What Does Green Travel Mean?
Green Travel simply means taking responsibility for your impact on the environment. The goals of travelers concerned with sustainable tourism are to ensure a low environmental impact, reduced energy use and respect for the culture and well-being of local populations.
Ecotourism origins as a concept can probably be traced to Central America, most specifically in Costa Rica, and these best practices have been expanding throughout the region for some time. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala have much to protect and are all embracing ecotourism. Costa Rica, as the leader, offers a Certificate for Tourism Sustainability to lodges and operators, which certifies each company using specific guidelines and provides a security for visitors concerned about superficial solutions, often called greenwashing. Ecolodges offer relaxation, panoramic views, close encounters with wildlife and beautiful natural settings, while remaining committed to environmentally sound practices. Using local resources, an estimated 95% of their revenues go back into the local economy.
True ecotourism embraces many concepts:
- Conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity
- Promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local populations
- Sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous people by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises.
- Increase of environmental & cultural knowledge
- Minimization of tourism's own environmental impact
- Sustainable waste management
- Local culture, flora and fauna are the main attractions
Green Travel Tips & Further Resources