Great Green Idea: Green Travel: Take an Ecotourism Trip

Take an Ecotourism Trip

The concept of ecotourism has been with us for a while now but I still feel that a lot of people have the wrong idea about what is involved. Perhaps you think that it involves roughing it in a draughty tent or in a flimsy log cabin.

In reality, ecotourism really just means a responsible type of travelling that doesn't damage the environment and, in the best cases, actually helps the local community. Let's see if a few examples can help make this clearer.

1. Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island, Australia. When you are surrounded by warm water and white sand, and just a stone's throw away from the stunning Great Barrier Reef, you know you are in for an unforgettable holiday. Fraser Island itself is a wonderfully wild place. This resort has won a lot of awards, including the very first Steve Irwin award for ecotourism. There are as many great things to do and see here as there are worthy initiatives to maximize the impact of your vacation.

2. Belize rainforest, reefs and ruins and seas. This trip lets you see the stunning Central American country of Belize in a responsible matter. It is a trip aimed at female travelers and in a 10 day trip you cover a lot of ground and get to learn about the ancient culture and extraordinary wildlife found here.

3. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Now this is an incredible trip but you are probably wondering how it can be done in an eco friendly way. Apart from watching the parades, and joining in of course, there is still time to go to Paraty; an historic coastal town where you can get in touch with nature and see what remains of the once mighty Atlantic Rain Forest. Here you can see how the locals live and enjoy the scenery and wildlife without leaving any negative impact behind you.

4. Highway Ethiopia tours. This firm shows you their fantastic country in a sustainable way. Visits to stunning natural sites and some of the finest monuments in the Christian world are mixed with respectful trips to see how the local people live. The use of small group trips and a policy of recruiting local guides and planting trees in the areas where they work make this tour company one worth considering for your ecotourism vacation.

5. Handspan Vietnam Trips. This is another firm that offers to show you their country in a way which celebrates the people and the culture rather than exploiting it. Their online details explain how to go about preserving the community and avoiding a negative impact on the region. A good choice for meeting the famously friendly people of this lovely Asian country without feeling guilty about it afterwards.

As we have seen from these examples, there are many different approaches to ecotourism. There are also a huge number of destinations, and it is safe to say that you can take an ecotourism trip just about anywhere in the world these days. As regards the actual level of environmental friendliness of the vacation, it is something you will need to investigate fully. It is best to check out a few until you find a package and a tour operator you are comfortable with.