Green Travel
There are easy ways to make your next vacation greener. The Web resources in this guide show you how to travel in a way that benefits you, the community you’ll be visiting and the environment. Learn how to reduce your carbon emissions, find hotels and tour operators with eco-friendly policies, or discover exciting ecotourism trends and destinations. Get in on the green travel phenomenon with help from the Web.
Expand All Guide SectionsHow to Travel Green
Green living is practically old hat, but the green travel trend is just starting to pick up mainstream speed. This section explains what green travel is and shows you how to incorporate aspects of it into your next trip, via advice from green travel agencies, experts and other travelers.
Dulcinea's Insight
- According to i-to-i, a travel organization that plans meaningful excursions, the concept of ecotourism is somewhat ambiguous. A few things are certain, though: ecotourism must be ecologically and socially conscious, minimizing tourism’s negative effect on an area. Typically, ecotourism involves visiting and conserving natural areas, and improving the welfare of local people.
- For an introduction to eco-friendly living and Web tools to help you get started with a greener lifestyle, see the findingDulcinea Green Living Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an introduction to ecotourism …
The International Ecotourism Society
explains the principles of ecotourism, including the subtle differences between ecotourism, sustainable tourism and responsible tourism. Download and/or link to various documents for further information, including the outcomes of the 2007 Global Ecotourism Conference.
For advice on how to travel green …
The Independent Traveler
has advice for green transport (how to reduce carbon emissions from your flight), trip ideas (ecotourism destinations and tour operators), and green getaways (money-saving tips on green hotels and eco-lodges). You can also share your green vacation stories and submit tips for other travelers.
The Green Passport Campaign
, an initiative of the International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development, offers advice for planning a trip, including how to make smart transportation choices and how to spend your money wisely to support local craftspeople. You’ll even find ways to share your experience when you get back to encourage others to travel green.
For green travel tips from other travelers …
The Guardian
compiled a list of top green travel tips submitted by readers. Browse a variety of tips, including ride-sharing programs, using solar powered batteries and cycling around Australia.
For green travel agencies …
Responsibletravel.com
is an organization providing sustainable tours, accommodations and holidays for specific interests like cycling, safaris, walking and wildlife. The company is committed to helping local people earn increased wages from tourism, and supports local projects in conservation and social welfare.
STA Travel
has a section on traveling green for students, including local tours in the U.K., train travel in Europe, low-impact adventures in Latin America and international volunteering programs.
Green Travel Trends and Destinations
Some destinations are obvious eco-friendly favorites, such as the rain forest areas of Costa Rica ... read more »
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