Ecotourism
The Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people".
Using that definition… walking in a rainforest is not ecotourism unless that walk helps the environment and the people who live there, and a rafting trip is not ecotourism unless it raises awareness and funds to help protect the watershed. Ecotourism is travel to places where supporting Mother Nature and local culture are key aspects of the experience.
Adventure Travel: This category includes “hard” adventures that have very basic facilities, higher risk factor and greater physical challenge like climbing a mountain or river rapids rafting, or “soft” adventures which are lower risk, include more comfortable facilities and are less physically challenging.
Sustainable Tourism: This category of travel is focused on maintaining natural resources and not diminishing the chance for future visitors to enjoy the same experience. Kayaking down a free flowing river is an example of sustainable tourism while big game hunting in Africa is not.
Responsible Tourism: This category operates to minimize harmful effects to the environment. A "Leave No Trace" wilderness camping trip is responsible tourism while snowmobiling in a national park is not.
Nature-Based Tourism: Visiting an island jungle lodge or taking a cruise vacation to Antarctica to see the penguins are examples in this travel segment. While these types of trips may or may not be environmentally sustainable or responsible, they are nature-based.
Green Tourism: A wilderness lodge in Canada that uses composting plumbing and has solar powered lights is an example of green tourism. Green tourism is similar to ecotourism and sustainable tourism vacations that operate in an environmentally friendly fashion.
Cultural Tourism: This category of travel is all about interaction with unique local cultures and learning from them to broaden your perspective. Getting insight into another culture is the central theme of cultural tourism.
Here are some resources that specialize in Ecotourism and Adventure Travel:
Featured Ecotourism Sites
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Friends of World Heritage
World Heritage sites belong to all of us – to enjoy, experience, and protect. Through Friends of World Heritage you can help protect the natural and cultural wonders of the world; explore the majesty of these places, recognized for… Learn More>> |
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Whole Travel
Whole Travel began as a vision to revolutionize the travel industry that has become a reality – changing the way people travel and the impact they have on the world around them. The company provides travelers, suppliers and the general public a launch pad to learn about sustainability efforts worldwide, research off-the-beaten-path destinations and activities and book travel through a simple and secure platform.
It’s a reality that tourism is altering lives, for better and for worse, around the world. Whole Travel is committed to helping travelers have a positive impact when they travel… Learn More>> |
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Conservation International
Tourism is the world’s “biggest industry” based on the contribution to global GDP, the number of jobs it generates and the number of client it serves. The rate at which tourism continues grows presents opportunities and threats for biodiversity… Learn More>> |
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Adventure Center
Adventure Center is dedicated to providing you with world-class adventure travel experiences at affordable prices. Choose from over 2,000 adventures including hiking and biking trips, cultural tours, African safaris, Antarctic expedition cruises, and much more.
For personal assistance on your next adventure… Learn More>> |
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The Good Travel Company
We've carefully selected a range of hotels to suit all travelers and most budgets. Located in some of the most beautiful and unusual corners of the world, these hotels are unique, filled with character and they all practice responsible tourism.
We have thoroughly researched all of our hotels and we rate each one according to three main criteria… Learn More>> |
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National Geographic
How often do you have the opportunity to change your life? To reexamine the way you see the world and your place in it? By traveling with us into the awe-inspiring wonder of nature, you have that opportunity.
For almost 50 years, the Lindblad Family has been dedicated to this brand of life-changing adventure travel. Today we’re uniting a pioneering spirit with technological innovation to give our guests a more meaningful experience. Recently, Lindblad Expeditions formed a partnership with the National Geographic Society. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect match. Our organizations are both deeply committed to exploration… Learn More>> |
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Gordon’s Guide
The goal at Gordon’s Guide is to make it quick and easy for active travelers and trade professionals worldwide to research, plan and experience eco travel, travel adventure and active vacations by providing high quality, informative… Learn More>> |
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iExplore
Founded in 1999, Chicago-based iExplore is the #1 ranked website for adventure and experiential travel, with over 1,000,000 visitors per month. We are Google's "authority site" in the adventure travel category, and power adventure tours… Learn More>> |
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2Adventure
2adventure.com will tell you where you can find good travel deals, tours, news and information about adventures travel, interesting and exotic destinations and fun activities. Life is an adventure. Let's live a little. Learn More>> |