to be very rewarding and interesting learning experiences.

As green tourism becomes more popular, there are likely to be more vacationing options available. More resort areas likely will take steps to have less of an impact on the surrounding environment, and sustainable tourism could easily become the standard. Local economies might be able to take full advantage of the booming tourist trade without compromising the local environment, allowing tourists to enjoy the beauty that these areas have to offer for many years to come.

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• By: amelie Wildlife viewing is a no-impact activity used in green tourism.
• By: phtphoto Green tourism promotes the preservation of ancient sites, like the Newgrange tombs in Ireland.
• By: Harry HU Some upscale beach resorts in the Caribbean are evolving to become more eco-conscious properties.
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• By: wiktor bubniak Green tourism is also known as ecotourism.

Green tourism what it is and why it is so important

What is green tourism? Why is it so important? Which are the key benefits of this type of tourism?

In an age where the impact of tourism is becoming visibly apparent, green tourism becomes extremely important.

Read on to find out more.

Definition and origins

Green tourism stands for small-scale tourism which involves visiting natural areas while minimising environmental impacts. In a nutshell, this type of tourism tries to both minimise and reverse the negative effects of travel. These include: overcrowding, the destruction of heritage and the environment, globalisation, detrimental social change and many others.

Thankfully, more and more tourism destinations and enterprises are focusing on becoming more sustainable and encouraging responsible tourism.

Green tourism has been used interchangeably with such concepts as ecotourism, nature tourism, responsible tourism and rural tourism. Moreover, international organizations have defined the notion in line with the concept of sustainable tourism, which also considers other dimensions than environmental protection.

Main benefits of green tourism

But why should you try to engage in green tourism? Besides the fact that your actions will be contributing positively, there are some great benefits of sustainable tourism.

Firstly, green tourism supports local communities . Particularly, responsible tourism generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry.

Secondly, sustainable tourism has a lower ecological impact. On the one hand, part of green tourism is eating local produce and food from local businesses. On the other, importing food comes at a huge cost – economically and environmentally. By eating locally, you not only save many emissions but you will also find that the food is better. In particular, the ingredients are fresher, the locals know how to prepare them, and you will probably get to taste something brand new that will intrigue you.

Thirdly, green tourism provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues.

Other benefits of green tourism

Additionally, responsible tourism helps travellers become conscious of their choices . If you aspire to be a sustainable tourist, you should educate yourself before you go on your vacation.

Are there certain locations that you should not visit if you want to keep them sustainable? What carbon footprint do you leave behind? A responsible tourist will make decisions based on what is best for the local communities in the long term, making sure that the actions based on those decisions have a positive impact on those communities.

Finally, it is a way to open our minds to the world and the realisation that we are all different but we are also the same. And doing it responsibly gives us an opportunity to learn through meaningful connections with local people and to get a better understanding of local cultural, as well as social and environmental issues.

To sum up, travelling responsibly doesn’t only have a positive impact in the destinations and communities we visit, but it also provides us with enriching experiences that often stay with us and become the highlight in our memories.

And if you are looking for beautiful accommodation for your green travel vacation, check out our beautiful hotels .

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Encyclopedia of Tourism pp 1–2 Cite as

Green Tourism

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The concept of green tourism has evolved over time and is presently used with different meanings. The original one, spread during the 1980s, stands for small-scale tourism which involves visiting natural areas while minimizing environmental impacts. In this line, green tourism has been used interchangeably with such concepts as ecotourism, nature tourism, and rural tourism (Sung-kwon et al. 2003 ). Businesses have generally adopted a broader meaning for green tourism: any tourism activity operating in an environmentally friendly manner.

Recently, international organizations have defined the notion in line with the concept of sustainable tourism, which also considers other dimensions than environmental protection. In fact, for the World Tourism Organization, green tourism consists of “tourism activities that can be maintained, or sustained, indefinitely in their social, economic, cultural and environmental contexts” (UNWTO 2012 : 1). For the United Nations Environment Programme, green...

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Line, Nathaniel, Lydia Hanks, and Li Miao. 2017. Image matters: Incentivizing green tourism behavior. Journal of Travel Research 57 (3): 296–309.

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Pintassilgo, Pedro, Patrícia Pinto, Andreia Costa, António Matias, and Maria Helena Guimarães. 2021. Environmental attitudes and behaviour of birdwatchers: A missing link. Tourism Recreation Research . https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2021.1920755

Sung-kwon, Hong, Seong-il Kim, and Jae-hyun Kim. 2003. Implications of potential green tourism development. Annals of Tourism Research 30: 323–341.

United Nations Environment Programme. 2011. Towards a green economy: Pathways to sustainable development and poverty eradication . Geneva: United Nations Environment Programme.

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UNWTO. 2012. Tourism in the green economy: Background report . Madrid: World Tourism Organization.

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Pintassilgo, P. (2022). Green Tourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_264-2

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What Is Sustainable Tourism and Why Is It Important?

Sustainable management and socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental impacts are the four pillars of sustainable tourism

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What Makes Tourism Sustainable?

The role of tourists, types of sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism considers its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts by addressing the needs of its ecological surroundings and the local communities. This is achieved by protecting natural environments and wildlife when developing and managing tourism activities, providing only authentic experiences for tourists that don’t appropriate or misrepresent local heritage and culture, or creating direct socioeconomic benefits for local communities through training and employment.

As people begin to pay more attention to sustainability and the direct and indirect effects of their actions, travel destinations and organizations are following suit. For example, the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment is aiming to see every New Zealand tourism business committed to sustainability by 2025, while the island country of Palau has required visitors to sign an eco pledge upon entry since 2017.

Tourism industries are considered successfully sustainable when they can meet the needs of travelers while having a low impact on natural resources and generating long-term employment for locals. By creating positive experiences for local people, travelers, and the industry itself, properly managed sustainable tourism can meet the needs of the present without compromising the future.

What Is Sustainability?

At its core, sustainability focuses on balance — maintaining our environmental, social, and economic benefits without using up the resources that future generations will need to thrive. In the past, sustainability ideals tended to lean towards business, though more modern definitions of sustainability highlight finding ways to avoid depleting natural resources in order to keep an ecological balance and maintain the quality of environmental and human societies.

Since tourism impacts and is impacted by a wide range of different activities and industries, all sectors and stakeholders (tourists, governments, host communities, tourism businesses) need to collaborate on sustainable tourism in order for it to be successful.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) , which is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of sustainable tourism, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) , the global standard for sustainable travel and tourism, have similar opinions on what makes tourism sustainable. By their account, sustainable tourism should make the best use of environmental resources while helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity, respect the socio-culture of local host communities, and contribute to intercultural understanding. Economically, it should also ensure viable long-term operations that will provide benefits to all stakeholders, whether that includes stable employment to locals, social services, or contributions to poverty alleviation.

The GSTC has developed a series of criteria to create a common language about sustainable travel and tourism. These criteria are used to distinguish sustainable destinations and organizations, but can also help create sustainable policies for businesses and government agencies. Arranged in four pillars, the global baseline standards include sustainable management, socioeconomic impact, cultural impacts, and environmental impacts.

Travel Tip:

The GSTC is an excellent resource for travelers who want to find sustainably managed destinations and accommodations and learn how to become a more sustainable traveler in general.

Environment 

Protecting natural environments is the bedrock of sustainable tourism. Data released by the World Tourism Organization estimates that tourism-based CO2 emissions are forecast to increase 25% by 2030. In 2016, tourism transport-related emissions contributed to 5% of all man-made emissions, while transport-related emissions from long-haul international travel were expected to grow 45% by 2030.

The environmental ramifications of tourism don’t end with carbon emissions, either. Unsustainably managed tourism can create waste problems, lead to land loss or soil erosion, increase natural habitat loss, and put pressure on endangered species . More often than not, the resources in these places are already scarce, and sadly, the negative effects can contribute to the destruction of the very environment on which the industry depends.

Industries and destinations that want to be sustainable must do their part to conserve resources, reduce pollution, and conserve biodiversity and important ecosystems. In order to achieve this, proper resource management and management of waste and emissions is important. In Bali, for example, tourism consumes 65% of local water resources, while in Zanzibar, tourists use 15 times as much water per night as local residents.

Another factor to environmentally focused sustainable tourism comes in the form of purchasing: Does the tour operator, hotel, or restaurant favor locally sourced suppliers and products? How do they manage their food waste and dispose of goods? Something as simple as offering paper straws instead of plastic ones can make a huge dent in an organization’s harmful pollutant footprint.

Recently, there has been an uptick in companies that promote carbon offsetting . The idea behind carbon offsetting is to compensate for generated greenhouse gas emissions by canceling out emissions somewhere else. Much like the idea that reducing or reusing should be considered first before recycling , carbon offsetting shouldn’t be the primary goal. Sustainable tourism industries always work towards reducing emissions first and offset what they can’t.

Properly managed sustainable tourism also has the power to provide alternatives to need-based professions and behaviors like poaching . Often, and especially in underdeveloped countries, residents turn to environmentally harmful practices due to poverty and other social issues. At Periyar Tiger Reserve in India, for example, an unregulated increase in tourists made it more difficult to control poaching in the area. In response, an eco development program aimed at providing employment for locals turned 85 former poachers into reserve gamekeepers. Under supervision of the reserve’s management staff, the group of gamekeepers have developed a series of tourism packages and are now protecting land instead of exploiting it. They’ve found that jobs in responsible wildlife tourism are more rewarding and lucrative than illegal work.

Flying nonstop and spending more time in a single destination can help save CO2, since planes use more fuel the more times they take off.

Local Culture and Residents

One of the most important and overlooked aspects of sustainable tourism is contributing to protecting, preserving, and enhancing local sites and traditions. These include areas of historical, archaeological, or cultural significance, but also "intangible heritage," such as ceremonial dance or traditional art techniques.

In cases where a site is being used as a tourist attraction, it is important that the tourism doesn’t impede access to local residents. For example, some tourist organizations create local programs that offer residents the chance to visit tourism sites with cultural value in their own countries. A program called “Children in the Wilderness” run by Wilderness Safaris educates children in rural Africa about the importance of wildlife conservation and valuable leadership development tools. Vacations booked through travel site Responsible Travel contribute to the company’s “Trip for a Trip” program, which organizes day trips for disadvantaged youth who live near popular tourist destinations but have never had the opportunity to visit.

Sustainable tourism bodies work alongside communities to incorporate various local cultural expressions as part of a traveler’s experiences and ensure that they are appropriately represented. They collaborate with locals and seek their input on culturally appropriate interpretation of sites, and train guides to give visitors a valuable (and correct) impression of the site. The key is to inspire travelers to want to protect the area because they understand its significance.

Bhutan, a small landlocked country in South Asia, has enforced a system of all-inclusive tax for international visitors since 1997 ($200 per day in the off season and $250 per day in the high season). This way, the government is able to restrict the tourism market to local entrepreneurs exclusively and restrict tourism to specific regions, ensuring that the country’s most precious natural resources won’t be exploited.

Incorporating volunteer work into your vacation is an amazing way to learn more about the local culture and help contribute to your host community at the same time. You can also book a trip that is focused primarily on volunteer work through a locally run charity or non profit (just be sure that the job isn’t taking employment opportunities away from residents).

It's not difficult to make a business case for sustainable tourism, especially if one looks at a destination as a product. Think of protecting a destination, cultural landmark, or ecosystem as an investment. By keeping the environment healthy and the locals happy, sustainable tourism will maximize the efficiency of business resources. This is especially true in places where locals are more likely to voice their concerns if they feel like the industry is treating visitors better than residents.

Not only does reducing reliance on natural resources help save money in the long run, studies have shown that modern travelers are likely to participate in environmentally friendly tourism. In 2019, Booking.com found that 73% of travelers preferred an eco-sustainable hotel over a traditional one and 72% of travelers believed that people need to make sustainable travel choices for the sake of future generations.

Always be mindful of where your souvenirs are coming from and whether or not the money is going directly towards the local economy. For example, opt for handcrafted souvenirs made by local artisans.

Growth in the travel and tourism sectors alone has outpaced the overall global economy growth for nine years in a row. Prior to the pandemic, travel and tourism accounted for an $9.6 trillion contribution to the global GDP and 333 million jobs (or one in four new jobs around the world).

Sustainable travel dollars help support employees, who in turn pay taxes that contribute to their local economy. If those employees are not paid a fair wage or aren’t treated fairly, the traveler is unknowingly supporting damaging or unsustainable practices that do nothing to contribute to the future of the community. Similarly, if a hotel doesn’t take into account its ecological footprint, it may be building infrastructure on animal nesting grounds or contributing to excessive pollution. The same goes for attractions, since sustainably managed spots (like nature preserves) often put profits towards conservation and research.

Costa Rica was able to turn a severe deforestation crisis in the 1980s into a diversified tourism-based economy by designating 25.56% of land protected as either a national park, wildlife refuge, or reserve.

While traveling, think of how you would want your home country or home town to be treated by visitors.

Are You a Sustainable Traveler?

Sustainable travelers understand that their actions create an ecological and social footprint on the places they visit. Be mindful of the destinations , accommodations, and activities you choose, and choose destinations that are closer to home or extend your length of stay to save resources. Consider switching to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation such as bicycles, trains, or walking while on vacation. Look into supporting locally run tour operations or local family-owned businesses rather than large international chains. Don’t engage in activities that harm wildlife, such as elephant riding or tiger petting , and opt instead for a wildlife sanctuary (or better yet, attend a beach clean up or plan an hour or two of some volunteer work that interests you). Leave natural areas as you found them by taking out what you carry in, not littering, and respecting the local residents and their traditions.

Most of us travel to experience the world. New cultures, new traditions, new sights and smells and tastes are what makes traveling so rewarding. It is our responsibility as travelers to ensure that these destinations are protected not only for the sake of the communities who rely upon them, but for a future generation of travelers.

Sustainable tourism has many different layers, most of which oppose the more traditional forms of mass tourism that are more likely to lead to environmental damage, loss of culture, pollution, negative economic impacts, and overtourism.

Ecotourism highlights responsible travel to natural areas that focus on environmental conservation. A sustainable tourism body supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation by managing its own property responsibly and respecting or enhancing nearby natural protected areas (or areas of high biological value). Most of the time, this looks like a financial compensation to conservation management, but it can also include making sure that tours, attractions, and infrastructure don’t disturb natural ecosystems.

On the same page, wildlife interactions with free roaming wildlife should be non-invasive and managed responsibly to avoid negative impacts to the animals. As a traveler, prioritize visits to accredited rescue and rehabilitation centers that focus on treating, rehoming, or releasing animals back into the wild, such as the Jaguar Rescue Center in Costa Rica.

Soft Tourism

Soft tourism may highlight local experiences, local languages, or encourage longer time spent in individual areas. This is opposed to hard tourism featuring short duration of visits, travel without respecting culture, taking lots of selfies , and generally feeling a sense of superiority as a tourist.

Many World Heritage Sites, for example, pay special attention to protection, preservation, and sustainability by promoting soft tourism. Peru’s famed Machu Picchu was previously known as one of the world’s worst victims of overtourism , or a place of interest that has experienced negative effects (such as traffic or litter) from excessive numbers of tourists. The attraction has taken steps to control damages in recent years, requiring hikers to hire local guides on the Inca Trail, specifying dates and time on visitor tickets to negate overcrowding, and banning all single use plastics from the site.

Traveling during a destination’s shoulder season , the period between the peak and low seasons, typically combines good weather and low prices without the large crowds. This allows better opportunities to immerse yourself in a new place without contributing to overtourism, but also provides the local economy with income during a normally slow season.

Rural Tourism

Rural tourism applies to tourism that takes place in non-urbanized areas such as national parks, forests, nature reserves, and mountain areas. This can mean anything from camping and glamping to hiking and WOOFing. Rural tourism is a great way to practice sustainable tourism, since it usually requires less use of natural resources.

Community Tourism

Community-based tourism involves tourism where local residents invite travelers to visit their own communities. It sometimes includes overnight stays and often takes place in rural or underdeveloped countries. This type of tourism fosters connection and enables tourists to gain an in-depth knowledge of local habitats, wildlife, and traditional cultures — all while providing direct economic benefits to the host communities. Ecuador is a world leader in community tourism, offering unique accommodation options like the Sani Lodge run by the local Kichwa indigenous community, which offers responsible cultural experiences in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.

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" 45 Arrivals Every Second ." The World Counts.

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Kutty, Govindan M., and T.K. Raghavan Nair. " Periyar Tiger Reserve: Poachers Turned Gamekeepers ." Food and Agriculture Organization.

" GSTC Destination Criteria ." Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Rinzin, Chhewang, et al. " Ecotourism as a Mechanism for Sustainable Development: the Case of Bhutan ." Environmental Sciences , vol. 4, no. 2, 2007, pp. 109-125, doi:10.1080/15693430701365420

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" Economic Impact Reports ." World Travel and Tourism Council .

• Regenerative Travel: What It Is and How It's Outperforming Sustainable Tourism
• How to Be a Sustainable Traveler: 18 Tips
• What Is Ecotourism? Definition, Examples, and Pros and Cons
• Some Advice on How to Travel More Intentionally
• 'The Last Tourist' Film Will Make You Approach Travel Differently
• Best of Green Awards 2021: Sustainable Travel
• Costa Rica’s Keys to Success as a Sustainable Tourism Pioneer
• What Is Community-Based Tourism? Definition and Popular Destinations
• What Is Overtourism and Why Is It Such a Big Problem?
• What Is Experiential Tourism?
• What Is Voluntourism? Does It Help or Harm Communities?
• Food Sovereignty: Definition, Principles, and Importance
• Best of Green Awards 2021: Eco Tech
• 10 Ways to Be an Eco-Conscious Tourist
• Travel + Leisure's Global Vision Awards Are a Win for the Planet
• Spain Starts a School for Shepherdesses

Sustainable tourism

Related sdgs, promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable ....

Description

Publications.

Tourism is one of the world's fastest growing industries and an important source of foreign exchange and employment, while being closely linked to the social, economic, and environmental well-being of many countries, especially developing countries. Maritime or ocean-related tourism, as well as coastal tourism, are for example vital sectors of the economy in small island developing States (SIDS) and coastal least developed countries (LDCs) (see also: The Potential of the Blue Economy report as well as the Community of Ocean Action on sustainable blue economy).

The World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities".

Based on General assembly resolution 70/193, 2017 was declared as the  International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development SDG target 8.9, aims to “by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. The importance of sustainable tourism is also highlighted in SDG target 12.b. which aims to “develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”.

Tourism is also identified as one of the tools to “by 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries” as comprised in SDG target 14.7.

In the Rio+20 outcome document The Future We want, sustainable tourism is defined by paragraph 130 as a significant contributor “to the three dimensions of sustainable development” thanks to its close linkages to other sectors and its ability to create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities. Therefore, Member States recognize “the need to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building that promote environmental awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural diversity, and improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities by supporting their local economies and the human and natural environment as a whole. ” In paragraph 130, Member States also “call for enhanced support for sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building in developing countries in order to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development”.

In paragraph 131, Member States “encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism and cultural tourism, which may include creating small- and medium-sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples and local communities in areas with high eco-tourism potential”. In this regard, Member States also “underline the importance of establishing, where necessary, appropriate guidelines and regulations in accordance with national priorities and legislation for promoting and supporting sustainable tourism”.

In 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg called for the promotion of sustainable tourism development, including non-consumptive and eco-tourism, in Chapter IV, paragraph 43 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.

At the Johannesburg Summit, the launch of the “Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) initiative was announced. The initiative was inaugurated by the World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with UNCTAD, in order to develop sustainable tourism as a force for poverty alleviation.

The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) last reviewed the issue of sustainable tourism in 2001, when it was acting as the Preparatory Committee for the Johannesburg Summit.

The importance of sustainable tourism was also mentioned in Agenda 21.

For more information and documents on this topic,  please visit this link

UNWTO Annual Report 2015

2015 was a landmark year for the global community. In September, the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal agenda for planet and people. Among the 17 SDGs and 169 associated targets, tourism is explicitly featured in Goa...

UNWTO Annual Report 2016

In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. This is a unique opportunity to devote a year to activities that promote the transformational power of tourism to help us reach a better future. This important cele...

Emerging Issues for Small Island Developing States

The 2012 UNEP Foresight Process on Emerging Global Environmental Issues primarily identified emerging environmental issues and possible solutions on a global scale and perspective. In 2013, UNEP carried out a similar exercise to identify priority emerging environmental issues that are of concern to ...

Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom, We recognize that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for su...

15 Years of the UNWTO World Tourism Network on Child Protection: A Compilation of Good Practices

Although it is widely recognized that tourism is not the cause of child exploitation, it can aggravate the problem when parts of its infrastructure, such as transport networks and accommodation facilities, are exploited by child abusers for nefarious ends. Additionally, many other factors that contr...

Towards Measuring the Economic Value of Wildlife Watching Tourism in Africa

Set against the backdrop of the ongoing poaching crisis driven by a dramatic increase in the illicit trade in wildlife products, this briefing paper intends to support the ongoing efforts of African governments and the broader international community in the fight against poaching. Specifically, this...

Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970-2012

Previous Caribbean assessments lumped data together into a single database regardless of geographic location, reef environment, depth, oceanographic conditions, etc. Data from shallow lagoons and back reef environments were combined with data from deep fore-reef environments and atolls. Geographic c...

Natural Resources Forum: Special Issue Tourism

The journal considers papers on all topics relevant to sustainable development. In addition, it dedicates series, issues and special sections to specific themes that are relevant to the current discussions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)....

Thailand: Supporting Sustainable Development in Thailand: A Geographic Clusters Approach

Market forces and government policies, including the Tenth National Development Plan (2007-2012), are moving Thailand toward a more geographically specialized economy. There is a growing consensus that Thailand’s comparative and competitive advantages lie in amenity services that have high reliance...

Road Map on Building a Green Economy for Sustainable Development in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Grenada

This publication is the product of an international study led by the Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Foreig...

Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal (NRF)

  Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal, seeks to address gaps in current knowledge and stimulate relevant policy discussions, leading to the implementation of the sustainable development agenda and the achievement of the Sustainable...

UN Ocean Conference 2025

Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility “The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future. The ocean is an important source of the planet’s biodiversity and plays a vital role in the climate system and water cycle. The ocean provides a range of ecosystem services, supplies us with

UN Ocean Conference 2022

The UN Ocean Conference 2022, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, came at a critical time as the world was strengthening its efforts to mobilize, create and drive solutions to realize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

58th Session of the Commission for Social Development – CSocD58

22nd general assembly of the united nations world tourism organization, world tourism day 2017 official celebration.

This year’s World Tourism Day, held on 27 September, will be focused on Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development. Celebrated in line with the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Day will be dedicated to exploring the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Deve

World Tourism Day 2016 Official Celebration

Accessible Tourism for all is about the creation of environments that can cater for the needs of all of us, whether we are traveling or staying at home. May that be due to a disability, even temporary, families with small children, or the ageing population, at some point in our lives, sooner or late

4th Global Summit on City Tourism

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Regional Council for Tourism of Marrakesh with support of the Government of Morroco are organizing the 4th Global Summit on City Tourism in Marrakesh, Morroco (9-10 December 2015). International experts in city tourism, representatives of city DMOs, of

2nd Euro-Asian Mountain Resorts Conference

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Ulsan Metropolitan City with support of the Government of the Republic of Korea are organizing the 2nd Euro-Asian Mountain Resorts Conference, in Ulsan, Republic of Korea (14 - 16 October 2015). Under the title “Paving the Way for a Bright Future for Mounta

21st General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization

Unwto regional conference enhancing brand africa - fostering tourism development.

Tourism is one of the Africa’s most promising sectors in terms of development, and represents a major opportunity to foster inclusive development, increase the region’s participation in the global economy and generate revenues for investment in other activities, including environmental preservation.

• January 2017 International Year of Tourism In the context of the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute to the SDGs.
• January 2015 Targets 8.9, 12 b,14.7 The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits Member States, through Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.9 to “devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. The importance of sustainable tourism, as a driver for jobs creation and the promotion of local culture and products, is also highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal target 12.b. Tourism is also identified as one of the tools to “increase [by 2030] the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries”, through Sustainable Development Goals Target 14.7.
• January 2012 Future We Want (Para 130-131) Sustainable tourism is defined as a significant contributor “to the three dimensions of sustainable development” thanks to its close linkages to other sectors and its ability to create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities. Therefore, Member States recognize “the need to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building that promote environmental awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural diversity, and improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities” as well as to “encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism and cultural tourism, which may include creating small and medium sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples and local communities in areas with high eco-tourism potential”.
• January 2009 Roadmap for Recovery UNWTO announced in March 2009 the elaboration of a Roadmap for Recovery to be finalized by UNWTO’s General Assembly, based on seven action points. The Roadmap includes a set of 15 recommendations based on three interlocking action areas: resilience, stimulus, green economy aimed at supporting the tourism sector and the global economy.
• January 2008 Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria represent the minimum requirements any tourism business should observe in order to ensure preservation and respect of the natural and cultural resources and make sure at the same time that tourism potential as tool for poverty alleviation is enforced. The Criteria are 41 and distributed into four different categories: 1) sustainability management, 2) social and economic 3) cultural 4) environmental.
• January 2003 WTO becomes a UN specialized body By Resolution 453 (XV), the Assembly agreed on the transformation of the WTO into a United Nations specialized body. Such transformation was later ratified by the United Nations General Assembly with the adoption of Resolution A/RES/58/232.
• January 2003 1st Int. Conf. on Climate Change and Tourism The conference was organized in order to gather tourism authorities, organizations, businesses and scientists to discuss on the impact that climate change can have on the tourist sector. The event took place from 9 till 11 April 2003 in Djerba, Tunisia.
• January 2002 World Ecotourism Summit Held in May 2002, in Quebec City, Canada, the Summit represented the most important event in the framework of the International Year of Ecosystem. The Summit identified as main themes: ecotourism policy and planning, regulation of ecotourism, product development, marketing and promotion of ecotourism and monitoring costs and benefits of ecotourism.
• January 1985 Tourism Bill of Rights and Tourist Code At the World Tourism Organization Sixth Assembly held in Sofia in 1985, the Tourism Bill of Rights and Tourist Code were adopted, setting out the rights and duties of tourists and host populations and formulating policies and action for implementation by states and the tourist industry.
• January 1982 Acapulco Document Adopted in 1982, the Acapulco Document acknowledges the new dimension and role of tourism as a positive instrument towards the improvement of the quality of life for all peoples, as well as a significant force for peace and international understanding. The Acapulco Document also urges Member States to elaborate their policies, plans and programmes on tourism, in accordance with their national priorities and within the framework of the programme of work of the World Tourism Organization.

Because We Care

Sustainable Tourism, Green Tourism, Ecotourism Explained

 Posted on April 7, 2021 by Yonature

  4 Comments

Sustainable tourism is now a new way of practicing tourism .

As it is, tourism plays an important role in the economy of most countries. In the past, mass tourism led to several detrimental impacts on the environment, physically and socio-culturally. But, since the environmental movement in the 1970s/80s, the focus of the tourism sector changed. The well-being of the host community became the priority instead of the tourists.

Over time, people used several terms to define this new type of tourism. Some examples are alternative, endemic, sustainable, eco and green tourism.

And eventually, different organizations defined the different terms in relation to the purpose of the tourism activity.

We will concentrate on the definitions of sustainable tourism, ecotourism and green tourism mainly. Though people use these three terms interchangeably, they actually refer to different things.

Sustainable tourism

History of sustainable tourism.

Since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, all economic sectors had to decrease their environmental impact s. They were compelled to be more sustainable. Sustainable here refers to economic vitality, social equity and environmental preservation. The tourism sector, one of the largest global industries, had to comply as well.

In the early days, tourism suppliers basically supported environmental conservation. Many also advocated for the preservation of local culture and traditions. But, generally, researchers, businesses and academicians mostly debated the idea of sustainable tourism. The media also did not give it much attention.

As the years rolled by and the threats of climate change became more visible, sustainable tourism became an obligation.

Definition of sustainable tourism

According to the UNWTO,

Sustainable tourism is tourism that takes full account of its current and future environmental, social and economic impacts. It addresses the needs of visitors, the environment, host communities and the industry.

Basically, sustainable tourism is the integration of the sustainable development principles into the tourism sector. A harmony must exist between the environment, economy and society.

Hence, it is not a sub-sector of tourism per se. Rather, it is an umbrella under which all forms of tourism fall, including eco-tourism.

Sustainable tourism rests on specific development guidelines and management practices. It also includes both mass and niche tourism.

Principles of sustainable tourism

Basically, the principles for sustainable tourism are

• Using environmental resources wisely,
• Respecting and conserving socio-cultural authenticity of host communities
• And providing economic benefits to host communities.

Thus, sustainable tourism is quite complex in nature and requires the efforts of all stakeholders including the government. It is also a continuous process, with adjustments as required.

At the same time, the experience must enrich the tourist significantly. It must raise awareness of environmental issues . And encourage sustainable gestures .

Ways to be sustainable in the tourism sector

So, all stakeholders play an important role in making the tourism sector sustainable. It includes small, local operations to large, international companies. As it is, the sector provides various services like accommodation, transport, attractions and food. Hence, we can implement sustainable practices at different stages and in many activities.

1.       Sustainable practices in transportation

         i.            airlines.

• Maintain a young fleet as far as possible as new technology helps to reduce carbon emissions .
• Also, choose non-stop flights.
• Airlines should encourage high load factor flights because when more people travel, the energy used per passenger decreases.
• And reduce operating weights as the less planes weigh, the less energy they use.

       II.            Cars

• Generally, promote the use of low-emission cars.
• Or replace old cars with environmentally friendly ones .
• And avoid SUVs as far as possible.

     III.            Railways and coaches

• Use renewable sources of energy.
• Recycle materials as much as possible.
• Likewise, renew infrastructure to attract more customers and decrease energy use.
• And improve customer service and trips to attract more tourists.

2.       Accommodation

• Save energy with better air conditioning/heating systems.
• Generally, use energy-saving lighting systems such as sensors or even control vegetation growth.
• Opt for local foods to reduce transport costs.
• Likewise, invest in renewable energy sources like solar power .
• And recycle waste .

3.       Tour operators

• Re-think and re-structure their distant destinations with closer ones.
• They should also develop low-carbon holidays such as train-based trips.
• And offer carbon offsets for flights.

4.       Tourists

• Minimize air travel or choose alternative methods.
• Even travel less frequently and stay for longer periods of time.
• Likewise, voluntarily choose to offset flights that they cannot avoid.
• And choose airlines/destinations/services/activities that are eco-friendly.

Eco-tourism

Definition of ecotourism.

According to The International Ecotourism Society,

‘ecotourism is the responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment. It also sustains the well-being of local people and involves interpretation and education.’

So, ecotourism is not only engaging in nature-based activities. Rather, it is a way to preserve the natural environment and sustain local communities.

History of ecotourism

Ecotourism first appeared in 1965 when Hetzer coined it with responsible travel. Eventually, other authors used it to refer to eco-development in parks in Latin America and Canada.

During the 1970s/80s’ environmental movement, the term became famous. Mass tourism was heavily degrading the environment and tourists wanted nature-based experiences .

At the same time, people in less developed countries were mutilating their natural resources for agriculture and development. They also realized that they could preserve their natural environment while gaining foreign currency.

Eventually, people used several different terms to promote concepts linked to ecotourism like responsible tourism. Some terms were vague in nature and we no longer use them. Others are basically subdivisions of ecotourism such as wildlife tourism.

Principles of ecotourism

For ecotourism to be successful, proponents must adhere to certain principles. These are:

• Keep environmental, behavioural, social and psychological impacts to a minimum.
• Likewise, respect the culture of host communities and their environment.
• Also, directly finance environmental conservation and host communities.
• Maximize tourist and host satisfaction.
• Build infrastructure that have the minimum impact on the environment.
• And, understand and recognize the spiritual beliefs of indigenous communities and help support them.

Ecotourism in Ecuador as an example

Perhaps one of the most successful ecotourism destination is Ecuador. Historically, it became a famous ecotourism site because of the rare species that inhabit the Galapagos Islands.

Eventually, though, many indigenous groups adopted ecotourism as part of their development strategy.

Today, a wide range of community groups including indigenous people, Afro-Ecuadoreans and mestizos work on diverse ecotourism projects. These range from the majestic Amazon forest to the high sierra and the coast of Ecuador.

Importance of ecotourism in Ecuador

Indeed, Ecuador is one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth. The Oriente, especially, where the majority of the land belongs to indigenous communities like the Quicha, Achuar, Huaorani and Shuar is very rich.

Ecotourism helped massively in the preservation of natural areas. Otherwise, investors would have destroyed the Amazon forest for oil.

In general, tour operators and NGOs help small communities to make the most of ecotourism based on their own terms. Thus, it allows indigenous people to sell traditional knowledge and use natural resources sustainably.

At the same time, it gives these communities much needed international support when they face tough decisions regarding the exploitation of natural resources. Additionally, it is a form of self-defence for indigenous communities. It helps them preserve their culture, traditional economies and remaining wild places on Earth.

For sure, small rural communities offer memorable experiences to tourists. They share their homes with them and teach them about their local customs and traditions. Or sometimes, they build eco-lodges in their localities with traditional materials and minimum impact on the environment.

Ecotourism activities

In general, ecotourism activities vary greatly from place to place. It typically revolves around the environment and the local customs of the community.

In Ecuador, the main ecotourism activities are

• Visiting the Ecuadorian forests ( mangrove , cloud forest, high mountains etc.)
• Observing the flora and fauna
• Artisanal canoe rides and boat tours
• Forests, cliffs and beaches walks
• Artisanal fishing and octopus catching on rocky beaches
• Preparing and tasting traditional foods and drinks
• Artisanal fabric, jewelry, musical instruments, masks making
• Visits to sacred places, traditional shamans, midwives

Types of ecotourism

There are many subsectors that are related to ecotourism. We define them purely according to the principal attraction or product. They do not necessarily conform to the criteria applied specifically in ecotourism.

So, the main types of ecotourism are principally nature-based, wildlife, adventure, farm and cultural tourism.

Nature-based tourism

As a general rule, nature-based tourism refers to tourism where the natural features of the environment are the centre of attraction. It includes broad trips to visit landscapes or more specialized products like wildlife sightseeing. Camping, stargazing and birdwatching are examples of nature-based tourism.

Wildlife tourism

As for wildlife tourism, it is a large part of nature-based tourism itself. Wildlife tourism products vary greatly from terrestrial to marine tourism. The most common activities are safaris, guided rides, sport hunting, recreational fishing and animal feeding.

Adventure tourism

Adventure tourism refers to commercial tours where the principal attraction is an outdoor activity. This activity typically depends on the natural features of the terrain. It is exciting for the tourist and generally requires specialized sports equipment. Examples include skiing, snowboarding and surfing.

Farm tourism

Farm tourism in fact originates from bed-and-breakfast establishments and ranches. Today, many landholders are investing in it to provide tourists a unique experience of rural life and farming. Some examples are French vineyards, rice paddies in South-east Asia and dairy farms in the Swiss Alps.

Cultural tourism

In cultural tourism, tourists travel to experience different cultures and traditions. The aim is to learn and understand traditional cultures and visit historical sites. It includes folkloric music, art and dance, museums and traditional artefacts. An example is the traditional Kawa hot bath, in the Philippines.

Green tourism

History of green tourism.

The term green tourism emerged in the 1980s referring to small groups of tourists visiting natural areas. They had the minimum impact on the environment. Eventually, people used it interchangeably with ecotourism and sustainable tourism.

Definition of green tourism

The UNWTO defines green tourism as

‘Activities that can we can maintain indefinitely in their environmental, social, economic and cultural contexts.’

Principles of green tourism

Basically, green tourism is a way to promote sustainable tourism.

As it is, the tourism industry will always have impacts given the large number of sectors involved. But, we can decrease these impacts.

Green tourism thus aims to help sectors engage in activities and make choices that have less environmental impacts, benefits society and the economy.

It includes ways to

• Reduce energy use,
• Also, minimize food miles,
• Promote biodiversity,
• And adopt sustainable practices.

Difference between sustainable tourism, ecotourism and green tourism

• Sustainable tourism refers to the incorporation of sustainable practices in the tourism sector.
• Ecotourism is a branch of tourism.
• Green tourism is a catalyst to achieve sustainable tourism.

• Buckley, R., 2009.  Ecotourism: Principles and practices . CABI.
• Maldonado-Erazo, C.P., del Río-Rama, M.D.L.C., Noboa-Viñan, P. and Álvarez-García, J., 2020. Community-Based Tourism in Ecuador: Community Ventures of the Provincial and Cantonal Networks.  Sustainability ,  12 (15), p.6256.
• Weaver, D.B. ed., 2001. The encyclopedia of ecotourism. Cabi.

 Category: Human activities      Tags: characteristics of sustainable tourism , difference between sustainable tourism and green tourism , ecotourism activities , ecotourism example , ecotourism meaning , green tourism examples , green tourism meaning , green tourism practices , how to achieve sustainable tourism , how to be sustainable in tourism sector , importance of green tourism , principles of ecotourism , principles of green tourism , principles of sustainable tourism , Sustainable tourism meaning , types of ecotourism , ways for tourism to be sustainable

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A Complete Guide To Understanding Ecotourism

Terms like ecotourism, green tourism, and sustainable tourism have been popping up in discussions easily, and unfortunately, they are being used interchangeably. Here, we will take a look at what is ecotourism and what are the principles of ecotourism.

Over the years, ecotourism has been gaining a lot of importance, especially considering that more and more travellers are looking to be more responsible and follow environment-friendly practices. However, many are still not clear about exactly what is ecotourism or the principles of ecotourism. There is a misconception that ecotourism, green tourism, and sustainable tourism are the same thing, and while they all promote responsible tourism, they all mean different things and have different scopes.

In this article, while trying to give a deeper understanding of what is ecotourism, we will give you information about ecotourism like the meaning of ecotourism, ecotourism tourism definition, and the principles of ecotourism. By the end of this article, we hope you will have a clearer understanding of the term and its evolution.

Also read: What is the difference between eco tourism, green tourism and sustainable tourism?

What Is Ecotourism?

Eco-tourism or ecological tourism has been defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES, 2015). To answer the question “What is ecotourism?” in a simpler way, it is a form of tourism that is about going out into the natural world and is more about what you do in a place than where you stay. It is more than just travelling around the whole world and sightseeing.

It is the kind of tourism where fragile and/or pristine natural environments are visited in a way that the impact of the visit is minimised. The environment and local communities should benefit in such a way that the latter is motivated to keep the local environment pristine.

Another way to explain what is ecotourism is to say that it involves travel to places where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the main attractions. It supports conservation efforts through the education of tourists, giving them an insight into the human impact on the environment, and helping them gain a better appreciation of natural habitats. It may also benefit the environment through direct investment in conservation efforts.

Also read: 10 simple ways to become a responsible traveller

History Of Ecotourism

Although the term ecotourism has been gaining popularity in recent years, it is not a new concept. However, there is no clarity as to the origins of the term as there are several different claims as to when it came into use.

Some claim that the term ecotourism was popularised by Hector Ceballos-Lascurian, who also claimed to have coined the term in the year 1983. This is when he was in the dual role of founding president of PRONATURA (an influential Mexican conservationist NGO) and Director General of Standards and Technology of SEDUE (the Mexican Ministry of Urban Development and Ecology). To him, ecotourism meant travelling to undisturbed areas to enjoy the natural beauty and culture. Later, in 1984, he founded ECOTOURS, Mexico’s first ecotourism agency. Ceballos-Lascurian even served as an Ecotourism Advisor to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation for many years.

Some others claim that the term was coined in 1965 by Claus-Dieter (Nick) Hetzer, who was an academic and adventurer from the Forum International, Berkeley, USA. He is also believed to have run the first eco-tours in Yucatán in the early 1970s.

[What is an eco-tour?: Tours that involve visits to scenic or remote natural areas and are designed to minimise negative impacts on the environment and local inhabitants.]

There is another claim that eco tourism originated even earlier, in 1901 in fact, with the Sierra Club’s Outing program. These were annual expeditions that took hikers into the Sierra Nevada’s backcountry, showing them its natural wonders so that they could actively work for the preservation of the forests.

Over the past decades, there have been many icons of ecotourism and now, this form of tourism has been gaining a lot of importance. Ecotourism is considered to be one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors in the industry (about 5 percent annually) and there are no signs of it slowing down, even though more traditional forms of tourism have seen a stagnation.

Principles Of Ecotourism

Now that we have seen what is ecotourism and taken a look at its history, we will go over the principles that guide the ecotourism industry. Ecotourism is essentially about bringing together communities, conservation, and sustainable travel.

Many tour packages are being classified as “eco-tours” even though they do not emphasise conservation, education, or social and cultural participation, and low impact on the places visited. Therefore, to help you understand which tours are actually eco-tours, here are the principles of ecotourism:

1. Building Environmental And Cultural Awareness And Respect

The major focus of ecotourism is to sensitise people towards environmental issues, improve awareness, and encourage people to be conscious of the effect on the places they visit. Following this principle, a few tour operators create educational programs on conservation for local schools. Interpretive guides, naturalists, and guest lecturers are also offered by other operators to help visitors get a deeper understanding of their experiences. Some operators also offer immersive interactions with local cultures (that are becoming more common) that emphasise proper interactions instead of a usual performer-audience relationship.

2. Minimize Physical, Social, Behavioural, And Psychological Impacts By Operating Low-Impact Eco Tours

The ecotourism industry’s focus is sustainability, and minimising the negative impact that conventional tourism leaves on the environment. Over time, however, the concept has evolved to include making a positive impact, rather than merely having a neutral impact on the environment and the locals. Maintaining small groups and avoiding under-managed or over-visited destinations is a good way to minimise the impact of the group on the areas visited.

3. Provide Direct Financial Benefits For Conservation

One of the main objectives of ecotourism is to help local conservation efforts by inviting financial benefits. Visiting national parks is one way for tourists to contribute towards the conservation of nature and wildlife. When ecotourism gains more importance and practitioners, more revenue generation opportunities are created that are environmentally better alternatives to urbanisation, deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, and poaching.

Also read: How to be a more responsible wildlife tourist

4. Generate Financial Benefits For Locals And Private Industry

Another important principle of ecotourism is the generation of financial benefits for local communities. Through direct or indirect means, locals must get the financial benefits of eco-tourism. This could be through tours, admission fees, donations, and taxes on travel and accommodation. Community tours are a good way to generate financial benefits for local communities.

5. Deliver Memorable Interpretative Experiences For The Visitors

Although ecotourism is geared towards reducing a negative impact on the environment and the local communities and generating a positive impact on the same, it doesn’t mean that the tours have to be all about work. Any tour (conventional or not) should be designed in such a way that visitors should enjoy their trip. If the eco-tours are tough and/or too boring, there is a fair chance that many may start losing interest in more responsible tour packages, thereby having a negative impact on the communities that depend on these tours.

6. Recognise The Rights And Spiritual Beliefs Of The Indigenous People And Work With Them

Tourists who are part of eco-tours are encouraged to respect the rights and spiritual beliefs of the locals/indigenous population of the destinations instead of just getting in their faces and taking their photos without their permission. Like any other individual, the local communities value their privacy and it would always be better to first interact and have meaningful conversations with them and, only once permission is received, take a picture of them.

Beware Of Greenwashing!

While you are in safe waters when you practice ecotourism, sustainable tourism, or responsible (all of which are eco-friendly), you must always be careful of tour operators and tourism companies that only pretend to be eco-friendly in order to attract more business, a practice widely known as greenwashing. A good way to make sure that the company or tour operator to whom you are giving your business is legitimately eco-friendly, you will have to do a bit of digging and gathering of all the facts. Once you are convinced that the company is legitimate, go ahead and book your eco-tour and contribute to a better and happier world.

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Home » Everyday actions » What is the Difference Between Green, Eco-, and Sustainable Tourism?

What is the Difference Between Green, Eco-, and Sustainable Tourism?

Filed Under: Everyday actions Last updated September 8, 2020

Have you ever heard the term “green hotel”? How about “sustainable resort” or “eco-friendly tours”? The green travel market can be difficult to navigate with so many terms being thrown around. Businesses sometimes use these terms dishonestly in an effort to appeal to a growing movement of conscientious travelers without actually having any environmentally or socially responsible policies in place. Here, we hope to shed some light on what these terms really mean.

Green tourism was used by researchers in the 1980s in a study that described the hotel industry’s practice of placing green placards in each room that encouraged guests to reuse their towels. The study found that many hotels ultimately made little to no effort to actually conserve resources or reduce waste; they just wanted to appear to be environmentally friendly, or “green.” It’s important that travelers dig a little deeper into hotels’ green claims when researching before booking. Fortunately, most environmentally-friendly hotels have information on their websites about their green initiatives that make it easier to learn about the concrete measures they are taking to conserve natural resources, protect plants and wildlife, and contribute to the well-being of local communities.

Ecotourism is defined by the International Ecotourism Society as: “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.” The key principles of ecotourism include minimizing impact, protecting biodiversity, building environmental awareness, and respecting local culture. Typically, the primary attractions for ecotourists are flora, fauna, and cultural heritage.

Sustainable tourism businesses support environmental conservation, social development, and local economies. Examples of sustainable business practices include conserving water and energy, supporting community conservation projects, recycling and treating wastes, hiring staff from the local community, paying them just wages and providing training, and sourcing locally-produced products for restaurants and gift shops. Sustainable tourism businesses take concrete actions to enhance the well-being of local communities and make positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. In doing so, they often cut down on their own costs and preserve the longevity of their businesses in addition to attracting responsible travelers. In order for sustainable tourism to thrive, it has to be profitable for business owners.

Sustainable tourism and ecotourism are similar concepts and share many of the same principles, but sustainable tourism is broader; it covers all types of travel and destinations, from luxury to backpacking and bustling cities to remote rainforests.

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The Differences Between Green Tourism, Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism

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Those looking to be more conscientious travelers have a lot of options, but what do all these sustainable-travel terms actually mean? Use Culture Trip’s guide to find the earth-friendly travel preference that’s right for you. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

As responsible travel becomes more and more popular, buzzy travel terms continue to pop up. But what does it all mean? And how can you know if the tour you booked or the hotel you’re staying at is actually environmentally friendly or sustainable? Information continues to come out about the damage tourism can do to local environments and economies, including how travel accounts for 8 percent of greenhouse gases and how the foot traffic through national parks damages the very wonders people go there to enjoy . So do your research and use this guide to do your best to leave no trace while exploring.

Beware of ‘green tourism’

The term “green tourism” may sound friendly, but it’s often used to try to brand a hotel as environmentally friendly without practicing many sustainability efforts, such as basic recycling or water-conservation programs. The term got a bad rap over the years because of rampant greenwashing, in which a hotel calls itself green solely because it places out the “please hang up your towels if you would like to reuse them” cards, which does help but is only the tip of the iceberg.

Most hotels and tours that actually practice some form of sustainability will list their practices on their website, so you can dig in and see exactly what they are taking part in. Initiatives can include having recycling programs in place, using environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, making room keys out of sustainable materials instead of plastic or having a water-conservation program. Look for “ ecotourism ” and “sustainable tourism”; both terms refer to practices that try to minimize the negative impact of visitors while preserving local biodiversity and respecting local culture. There is no legal regulation of these terms, but they are newer than “green tourism” and have more specific definitions, and most tourism organizations that use them will explain their specific methods of reducing environmental impact. “Ecotourism” and “sustainable tourism” are different, so it can be helpful to talk about some of their differences.

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Ecotourism, as defined by the International Ecotourism Society (TIES), is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” This kind of travel is geared towards conservation and preservation of wildlife. This term will rarely be used to describe urban tourism because it is about getting out into the natural world.

There is less of an emphasis on where you stay and more on what you do while you’re there. Those participating in ecotourism make sure any sites visited are protected from outside or unnatural influence and use local guides to shape a travel experience. If you are looking to experience an African safari in Uganda or walk through a rainforest in Brazil , you might want to keep an eye out for ecotourism companies.

Those interested in ecotourism experiences in Thailand might check out the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project or a homestay on Ko Yo Island. Ecotourism experiences in New Zealand might include a hike in Mt. Cook National Park or a visit to the glowworm caves in Waitomo Caves.

Sustainable tourism

The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines sustainable tourism as “refer[ring] to the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. A suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long term sustainability.” With a slightly wider focus than ecotourism, sustainable tourism includes making sure that communities are being paid fairly and would include urban destinations such as Mexico City , Singapore or Thessaloniki , where one might not automatically think of the need for environmental sustainability.

The Rainforest Alliance offers certifications to show that hotels and tours are sustainable and doing their part to protect the natural wildlife of Latin America and the Caribbean, popular destinations for tourists who want to experience the magic of the rainforest. To assist merchants seeking to earn this certification, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council offers training modules and technical assistance to address the specific needs of each company; it also audits companies to make sure they are up to standard.

Do your own research as well and look up what sustainable initiatives tours and hotels are taking part in before you book. Most hotels and tour companies do not participate in any sustainability efforts, although this is changing as consumer demand shifts. If a company mentions anything at all on its site, it is a good start.

Take action

Beyond booking your stay at a sustainable hotel, there’s a lot more you can do to be a traveler who’s kind to the planet. Here are five tips:

1. If you’re flying, purchase carbon offsets . Flying is a major source of pollution, but passengers have the choice to pay a few dollars extra to offset their carbon emissions. Carbon offsets are sometimes offered by the airline when you purchase your ticket – for example, by Delta Airlines, Air New Zealand or Jetstar – as a fee you can add to your purchase; but if your airline doesn’t give you the option, you can also reach out to a number of organizations like ClimateCare in the UK or TerraPass in the US.

2. Take ground transportation to get to your location. Spending a bit more time traveling by bus or car can greatly reduce your carbon footprint, as can taking public transportation once you’ve arrived.

3. Carry reusable bags and your own silverware (just like you might at home) in case you choose to buy some souvenirs or purchase food.

4. Eat local food. It can be expensive and wasteful to produce food in climates where it is not usually grown. Plus, this gives you the perfect excuse to indulge in some food tourism, delighting in the local cuisine.

5. Avoid littering. This especially includes food, as it can damage local ecosystems if local wildlife starts feeding off “people food” instead of its usual diet.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Go Green Travel Green

Travel | Sustainability | Living Responsibly

Revolutionize Your Next Trip with Green Travel: Start Exploring the Eco-Friendly Way!

You have probably heard of the terms: Green travel, organic, eco-conscious, eco-friendly, responsible, sustainable, eco-tourism , but what do they really mean? In the past several years, these environmental catchphrases have cropped up everywhere — in newspaper articles, online, in stores. But what do they all mean in the context of travel? Since these concepts are still in their formative stages, defining them is tricky. But we’ve compiled definitions from reputable sources and added our own two cents.

Definition of green travel and how to travel green

Green travel is about making conscious decisions to reduce your environmental and social impact when traveling. From sustainable tourism to eco-friendly transport, learn how to travel more responsibly and enjoy the world around you. Learn what green travel is and how to reduce your impact on the environment while exploring the world. Get tips on sustainable travel, eco-friendly activities, and ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Find out how to make a positive impact with green travel today

Eco-conscious travel

Conscious means being aware of something. Eco means concerning the environment, so “eco-conscious travel” essentially means being aware of the environment, and your impact on the environment, when you travel.

Eco-friendly travel

Again, eco relates to the environment, and we all know what friendly means, so “eco-friendly travel” means being nice to and having little impact on the environment when you travel.

Eco-Tourism

From our good friends at Ecotourism Australia , “Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.”

Responsible Travel

This concept expands beyond the traditional notions of environmentalism and encompasses socially-conscious travel. It means understanding, respecting, and supporting the cultures and people in the area you are visiting. We have paraphrased the definition from Lonely Planet, which seems to really hit the mark. Lonely Planet describes it as travel that considers the “triple bottom line” issues of the environment; social/cultural; and economic. Exploring Asia with Responsible Tourism

Environment

travel that strives to minimize negative environmental impacts. If possible, seeks to make positive contributions to the conservation of biodiversity, wilderness, natural and human heritage.

Social/Cultural

travel that respects traditions and culture; and looks for ways to foster authentic interaction and greater understanding between travelers and hosts.

travel that has financial advantages for the host community and operates on the principles of fair trade.

Sustainable Travel

From Detour Destinations, this is defined as “a level of tourism activity that can be maintained over the long term because it results in a net benefit for the social, economic, natural and cultural environments of the area in which it takes place.”

Organic Travel

Because so many people now associate the term “organic” with the food they consume or the clothes they wear, this term could have many meanings and interpretations. It could mean to take “staycations” where you travel close to home, visiting the museums, parks, and downtown areas. Maybe it is easy to drive to or maybe you take the bus or train to get there. Perhaps instead of taking the bus tour, you seek out a walking tour or bicycle tour. It could mean being as local as you can be wherever you are.

As an example, while on a vacation, or anywhere and anytime really, seeking out local produce from the grocery, farmers market, or road stand. It could mean eating in a local, rather than brand name, restaurant. It could mean staying in a small, local bed & breakfast instead of the larger, often more wasteful, large hotel chain.

Green Travel

As defined by the staff at GoGreenTravelGreen , we consider green travel to mean:

• Thinking about your impact on the environment (both the physical and social environment) when you travel
• Doing your part to minimize your impact on the environment — so that tourism in your destination can be maintained in the long run
• Understanding eco-friendly choices you can make
• Making eco-friendly choices when they are options
• Doing your research to be a responsible traveler
• Saving money by making low-impact choices

Definition of What is Green Travel

There are many answers to the question of what is green travel. By being mindful of your choices, it can easily become a habit. Just seek out and implement the eco-friendly options when you can.

Green Tourism: A PR Trend or Something More?

Lately, I’ve noticed a number of city or state specific green tourism sites popping up. 

• For instance, Wisconsin has a green tourism site.
• Boston has a green site. 
• San Franscico has an excellent site. 
• Minnesota (through the University of Minnesota) has launched a site. 
• Virginia was one of the first states I saw with a green tourism site.
• Even a city in Vietnam has put forth a green tourism initiative.

I’m curious about what others think about these sites and promotions. Is it just tourism hype? Or a good conscious effort to make a city green? Or somewhere in between? Personally, I think the green tourism trend seems to be a good thing. The tourism sites I’ve seen are (for the most part) really well put together with useful information. Even with the economy as it is, green tourism is growing. And it’s nice to see that cities are still pushing green travel.

Tips for meeting other green travelers

Meeting fellow travelers can be intimidating, especially when you first start traveling. But it doesn’t have to be. These tips and tricks will help you find fellow green travelers to join you on the next leg of your journey. Whether it be a day in a nearby village or a month in Costa Rica. Using these 13 tips for meeting other green travelers can be a wonderful way for everyone to benefit from conserving our earth’s precious resources.

Become a couch surfer

At Couch Surfing, you search for locals to stay with in thousands of destinations across the world, from Switzerland to Sri Lanka. You can search based on language, gender, age, and key words, so it’s easy to find someone with interests and passions similar to yours. Odds are if people are hosting couch surfers, they probably couch surf themselves so you could meet a future travel companion. It’s our kind of organization – it’s free, it’s a non-profit, and it has a conscience. According to its website, Couch Surfing’s mission is “to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance and facilitate cultural understanding.” For other couch surfing sites, check out The Top 5 Couch surfing Sites from the Times Online.

Volunteer for the environment

At Volunteer Abroad you can search for volunteer opportunities by region, city, and interest area, including “environment.” Volunteer Latin American focuses on sustainability and conservation and offers a variety of green volunteer opportunities throughout Latin America. At Idealist.org, you can choose an interest area and a location to search for volunteer opportunities and jobs. For more green volunteering abroad ideas, check out this Green Guide post.

Use social networking sites

MySpace alone has over 20,000 groups categorized under “Places and Travel,” including World Travels, Travel Thailand, and Brazil. Join an international group or find your destination and post a call out for other green travelers in the forum.

Take the bus or train

In addition to being less environmentally-friendly, traveling by rental car is isolating. It’s hard to meet other travelers while you’re locked inside your Prius. But intra-country public transportation sets you up to be much more social. If you’re looking for traveling friends, choose to sit near other backpackers and when you get the chance, take the opportunity to talk with that German couple in your train car.

Seek out group activities

Ask the person working the hostel desk what kinds of low-budget group activities he or she would recommend. Find something that sounds interesting and sign up for it. Whether you’re whitewater rafting or taking a day trip to a nearby city, spending an entire day with other travelers will help you get to know them. And if you pick a green activity, odds are you’ll meets lots of other green travelers.

Arrange a group activity

Can’t seem to find a prearranged group activity? Set one up yourself. Ask other hostelers what they’ve done and if they’d recommend it. Look online or in your travel guide for day trips or local activities. Pick some interesting activities and invite your fellow hostelers to come along. Don’t be shy – you’ll be surprised how many others will take you up on your offer.

Search online forums

Before you head to your next destination, check out travel or backpacker message boards and forums. There are country-specific forums, like Backpacker Board in New Zealand, and international ones like those on Eurotrip.com, Trip Advisor, and Hostels.com. Try a search for “travel buddy” or “travel partner” if you’re seeking a fellow green traveler to join you on the next leg of your trip.

Strike up a conversation

It’s easy to be intimidated in new situations, but remember that everyone in a hostel is in the same boat. Start a conversation with other travelers in the hostel kitchen or the town square. Ask people where they’re from, what they like to do, where they’re headed next. If you share the same interests, suggest going out for dinner at the local organic restaurant you heard about.

Go to a meetup

Meetup.com is a free way to organize online and in-person around just about any interest. You can find meetups in your hometown before you start your travels or you can look for meetups in your destination. Join the meetups that look interesting to you and make friends with people who share your interests. In addition to great travel advice, you might also meet some future travel buddies. You can start by browsing the travel, backpackers, and environment meetups.

Contact a green travel organization

Ask around about or search online for green travel associations in the country you’re visiting. Organizations like Camp Green, Canada, which is “a national campaign of Canadians working together to improve the environment,” will be able to tell you about local green activities and connect you with other green travelers.

Take an Ecotour

Ecotours are becoming increasingly widespread to the extent that even non-environmentalists are checking them out. It’s a double-edged sword – it’s good because it means people who wouldn’t otherwise care about the environment are doing something to help it, but bad because it means it might be harder to meet other sincere green travelers. Planeta.com, which “has provided tips for travelers and locals who share a vision of eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly travel” since 1994, is a great place to start.

Peruse online classified ads

Community-based online classifieds like Craigslist in the U.S. and other countries and Gumtree in Australia are good places to look for green travel events and travel partners. On Gumtree, click the “travel/travel partners” under “community” to browse ads other travelers have posted. As always with situations when you’re meeting strangers, be smart and use your better judgment. If you find a perspective green travel buddy, meet him or her in a public location.

Talk to your friends and family

Even if they don’t travel much, friends and family members likely know people who do. You never know – your mom’s college roommate’s daughter who’s majoring in environmental science might be in Costa Rica when you are. Keep your family and friends in the loop on your next travel destination and let them know you’d like to meet up with anyone they know in that country.

Environmentally friendly travel

If you follow the motto of leaving everything as you found it, then you are on your way to being kinder to the places you visit. When on a walking holiday you need to think about your impact on your surroundings and there are a few things you can do to reduce this. Travel in small groups and choose an operator that is environmentally responsible. You should also bring your own water bottles and bags to reduce the amount of plastic waste and stick to the main paths to prevent interfering with the local plant and wildlife.

Sustainable tourism

If you want to have the minimum affect on the place you are visiting then you should only use facilities and stay in places that have a benefit to the local community. Sustainable tourism is also about supporting the local businesses. Think about where you plan to stay and eat, steering towards establishments that are independently owned and run, meaning the profits stay in the local community.

Green Travel Hacks

Tips for green travel should not be only an opportunity to revel in the beauty of the destination, but to also practice being eco-friendly. Keep on reading and learn about some of the ways by which you can be green during your holiday. And once you’re done these sites have more green travel tips!

Buy Local Products

Fond of shopping? Forget big shopping malls that are filled with global brands. Instead, head to smaller markets where locals are selling their handmade arts and crafts. This is especially true when traveling. Always buy sustainable souvenirs . Buy local produce too, especially when you are home.

Use Reusable Bottles

Replenish with water whenever you are traveling. But rather than buying bottled water, bring your own bottle.  You can have it conveniently refilled in various locations. It is also cheaper!

Book Non-Stop Flights

This is your own little way of helping minimize the emissions and energy consumption of an airplane. When everyone does this collectively, a huge environmental impact will be apparent.  Non-stop flights are “less worse” for the environment.

Choose the Right Accommodations

Make sure to have a thorough research so that you will know which accommodation to pick. Choose one that is participating in efforts to be kind to the environment. Choose eco-friendly hotels that support local advocates or those utilizing alternative sources of energy. By choosing an LEED or green hotel , you can make a big difference.

Even better, go camping ! You will use less resources camping than when you stay in a hotel. You will also most likely want to bring your own food instead of eating at restaurants all the time. This is also more eco-friendly.

Limit Use of Energy

When you are out of your hotel room, make sure to turn off the air conditioning. Turn off all the lights in the room when you are about to go to sleep. There are so many things you can do to green your hotel stay.

Use Eco-Friendly Transport

When having a city tour, rather than riding the cab or renting a car, consider alternative modes of transportation, such as a bike , or even an e-bike. You could rent a campervan to get closer to nature and be more eco friendly if you choose a fuel efficient one.

When you are flying, every kilo in your baggage will count. The heavier the baggage is, the heavier the plane will be and consequently, the more carbon emissions can be produced.

Go Around with a Companion

• Taking the cab to a certain attraction?
• Make sure to do it with someone else.
• Ask people from the place where you are staying to join you in your ride if they are going the same route.

Conserve Water

Before using the bath tub, think of the amount of water that it will consume. Turn off the shower when you are lathering your body in soap or shampooing your hair.

Mind Your Trash

Whether it is a small candy wrapper or a cigarette butt, make sure to have them thrown only in the proper bins. This is especially true if you are in the ocean .

Lastly, make sure to put your energy into good use. Look for organizations offering volunteer work, such as tree planting, marine conservation, and ocean clean-up, among other activities that are enjoyable while also helping you do your part for the environment. WWOOFing is a great way to give back while traveling.

Best green travel tips

Green travel can easily become a great habit that you can share with others and continue year-round at home. Engage in outdoor activities like hiking the trails around Niagara Falls. These best practices will make a big difference.

Green Travel Plan Road map to Green Travel – Green Travel Plan

A Road map to Green travel is part of our plan to create a green travel plan, we’ve created this road map guiding you through some of our favorite posts so far. Plus we explain why they’re an important part of your green travel plan.

Start With Green Vacation Planning

The best place to start in your green travel plan is to begin with simple green vacation planning and brainstorming.

Look at Green Destinations and the Top Green Cities

We put together this list of the top green cities. If you’re looking for a great green destination these are the places to visit.

Search for Green Travel and Green Plane Tickets (Non Stop Flights are Best)

To give back to the environment the best way you can check out our post on green air travel (and don’t forget about searching for direct flights and giving back to the environment just by searching for plane tickets.)

Get Green Travel Gear

We have tons of green travel gear reviews. Check them out. Some of our favorite posts include Stainless Steel Water Bottles , Luggage Scales, and Travel Shoes .

Carbon Offset If You’d Like

Here are some of the best carbon offset companies.

Book a Green Hotel

Here are our top posts about green hotels . And you’re off. It’s that easy to create a green travel plan. Who knew?

How to Find a Travel Agent for Your Green Trip

Every once in awhile you need a travel agent. Travel agents are great for a number of things when it comes to trip planning, especially for complicated trips. Travel agents can be helpful for green travel because they can point you to specific eco-friendly destinations and tours. If you’re unsure of where to turn to or don’t have time to plan your green trip, you might want to find a travel agent. Here are a few places to where you can find a travel agent for green travel: You just fill out a few details and travel agents will contact you with a customized trip itinerary.

ASTA ~ The American Society of Travel Agents offers a special green certification.

Use their search feature to find a green travel agent. We are not travel agents, but we do offer some green travel consulting. If you’re interested, contact us. With this searches it’s really easy to find a travel agent.

It’s easy to search Green Travel

Can you save the environment with reusable water bottles, shopping locally, and public transportation? Yes! All of it helps. Yet in the past, it has been somewhat challenging with regards to traveling. It was difficult to travel as green as you live at home. We are at the mercy of what is available when traveling. While there may ultimately be viable green choices, we may not know about them or where or how to access them. Fortunately, there are options we have now that weren’t available years ago.

When you are online searching to make your travel plans, your first stop should be to search Green Travel. Traveling green is easy, and it allows you to make a bigger environmental impact. Having all the prices right at your fingertips, you can see if purchasing the greener option fits in your budget. Here’s how to search for green travel.

Search Green Travel for Plane Tickets, Hotels, Rental Cars & Trips

It is easier than ever to find eco-friendly travel options, and the choices are plentiful. You can now find everything from environmentally-friendly rental cars, green and LEED hotels, direct flights, green dining options, ride shares, hotel shuttles, public transportation, green cruise lines, green tours, and more.

Which companies are really green?

Research companies you travel with to determine how green they are.

• What are the company’s environmental and social policies, practices and performance?
• In what ways do they give back to their community?
• What steps are they using to use local products and equipment?
• Where are their goods produced?
• How do they care for their employees?
• What are they doing to focus on preservation and sustainability worldwide?

Looking for green travel deals

What is great about searching online is that you are no longer at the mercy of travel agents. You can easily find out all the prices, compare them from company to company, and make a purchase/schedule a reservation immediately. It is simple to find the best travel deals on the web.

The easiest way to travel green is to search green travel

Now, you can be green from the start of your trip planning. Take advantage of advanced search options to further your green search. Then do your homework by comparing prices. If you have time, take it a step further and not only pick the greenest transportation or trip possible, but also the greenest company.

Check it out and spread the word

Make an even bigger difference by telling your eco-conscious traveler friends and family about it. When you are traveling with others, make sure they are aware of these green travel search options. Alone, we can’t stop melting glaciers, receding coastlines, or disappearing forests. But together, we can do a little bit more to make sure our favorite destinations are still there when we go back. Eco-conscious travelers already know the impact of recycling and other green practices. Continue to make a positive difference and give back each time you search green travel and choose a green travel option.

Shades of Green Travel: How Green Are You?

If you already make efforts to be a “green” traveler, what does it take to be even greener? This series explores various ways to step up your green travel efforts using our shades of green travel spectrum. If you’re not familiar with the spectrum, it ranges from “pea green” travelers who are least likely to make extreme efforts to travel green; to “Kelly Green” travelers who make moderate efforts to be eco-conscious while traveling ; to “forest green” travelers who will go to almost any length to leave no impact while traveling.

If you already make efforts to be a “green” traveler, what does it take to be even greener? This Shades of Green Travel article explores various ways to step up your green travel efforts using our shades of green travel spectrum. If you’re not familiar with the spectrum, it ranges from “pea green” travelers who are least likely to make extreme efforts to travel green; to “Kelly Green” travelers who make moderate efforts to be eco-conscious while traveling; to “forest green” travelers who will go to almost any length to leave no impact while traveling.

How Green Are You?

Many of us are trying to be green a lot of the time. There are varying shades of “going green” just as there are varying shades of green travel. Just by being mindful, aware and conscious of green travel, you are a step ahead of many. It is easy to think, “I’m on vacation,” and ease up on some environmentally-friendly things you do habitually at home. Even without going to extremes, any step you take toward green travel is a “win.”

You may think of green travel in a new way by thinking of shades of green travel. Many travelers want to be environmentally-conscious when they travel, but don’t want to go to great lengths to be greener. With all of the options out there, how do you determine the extent to which you want to go green? We like to think of being an eco-conscious traveler in “shades of green.” Green, greener, greenest. Or to be more descriptive: Pea Green, Kelly Green, and Forest Green. What does this mean?

Light Green Travelers – Green / Pea Green travelers

Dark Green Travelers

On the other end of the spectrum are the two types of travelers who will make a conscious effort and purposefully look for ways to minimize their impact and conserve as often as possible.

Greenest / Forest Green travelers

Greenest / Forest Green travelers will do almost anything to travel green. 

• They don’t take planes.
• They’ll only eat in organic restaurants.
• They camp or couch surf.
• You might refer to them as hippies or tree huggers.

Ok, I’m clearly stereotyping here; but the point is, the greenest travelers do whatever it takes to leave no trace of their travels and minimize or eliminate their carbon footprint, regardless of cost.

Greener / Kelly Green travelers

Greener / Kelly Green travelers fall somewhere in the middle. They make a conscious effort on every trip to be green and are always aware of their impact (whereas the Pea Green traveler only thinks about their impact some of the time). However, due to budget or time constraints, Kelly Green travelers may be less likely than their Forest Green comrades to choose the greenest method of travel. Some examples may be to always carry a stainless steel or glass reusable water bottle with them. Or they may try to stay in green hotels or stay in places with a kitchen so they can cook most of their own meals.

The best part of “shades of green” traveling is that by thinking about and categorizing green travel like this, you better understand your green travel style and the choices you make. You can choose to make green travel choices in various parts of traveling. For instance, you can partake in green travel when it comes to hotel and accommodations; but you may be the greenest traveler in the food choices you make.

Accommodations Green or Pea Green Travel Accommodations

Green travelers who want to make some efforts to be more environmentally friendly with their accommodations, but don’t want to sacrifice their own room, bathroom and the comforts of maid service can look for a green hotel. Be careful when browsing green hotel directories, however, as some may “directories” are merely advertising websites where hotels pay for membership.

Greener or Kelly Green Travel Accommodations

Greenest or Forest Green Travel Accommodations

If you want to be the greenest of travelers you should opt for leave no trace camping. Leave No Trace offers a great set of resources for leave no trace camping. Even if you are really set on green hotels as a green traveler and you have little desire to move to permanently become greener, consider staying one night in a hostel, or camping for a day or two on your next trip. It’s a great way to experience something new– that’s what traveling is all about!

Transportation Green or Pea Green: Drive a hybrid

Pea green travelers are a bit trepidation when it comes to choosing greener transportation. Maybe the rigid schedule of a bus or train doesn’t fit into their itinerary, or maybe they enjoy the freedom a car gives them. But they still want to make less of an impact on the environment so they choose a fuel efficient car or hybrid over an SUV.

Greener or Kelly Green: Take a bus or train

Greenest or Forest Green: Walk or bike

In their typical hardcore fashion, forest green travelers opt to walk or bike just about anywhere. They’d rather hop on a bamboo bike to cross the country than enlarge their carbon footprint by taking a train or bus. Even if it takes longer to reach their destination, it’s worth it for forest green travelers. If biking means one more stopover on the way from Spain to France, so what? Maybe they’ll see a cool city and meet new people along the way.

Food Green or Pea Green: When it’s Easy & Cheap

The pea green traveler dines in when possible, shops at farmers markets when it’s convenient, and eats organic or local food when it’s easy to find and affordable. All things equal, he’ll choose the greener option. But if the organic spinach is more expensive than the conventional, he’ll buy the latter. The pea green traveler is conscious of his impact on the environment, but it doesn’t always dictate his travel decisions. He doesn’t mind eating out or getting takeout every once in a while.

And, though he keeps an eye out for restaurants that serve organic and locally-grown cuisine, he’s not opposed to indulging in the occasional Big Mac or personal pan pizza to satisfy a craving. The pea green traveler likes to cook for himself, but he eats out more often than not when traveling.

Greener or Kelly Green: Even If It’s More Expensive

She avoids takeout because of the waste it creates, but might pick up a street stand schwarma on her way home from a night out. After a long day of exploring, she might even pick up some local cuisine to go on her way back to the hostel. The kelly green traveler is very aware of her impact on the environment. She feels very strongly about eating locally-grown, organic food and will go out of her way to do so, but if it’s not available, she’s fine sampling the local cuisine – even if the restaurant she chooses uses ingredients that aren’t locally-grown.

Greenest or Forest Green: No Matter What

Of all the green travelers, a forest green traveler holds himself – and his food – to the highest standards. He’s passionate about eating only locally-grown, organic food. If he can’t find food that’s both local and organic, he’ll settle for organic or, if necessary, just locally-grown. He takes locavore to a whole new level. He may not be a vegan, but he avoids eating meat and other animals products because of the environmental impact of meat. He cooks most of his own meals at his hostel or campsite and makes sandwiches to bring with him on long days.

He enjoys going to the local market, picking out seasonal vegetables, and trying his hand at cooking a dish native to the region he’s visiting. But the forest green traveler also appreciates the authenticity of local restaurants and likes to sample the cuisine there. He avoids places with Styrofoam or paper plates and plastic cutlery, and opts to split a meal with a friend rather than having to take leftovers home in a takeout container or throw extra food away.

Money and Time

You might be asking yourself, “What does money have to do with traveling green? I thought by ‘green’ they meant environmental, sustainable, conscious – not dollar bills.” Well, money and time (and time and money) have to do with traveling green because ultimately traveling takes time and costs money. And to become the greenest of travelers we have to consider what we will have to give up (and not give up) in terms of money/time vs. environmental friendliness. This is not an easy set of issues to grapple with, but it is one that is well worth considering. The question to ask yourself is, “What’s more important to me? Time and money or the environment?”

Choosing Money and Time over Green Travel

A green traveler will favor the environmentally-friendly activities when they are cheaper (e.g. camping over a hotel) or when they are simple (like turning off the lights in her hotel room). But, if something green is too expensive or too complicated, the green traveler will take the cheaper and simpler option even if the cost to the environment is greater.

Choosing Green Travel over Money or Time

Choosing Green Travel over Time and Money

The greenest traveler will nearly always choose the more sustainable and responsible travel option over the one that is cheaper and less time-consuming. For instance, in one of the most powerful pieces I’ve ever read, Tim Patterson writes about selling his stock in multinational corporations. Or Mark Smith, aka The Man in Seat 61, chooses only to travel by land. These choices are the greenest of choices – where individuals are choosing to place their value of environmental and social responsibility above time and money. I know where I would like to fall on this spectrum, but I’m not there yet. I hope someday I will be.

Some early posts at Go Green Travel Green were part of a series called “Shades of Green Travel.” The basic idea of the initial post, Shades of Green Travel, is that you don’t have to be the most eco-conscious person on the planet to be a green traveler. You don’t need to constantly worry about every little detail of your travels. Rather, you should focus on big categories and choose several categories where you can try to be a greener traveler. We laid out “shades of green” – pea green, Kelly green, and forest green – as ways of scaling how green you wanted to be in those categories.

For example, you might choose to green your accommodation and food. So you might camp or eat local as ways to be a “forest green” traveler. And then you could choose to worry a little less about transportation; for example taking a hybrid taxi instead of public transportation as a way of getting around. In the transportation category you might be a “pea green” traveler. Thinking about your “shade” of green is just a fun way of thinking about how to be a little bit greener.

Green Transportation:

Ditch the car and opt for public transit or biking. In what other categories can we try to be a shade greener? There are lots of ways to green your day-to-day home life and your travel. Think of ways that you can increase your shades of green travel, wherever you are.

Travel Green In Pictures

All of these images except one are from Flickr, many from amateur photographers. Every green traveler has those days where she just wants to give up. Pollution, global warming, bad environmental policy decisions. How much of a difference can one person really make? The answer is, each of us can make a big difference. There are so very many reasons to travel green. No matter what shade of green traveler you are, I hope these photos motivate you to keep traveling green.

Eco-Conscious Traveler Green Travel Tips to Travel Green

Maybe you’ve heard of green travel tips before and thought it applies exclusively to jungle safaris and hiking up mountaintops. But that’s not the case at all, because you can still do your part even if you’re sightseeing in the city. All you need to do is make the effort to stay in environment friendly hotels as well as taking certain steps when you’re out traveling by foot or renting a vehicle.

Green Travel Tips to Travel Green

Here are tips to get you started on being a more eco-friendly traveler and going green .

Travel Green Transportation Tips

Whenever possible, walk instead of taking a car: walking is good for you and it also gives you more time to enjoy the scenery. If the trip is short you can take the train which is just as enjoyable as riding on a plane, if not more so. If you’re going to rent a vehicle, go for a hybrid car, as these have been manufactured specifically to reduce the impact on the environment. If you’re going on a long road trip and you have a large gas guzzling car, opt for a smaller one that has better mileage.  Vehicles are the biggest air polluter in the US , but you can do your part minimizing this by walking, biking or taking public transport instead of your vehicle, reducing the number of cars on the road.

Being a Responsible Green Traveler / Tourist

As you go sightseeing, follow this simple rule: don’t leave anything behind except your footprints, and don’t take anything but photos. If you’re going to eat, make sure you have containers to dispose of wrappers and the like. In other words, leave the place as you found it.

Go with an Eco-Friendly Tour Operator

Many tour operators now pride themselves in being green, so you’re bound to find more than a few advertising how green their services are. Here are some suggestions: before booking, inquire about the group size, and go with the smallest group possible as they produce less of an environmental impact. While you’re at it, ask the tour operator how they’re giving back to the local community and what kind of lodging they provide.

Eco Friendly Hiking Tips

When you’re trekking or hiking, make sure to follow the local laws so you don’t damage the environment. In addition, stay at the marked trails and keep your distance from creatures you might run into, both for your sake and the animal’s. Dispose of your trash in the designated receptacles, and if there are none just store it in your backpack and dispose of it when you’re back at the hotel. Do not litter anywhere on the trail. Finally, make sure you set campfires in places where it’s permitted, and don’t leave until they have been extinguished completely.

Camping is an eco-friendly way to travel as well.

Advice for the Eco-Conscious Traveler

If you’re going to go snorkeling, learn safety measures first and follow the advice of your instructor. If you’re snorkeling alone, don’t make contact with the coral because it will damage the ecosystem. It’s also best if you select a sunscreen that’s reef safe because some sunblock lotions harm coral .

Tips for Eco Friendly travelers to consider:

No matter where you’re traveling, do not eat or buy products made from endangered species. Stay in an environment friendly hotel: there are plenty of these available and you can find most of them online. These hotels’ commitment varies however, so you need to do some research to determine just how eco-friendly the place is. Stay in hotels that support and use recycled bottles and participates in recycling programs. You can find this information on the hotel’s website or you can ask them.

If given the option, ask to have towels and sheets reused. Get in touch with hotel staff and ask what steps they’re taking to reduce energy consumption. This may take the form of alternative energy sources, low flow showers and toilets, energy saving lighting and solar or wind power. Even if you’re just staying in the hotel, there are a lot of things you can do to lessen the impact on the environment. 

• Your showers should be short and sweet 
• Turn the faucet off as you brush your teeth
• Turn off the TV, lights, air conditioning and other electronic devices when you leave your room
• Bring your own drinking up and toiletries instead of using the ones offered by the hotel.

If you do decide to use those offered in the hotel, bring the unused ones with you and use them at home so they’re not simply discarded. Sort your trash and dispose of them properly. If the hotel doesn’t support recycling then you should take the bottles you used up and bring them to a recycling center when you go back home. Let the hotel know you support their recycling and eco-friendly programs, as this will encourage them to continue.

In addition to these you should also pack light especially if you’re going to fly. The heavier the aircraft is, the more fuel it’s going to require and the more pollution it’s going to release in the atmosphere. If possible, bring only a carry-on, as this will limit your contribution to pollution and reduce your baggage fees . It will also ease the strain on your body and your mind.  Packing less means less stuff you have to worry about, rummage through, and manage. There are so many brands available that are lighter than ever .

Rather than buy a new guidebook, you can just download a free app on your mobile or borrow from the nearby library. You’ll be saving not just money but also do your part in reducing waste and reusing available resources. And remember too that you can always buy cheap empty bottles and fill it with shampoo, sunblock, conditioner etc. Since you’ll be able to reuse the bottles, the cost will be recouped quickly, and you’ll be reducing the number of travel bottles dumped in the trash.

By simply following these green travel tips you’ll be doing your part in helping nature, and while it might not seem like much, what you do makes a lot of difference. Your actions will be seen as an example for others to follow and this will have a tremendous, positive impact on the planet wherever you travel.

How to Travel Green Internationally and Save Money

Travel Green Internationally and Save Money: Traveling internationally is a great way to experience various cultures, learn new languages, and go on unforgettable adventures. Unfortunately, visiting foreign countries – especially international travel destinations. Usually involves a fairly large investment of money and can, due to the nature of traveling long distances, make quite a high carbon footprint. While you always want to save money when traveling, it’s also crucial to prioritize making your travels as green as possible. There are a number of ways to remain environmentally conscious while visiting foreign places and saving money:

Travel Green Internationally Transportation

When visiting another country, walk as much as possible or use public transportation. When my wife and I traveled to France, we spent nine days in Paris and never once used any method of transportation that burned fuel, aside from the taxi rides to and from the airport. Walking everywhere allowed us to get a much better feel for how Parisians live on a daily basis, and we got inside glimpses of life in France that we never would have experienced had we taken buses or subways. Furthermore, a one-day pass for metro travel to all areas of Paris costs about $25 per person, so by choosing to walk, we saved nearly $450 during our trip.

Travel Green Internationally and Save Money on Dining

Although dining out at an upscale restaurant or two is certainly part of the overall international experience, you can still do your best to purchase locally produced fare and save money on food while on vacation. When visiting Moscow, my wife and I rented an apartment and purchased most of our food from street vendors or other small grocery stores. The food was fresh and delicious, and we were also able to negotiate prices with the sellers. We found virtually every kind of fruit or vegetable at these stands for about half of what one would pay in the States.

During our week in Moscow, we spent an estimated $225 on groceries. We ate out at three restaurants during our stay and the bills for these meals alone exceeded the total of our grocery expenses, so the savings were tremendous. And make sure you remember your reusable bag.

Travel Green Internationally Lodging

You don’t have to stay in an eco-resort to go green – chances are you won’t have much green left in your wallet if you choose this route. Fortunately, many international hotels have integrated water-saving strategies and other initiatives to reduce their impact on the environment. But these still are often quite expensive. To go green and save some green, do what seasoned budget travelers do: Stay in a hostel . There is an abundance of hostels worldwide that offer budget lodging and amenities, often with eco-friendly features.

These establishments tend to cater to young travelers who, as a group, are most interested in saving the environment. With a little research and planning, you could find a hostel with an organic garden or one that runs off solar power. Plus, you’ll usually have access to a shared kitchen and common areas. Not only will you save money when it comes to eating and finding a place outside your room to relax, but it’s the perfect environment to meet and interact with other world travelers and pick up tips on where else to stay and visit.

Travel Green Internationally and Save Money on Flights

When traveling great distances, select an airline that offers carbon offset flights . In addition to what you pay for your fare, you can contribute an additional amount which will be used to plant trees or fund a number of other renewable energy projects. Beyond that, there are many ways to find cheap airline ticket deals to overseas destinations. I once used a travel agent who offered tips on the best times of the year to fly depending on the destination.

You can also consider purchasing a consolidator ticket – consolidator companies purchase tickets from airlines that would otherwise go unused, and then resell them at significant discounts. They’re typically only available for coach seats, and generally include stopovers.

There could be other restrictions, so do thorough research before purchasing a fare. Furthermore, take public transportation to and from the airport if you can, and avoid the hefty parking fees. Travel with minimal luggage to avoid airline checked baggage fees, and get an electronic ticket to reduce the amount of paper being used.

Travel Green Internationally and Save Money

Being a conscientious eco-tourist is surprisingly simple and straightforward, and can even save you money. However, there are many other ways to save on the overall cost of international travel. Sign up for a travel aggregate site like Kayak.com, which will monitor fares for your destination so you can get the best rate. Research the best lodging options, and always remember that you can often rent an apartment overseas, which may be less expensive than a hotel room. Green overseas travel and saving money can go hand-in-hand.

How to Find Cheap Airline Tickets. 10 Tips for Using Priceline for Car Rentals to Save Money The Ultimate Guide to Priceline Bidding Tips Find Cheap Airline Tickets: Cheat Sheet

What to Do – Green Activities

Favorite green activities while traveling:

• Sit in a park and watch the locals, read, or write in a travel journal
• Stop at cafes in those neighborhoods
• Take public transportation to a random stop and get off and wander around (check with a hostel worker/concierge/local first to make sure the neighborhood is safe)
• Visit museums
• Browse local shops and businesses
• Play pick-up sports with the locals
• Visit the local library
• Spend time on a university’s campus
• Spend time in a university neighborhood – there are often fun and inexpensive bookstores, restaurants, and coffee shops near colleges
• Go to a religious service (make sure you are dressed appropriately and know enough about local customs as to not offend anyone)
• Windsurf, canoe, or kayak
• Go for a run before the city is awake

A good rule of thumb is if an activity doesn’t cost very much, chances are it has less of an environmental impact. Of course, there are exceptions like eco-safaris, but that is not a norm. And generally, avoid any activity that doesn’t seem native to the local environment – such as snow-skiing in Dubai. When you’re getting to and from these activities try to bike or walk. If you need to take another form of transportation, map your route.

Arrange your trip so that you see museums in area on the same day, which will prevent zig-zagging across the city. To be a green traveler, you need understand exactly what you’re aiming to do and what green travel is. There are many definitions of green travel, but here’s what we believe green travel is really about.

The Environment

Green travel is also about respecting people in the local environment. That means respecting their presence, their values, and their way of life. It also means saying “hello,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.” Basically, treat people with respect. The way you would like to be treated.

Personal Health

Learning About the Local Culture

Now that we’ve laid out the why, what, and where of green travel, we’re going to discuss the how. To kick off Before You Go, I’m going to delve a little deeper into how to choose a destination for green travel. Kimberly’s post outlined a variety of options for where you might travel green. But how exactly do you choose the best green travel destination for you? Picking your destination doesn’t just depend on the place (e.g. whether there are LEED certified hotels or extensive public transportation); choosing a destination for eco travel also depends on you. How easy will it be for you to be a green traveler there?

Respect the Culture When Green Travel

When you’re deciding where to go and after you’ve gotten there, you should research the culture. This includes learning about the local customs, traditions, and religion, as well as respecting local dress codes. You should also attempt to learn at least a few key phrases in the local language. Not only is this respectful, you never know when it will get you out of a bind. Here are some resources that will help you learn more about culture and language:

Green Travel Culture Resources

Search the web for country-specific information which you can often find on study abroad sites and blogs. Use keywords in your searched like the name of the destination, plus “customs” “culture” “etiquette.” Also, if you’re not finding anything add “business” to the search, since there is a multitude of resources for business travelers in need of etiquette information. This website also has a few links to country-specific culture information. Head to your local library and check out books, fiction or non-fiction, or videos like travel videos, documentaries, and foreign films to gain further insight into the culture.

There are several book series that describe cultures of other countries, such as the Culture Wise series. If you are really interested in learning as much about the culture as possible, check it out. Fun video showing how they count money in various countries

Turn Any Vacation Green

For example, if you take the train from London to Paris, you will only generate about 10% of the carbon emissions than you would if you took a flight. The same principle applies once you arrive at your destination. If you do have to rent a car, then choose the most fuel-efficient one that you can. However, if you can avoid it, don’t rent a car at all. If you are staying in a city, try to use public transport wherever you can, and when you can’t take a taxi. In fact, if you are vacationing somewhere like Europe, it’s perfectly possible to use public transport in urban areas, and then take the train between towns.

Travel Green On Your Next Vacation to Reduce Impact

How to Plan a Green Vacation is Easier Than You Think

Have you finally managed to save up enough vacation time to really take off and spend some consecutive days away from the workplace? If so, the idea of how one combines “green” and “vacation” has probably crossed your mind more than once. Obviously the idea of hopping in a jet plane and then bouncing across cities, draining energy in hotels and supporting restaurants with a less than optimum focus on green practices would do little to say “Hey, I’m a green advocate!” However, you also shouldn’t feel trapped within your own home for fear of creating some un-measurable carbon footprint just by enjoying yourself on vacation. Here are some easy ways on how to plan a green vacation.

Planing a Green Vacation

Getting There! Stay “closer” to home. While I’m not saying don’t leave your living room, I will suggest staying within a 100-150 mile radius. It’s also worth considering renting a more eco-friendly car for the purpose of the trip. If you opt for a hybrid instead of an SUV, you can potentially cut your carbon footprint in half.

Consider taking public transportation whenever possible

Including: buses, trains, ferries, subways, etc. Trains happen to be one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel. You can cut CO2 by as much as 85% by traveling via train in lieu of an airplane.

If staying in a range close to home simply isn’t an option, nor is traveling via train

Admittedly, I too dream of a tropical beach), then take the plane, but consider purchasing credits to offset some of your carbon emissions. Both Travelocity and Expedia now allow you to purchase the offset right along with your tickets! Super easy to do, and you can arrive without any guilty feeling… Major plus!

Staying in the area doesn’t mean you have to stay within your home and twiddle your thumbs. Check out new museums, visit local attractions you’ve never had the time to see, go to the zoo. Think of the things you enjoy most about vacation. If it’s the new food, then commit to picking and trying a new restaurant every day. We’re incredibly fortunate in this day and age to be able to get genuine food from all types of cuisine within our own cities. If it’s the escape from media and communication with the outside world, then re-create that at home. Turn off the computers and the TVS, unplug the landline, hide the cell phones and tell yourself you are on vacation and don’t need to know anything until you “come back.”

Go explore.

Drive/bike/walk, etc. to the nearest place where you can really discover some nature. Go hiking, kayaking, boating, skiing, etc., whatever it is that interests you and that you can make happen at a nearby area. If none of those apply, try escaping to something like a botanical garden for a day.

Find a B&B in your area.

You don’t actually have to travel around the globe to check yourself into a get-away location and be pampered and spoiled. You might think it sounds silly to rent something close to home, but if you need that “get-away” to really feel on vacation, then do it! You’ll save tons of expense in travel, and you’ll get some of the same vacation feel.

Reconnect with nature.

Consider a camping trip! There’s almost no better way to escape, to relax and to re-create that passion and zest for why we try to live in all the sustainable ways that we do. All you need is your tent and the great outdoors.

If Going Abroad

Consider a vacation that has a purpose beyond simply entertaining yourself. Look into something like a global volunteer project. Search out the area you dream of heading to and see how you can get your hands dirty, so to speak. Serve the local community by helping to build a house, or get involved in community development, helping children, animal welfare, poverty, etc.

Search for green and eco-friendly hotels and bed and breakfasts.

There are countless lodging options where the motto is to conserve resources and cut down on waste. Ask if they are part of the Green Hotel Initiative, and check out GHI for yourself to see how you encourage hotels to go greener. Do your own part. Turn down the temperature in your hotel room. Ask that your sheets and towels not be changed every day. Walk and bike instead of driving. You’ll get a better feel for your destination! Eat locally. Consider bringing back “souvenirs” made by locals that help support sustainability.

Awesome Green Vacation Travel Ideas

This Earth Day, why not treat yourself to a green vacation? In honor of Earth Day 2012, Groupon has a number of excellent, eco-friendly trips. You can stay off the grid in a eco-lodge or live it up in luxury at a sustainable retreat. From Nicaragua and Thailand to Botswana and Hawaii, there’s sure to be a trip that fits your budget and travel style.

Tips for Choosing a Green Travel Destination

With going green on the rise, cities across the world are attempting to become more sustainable. That’s great news for the green traveler because it means your options are constantly expanding Choosing a Green Travel Destination. But it’s not always easy to tell if a city is really cleaning up its act, or if it’s just for show.

Check Public Transportation Options

If your destination is a city that you’ll want to explore extensively, make sure there is a good public transportation system so you won’t have to take cabs or rent a car. Most cities have decent websites about their public transportation systems. You can also check travel forums and talk to other travelers who have been where you’re going. Better yet, rent a bike and use it as your primary means of transportation.

Look for Greener Accommodations

Choosing a low-impact place to stay is not only greener, it’s often less expensive. If the weather is nice, look for camping options. Otherwise, make sure there are hostels. If you’re looking at hotels, research the country’s hotel energy/environmental standards, then find a hotel that meets those guidelines. For more info check out Finding Environmentally Friendly Hotels through Green Accreditation Directories.

Scope Out the Area for Green Space

Are there nice parks in the town, or at least within walking or biking distance? What about lakes and hiking trails? There’s nothing better than waking up in the morning and walking out the hostel door onto a hiking trail. Of course, that’s not easy to do in all places. But if you love the outdoors, make sure your destination has options for green recreation.

Think About Walkability

Will you be able to walk from your hostel to restaurants and entertainment? If the town is spread out, see if there’s a concentration of places you want to see, then book a hostel near those places to make your trip more walkable. Walking is one of the easiest ways to reduce your impact.

Look at Chains Versus Local Business and Restaurants

Are there a number of local businesses you could visit? Or is the city overrun with McDonald’s and KFCs? Going to local grocery stores and restaurants is one of the easiest ways to immerse yourself in local culture. And part of the fun of traveling is experience new things, which is hard to do if you stick to what you know and what’s available back home.

Check Out the City’s Recycling Policy

With all of the plastic building up in landfills across the world, a solid recycling policy is increasingly urgent. Even some small towns and villages recycle, so pick a destination that has a policy in place. If you really want to visit a place that doesn’t recycle, avoid buying plastic and other recyclables while you’re there; stick to reusable items instead.

Decide if You’ll Really Get to Experience the Culture

A big part of being a green traveler is striving to understand different people, cultures, and history. On the surface, it seems that traveling inherently facilitates cultural understanding. In reality, it’s far too easy to live in a bubble, even when you’re traveling. See if your destination is one that seems to exist exclusively to cater to tourists. If it is, pass it up and look for something that will get you out of your comfort zone and into the culture of your destination.

Traveling Green Tips

Happy Earth Day! If you’re looking for a way to help the environment while traveling – you’re in the right place. If you’re looking for things to do today specifically, check out Kimberly’s post about 10 Things to Do on Earth Day .

Earth Day best three tips for traveling green:

• Reduce the number of plane rides you take
• Reduce the number of multi-stop flights you take (opt instead for nonstop flights)
• Reduce the number of car trips you take (instead fix your car for hypermiling)
• Reduce your non local food consumption and opt instead to be a traveling locavore
• Reduce your energy consumption while staying at a hotel
• Reduce your energy consumption at home while you’re away
• Lots more about reduction in this series
• Reuse water bottles and quit buying bottled water
• Use storage containers like a Wrap-n-Mat for food
• Go thrift store shopping and reuse clothes
• Instead of buying new technology, buy used
• Recycle at home
• Recycle at work
• Recycle while traveling (even if it means having to carry it with you through the airport until you get to a recycle bin)

If you just do one thing this year, focus on reducing. You’ll save money and you’ll be traveling greener. Now, get off your computer and spend some time outside enjoying Earth Day! Not sure where to start? Check out our list of Top Green Cities: Where to Travel Green.

America’s Greenest Cities – Plan Your Next Getaway

If you are looking for an eco-friendly summer vacation destination, you’re in luck. With the focus on green travel on the rise across the America, all of America’s greenest cities on the list compiled by the Mother Nature Network offer a variety of green activities.

Portland, Oregon

Most of us probably aren’t surprised that an Oregon city ranked number one in the list of America’s 10 greenest cities. With 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes, you can nix your gas guzzler in lieu of a bike in Portland. Dine in restaurants bursting with fresh and locally grown ingredients. Check out certified green accommodations and tours, like the Cutting Edge Green Tour where you can see the best of eco-friendly Portland.

San Francisco, California

The first US city to ban plastic bags, San Francisco, California is a great green travel destination. In the City by the Bay, Cable cars add a touch of nostalgia to your trip and provide an eco-friendly transportation option. Visit the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market , where you can buy San Francisco’s best organic and sustainable ingredients. Hang out in the green Mission District. Whether you are looking for an organic soy latte or an organic Mexican meal, the Mission District is the place to find it.

Boston, Massachusetts

This New England city ranks high on the green list because of its sustainability efforts. With all there is to do in Boston, it’s no surprise it’s included in the list of green cities. Take the Museum of Science’s Green Tour, a self-guided tour of some of Boston’s eco-friendly buildings. Visit one of Boston’s 30 green restaurants.

Oakland, California

This port city offers tasty fresh and organic food. Oakland is also home to the country’s cleanest tap water and gets 17% of the energy it uses from renewable sources. Hike or catch a summer concert at the 500-acre Joaquin Miller Park. Visit the Lake Merritt Park and Wildlife Refuge, one of the best bird sanctuaries in the state. You can also rent a kayak or a canoe.

Eugene, Oregon

The Emerald City is known for its green beauty. With 29 bike routes, you can ride on 150 miles of bike paths through the second largest city in Oregon. Ride along the six-mile bike trail along the Willamette River. Visit the King Estate, an organic winery. You can also grab a meal in the restaurant, made with produce grown on-site.

Cambridge, Massachusetts

All new construction in this green city must meet LEED standards. Home to Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge is known for being a great walking city. Enjoy the rich history at Harvard Square. Explore neighborhoods and parks around MIT and Harvard, stopping at organic coffee shops and cafes along the way.

Berkeley, California

This California city is a leader in sustainability. If you are looking for great vegetarian restaurants, Berkeley is the place to find them. Spend a day at the University of California Botanical Garden , it is home to over 13,000 species of plants from around the world. Go rock climbing at Contra Costa Rock Park, Berkeley’s rock parks in the Northbrae area. It has great views and entry-level climbing.

Seattle, Washington

Mostly known for being the unofficial coffee capital of the nation, Seattle is also incredibly eco-friendly. There are countless green hotels and green taxi options in this Washington city. Take a ride on Seattle Green Limo, a company using new and recycled vegetable based-fuel in their taxis. Spend the day at Discovery Park, a 534-acre natural area that offers breathtaking views of Puget Sound and both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges.

Chicago, Illinois

Today, the Windy City is one of the nation’s greenest cities because of the involvement of the government, residents, and local businesses. In fact, there are 7 million square feet of green roofs (constructed or under construction) in the city — more than in the rest of the United States combined. Take advantage of one of the many walking tours around the city. Chicago is home to two world-class conservatories, so check out both the Garfield Park Conservatory and the Victorian glass-house style Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Austin, Texas

It may be last on the this list of America’s 10 greenest cities, but this Texas city has devoted itself to green living. The green space in the city includes over 200 parks and you can hike on more than 50 miles of trails throughout the city. Cool off in the Swim in the 68-degree waters of Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming hole in Zilker Park. Check out one of the 4 locations of the SFC Farmer’s Market in Austin.

Enjoy America’s greenest cities

There is much to see and do across the United States. Make it a point to try to visit a city that strives to be environmentally-friendly and eco-conscious. For more green travel inspiration, check out our Ultimate Directory of Green Travel Destinations. Have you been to any of America’s greenest cities? What are your favorite eco-friendly activities there?

Top Green Cities: Where to Travel Green

What are the top green cities in the world? There are plenty of others in the publishing and green world who have created scientifically calculated (and not so scientifically calculated) lists of top green cities. We put together an ultimate list of the top green cities, including those inside and outside of the United States.

Top Green Cities in the World

• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Portland, Oregon, U.S.
• Curitiba, Brazil
• Malmö, Sweden
• Vancouver, Canada
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• London, England
• San Francisco, California, U.S.
• Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador
• Sydney, Australia
• Barcelona, Spain
• Bogotá, Colombia
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Kampala, Uganda
• Austin, Texas, U.S.

According to Treehugger:

• Portland, OR
• Freiburg, Germany
• Zermatt, Switzerland
• Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Austin, Texas, USA

And my own contribution to the world cities list would be the World’s Greenest City: Masdar in the United Arab Emirates, which is not yet completed, but could be the world’s greenest city when it is.

Top Green Cities in the United States 

According to popular science.

• San Francisco, CA
• Oakland, CA
• Cambridge, MA
• Berkeley, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Chicago, IL

According to Best Places.net

• Burlington-South Burlington, VT
• Corvallis, OR
• Springfield, MA
• Wenatchee, WA
• Charlottesville, VA
• Boulder, CO
• Madison, WI
• Binghamton, NY
• Champaign-Urbana, IL

National Resources Defense Council (large cities only)

• San Jose, CA
• Sacramento, CA

So there you have it – the top green cities in the US and in the world. You can see that the top cities remain fairly consistent across all rankings. So if you’re looking for the greenest destination, check out some of the major cities on the West Coast.

How to Find a Green Hotel in San Francisco

Green Travel Tips to Travel Green for Eco-Conscious Traveler

If want to travel green tips but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the top green travel tips and guides for becoming an eco-conscious traveler. Green is in, as they say. Every where, people and organizations are doing their best to protect the environment by undertaking steps to take care of Mother Earth. And while tourists may not have as much impact on the environment as say, miners, you should know that there are also green travel tips that every tourist should be aware of and follow.

According to the World Tourism Organization, the travel industry and WWOOFing is the fastest growing industry on the planet. The group says that there were more than 700 million international arrivals worldwide in 2014 alone. Tourism is also a main source of carbon dioxide emissions, which in turn causes climate change. For instance, aviation produced more than 700 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2013, or nearly 20 percent of the human-induced carbon dioxide emissions.

Overall, it is estimated that the transportation sector (where tourism is a part of) is responsible for 27 percent of human-induced CO2 emissions. And we’re not even talking about other aspects of environmental protection, like the efficient use of energy and proper waste disposal! That said, here are some of the green travel tips that you must know and practice the next time you travel:

Travel Green

If possible, explore the country or place you are visiting on foot. You might want to use a bicycle or opt for trolley service in going to your destination. Or take public transportation like buses or trains. Avoid taking rental cars to help save fuel and money. Visiting on foot not only helps you save on costs, but it also presents the best way for you to get to know the locals. Wouldn’t it be exciting to ask the locals how to get to a certain tourist destination? This may even win you some friends down the road.

Sure, there are really times when you can’t help but take a rental car. In case that happens to you, choose the smallest car possible as this often uses the least amount of fuel. Or choose a hybrid car, if there’s any. If you are planning a road trip, ask your family members, colleagues, or friends if they are interested in joining you. Individual tours have a greater environmental impact than traveling in groups.

Avoid buying plastic water bottles. Instead, bring along a jug that you can fill up with water. This will help in producing less garbage, reducing your environmental impact in the process. Don’t litter any garage while you are on the road. You might have to take your trash with you and then dispose these at an appropriate place, like at the hotel were you’re staying. While you are at it, bring a reusable plastic bag with you. This will come in handy when you shop for souvenir items, as you no longer have to ask for a bag for carrying the things you bought.

Opt for low-carbon activities. These include nature photography, swimming, trekking, horseback riding, caving, and mountain climbing. These activities are not only fun but they can make you appreciate nature even more. Immerse yourself in and be open about the differences of cultures. Learn more about the social norms and customs of the place you are visiting. You may even try to learn a few commonly used words in the country you’re visiting.

Eco-Conscious Traveler

You can also be an eco-conscious traveler in many ways. For example, you can show your concern for the environment by wisely choosing the hotel where you will be staying. Did you know that there is an increasing number of websites that list down green hotels, lodges, and bed and breakfasts? You may want to find one of these websites and stay in one of the environment-friendly hotels listed there.

Questions you may want to ask before booking are:

• What is the profile of the hotel? Is it locally owned or operated? Does it employ locals?
• Does it have recycling programs?
• Does it encourage the reuse of towels and bed sheets?
• Does it have energy reduction programs like use of energy-efficient lighting or alternative energy sources?

When you are at the hotel, follow some simple energy saving practices. 

• Turn off the TV and lights when not in use.
• Turn off the air conditioner when you are about to leave the room.
• Keep your showers short.
• Shut off the water while you brush your teeth.
• Reuse your towels.

Did you know that washing of towels and bed sheets is a major energy drain for most hotels? Experts estimate that it causes around 40 percent of the total water consumption of most hotels. Basically, treat your room as your own home. Be conscious of the amount of electricity and water you use while you are away from home. 

When planning your trip, you must consider booking a direct flight. Why? Because take offs and landings use a lot of fuel, and you don’t want to be in connecting/multiple flights that further add up to the carbon dioxide emissions. Pack light. This may sound impractical especially if you have a big family, but this is very much doable. Bring only the things you would really need for the duration of your trip. Not only would this help you save money, but it can also have an impact on the plane’s carbon emissions. Generally speaking, the greater the load that planes (and even trains and buses) have to carry, the more fuel they will use. And this translates to more greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. 

As you can see, there are a lot of things that travelers can do to minimize their impact on the environment. So be an eco-conscious traveler! Keep these green travel tips in mind and practice them the next time you are on a holiday.

Green travel tips

What is Green Travel? Defining the latest eco-conscious travel jargon. We will take you from a novice green traveler to an expert. It covers how to get started, what to do before you go, how to travel green while you’re away, and what to do on your way home.

• 12 Things You Need to Know About Carbon Offsets
• How to Find Green Accommodations
• 11 Tips and Tricks for Greening your Hotel Stay
• Volunteering Abroad – 10 Things to Know
• 21 Resources for Volunteering Abroad & Why You Should Do It
• How to Take Culturally Sensitive Photos
• How to Find Sustainable Souvenirs

Digging Deeper green travel tips

• Extreme Hypermiling: 450+ Tips
• Airplane Cabin Air: It’s Toxic
• How to Choose a Healthy Water Bottle

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Sustainable tourism worldwide - statistics & facts

What are the effects of global tourism on the climate, traveler awareness of social and environmental responsibility, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Ecotourism market size worldwide 2022-2028

Tourism-related transport's share of carbon emissions worldwide 2016-2030

Global travelers who believe in the importance of green travel 2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Leisure Travel

Global carbon dioxide emissions from energy 1965-2022, by region

Related topics

Recommended.

• Tourism worldwide
• Hotel industry worldwide
• Sustainable tourism in the U.S.
• Sustainable fashion worldwide

Recommended statistics

Industry overview.

• Premium Statistic Ecotourism market size worldwide 2022-2028
• Premium Statistic Global travelers who believe in the importance of green travel 2022
• Premium Statistic Sustainable initiatives travelers would adopt worldwide 2022, by region
• Premium Statistic Conscious travelers' challenges when traveling in a sustainable manner worldwide 2022

Market size of the ecotourism sector worldwide in 2022, with a forecast for 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Share of travelers that believe sustainable travel is important worldwide in 2022

Sustainable initiatives travelers would adopt worldwide 2022, by region

Main sustainable initiatives travelers are willing to adopt worldwide in 2022, by region

Conscious travelers' challenges when traveling in a sustainable manner worldwide 2022

Challenges of travelers when trying to travel in a sustainable and socially conscious manner worldwide as of March 2022

Environmental impact

• Basic Statistic Global carbon dioxide emissions from energy 1965-2022, by region
• Premium Statistic Tourism-related transport's share of carbon emissions worldwide 2016-2030
• Premium Statistic Carbon footprint of tourism-related transport worldwide 2005-2030
• Premium Statistic Carbon footprint of international tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type
• Premium Statistic Carbon footprint of domestic tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Carbon dioxide emissions from energy worldwide from 1965 to 2022, by region (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)

Tourism-related transport's share of carbon emissions worldwide 2016-2030

Share of carbon dioxide emissions coming from tourism-related transport worldwide in 2016, with a forecast for 2030

Carbon footprint of tourism-related transport worldwide 2005-2030

Carbon dioxide emissions from tourism-related transport worldwide in 2005 and 2016, with a forecast for 2030 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)

Carbon footprint of international tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Transport-related emissions from international tourist arrivals worldwide in 2005 and 2016, with a forecast for 2030, by mode of transport (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)

Carbon footprint of domestic tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Transport-related emissions from domestic tourist arrivals worldwide in 2005 and 2016, with a forecast for 2030 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide), by mode of transport

International tourism figures

• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 1950-2023
• Basic Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region
• Premium Statistic Countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Global air traffic - number of flights 2004-2023
• Premium Statistic Global air traffic - scheduled passengers 2004-2022

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 1950-2023

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 1950 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 2005 to 2023, by region (in millions)

Countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2022

Countries with the highest number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 2019 to 2022 (in millions)

Global air traffic - number of flights 2004-2023

Number of flights performed by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2022, with a forecasts for 2023 (in millions)

Global air traffic - scheduled passengers 2004-2022

Number of scheduled passengers boarded by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2022 (in millions)

Opinions and behavior

• Premium Statistic Main drivers for visiting a country by people worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Share of outbound travelers planning to spend more worldwide 2022, by category
• Premium Statistic Share of global travelers that want to use green lodging in the next year 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Interest in accommodation with high sustainability standard globally 2023, by country
• Premium Statistic Reasons global travelers stayed in sustainable lodging at least once last year 2022
• Premium Statistic Demand for sustainable hotels by global corporate travel managers 2022

Main drivers for visiting a country by people worldwide 2023

Reasons to visit a country according to respondents worldwide in 2023

Share of outbound travelers planning to spend more worldwide 2022, by category

Share of travelers planning to spend more on trips abroad in selected countries worldwide in 2022, by type of expenditure

Share of global travelers that want to use green lodging in the next year 2016-2022

Distribution of global travelers intending to stay at least once in an eco-friendly or green accommodation when looking at the year ahead from 2016 to 2022

Interest in accommodation with high sustainability standard globally 2023, by country

Share of travelers who look for accommodation with impressive sustainability innovation worldwide as of July 2023, by country

Reasons global travelers stayed in sustainable lodging at least once last year 2022

Main reasons travelers stayed in sustainable accommodation at least once over the past year worldwide in as of February 2022

Demand for sustainable hotels by global corporate travel managers 2022

Importance of hotel sustainability for business travel buyers worldwide as of October 2022

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Sustainability Success

What Ecotourism is, Definition and Principles

Ecotourism is a new way of looking at tourism. It’s about sustainable tourism, which means tourism that has a low impact on the environment. Ecotourism is also about education, conservation, and community development. But, what’s the definition of ecotourism?

By definition, ecotourism is travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

Now let’s see more in detail what ecotourism is, its principles, and some interesting ecotourism examples around the world!

What is Ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a type of tourism that is both environmentally friendly and educational. It focuses on the conservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment while providing locals with sustainable economic opportunities.

This form of tourism is designed to provide an immersive experience that allows visitors to gain an understanding of the local environment and its associated issues.

Ecotourism typically involves activities that are respectful of the environment, such as hiking, biking, and bird watching. It also usually involves staying in eco-friendly accommodations, such as tree houses, cabins, and eco lodges made from renewable materials.

Ecotourism operators also strive to be environmentally conscious and reduce their environmental footprint and use renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, whenever possible.

Ecotourism not only benefits the environment, but it also provides economic opportunities for local communities. By providing jobs and income to people in the area, ecotourism helps to support the local economy.

Finally, there is also a different flavor of ecotourism: geotourism . This is a form of ecological tourism that is focusing more on the geological aspects of the destination.

Why is ecotourism important?

Ecotourism is an important form of tourism because it helps to protect the environment and promote sustainable development .

By encouraging visitors to take part in activities such as eco-friendly travel, environmental education, and conservation efforts, ecotourism helps support local communities and their natural resources.

Ecotourism is a form of green tourism and acts on all the 3 pillars of sustainability (also known as the triple bottom line , 3 Ps , or 3 Es ): environmental, social, and economic.

• Environmental sustainability aspects: ecotourism encourages people to become more aware of the environment and their impact on it. By promoting eco-friendly practices, such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and using renewable energy sources, ecotourism helps to reduce the negative effects of tourism on the environment. This can help to create a healthier environment for everyone, both locals and tourists alike.
• Social sustainability aspects: this type of tourism helps to promote cultural sustainability , a deeper understanding of local traditions, and appreciation, as visitors get to experience the local culture and customs.
• Economic sustainability aspects: ecotourism helps to create jobs and stimulate local economies. By providing sustainable economic opportunities for local communities, ecotourism helps to create a more equitable and sustainable economic system.

The Principles Of Ecotourism

Here are some of the principles of ecotourism (as outlined by the United Nations Environment Programme ) that ensure the positive effects of tourism are felt both locally and globally.

The primary goal of ecotourism is to minimize the negative environmental and cultural impacts of tourism. To do this, travelers must be educated on the importance of conservation and the need for responsible business practices. Additionally, the money generated from tourism should be directed toward the conservation and management of natural and protected areas.

Zoning and visitor management plans should also be employed to ensure that tourism development does not exceed the social and environmental limits of acceptable change. Furthermore, it’s important to minimize the use of fossil fuels and to construct infrastructure that blends with the natural and cultural environment.

Ecotourism is all about maximizing the economic benefits for the host country, local businesses, and communities while following sustainable business practices . Those should particularly benefit local people living near or around natural and protected areas. By adhering to these principles, ecotourism can be a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature while also making a positive impact on the environment.

This means that ecotourism is not just about visiting a place and taking pictures. It’s about learning the local culture and the natural environment and doing your part to protect both.

10 Ecotourism Examples: The Best Destinations Around the World

There are a variety of ecotourism examples around the world, ranging from remote rainforest lodges to luxury safari camps.

Now, let’s dive deeper into some of the top examples of ecotourism around the world. Each of these places offers a unique and memorable experience, with opportunities for wildlife viewing, bird watching, and learning about the local culture and environment!

1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a prime destination for ecotourism, with its lush green rainforests, stunning beaches, and abundant wildlife. The country has made a name for itself as a leader in sustainable tourism, with a strong commitment to conservation and protecting the environment.

Costa Rica is home to many national parks and nature reserves, where visitors can explore and experience the beauty of the country’s biodiversity. From zip-lining through the tree canopy to spotting monkeys and sloths in their natural habitat, there are countless opportunities for ecotourism in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is also home to many eco-lodges, which are designed to be both comfortable and eco-friendly. Eco-lodges are built with sustainable materials, incorporate renewable energy sources, and often offer organic food. They also strive to minimize their impact on the environment and to support local businesses and communities.

2. The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are renowned for their extraordinary wildlife and stunning scenery. Located in the Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles west of the mainland of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are a perfect example of an ecotourism destination.

The archipelago is made up of 18 main islands, as well as many small islets, and is home to many unique species of plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The islands are a protected environment, and the Galapagos National Park works to conserve the flora and fauna by limiting the number of visitors and strictly controlling the activities of those who do visit. The park has also implemented a number of initiatives to reduce the impact of tourism, such as the use of sustainable tourism practices and the promotion of responsible tourism.

3. The Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most incredible places on the planet. Spanning more than five and a half million square kilometers, it is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, home to an astounding array of plants and animals. It is a vital part of the global ecosystem, providing oxygen and helping to regulate the climate.

Ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest is a great way to explore this incredible region and learn about its biodiversity and the threats it faces.

Visitors can experience the rainforest firsthand, discovering its unique flora and fauna, and learning about the culture of the local communities. Ecotourism activities can include guided hikes, wildlife spotting, and river tours.

The Amazon Rainforest is under threat from deforestation, poaching, and illegal logging. Ecotourism can help to protect and preserve this unique environment by providing an alternative source of income for local communities, while also raising awareness of the importance of conservation.

4. The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, stretching over 2,300 kilometers along Australia’s northeast coast. It is the world’s largest living organism and is home to a wide variety of marine life, including coral, dolphins, sea turtles and over 1,500 species of fish.

The Great Barrier Reef has long been a popular tourist destination, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the vibrant underwater world and experience the unique beauty of the reef.

Ecotourism is a great way to visit and appreciate the Great Barrier Reef. Responsible ecotourism practices can help to protect this delicate ecosystem and ensure that visitors get the most out of their experience.

Tour operators offer eco-friendly tours that focus on education and conservation, such as snorkeling and diving trips, boat tours (like one of those I mentioned in the examples of sustainable tourism ), and guided walks. These tours provide visitors with an understanding of the importance of the reef, while also providing opportunities to appreciate its unique beauty.

5. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a unique and beautiful destination in the United States, and it is an ideal place for ecotourism. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves, bison, elk, and antelope, and its breathtaking landscapes of geysers, hot springs, and canyons are unparalleled.

For those looking to explore Yellowstone in an eco-friendly way, there are many options available. Visitors can take part in ranger-led activities, such as guided hikes, wildlife viewing, and educational programs.

These activities focus on the park’s natural environment and help to ensure that visitors are respectful of the park’s resources. Additionally, visitors can take part in volunteer programs that help to preserve the park’s wildlife and ecosystems.

Ecotourism in Yellowstone also includes sustainable practices such as reducing waste, using reusable containers, and avoiding single-use plastics.

But Yellowstone is not the only ecotourism destination in the USA, in fact, there are many breathtaking eco lodges in the United States . The country is especially rich in diverse National Parks that offer very desirable options for the green tourist.

6. The Arctic

The Arctic is a unique and fragile environment that is home to a variety of wildlife , landscapes, and cultures. Ecotourism in the Arctic is a great way to experience this region while also helping to protect it.

Ecotourism in the Arctic focuses on the appreciation of the environment and its inhabitants, while minimizing the impact on the environment.

Visitors can explore the Arctic by taking part in activities such as wildlife watching , birding, photography, and kayaking. There are also opportunities to learn about the traditional cultures of the indigenous people living in the region.

Ecotourism in the Arctic helps to protect the environment by making sure that travelers are aware of their impact and how to minimize it. This includes following the rules set by local communities and organizations, respecting wildlife, and avoiding activities that could potentially harm the environment.

7. The Antarctic

The Antarctic is the world’s southernmost continent, located in the Southern Hemisphere and surrounded by the Southern Ocean. It is an incredibly unique and diverse ecosystem, with a wide range of habitats, from the snow and ice of the polar desert to the subantarctic islands and the ocean surrounding them.

The Antarctic is home to an incredibly diverse array of wildlife, including penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds.

Ecotourism is a great way to explore the Antarctic, while also helping to preserve this precious environment. Ecotourism activities in the Antarctic focus on educational, non-invasive activities that minimize environmental impacts. These can include bird watching, whale watching , photography, and even kayaking, as long as the activity is conducted in a sustainable manner.

Ecotourism can also help to support local communities, as many of the eco-tourism activities in the Antarctic are based in local towns or research stations.

8. The Himalayas

The Himalayas are an awe-inspiring mountain range that spans across India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Pakistan. This range is home to some of the world’s highest peaks, including the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest.

With its lush green valleys, snow-capped mountain peaks and deep gorges, the Himalayas are a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Himalayas offer a unique opportunity for ecotourism, as they are home to a wide range of flora and fauna, as well as some of the world’s rarest species. These include the snow leopard, red panda, musk deer, Himalayan tahr , and the Tibetan antelope . These endangered species are protected in the various national parks and conservation areas located in the Himalayas.

9. The Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest hot desert and covers an area of over 9 million square kilometers. It’s an incredible landscape that’s full of surprises, with a diverse range of flora and fauna, unique geological features, and a rich cultural history.

Ecotourism in the Sahara Desert is a great way to explore this fascinating region. Visitors can experience the breathtaking beauty of the desert, from its vast sand dunes to its rugged mountains and canyons. There are also opportunities to witness the incredible wildlife that inhabits the region, including camels, gazelles, antelope, and desert foxes.

The Sahara Desert is also home to a number of ancient human settlements, such as the famous Berber tribes of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Visitors can learn about the unique lifestyles and cultures of these desert dwellers, as well as the history of the region.

10. The Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert is a vast expanse of land located in southern Africa, covering parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is one of the world’s largest deserts and is home to a diverse array of wildlife and vegetation.

The Kalahari is an ideal destination for ecotourism, as it offers visitors the chance to experience a unique ecosystem and learn about conservation efforts in the region.

The Kalahari Desert is characterized by its red sand dunes and sparse vegetation, consisting mostly of shrubs and grasses. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including the African wild dog, cheetah, brown hyena, and many species of birds. Visitors can explore the desert by foot, by 4×4 , or by hot air balloon.

Ecotourism Pros And Cons

Before embarking on an ecotourism trip, it is important to consider both the pros and cons carefully.

Ecotourism has many benefits , such as helping to conserve natural resources, providing economic benefits to local communities, and increasing environmental awareness.

However, it also has some drawbacks , such as increased pressure on fragile ecosystems, potential negative impacts on local cultures, and increased costs for travelers.

Let’s look at those more in detail!

The Benefits of Ecotourism

Ecotourism can provide a number of benefits both to the environment and to local communities:

• Economic Benefits : Ecotourism can bring in additional revenue to a local economy, providing income to tour guides, outfitters, and other businesses that depend on the natural environment.
• Environmental Benefits : Ecotourism can help protect endangered species and habitats by introducing tourists to them and giving them an incentive to conserve them.
• Education Benefits : Ecotourism encourages tourists to learn more about the local environment and its importance, providing an opportunity to increase environmental awareness.
• Social Benefits : Ecotourism can help local communities by providing employment opportunities and supporting local businesses.
• Cultural Benefits : Ecotourism can help preserve local traditions and cultures by encouraging people to learn about them and experience them first-hand.

The Disadvantages of Ecotourism

Here are the potential disadvantages of ecotourism:

• Negative Impacts on the Environment : Ecotourism can have a negative impact on the environment if it is not managed properly. This includes the destruction of habitats and disruption of ecosystems.
• Overcrowding : Ecotourism can lead to overcrowding in certain areas, leading to increased pollution, environmental damage, and disruption to local communities.
• Negative Impacts on Local Communities : Ecotourism can have a negative impact on local communities if the profits from tourism don’t go back to the local people.
• Cultural Appropriation : Ecotourism can lead to cultural appropriation if tourists don’t respect local cultures and traditions. This means that members of a culture may adopt or use elements of another culture that has more attractive aspects for touristic purposes.
• Impact on Wildlife : Ecotourism can have a negative impact on wildlife if it is not managed properly. This includes disturbing wildlife habitats, overhunting, and introducing non-native species.
• It can often be expensive for tourists, who may not be able to afford the cost of flights, accommodations, and activities. This can lead to a lack of diversity in the types of people who are able to visit and enjoy the area.

Through sustainable tourism practices, ecotourism can help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and protect vulnerable wildlife. Additionally, it can also provide economic opportunities for local communities, helping to create jobs and improve the quality of life in the areas visited.

Ecotourism is a great way to see the world while also helping to preserve it. By supporting eco-friendly initiatives and responsible tourism practices, we can all do our part to protect the planet. So next time you’re planning a trip, consider an eco-tourism destination. It’s a win-win for everyone.

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What are Green Tourism, Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism?

Responsible travel is becoming more and more important for the environment and for the social-economic well-being of the countries. For all of us, to travel in a more sustainable manner has become an important habit and we are here to encourage the development of sustainable travel in Romania.

The environmental movement started to get known around 1960s since when many companies began to market themselves as environmentally friendly. As the tourism market is continuously changing we want to share our opinions and information about the sustainable side of tourism.

Green Tourism

From its beginning, green tourism was known as a small scale tourism that encouraged people to visit natural areas and minimize the impacts of tourism on the environment. The term is used for businesses with an environmentally friendly activity. However, more and more lately, green tourism has been oftentimes used by businesses that do not put that much effort into making their activity more sustainable and the term became more known for greenwashing. Greenwashing refers to companies that are more interested in becoming known for its green tourism and less for its contribution to the environment and local communities.

Ecotourism is referring to a niche of tourism that has as purpose visiting natural and unspoiled tourist areas without having a great impact on the destination, and is often referred to as the alternative to mass tourism . Furthermore, it is usually used for describing the tourism where the flora and fauna are the principal attractions, and rarely referred to for urban destinations.

Ecotourism is focused on conserving both the terrestrial and marine environments. The principles that are at the core of ecotourism are reducing the impacts of tourism on the ecosystems, improve the awareness for good environmental practices for travelling, enhancing the importance of establishing and operating low impact tourism facilities. Furthermore the essential value of ecotourism has to be of ensuring long term sustainability of the travel industry by bringing together local communities, tourism industry and nature preservationists.

The International Ecotourism Society defines Ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”

As tourism is an important industry and is always growing as industry, it doesn’t always help the environment and local communities. Ecotourism and sustainable tourism (that will be discussed further on) came to gain popularity in times of the growth of mass tourism.

Some examples of ecotourism spots in Romania are:

• Piatra Craiului - Zarnesti in Brasov county 

This accredited ecotourism spot has become popular as tourists come to see the bears at Piatra Craiului Natural Reserve. The area is as well a renowned rural location that offers incredible experiences based on cooking traditional and organic dishes.

• The Bison Land in Neamt County

The Bison Land has an important value for tourism in Romania thanks to its monasteries the protected area of Vanatori Neamt Nature Park. It was as well included in Top 100 most sustainable destinations in the world in 2017.

• Mara – Cosau - Creasta Cocosului

Everyone can agree that Maramures plays an important role in the Romanian rural tourism. This area in Maramures makes everyone turn back in time and experience the deep-rooted traditions and way of life that are still kept alive. Furthermore, for nature lovers, Creasta Cososului   (1450m)  offers incredible views with its unusual shaped rocky peak. Due to its vast wilderness areas, wild animal species populate the area such as wild boars, bears, and many others.

Sustainable tourism

As the World Tourism Organization confirms, sustainable tourism development requires the participation of the stakeholders in a well-contoured political environment. Creating sustainable tourism development is a long term and continuous process that needs monitoring the impacts of tourism on the destination, and introducing corrective measures along the way. Tourists are also an important part of the development, therefore a high customer satisfaction along with meaningful awareness is necessary as well.

Sustainable tourism refers to a wider focus of tourism than ecotourism and is defined as being the tourism boosts the economy, does no harm to the environment and sustains the local community.

In Romania, sustainable tourism is maintained by supporting the local communities, the local economy, and taking environmentally friendly actions and measures. More and more companies in Romania have tried, despite the low governmental support, to implement and make their businesses as sustainable as possible by taking energy-saving measures and minimizing waste.

In Romania some examples of sustainable tourism projects are:

• My Transylvania 

The project promotes and sustains the development of small communities through different projects and events. The vision and mission of the association are to promote the local communities in a sustainable, trustworthy, and natural way.

• Asociația „Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23”

The association started in 2010 and it has the purpose to help the local development of Danube Delta and other natural spots in Romania. The core values of the association are:

- Preserving and promoting the cultural and natural resources in Romania with the purpose of enhancing the individual characteristic of a place for responsible tourism development;

- The development of local communities that share the same goal and implement a responsible development among the people for the preservation of patrimony elements.

• Adept foundation - Saschiz Pottery

The foundation has a strong corporate social responsibility and promotes the revival and sustainable development of rural communities. The project for Saschiz Pottery has as purpose the revival of local crafts as it helps the local tourism development and increases the employability of young people in the region.

There are more forms of tourism that promote a sustainable development of the industry. Geotourism is a type of tourism that supports the enhancement of the different geographical characteristics of a place. National Geographic states that geotourism started as the destinations became increasingly globalized and homogeneous. As sustainable tourism and ecotourism do, geotourism benefits the local communities and economy but it enhances the benefits on the integrity of a destination .

Geotourism has clear principles for governments and tourism operators such as following the WTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the main beliefs of the Cultural Tourism Charter by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), protecting the destination by keeping the volume of tourism to suitable limits, implement and adopt strategies to alleviate the practices that are not compatible with the geotourism of the destination.

Everyone can be a geotraveler by “going local” . The key is to stay, travel, eat and shop from local businesses, where the spending will boost the economy, support the development of the local communities and will help with the preservation of the destination’s authenticity.

How to travel more responsible?

• Minimize waste and do not litter
• Respect local habits and culture
• Support the local economy by buying local souvenirs
• Be mindful of the environment
• Chose local restaurants and accommodation whenever possible
• Book a holiday even in low season to avoid crowds and support the local community
• Try and use reusable packages or limit the usage of single use plastic

Rolandia commitment

Rolandia supported and encouraged the responsible and sustainable tourism from the very beginning. You can find our statement here.  

Furthermore, surpassing our statement are the experiences of the tourists that through their actions and our tours felt they contributed in a positive way to the local economy and conservation of the visited communities. Our idea of sustainable tourism is in the traditional meals offered by the local peasant families, accommodation at traditional houses and renovated mansions, workshops at the local communities, walks around their natural parks, and actions in the local communities to encourage the locals to start complementary activities starting from the daily life in the community.

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what is the difference between ecotourism and green tourism?

do you want to know the difference between ecotourism and green tourism ? From Greenuso we have written a list with the differences that exist between both concepts linked to the new way of doing tourism that will help you to focus your hotel business.

Once you know the difference between the two concepts, you will know which one to implement in your company. So that you can attract the attention of more people who are aware of sustainable practices.

Table of Contents

what is ecotourism?

Ecotourism, or eco-tourism , is a tourism activity focused on ensuring that travellers enjoy the landscape, but without damaging or polluting it. This means that its aim is the conservation and preservation of the environment.

It should be noted that ecotourism also helps in cultural exchange and boosts the local economy. It not only serves the needs of the environment, but also those of the tourists, the host community and the industry.

what are the characteristics of ecotourism?

Ecotourism has certain characteristics that distinguish it from the rest and in the following lines we will tell you about them.

The main characteristic of ecotourism is that it reduces the impact of commercial tourism on the environment. So that the beautiful natural resources of our planet Earth can be preserved in a better state.

Good ecotourism is one that creates awareness in visitors or travellers. It does this by educating them about the measures that passers-by and business people can take to reduce their carbon footprint on the planet.

We are talking about eco-friendly tourism that has the ability to conserve local culture . Enthusiastic visitors get to know new paths, landscapes and customs, while doing their bit for the planet.

Eco-friendly tourism can generate employment for locals . This is because travellers who identify with eco-responsible tourism will be inclined to visit such locations more frequently.

It is not only developed in natural contexts, but also in large cities. This means that it can respond to the different interests of tourists, so that it has a greater chance of creating a larger community of conscientious travellers .

what is green tourism?

Green tourism, or nature tourism, is a tourist activity that takes place only in natural areas such as trails, beaches, forests, mountains, etc. Its sole purpose is the enjoyment of the traveller, as it does not take into account the environmental impact of the trip.

In simple words, it is tourism based on visiting nature and enjoying it as much as the traveller wishes. It usually includes a recreational programme to ensure a more complete experience for tourists.

what are the characteristics of green tourism?

In previous lines we gave you the definition of green tourism . So let’s proceed to talk about its main characteristics.

De-stressing

Green tourism is an activity that takes place in contact with nature. Its mission is to allow travellers to relax and free themselves from the stress generated by the frenetic life of big cities.

Not ecofriendly

It does not consider the negative impact that travel has on the environment. This means that it can end up being a polluting activity , depending on the level of awareness of each individual traveller.

In green tourism, travel is purely for pleasure. This has led many tourism companies to make renovations in nature in order to make the scenery more attractive to the traveller. And most of the time these renovations are aggressive with the ecosystem .

Another characteristic of green tourism is that it includes other modalities such as hiking, camping, sun and beach. This makes it sufficiently varied that many tourists are eager to do it, regardless of its impact on the planet.

For green tourism it is more important to respond to the financial demands of the tourism market than to ecological needs. In other words, the numbers at the end of each month matter more than leaving a friendly footprint on the planet.

what is the difference between green tourism and ecotourism?

To begin with, keep in mind that all ecotourism is green tourism , but, sadly, not all green tourism is ecotourism. Although they seem similar, they have their own peculiarities that differentiate them from each other

Below, we help you to differentiate between them:

Environmental impact

As explained above, ecotourism focuses on leaving a friendly footprint on planet earth. This means that its development does not pollute or damage the environment in any way.

On the contrary, green tourism is a recreational activity in natural spaces. This means that it focuses on having fun and exploiting the natural wealth of a locality, regardless of the fact that its activity pollutes .

The benefits of ecotourism include its ability to preserve nature in a better state. It also enhances cultural exchange and generates employment for local residents in the hotspot area

On the other hand, the benefits of green tourism are geared towards boosting the tourism market of a locality. Ecological awareness does not matter, as long as they attend in masses and are potential consumers.

Development of the activity

Ecotourism can be developed in any setting that attracts an influx of enthusiastic travellers. It can be in the city or in natural areas such as rivers, mountains, trails, beaches, etc.

On the contrary, the essence of green tourism is natural settings. Therefore, any tourism activity that does not take place in a purely natural space cannot be seen as green tourism .

how to attract ecotourists to your sustainable business?

From Greenuso we want to encourage you to take part in eco-tourism. A way to exploit the tourist riches that the planet puts at our disposal, without harming or polluting in any way.

Here are some general tips on how to attract ecotourists to your sustainable business.

Make it the essence of your brand

The first thing to keep in mind is that ecotourists choose businesses that truly identify with this trend. This means that you must make it the essence of your brand in order to keep your credibility intact.

Under no circumstances should you fool this type of audience by pretending that you care about leaving a friendly footprint on the planet. Mainly because a credibility crisis can cost you dearly in the industry.

That’s why we advise you to emphasise sustainable measures in your company. It is necessary that your employees also feel identified with this trend so that incoming customers notice your real commitment to conservation and care for nature.

Design an ecotourism website

It won’t do you any good to develop sustainable measures in your company if your potential customers don’t know about them. So you need to design an ecotourism website , which is the centrepiece of your digital face.

Remember that we are living in the digital age . That means that if people don’t come to you on the Internet, it’s as if your services don’t exist. This is extremely fatal for those who aspire to climb the ladder in the sector.

So start working on your digital face through a website with a green essence. If you don’t have the experience to do this, we recommend hiring a specialist to help you achieve your goals.

Work on your social media

You should do exactly the same with your corporate social media as you do with your website . You need to give it that ecological essence to attract the attention of the public that is aware of the conservation of the ecosystem.

Another way to catch this public through social media is to show the measures you take in your business to avoid damaging the ecosystem. All these actions should be displayed in a friendly and entertaining way.

If you have profiles on Instagram and Twitter, create a hashtag strategy to help you position your business. In this way, more people identified with this trend will have access to information about your services.

Support local culture

Through ecotourism you can help generate employment in the locality where your business is based. This not only favours local residents, but also the industry as such.

This is due to the fact that a significant amount of tourist traffic will be generated in the area. This helps the businesses that do business in the area to have higher sales rates during the month and so the local economy will soar

All this while safeguarding the local natural resources and educating travellers about them. So, you can grow your industry without damaging our environment.

what is the importance of ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a new trend that is gaining a lot of ground in the hospitality industry. This is due to the fact that there are conscious tourists who only make use of services that handle this concept.

Therefore, businessmen must know how to adjust to this new demand, especially entrepreneurs in the hotel sector . This is a way to guarantee the profitability of their operations, while simultaneously contributing to the care of the planet.

It is beautiful to note how the business sector is joining in the care of nature, respect for traditions and local culture. Without a doubt, we are talking about an important contribution that the planet will thank you for .

You are already aware of the differences between ecotourism and green tourism . Put what you have learned into practice and start leaving a friendlier footprint.

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