Ecotravel
Ecotravel offers an alternative to the negative effects of mass tourism by helping to conserve fragile ecosystems, support endangered species and habitats, preserve indigenous cultures and develop sustainable local economies.
Travelling while being environmentally aware is both a rewarding and enriching experience. It gives you the opportunity to have a positive impact on other people and places; it also allows you to broaden your horizons and return home with a sense of personal achievement and fulfilment.
Help Protect the Earth
You can be an ecotraveller wherever you are by taking the following steps:
- Purchase local products and handicrafts - Remember to make sure that you are not buying products made from endangered species
- Think before you snap - Always ask before you photograph someone
to avoid causing offence
- Look, don't touch - The cumulative effect of many travellers taking
away natural 'souvenirs' can soon destroy a delicately balanced ecosystem.
Enjoy the different environments that you visit and leave them just as you
found them for others to appreciate in the same way
- Be environmentally aware - Dispose of your waste responsibly and
don't smoke in inappropriate places
- Stay on track - try not to disturb the local environments and animal
habitats by going off track, this can be harmful to the area and dangerous
for you
Make a difference
By looking at the alternatives and making informed travel choices, you can minimise your impact and positively contribute to the people and places that you visit.
Environmental Impacts
Mass tourism as a global industry has had devastating effects on the environment, including the destruction of natural beaches, coral reefs, coastlines, forests and the homes of endangered animals, due to overbuilding and irresponsible development.
As a young independent traveller you can help to prevent these negative impacts,
by choosing businesses, services, tour operators and accommodation that are
environmentally friendly and understand the value of preserving of the Earth's
natural resources.
Cultural Impacts
If indigenous cultures start to rely on foreign support and financial aid from tourists and foreign companies, their traditional methods of survival and heritage could disappear forever.
By supporting cultural events and traditions, you can encourage local people
to take pride in their cultural heritage and enable traditions to be preserved
or resurrected.
Economic Impacts
For many countries, tourism-related income is vital. However, it is important that you spend your money in the right ways to encourage and support the diversity these countries offer.
When you travel, spend your money on locally owned businesses, products and
services to enable them to continue to support themselves and compete with foreign
companies.
If you are interested in finding out more about ecotravel, check out the following links:
- Big Volcano Ecotourism Resource Centre - a directory of links to papers, articles and information on ecotourism and sustainable tourism best practice and management.
- Centre for Alternative Technology - offers practical solutions to environmental problems, educational visits for students and courses for teachers, volunteering opportunities and print and online information services.
- Centre for Environmentally Responsible Tourism - promotes the practices of responsible tourism amongst travellers, the travel industry and conservationists.
- Conservation International (CI) - provides extensive information on conservation regions worldwide, environmental threats, human impacts and links to local agencies and further resources.
- Earthwatch - supports more than 130 conservation expeditions in 45 countries worldwide, allowing volunteers to carry out supervised scientific field research projects to help preserve important natural and cultural resources.
- Ecosustainable - an excellent resource of tools and links to sites on ecology, the environment and ecosustainability, plus listings of ecosustainable projects under development around the world and environmental forums.
- Ecoclub - the International Ecotourism Club, founded in 1999, is a global Ecotourism cooperative with members in over 50 countries.
- Green Stop - lists tourism companies, accommodation and services worldwide according to their efforts to implement environmentally and socially responsible policies.
- Green Travel - a sustainable travel directory, offering links to information on ecotourism, ecotour companies and other related organisations.
- Guardian Unlimited - Ecotourism - articles on Ecotourism from the online version of the British newspaper, The Guardian.
- Planeta.com: Eco Travels in the Americas - news, reports, forums and extensive links to ecotravel providers worldwide.
- The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) - provides information on ecotourism for travellers, businesses, conservationists and students, advice on choosing an ecotour or ecodestination, links to information on how to find a job in ecotourism, and listings of eco-friendly companies and services.
- Tourism Concern - promotes the practice of ethical and fair trade to travellers and the tourist industry to help benefit local communities socially and environmentally.
- United Nations Environment Programme - provides information on ecotourism, sustainable tourism and tour operators that implement sustainable tourism policies.
- Wild New Jersey Editors - ecotourism tips and interesting wildlife-related features.
- World Wildlife Fund - provides news,
factsheets, publications, photos and videoclips on ecoregions, endangered
species, conservation and how you can do your bit to help.

