The Benefits of Eco-Tourism & Find Responsible Getaways for a Pleasurable Vacation

Summary

Eco tourism is becoming an increasingly popular trend among travelers who are looking for a unique and environmentally friendly getaway. Responsible getaways are a great way to explore the natural beauty of a destination while making sure that the environment is not adversely disturbed. By opting for a responsible getaway, travelers can enjoy the wonders of the natural world without contributing to ecological damage.


Responsible getaways generally involve activities that are less carbon intensive and more sustainable. For example, travelers could go on a guided tour of a local wildlife sanctuary or take a kayaking trip down a river. Visitors can also enjoy activities such as bird watching, photography, and nature walks. Additionally, some responsible getaways include educational programs that focus on conservation and the protection of local species.

When planning a responsible getaway, it's important to do research on the destination and the impact of the tourism industry on the environment. Some destinations may be more sensitive to human activity than others, so travelers should be sure to consider the long-term effects of their activities before committing to a trip. Responsible tourists should also strive to support the local economy and buy their supplies from local businesses and producers.

Responsible getaways can be a great way to explore the wonders of the natural world while minimizing the impact of tourism on the environment. They can also be an educational and rewarding experience, as travelers can learn about the unique ecology of their destination and the efforts made to conserve its natural beauty. By researching and choosing responsible getaways, travelers can help support sustainable tourism and enjoy a guilt-free vacation.
 

Responsible Getaways: An Introduction to Eco-Tourism

Eco-tourism has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more travelers are looking for meaningful and responsible ways to explore the world. Eco-tourism is a form of tourism that focuses on environmental sustainability, and encourages travelers to experience a destination's natural beauty, while also supporting local communities and economies. Responsible getaways, as they're often known, are becoming a more and more popular way to travel.

With an eco-tourism holiday, travelers can be sure that they're doing their best to conserve the planet's resources and protect the environment. The goal of an eco-tourism trip is to leave a destination better than the way the travelers found it. This often includes activities like planting trees, picking up trash, or leading educational workshops.
 

Eco-Tourism: Supporting Local Communities

Eco-tourism also helps to support local economies and communities. By choosing to stay at local accommodations and visit family-owned businesses, travelers can contribute to the local economy and learn more about the culture. This is a great way to experience a destination with all its authentic features, while also ensuring that the money stays in the community.

Eco-tourism also helps to encourage sustainable practices and promote the responsible use of natural resources. When travelers stay at eco-friendly properties and buy local produce, they're helping to ensure that the local environment is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

<<Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.
-- Rachel Carson

G.A.P. Adventures offers low-impact tours that benefit the communities it visits. Its Canyons & Native Lands package is specially designed for those who want an introduction to Native American culture and landscape. Your tour begins in Las Vegas, but before the week is out, you will visit Zion National Park, Brice Canyon, the Grand Canyon National Park, Canyon de Chelly in New Mexico, and more. The trip includes hiking, horseback riding, a Jeep tour, and helicopter flight. Simple lodgings are included in the price, but food runs an additional $7.00/day. Prices run from $997 to $1,089 per person, depending on the dates. www.gapadventures.com

Dragonfly Expeditions believes that "environmentally responsible green travel should incorporate not only the flora and fauna, but also the culture, history, and people of a destination." Their half-day tour of the Everglades in Florida (they pick up at hotels in Miami and on the west coast of Florida--contact them for specifics) gives you a wonderful taste of this philosophy. Start with a two-hour scenic drive through the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress preserve, followed by a backwater ramble with trained field guides. You might spot alligators, bobcats, barred owls, otters, vultures, and more. This is a must expedition for nature photographers. The tour costs $85/person ($75 students) and includes a gourmet lunch with wine. All you bring is your camera, good water shoes, and a walking stick. www.dragonflyexpeditions.com

Heading to Maui? Why not mix-up luxury resort activities with snorkeling in Molokini and help save whales at same time? This underwater community contains coral, crustaceans, and more than 250 species of fish. The Pacific Whale Foundation offers half-day adventures for old and young. You start your tour on their high-tech power catamaran and arrive early at Molokini, when snorkeling is at its best. Free lessons are available. Then you head over to Turtle Arches, where you join marine research naturalists on a guided snorkeling tour. From there, you head out on a larger catamaran, where you may glimpse humpback whales or dolphins. All fuel for their boats is made from recycled cooking fats and oils. The trip runs $79.95 for adults ($29.95 children) and includes breakfast and lunch. All profits help save the oceans. www.pacificwhale.org

Capers Island is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands along the South Carolina Coast. But you can still enjoy its tranquility and lush wildlife while helping preserve it. Barrier Island Eco-tours offers kayaking adventures, fishing charters, private excursions, camping, dolphin cruises, and more. Paddle your ocean kayak through tidal creeks and salt marshes ($70 for three hours). Take a 3.5-hour wildlife exploration where you get to view some of the rarely seen marine creatures up close ($32/adults, $25/children). Fishing trips are available for $75 for 3.5 hours, and so are crabbing clinics, where you get to catch, cook, clean, and eat your own crabs ($32/person). Or take a two-hour dolphin and sea turtle discovery cruise for only $25. There is a lot to choose from. www.nature-tour.com

Finally, if you are ready to roll up your sleeves and get personally involved in a project, the EarthWatch Institute offers you a plethora of expeditions. In Ellensburg, WA, you can work with world leaders in the field of chimpanzee communication. You will stay in fully equipped dormitory rooms and work with the chimpanzees using sign language. The two-week mission runs $1,195. Perhaps you would prefer heading to Dubois, ID, to restore the sagebrush steppe there. Work with rangeland scientists to test "the efficacy of sheep, poisons, fire, or crops in restoring…degraded and invaded grasslands." Your week-long stay runs $495 per person. For many more research and study missions, check out their website. www.earthwatch.org

The wonderful things about eco-vacations are that you can do something great for yourself while also helping the environment. The tours listed here are all in the U.S., but eco-tourism opportunities abound around the globe. You can easily find one that satisfies all your needs.