With the weather turning cold and the nights drawing in, it’s not hard to find yourself dreaming of sunnier climes. Maybe your ideal getaway is a sun-drenched white sand beach, perhaps your imagining takes you to tropical rainforests full of rare wildlife, or it could be that a visit to a new city, to explore an exotic culture, is your ideal. Whichever way, you’re unlikely to happen upon any of these scenes by staying at home. In fact, there’s a strong possibility that a flight would be in order to reach any of these destinations. So how can any of these holidays be eco-friendly?
Although it is a widely established fact that airline emissions have a harmful effect on the environment, there are many other factors to take into consideration before ruling out an overseas holiday destination. Tourism is a vital source of income for many countries and for many destinations the impact of eco-tourism, rather than mainstream tourism, is actually beneficial to local communities, by bringing in investment and work opportunities and by helping to preserve culture and traditions. It can also be of benefit to natural habitats by assisting with conservation and education efforts. In addition to this, responsible travel encourages cultural exchange and understanding.
Posada Amazonas Eco Lodge, in the rainforests of Peru, is a good example of the positive effects of eco-tourism. This eco-lodge is jointly owned by the local community and has seen the improvement of infrastructure for health, education and transportation in the local area. Due to eco-tourists coming to see the amazing wildlife found in the region, the community has become aware of the importance of conservation and has incorporated regulations which forbid members to hunt in the communal reserve, to fish with nets in the lake, or to cut forest around harpy eagle nests.
Another example of the benefits of eco-tourism is Kizingo Lodge on Kenya’s Lamu Island . While holiday-makers can relax on the 12km beach, the Lodge works to protect baby Green turtles as they find their way to the ocean, and incentivise local fishermen to tag and release turtles caught in their nets. The Lodge also works with partners to operate the Kipungani schools trust, which builds schools in the local and surrounding area and sponsors scholarship students to move on to secondary education.
Even chic city hotels can be eco-friendly. Take the Shinta Mani in Cambodia. While visitors can spend their time visiting the cultural attractions of Siem Reap, such as the temples of Angkor Wat, this hotel has an ongoing commitment to the local community including an Insitute of Hospitality which provides free hospitality industry training for young Cambodians at risk.
Without international tourists, projects like this all around the world could not exist. There would be fewer funds for conservation efforts, there would be less incentive for local communities to protect their natural environment and, with a decrease in income, some communities would be forced to resort back to illegal poaching and logging to make a living.
That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t take any measures to reduce your carbon emissions from flying. For example, you could reduce the number of flights you take each year and stay for longer in the destinations you travel to. As take-off and landing are the worst time for carbon emissions, you could also try to avoid stop-overs en-route when you fly to an overseas destination. Another option is to off-set your carbon emissions through a carbon-offsetting scheme.
Whatever you decide to do, respect the environment and respect the local culture, and you are sure to have a good time!
If you’re interested in finding eco-friendly accommodation for your next holiday, here are a couple of websites which might help you:
ecobookers – This accommodation-only website features a wide range of eco-friendly accommodation around the world, from eco-friendly hotels and ecolodges, to eco-camps and tree houses. The site provides online price quotes and secure booking. UK customers booking through the site can also take advantage of benefits with eco-friendly partners.
responsibletravel.com – This responsible travel agent offers a wide range of holidays which benefit local people and minimise negative environmental impacts. Holidays on offer include cultural tours, safaris, volunteer travel, wildlife holidays and walking holidays, each available through responsible operators.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Thank you for the post Nikki and I hope that you don’t mind but I would like to start a discussion / debate about what I view as a bit of a controversial topic. I think that you have provided some good advice and thankfully advised people to respect the environment and respect the local culture if they take part in an eco holiday.
However I would like to make people aware of some potential issues of eco holidays before GGG readers go out and book any.
You mentioned that the holiday could help the local ‘economy’ and help with conservation efforts however as most people are aware, economic interest should not always come before environmental or even social interest.
From what I have read from various sources an increase of ‘tourists’ even eco tourists to a country that has already has a delicate ecological structure could cause vast problems.
In order to house these tourists, western style accommodation will most likely be built such as hotels or chalets as the typical western tourist would not sleep in a tent on their holiday in some of these eco destinations such as Africa, Peru etc. (I know that some cater for tents etc and I would be interested to know how many do choose this option). If new accommodation is built, then new roads are needed, sanitation, medical facilities provided (for the increase of people). Lots of new buildings / roads etc are not eco friendly.
Some people may spot that this destination is attracting profit and if local government allows it they will build shops or even start street vending. They may sell souvenirs such as plastic items or even worse coral reef or ivory based products etc all of which are harmful to wildlife and the local environment.
The tourists need to be fed, putting a strain on local food supply including fish (remember our seas are dying and cod is actually extinct in the north Atlantic). Some western style food will be flown or shipped in to the eco destination resulting in an increase of carbon emission. Most western tourists will drink bottled water (flown or shipped in) creating an increase of plastic waste in a country that may not have recycling facilities. In general tourism (yes even eco tourism) creates a lot of carbon, pollution and excess waste that the eco destination may not be able to cope with.
I have heard that in some so called eco destinations wild endangered species are trapped and kept enclosed so that tourists can get up close to these beautiful creatures – not exactly ethical and eco friendly eh!
Talking about wild animals you mentioned that eco holidays can help prevent poaching – however I am sceptical, as poaching has elements of cultural background / tradition and economic benefits to the poachers – so unless the poachers become an eco-tour guide and earns more money then they may not stop. Education is important in stopping poaching as is consumer power. Who is buying these products? Wealthy westerners? Are the locals eating the animals as they have no other crops? Is it tradition / ritual. I am afraid that I am ignorant in terms of the reasons behind poaching these days and I would be interested to hear how tourism prevents poaching.
Continuing about wild animals (which I want to protect and keep safe) If the holiday involves wildlife viewing (in a gas guzzling 4 x 4!) then the so called eco activities could scare away animals, disrupting their feeding and even nesting sites. This could cause breeding problems etc.
Some tourists may decide to wonder off track thus creating a new path without realising that they are actually contributing to soil impaction, erosion, and plant damage.
You may think that I am spoil sport and negative – however I want to warn people as I REALLY DO CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT and if you are a GGG reader then surely you have the best interest of the planet, people and wildlife at heart too. Thus before booking any Eco holiday think about what I have said.
I am not saying don’t do it – just think about it and instead of that holiday, why not donate money to an environmental / conservation charity in the country that you wanted to visit so that trained and specialized scientists and conservation officers can safely help the wildlife / environment in that country.
If you want an eco-holiday – then have one in your own country – as completely reducing carbon emissions is so much better than off-setting (I have issues with off-setting). For example if you live in the UK then you can help a range of conservation organizations with environmental / conservation projects without damaging the environment like you would with some of the eco holidays based abroad. These destinations will already have the resources to accommodate you (accommodation all ready built / no bottled water being flown in especially etc)
I really would love to go to other countries like Africa and Peru to ‘help’ however I am not going to fly there or damage the local ecology for my own personal ‘wants’ Instead I will campaign, support and donate money to those environmental / wildlife causes in Africa / Peru or any other country and If I want any type of holiday then I will have one in the UK or worse case Europe (unfortunately some relatives are based in other parts of Europe – but I will try and travel by train as I do not want to fly more than once every 3 years)
I would love to hear what anyone else thinks about eco tourism, as I think that it is important to debate and discuss such issues.
Thank you again Nikki for the post and I hope that my reply does upset you.
November 18th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Well I read with interest both these posts yesterday and if I could add my two pence worth I have to say I think more should be done to encourage tourism in the U.K, rail travel holidays in europe and generally holidays which encourage the ‘no flying’ option.
I was disappointed with last weeks ‘Independent’ which produced the 50 Best Green Getaways supplement. Out of the 50 destinations picked only about 5 were U.K based. We have so may fab places on our doorstep…the New Forest, Scotland, the Peak District, the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly, Snowdonia etc that I really felt let down that they had neglected some of our most beautiful destinations. Scotland has a green tourism scheme in place and so to the New Forest which positively encourages sustainable travel by giving discounts to tourists at some hotels if they travel by public transport.
Now I might hear groans of but I want some sunshine when I go on holiday well there is a great resource for sustainable travel that I must bring people’s attention to if you do wish to go further afield and want some serious sunshine. The man in seat 61 is a fantastic resource for train travel throughout Europe and the rest of the world. After this years awful summer we plan to go to Corsica next year and travel by train and ferry. It will take 2 days but we think it will be worth it. (I hope so)
For U.K holidays and no-fly holidays check out these websites
http://www.seat61.com
http://www.ecoescape.co.uk
November 18th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Kate,
It’s great to hear your thoughts on this and I am delighted that you also think that people who live in the UK should try and holiday more in the UK.
What a shame that only 5 of the 50 Best Green Getaways in the Independent were UK. We have some beautiful green areas in the UK (though we must work hard to protect these areas still from pollution, potential development etc).
When I was growing up we had a holiday every summer in the UK and my favourites were: Appleby in Cumbria(climbing Dufton Pike as an 8 year old felt like climbing Everest), Fishguard in Wales and a wonderful holiday on the Devon coast.
The fact that my parents took me on holiday in the UK actually inspired me to do the same and I have had some wonderful UK holidays in the Lake District, South coast and Scotland.
My holiday this year involved getting the train to my fiancés place in Sussex, then cycling to Portsmouth, getting the ferry across to the Isle of Wight and then we cycled and camped on the Isle of Wight. Next year for my birthday we will do the same (train down to Sussex – cycle to Portsmouth) but this time we will get the Ferry to Guernsey and have a nice holiday there and even visit Sark too. For my fiancés birthday we will do the same again but get a ferry to France instead.
Kate, I will check out the UK holidays and no-fly holiday as they will be useful for ideas for holidays in 2009 and also find a sustainable way of getting to visit relatives in Europe.
I look forward to hearing about your travel to Corsica next year by train and ferry. Could you do a video blog of the journey as it would be interesting to watch.
Look forward to hearing other peoples thoughts about eco-tourism too! Blogging should be interactive and I would like more discussion / debate about such topics on GGG.
November 19th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
For more information about eco holidays in the UK then there’s a fantastic website (ahem – one of our very own clients) which is a directory full of wonderful, environmentally friendly places to stay and things to do. http://www.ecoescape.org/
November 19th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Vicky, what a great website! I remember reading about her book in Nottinghamshires ‘Living for tomorrow’ magazine.
I definetly have lots of inspiration for UK based eco holidays for 2009 now!
November 20th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Thanks for your comments Anna-Lisa. I too was brought up on the Great British holiday and spent many happy holidays in the new Forest, in fact I went back in October for a few days and spent a lovely crisp autumnal day cycling around the forest.
I will definitely try and video blog my trip to Corsica.
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Oh dear! The last sentence of my first post should have said “Thank you again Nikki for the post and I hope that my reply does NOT upset you”. Sorry that I missed the word ‘Not’, feel very embarrassed!
November 24th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
I too have similar thoughts re carbon footprint, sustainable issues, needs closer to home etc. However, having volunteered extensively in Australia I guess you could say I’m a bit of a hypocrit. Although my thoughts of sustainability have come about really since my travels and greater awareness of such issues. I see volunteering as a positive for yourself and the environment no matter where you do it as long as it is done for the right reasons and with the greater good in mind. I wouldn’t recommend going to the other side of the planet by plane to volunteer for say 2 days but then I wouldn’t recommend driving 50 miles in the UK to “bash” scrub. Staying in a place for a greater length of time allows a greater insight into the local environment, growth of knowledge on traditional skills and crafts, provides and insight into local cultures and allows more scope for personal development in my opinion. On the note of local culture, this is equally true in say the next village down the road as well as indigenous peoples’ of other continents.
One reason I have volunteered so much abroad is because I intend to travel (across land and sea! no more flying) and volunteer much more as there is such a vast array of habitats and environments out there in the big world! The UK offers great opportunities for volunteering and experiencing nature, however as it has been influenced so much by man over millennia there is no opportunity to experience true wilderness. Having said that, you can escape the pressures of modern life by entering a woodland quite often.
There are so many things to consider in relation to eco-tourism. The one thing that does sadden me is the fact that money is becoming the driver just as it is in so many other factors of life! If and when you (anybody that is) do decide to volunteer here or abroad, do your research well and ask of the experience of others. There are many (unfortunately) companies out there just to make a quick buck! However, with probing and listening there are many more great opportunities to do good, learn more, and make a difference! (”,)
November 28th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Thanks for your contribution Andrew.
I think volunteering for long term conservation projects (perhaps over 6 months)in another country is better than flying for say a week or 2 weeks even for an eco break.
In terms of travelling by land and sea, thats great! I heard a sucess story recently about a man who travelled all over the world in a sustainable way. Forgot his name, but I might look into this as it would make a great post.
Andrews advice about research is very wise, as there are some companies out there just to make a buck, rather than putting money back into conservation projects.
Hope more people contribute to this discussion, its great to get different opinions!