Image: iStockphoto.com/Tan Wei Ming
The Guidelines
Other “green” labels, such as adventure travel, sustainable tourism and responsible tourism, have added to the confusion of what is actually ecotourism. It’s important to know what’s involved so you can weed out those the faux-green vacations and tours from the real deal.
The forerunner for green travel is The International Ecotourism Society (TIES). It defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people.”
There are many tours and guides claiming to be green so don’t immediately accept the ecotourism label. Use the guidelines published by The International Ecotourism Society to determine whether your tour is green or not.
The six TIES ecotourism principles are:
- minimize impact.
- build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
- provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
- provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
- provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
- raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental and social climate.
You can also visit the TIES website for their Travel Choice Section which lists green hotels and tours.
Even if you don’t intend to do an eco tour, you can still be a green traveller. Take or pick up only the brochures or maps that are absolutely necessary and return all others. Don’t buy products made from endangered species like tortoise shell, ivory or black coral. Take only photographs and leave only footprints when you visit nature reserves, biospheres or national parks. In fact, take it one step further and pick up any litter you find along the trails. Respect the flora, fauna and people where you visit and you are on your way to being an eco-traveller.
Green Living Network
