Ethical Escapes
Responsible tourism in Thailand Thailand has long been a magnet for tourists from around the globe. However, the rapid growth of tourism in recent decades has brought many challenges, from overtourism to wildlife cruelty. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some of the issues facing Thailand’s tourism industry but we’ll also outline some of … Read more
There’s a misconception that sustainable travel requires a hefty budget, but in reality, there are numerous affordable and eco-conscious places that offer a comfortable stay without harming the planet. Whether it’s a boutique hostel or a cozy retreat in the heart of nature, these places do more than provide shelter — they offer an experience … Read more
Ethical elephant experiences in Thailand Thailand’s majestic elephants have long been a symbol of cultural significance and natural beauty. However, their welfare has often been compromised by unethical practices such as riding, bathing, and performing. Fortunately, a growing number of sanctuaries and conservation areas now offer ethical encounters that prioritize the wellbeing of these gentle … Read more
India, with its rich biodiversity and vast wilderness, is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, offering incredible opportunities to see the majestic tiger in its natural habitat. India’s tiger population stands at around 2,967 individuals, making it the largest population of wild tigers in the world. However, despite conservation efforts, India’s tiger population faces several challenges. … Read more
India, with its diverse tapestry of traditions and landscapes, draws millions of travellers seeking adventure, culture and enlightenment. However, tourism also brings a plethora of challenges, from overcrowding at popular destinations to environmental degradation and cultural commodification, and tourists can also perpetuate issues such as poverty and animal cruelty. Overtourism in popular destinations like Goa … Read more
I was in the heart of the relatively untamed Karoo at Samara Plains Camp. The crack of dawn marking the beginning of another day – the sky a palette of pastel as the sun inches over the distant horizon. It’s pretty chilly, so I dress in haste, pulling on my walking shoes, anticipation mingling with … Read more
Agritourism showcases agriculture, rural traditions, and natural resources, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience and learn about these elements through tourism. The Red Rocks Cultural Campsite in Musanze, Rwanda is an exceptional model of both nature-based agritourism and community-based agritourism in Rwanda, showcasing the vitality of the African nation. Surrounded by stunning scenery and … Read more
In far south Transylvania, an ambitious rewilding project is already taking root, reviving neglected habitats and re-introducing wildlife, like bison and beavers. Keith Drew finds out what’s next, to ensure the work so far has a lasting legacy. The post Could rewilding Transylvania help turn it into the ‘Yellowstone of Europe’? appeared first on Adventure.com.
Visitors to Wellington, New Zealand, looking for immersive activities will soon be able to ride along its three-mile (4.5km) waterfront. Work will shortly begin on a new safe-cycle route between the capital and the neighboring city of Lower Hutt. Built to encourage commuters to get around on two wheels, this new cycleway will also connect … Read more
23 days, 5 countries, 4 border crossings and endless UNESCO sites, this epic journey across Central Asia is designed to satisfy the wanderlust of the most intrepid traveller. Not for the faint of heart, explore the rarely visited corners of the five Stans, immersing yourself in nomadic culture and rich silk road history. Spend a … Read more
A successful sustainable travel experience is about much more than measuring carbon; it’s about modelling a new way of living. Soraya Abdel-Hadi travels with Wilderness Scotland to find out more about their vision of the future of travel. The post A sustainable Scottish sojourn: What does a legit ‘green’ holiday look like? appeared first on … Read more
A new long-distance cycling route, the Kirkpatrick C2C, is set to launch this summer, running 250 miles from Stranraer on the west coast of Scotland to Eyemouth on the east. The new route is named after Kirkpatrick Macmillan, the 19th-century blacksmith and pioneer from the area who invented the first pedal-driven velocipede. When the new … Read more
If you’re like me, hiking around Patagonia has been on your bucket list for a while but it’s a LOT of (very high!) ground to cover. How do you know where to start? I certainly only had Puerto Natales in mind for the famed W and O Treks, but my research turned up plenty more … Read more
Skift Take: It’s one thing to create off-the-beaten-track adventures, but just how sustainable these multi-day experiences are needs careful consideration from the remote locals. After all, they’re expected to drip-feed off those offerings by showcasing their everyday existence. — Selene Brophy Read the Complete Story On Skift
Has anyone else spent the last seven weeks yelling at the TV about getting the hell out of the hotel restaurant? With season two of The White Lotus in the proverbial bag, Tayla Gentle wades through the wreckage to see what the series taught us about the travel habits of ultra-wealthy. The post The White Lotus was … Read more
The Andes are the world’s longest continental mountain range, spanning seven South American countries. Rivalling the Himalayas in height – Aconcagua (6,961m) in Argentina is the highest – these snow-capped peaks are the twisted spine that divides one side of the continent from the other. Contrary to popular belief, the Andes isn’t one mountain range … Read more
There are approximately 2 million people in Canada who identify as Indigenous, representing about 5 percent of the population. This includes First Nations, Inuit and Métis. While half of this population has moved to the cities, the other half still lives in the 630 First Nations and 50 Inuit communities that exist in Canada. Each … Read more
Travel & tourism and natural and cultural heritage are often interdependent. So how should tourism respond to worries that climate change threatens heritage sites? It’s a question posed by Kevin Phun in this “Good Tourism” Insight. Can tourism enable and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation measures? Can tourist activities help increase local communities’ resilience? Global … Read more
As the tourism industry emerges from pandemic shutdowns and border closures, so too is “voluntourism”, the sometimes controversial combination of overseas volunteer work and more traditional tourist experiences. Although hard to measure, pre-pandemic estimates suggest voluntourism was worth US$2 billion annually, with up to ten million volunteers globally. While COVID shut the practice down for … Read more
After being closed to tourism since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Japan has reopened its doors to visitors. Writer Bill Fink returns to his former home to find a new path to tourism enlightenment on newly-crowded streets. The post The quiet comeback of travel in Japan appeared first on Adventure.com.
The post Our favourite agriturismos hidden in Sicily’s bountiful and beautiful countryside appeared first on Sawday’s.
B-Corp tour operator Intrepid Travel will offer over 100 global Indigenous experiences in its 2023 portfolio, building upon its focus on community-based tourism from Australia’s First Nations groups to Native American ones in North America. Among the new experiences include a visit to a medicinal garden and textile weaving workshop at a Mayan village along … Read more
View of rocky wall under the top of snow covered peak of Jebel Toubkal mountain in High Atlas Morocco The Atlas Mountains are a series of mountain ranges extending for almost 2,000 kilometres across north Africa, passing through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The jagged, sky-piercing High Atlas in Morocco are perhaps the most well-known, especially … Read more
Sabi Sands Game Reserve has a special history in South Africa. As the first private game reserve in the country, it has built a longstanding reputation for superb wildlife conservation, community development and spectacular wildlife sightings. The Sabi Sand region is located adjacent to Kruger National Park in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga, South Africa. Sabi … Read more
Over the last century, Earth’s wild places have seen startling declines in biodiversity. In 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services found that one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction. The main cause? Human activity. Habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, over-consumption, human-wildlife conflict and pollution are major … Read more
The dominance of aviation over less emitting modes of transport is due to a long history of massive government subsidies. Even in times of climate crisis, a huge amount of money in aviation subsidies supports the sector’s ambition of significantly increasing today’s forty million flights a year. The ‘polluter pays’ principle does not apply to … Read more
Community-based wildlife conservation is often promoted as a win-win solution. The idea behind this approach is that the people who live close to wildlife can be involved in protecting it and have an interest in doing so. This results in wildlife being protected (a win for global biodiversity) and local people benefiting from conservation through … Read more
Over the next five years, what is the single biggest challenge or threat facing tourism where you work, or that you have identified through your research and study? And what are the key strategies that your organisation, destination, or the industry at large should employ to overcome it? Reviving community-led programs in Rwanda Greg Bakunzi, Founder, Red Rocks … Read more
Here at Atlas & Boots, some of our best memories were made while we were watching wildlife. One of our favourite experiences was our self-drive safari through Nambia, which offered close encounters with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and more zebras than we could count. The post Self-drive Uganda: 7 routes to suit every itinerary appeared … Read more
Planning a staycation? These 10 options – including treehouses, floating villas, Airstream trailers and oceanfront lodges – are unforgettable places to stay around Australia. Some have private access to beaches, others are tucked away in the middle of expansive farmland. All of them are magnificent ways to while away a weekend, or longer. Sal Salis … Read more
Shompole Lodge in southern Kenya opened at the start of the millennium as a radical model of what community-based ecotourism could be, promising jobs, livelihoods and full ownership for the area’s Maasai community. But the partnership between the private investor and the community soured over accusations that the former was depriving the latter of their … Read more
Often overlooked as it’s situated between two tourist-bound behemoths, Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is an underrated travel destination in South America. Most travellers know it for the Galápagos Islands where they flock to spot giant tortoises, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies. For my recent trip, I looked inland instead at cities like Quito, Baños, Tena, … Read more
Sustainable travel is finally going mainstream – and with a new call to action: regenerative tourism. Floods, heatwaves, forest fires and droughts have put the environment at the forefront in 2022. At the same time, travellers are eager to reconnect with nature coming out of the pandemic. So how can we do this without becoming part of the problem? In Booking.com’s 2022 … Read more
A new report released during COP27 reveals that only one scenario could possibly reduce emissions in time. If you’re concerned about climate change and wondering whether you should travel to far-flung places as often as you used to before the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s a valid question. You’re not going to like the answer. An estimated … Read more
A group of cyclists head out into the jungle on the Uganda Cycling Trail. Photo: Red Dirt Uganda The Uganda Cycling Trail is a new 1,580km, 22-stage route which crosses Uganda – taking riders from the gorilla-inhabited highlands of the west across Lake Victoria to Mount Elgon (4,321m) on the Kenyan border, and then onto … Read more
In 2010, just 121 wild tigers remained in Nepal—a figure so low it signified a risk of global extinction. As a result, the Global Tiger Summit requested all tiger-range countries, those with breeding tigers, to double their populations by 2022. Nepal did—but how and at what cost? The post Roaring back to life: Nepal has … Read more
The Picos de Europa is Spain’s best-kept hiking secret. Tucked away in northern Spain, the Picos de Europa National Park straddles the three provinces of Asturias, León and Cantabria. The dominant feature of the landscape is its dramatic limestone peaks, which are part of the Cantabrian Mountains. Over many years, deep rivers and glacial ice … Read more
Jon Hicken of Restrap makes his way up a scenic climb on a bikepacking adventure in Croatia. Photo: Restrap ‘Hvala Croatia’ is the latest film from Yorkshire-based bikepacking experts Restrap. The film follows four friends on a long-distance cycling tour through northern Croatia. They climb exposed cliffside roads with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, … Read more
After two years of pandemic lockdowns and border closures, global travel appears to be rebounding in much of the world in 2022. Wilderness is a big tourist attraction—but do countries that protect their natural environments earn a payoff in tourism revenues? Alejandra Echeverri Ochoa from Stanford University, and Jeffrey R. Smith from Princeton University find … Read more
Amid the rise of luxury wilderness cabins, haute campfire cuisine and abundantly available wi-fi, are we losing sight of what makes off-grid travel so special? The post Off-grid travel is booming, but are we doing it all wrong? appeared first on Adventure.com.
Add Oslo to your green travel bucket list. World-class architecture, seasonal Nordic cuisine and a laid-back, outdoorsy lifestyle put Oslo firmly at the top of our go-to list. And since being named European Green Capital in 2019, the city’s eco credentials have skyrocketed… What makes Oslo sustainable? The Norwegian capital topped the latest sustainable cities … Read more
Of all the things you might consider when booking a trip – who’s coming, where are you going, what’s the cost – it’s easy to forget the environmental impact of how you get there. But if you do have to fly, a few savvy choices can help reduce your impact. Here’s how… Fly direct, stay … Read more
Malgorzata Drewniak / Shutterstock.com Do you know what an ecolodge is? These are accommodations designed not to harm the natural environment upon which they are built. One of the ecolodges featured in this roundup, Topas Ecolodge, defines an ecolodge as following three basic principles: You must be set in a natural environment, benefit the local … Read more
A kayak adventure combines elements of challenge with moments of serenity, as you glide through clear water, far from the crowded beaches. Perhaps it’s something you’ve always wanted to do but stopped short of planning – it sounds like a whole lot of work to organise a kayak trip out on the water in another … Read more
Looking for travel inspiration? National Geographic has just dropped its must-see top destinations list of 2023, and it includes a new category. In December 2021, Laos inaugurated a train linking the north, from the small town of Boten, to the capital Vientiane. The train is about 400 kilometers long and is designed to boost domestic … Read more
My young children have walked 13 miles over tricky, mountainous terrain. If that’s not a parenting brag, I don’t know what is. The ancient city of Petra in Jordan is that good, even children as young as three are prepared to hike all day exploring it, with not a whisper of a whinge. Petra may be … Read more
It’s never too early to start planning next year’s big trips. National Geographic joins the mission and publishes its list of the best in the world at the end of October, with 25 essential destinations for 2023. Respect – for the people and their cultures, for the land and its conservation – is an overarching … Read more
The Masaii tribe are famous around the world. The vibrant red of their Skuka cloth is iconic, as is the intricate beadwork which adorns many in the tribe, the rungu, a wooden throwing club used by Masaii morans – young, male warriors – and their adumu ritual; a jumping dance. It’s believed that the Masaii … Read more
Growing up in Toronto, my knowledge of Indigenous communities was limited to a few days of history class. In textbooks, the descriptions of the past were suspect, haloed with a now-familiar “White savior” rhetoric. Canada’s Indigenous people have been attempting to reclaim their culture from the church and government for almost two centuries. The atrocities … Read more
Travel companies are working to improve the travel experience for the disabled. Advocates say it just makes good business sense. In the U.S. alone, 61 million adults, or 26% of the population, live with a disability, according to the CDC. And as baby boomers — the second-largest generation alive — continue to age, that number … Read more
Japan is also a longstanding pioneer in the concept of sustainable tourism. With the Japan Ecotourism Society – a not-for-profit organisation with the objective of activating local economies through tourism while preserving the natural environment – having put sustainability on the map since 1998, Japan has become a top destination for eco-conscious travellers. Most importantly, … Read more
In Tanzania, the snow-topped Mount Kilimanjaro rises steeply upwards, inviting you to climb it. The Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater are ideal safari destinations, inhabited by lions, cheetahs, black rhino and an array of other animals. And then there are the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar, which people travel halfway around the world to visit. Chris … Read more
No matter how idyllic they might appear on social media, the travel hotspots of the moment are not as they seem. Chances are, the highlights splayed across your Instagram feed are concealing the many tourists taking their own pictures just outside of the frame. And then there’s the less-visible evidence of environmental and cultural depletion … Read more
Koh Mak, an island located in Trat province, is now being hailed as the first low-carbon destination in Thailand. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong) Three tourism sites in Thailand have been listed among the Top 100 Green Destinations 2022 by a leading environmental foundation, said government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri. Koh Mak in Trat, Mae Hong Son’s Ban … Read more
Just because you can (sort of) afford to go somewhere doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy it. This time last week I was wandering the stony streets of Positano, a small village on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Positano rests almost vertically on the steep cliffside, with peachy pastel houses stacked on top of one another against zigzagging streets … Read more
Thirty years ago, Newfoundland suffered the largest job loss in Canadian history (until COVID-19) when the government shut down its cod fishery. Now, sustainable and community-led tourism initiatives are helping this resilient community bounce back. The post Ghost town no more: How tourism revived a once-decimated Newfoundland fishing community appeared first on Adventure.com.
Imagine stepping into a room that’s not much bigger than a large closet and instead of despising your landlord, you marvel at its compact beauty. An efficient use of space isn’t always a virtue, but it’s one of the most impressive features of the Caledonian Sleeper train, as I discovered on my journey from Edinburgh … Read more
It’s time to go beyond the tourist traps to reconsider some of Europe’s most beloved destinations. They’re popular for a reason — but we want to show you a whole other side simply by lacing up your hiking boots. New views are a given but you’ll also gain fresh perspective with time spent in local … Read more
Originally published by Nina Foster, September 2022, at worldwildlife.org He knew they were getting close when he caught a whiff of a familiar scent. You can often smell gorillas before you see them, says WWF’s Allard Blom, managing director of WWF’s Congo Basin program. Blom was in the old-growth rain forest of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable … Read more
Recycling, solar energy, zero-food mile dining and other sustainability initiatives in the Maldives resorts As the lowest-lying nation in the world — with much of it sitting just a few feet above sea level — the nearly 1,200 Indian Ocean islands scattered across the Maldives’ sun-soaked atolls are famed not just for their magazine-cover-ready beaches … Read more
Do you subscribe to the ethos of being eco, ethical and responsible in your travels, but suspect that the reality is more, ahem, hessian than the type of holidays you normally plump for? Are you being badgered by your offspring to cut your carbon footprint while secretly hankering for a last-minute sunshine break before winter … Read more
The small cruise ships of the Hurtigruten fleet, which serve Norway’s picturesque coastal routes, are painted red and black. But on the inside, they are green, according to the company. A decade ago, the cruise line ditched heavy fuel oil in favor of cleaner-burning marine gas oil. More recently, it stripped all single-use plastics from … Read more
A few initiatives that promote experience-based tourism, where tourists get to experience the lifestyles of the indigenous communities and their low carbon-footprint living, are becoming popular in Maharashtra. The Mangrove Foundation under the Maharashtra Forest Department has also encouraged such initiatives. Mangrove safaris that boost livelihoods are the main attraction of government initiatives. Experts say … Read more
I was recently sent to write about a town on the shores of the Mediterranean. The land was rich and fertile – the sea a bright powder blue. On Sundays, the cathedral was heavy with incense, and in the evenings the sun cast a pink glow over the fishing boats in the harbour. Being autumn, … Read more
Done right, travel is an immense force for good. There are many brilliant individuals and small companies leading positive change, using tourism to benefit local communities and help restore nature. But travellers themselves are also changemakers. Simply choosing responsible experiences drives up demand for them, and the industry responds accordingly. This World Tourism Day, here … Read more
In destination and industry practice, what is (are) the difference(s) between ‘sustainable tourism’ and ‘regenerative tourism’? Nine differences Loretta Bellato, PhD candidate, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia The practitioner pioneers of regenerative tourism have been developing the approach for 20 years. They see regenerative tourism as distinct from sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism understands tourism to be … Read more
1,161,121: The number of photos currently circulating on Instagram when searching for #mexicotravel. Social media has definitely changed the travel industry. No more relying on guidebooks or Google searches to plan your trip. Instead, you can follow travel influencers for all the details of exotic places. Just as posting the most compelling travel photos has … Read more
Greece expert Alice Barnes-Brown picks out three alternative Greek island breaks for a second-time visitor Archaeology, beautiful beaches and upbeat urban areas: the Greek islands are destinations for travellers who want it all – to have their baklava and eat it, if you will. Thirty-one million people visit Greece every year. And while the big … Read more
Australia has a relative abundance of astro-tourism destinations, and a growing movement to help protect their darkness. An Aboriginal dreamtime story tells of the fire magic in the foot of Kambughuda, protecting her younger sisters from the hunter Nyeeruna. The story doesn’t just exist in the oral tradition of the world’s oldest living cultures, it … Read more
As a company that cares so much for the natural environment and the diverse animals that call it home, we sometimes get asked why we include dog sledding on our Canadian polar bear trips. We love having the opportunity to answer! It’s an activity we have vetted thoroughly with our on-the-ground operators, and we stand … Read more
Booming expansion to meet the demands of thousands of visitors every year is squeezing dwindling water supply. It was a typically hot summer day in Utah’s Zion national park, where early-afternoon heat hovered near 100F, even in the shadows of the red peaks soaring overhead. But the extreme conditions did little to dissuade the throngs … Read more
Villagers in the island of Java set the rules for tourists visiting their area, working with the local government to help protect popular sites. At the foot of Mount Sindoro, a popular tourist site in Indonesia’s Central Java, locals set the rules for visitors. Break the rules and a fine of up to 1 million … Read more
Travelling is an inexplicable part of our lives but the focus today must be on doing so while being conscious of our environment, heritage and culture. These organisations are endeavouring to promote an ecological and community-driven perspective on travel through their sustainable initiatives. Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust The extremely rare sight of a snow … Read more
Should your community welcome digital nomads – individuals who work remotely, allowing them freedom to bounce from country to country? Our research has found that workers are eager to embrace the flexibility of not being tied to an office. And after experiencing economic losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cities and countries are concocting ways to entice visitors. … Read more
BANGKOK, 7 September 2022: A presentation at Penn State University-Berks will focus on two of Thailand’s eco-friendly lodges in the far north of the country and how responsible tourism contributes to the well-being of village communities by avoiding the pitfalls of overtourism. Dr Scott Michael Smith, PhD-TRM, from the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, MSME … Read more
by Charlotte Cullinan Shinta Mani Hotels will open its first property outside Cambodia when it launches the Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection luxury lodge in Nepal in March 2023. The Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection luxury lodge will offer 29 suites Each of the 29 suites is designed in the style … Read more
There is no denying it. The last two years were difficult for all of us. But as we take a collective breath on the other side of the pandemic and ruminate on the positive takeaways from that time, many of us will settle on the same sentiment – sometimes it’s good to slow down. Our … Read more
SULAWESI – Standing on a rickety Indonesian fishing boat, entranced by the Milky Way stretched out above us, we are lost in deep thought when violent splashing in the waters below startles me. “It’s a crocodile fish,” my new-found friend Darwis calls out. We spend the next 15 minutes training our cameras on Darwis and … Read more
Organizing a responsible visit to sensitive areas like the Galápagos Islands or Antarctica involves research, decoding certifications and possibly a travel adviser. Like the 18 other passengers on the ship Origin, from the expedition cruise company Ecoventura, I went to the Galápagos Islands in May to be awed by nature. Swimming with barrel-rolling sea lions, seeing … Read more
While endangered flapper skates will never be the poster boys of conservation, the beautiful marine environment they inhabit on the Argyll coast is capable of inspiring the most ardent of landlubbers. Brutal winters conspire with the ocean’s latent power to create an intricate network of bays and lochs along the Craignish and Ardnamurchan peninsulas. Fringed … Read more
Yes: travel and flying in particular does cause carbon emissions. However, tourism also creates one out of every 10 jobs globally. Many of these are in remote corners where communities play a crucial role in protecting delicate ecosystems and ways of life. Others allow those on the margins to gain independence in societies where that … Read more
Choose local Speaking of reciprocity, one of the simplest ways to give back to local communities is to put as many of our travel pounds into the pockets of locals as possible. According to the UN’s World Tourism Organisation, just 5 per cent of money spent by tourists actually stays in the local community, with … Read more
After almost four days at sea, as I sat across from two Norwegian 20-somethings on the leather sofa in the cigar room wearing a frumpy sweater and pushing my glasses up my nose, I realized I had forgotten how to talk to people my own age. I didn’t have exact numbers for the average age … Read more
Over the last few years, destinations and travel service providers have invested in rewilding efforts, doubled down on their climate commitments, and published tourism pledges and impact reports. But even as the tourism industry fine tunes its strategy for creating a less extractive and more community-focused model of operation, is there enough being done to … Read more
Many popular destinations are imposing a tourist tax, which is believed to help manage overtourism. 1. Tourist taxes The concept of taxing tourists is gaining support with cities like Venice, Amsterdam and Edinburgh having recently joined the ranks of popular destinations imposing a tax. While some tourists may complain about the new tax, others see … Read more
Alleppey is the gateway to the idyllic backwaters of Kerala. Head over to the jetty, walking past the houseboats, and snub the larger vessel for a kayak, for now at least. You’ll find yourself looking out at the Indian sun, sitting low on the horizon, and as you paddle inland, you’ll soon reach stretches of … Read more
In the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, an alluring and less punishing alternative to thru-hiking is taking shape. The High Road, a new long-distance pathway, allows you to walk from Berkshire village to village, passing through deciduous woodlands and traversing gusty ridgelines that offer views of farms, ponds, and New York’s Taconic Range. You can travel … Read more
It’s just past 7 a.m. on a February morning in Maya Bay, several weeks after authorities reopened what is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist attractions to the world for the first time since June 2018 following a massive rehabilitation program. A lone tourist walks along the shore, the towering limestone monoliths appearing to float … Read more
Shifts in travel patterns are likely to become more common in Europe, a region that climate researchers describe as a “hot spot” for severe summer heat. It was the middle of July, peak summer travel season, and the news from Europe wasn’t looking good: A heat-induced “surface defect” briefly closed the runway at London’s Luton … Read more
Green travel is a contentious topic. The notion of embracing low-impact and environmentally conscious travel is a laudable one, but in reality, it’s complicated. And the popularization of a number of related terms, such as “sustainable travel,” “responsible travel” and “eco-tourism” has further obscured the issue. Given that tourism produces harmful emissions, the term “green … Read more
How can travel & tourism contribute to a fairer world? For this “GT” Insight Bites, your correspondent put the question above to a range of travel & tourism stakeholders, and invited written responses of up to 300 words. My thanks to all 15 respondents. Their answers appear in the order in which I received them … … Read more
The post Eco-friendly destinations with a focus on sustainability appeared first on SevenTravel.
‘Tourism degrowth’ is viewed suspiciously by some as a conspiracy to tear down capitalism and vastly reduce travel. According to Tazim Jamal, however, tourism degrowth is much more about fostering healing and nurturing relationships with people and our planet. And she thinks that we should transcend labels and divisions. It’s a “Good Tourism” Insight. [You … Read more
Anurak Community Lodge, an award-winning ecotourism experience in southern Thailand, has fully reopened following two years of COVID-related uncertainty. The 19-unit nature retreat, which won the PATA Grand Award for Sustainability in 2020, and is Travelife Gold certified, officially reopens 1 August with room enhancements, a refreshed food and beverage menu – including southern ‘jungle’ … Read more
More industry stakeholders now recognize what practices are effective for their sustainability journeys. In the overall industry, however, gaps persist and there’s still a lot more work to do to put these strategies into practice. That was what we heard this week from industry leaders during our sustainable tourism summit. The rhetoric has been been … Read more
Marseille is introducing tough new restrictions to help save its beautiful coast from overtourism. The French destination is the latest European travel hotspot struggling to cope with a high number of visitors. The region is known for its stunning ‘calanques,’ cliff-lined coastal inlets sheltering tiny, azure coves. But this rugged landscape is under threat, as … Read more
Commercial accommodation in parks promotes advocacy for the land, say tour companies, but critics argue it puts wilderness at risk Mick Ripon has fished from the rugged coastline of NSW’s Ben Boyd national park for the past 45 years. Off the remote rocks of Green Cape, Ripon reeled in his biggest catch, a 68kg (150lb) … Read more
08 Jun 2022 by Susan Deer Susan Deer, director of industry relations at Abta, shares an overview on the current state of the travel industry’s carbon emissions and its efforts to reduce them All industries need to look at reducing their carbon emissions, and the travel industry is no exception. Decarbonisation starts with understanding your … Read more
Maya Bay was once a sorry victim of overtourism. Now the beach’s wild residents – and a restricted number of human visitors – are returning “I just feel like everyone tries to do something different but you all wind up doing the same damn thing.” When these words were uttered by Richard in … Read more
John BorthwickThe West Australian Camera IconPart of a coral replanting project. Credit: John Borthwick Share to FacebookShare to TwitterEmail UsCopy the Link 1 Plastic Pushback Want to save the planet, or at least a Thailand beach, one bag at a time? Say three simple Thai words at the check-out, “My aow toung” — “I don’t … Read more
La Palma is like a Lost World. This off-radar Canary Island is a mind-blowing mix of volcanic peaks, wrinkled ravines, black sand beaches and laurel forests popping with wildflowers and waterfalls. It’s like an open book for science,” says my guide, Rafael Martínez. But lush can lash out, too. Last September, the Cumbre Vieja volcano … Read more
If you were anything like us during lockdown, you spent a lot of time flicking through holiday photos, reminiscing about the sunshine, adventure and fun. Once most Covid restrictions lifted for international travel, many of us were quick to jump on a plane and get far far away from the place we’d been cooped up … Read more
Last year I drove my Renault Zoe to Tuscany. I won’t traumatise you with the full details of my five-day journey, replete with broken chargers, removed chargers, impossible-to-access chargers, and chargers demanding a valid Italian tax code before they would cough up kilowatts – but suffice to say it took most of the holiday for … Read more
Traditionally, hotels set standards. They were among the first buildings in the world to have hot running water, flushing lavatories, electric lights, central heating and, later, air conditioning. But standards change — and few hotels are at the forefront of showing how sustainability is the way forward. It’s been 30 years since the UN’s first … Read more
When deciding where to test green tech, Greek policymakers picked the remotest point on the map: tiny Tilos. Providing electricity and basic services, and even access by ferry, are all a challenge for this island of just 500 year-round inhabitants. Its most recent problem has been dealing with plastic. But authorities this week announced that … Read more
The stats on plastic waste are staggering. 8 million pieces of plastic enter the ocean every day, and this is expected to rise significantly. The impact on the travel industry is huge, causing pollution, degradation and wildlife death, yet it also is part of the problem. It generates a huge amount of single-use plastic. Phasing … Read more
Interest in sustainable travel has been high for the last few years, and the airlines, tour companies, destinations, and accommodations that serve these eco-conscious explorers seem to understand this. But while businesses tout the steps they’ve taken to mitigate climate impacts, it can be hard to decipher whether they’re taking sustainability seriously or simply greenwashing … Read more
New regulations could shut down Ibiza’s loudest beach clubs and hotel pool parties in an attempt to curb neighbourhood noise disturbance. The campaign to tackle rowdy revellers by local political party Podemos has gained traction as Spain’s Balearic Islands seek to distance themselves from drunken party tourism. Local authorities are determined to focus on a … Read more
Greek beaches are renowned across the world for their beauty, but many locals and tourists claim that overtourism is ruining the country’s most popular summer destinations. Social media users from across the planet likely know about some of the most popular Greek beaches, such as Navagio Beach on Zakynthos or Balos Beach on Crete, even … Read more
As tourism picks up, animal welfare groups debate over resetting elephant tourism in Asia, particularly Thailand Outright ban on elephant tourism will hurt a long supply chain of small local businesses and communities Tour operators under pressure to shift towards more responsible models Public-private sector efforts ongoing to transition to ethical and sustainable elephant tourism … Read more
Community tourism projects supported by TTG’s Sustainable Travel Heroes include cooking classes in Vietnam and homestays in Nepal. Madeleine Barber explores why this is a rewarding way to travel Madeleine Barber Special Projects Editor Community tourism can be defined as “community-owned, led and run visitor activities and experiences typically for the greater good that uplift … Read more
Recently recognized by UNESCO, the music and dances of moutya commemorate the Seychelles’ painful colonial past. On the Seychellois island of Mahé, in the times before COVID, there was only one place to be on a Wednesday evening: the ever-popular Beau Vallon beach, famous for its clear waters, white sand, and the Bazar Labrin—that’s “sunset … Read more
Plans are afoot to launch a new sleeper train service from Brussels to Prague later this year, giving an extra option for travellers keen to visit the Czech capital but keep their carbon footprint light. But what about when you arrive? Prague’s timeworn streets may be chock-full of beautiful buildings and vistas, but they’ve also … Read more
In 1972, a flurry of new postage stamps emerged as countries across Europe marked the half-centenary of the International Union of Railways (UIC). Belgium and Romania stepped up to the mark – as did plucky Monaco, with a handsome commemorative issue showcasing trains that surely never ran on Monaco’s limited rail network (which is just … Read more
When one mentions Goa, there is quite the stereotypical image — beaches, shacks, nightlife, and local beers. Come to think of it, the idea of a snooze holiday for most people in the landlocked parts of the country is Goa. It is almost difficult to put a finger on any one particular reason for the … Read more
In some parts of the world, tourists get up close and personal with wildlife by boat. In Malaysia, for example, groups of visitors climb aboard motorboats to approach proboscis monkeys along riverbanks. While tourists might enjoy the intimate encounters, the animals are stressed by the disruption, new research finds. “Primate ecotourism with motorboats is rapidly … Read more
The true cost of flying could be far worse than we thought – with two-thirds of the climate impact coming from emissions that aren’t CO2. Alongside this greenhouse gas, aircraft engines emit other elements like nitrous oxides and sulphur dioxide as well as particulates such as soot when fuel is burnt. These all contribute to … Read more
In The Independent’s new travel trends column, Trendwatch, we dig into the types of trip, modes of transport and top buzzwords to watch out for. It was inevitable, perhaps – that the events of the last couple of years would turn our career plans inside out. In a “mass quitting” phenomenon – dubbed “the Great … Read more
The quiet, mesmerizing beauty of giraffes makes them marketing gold for Africa’s wildlife tourism industry. But the world’s tallest mammals are under threat from multiple forces, poachers, diseases, even climate change. Economics aside, conservationists are in a mad dash to hasten their decline. Harriet Akinyi When you think of giraffes, you think of their beautiful … Read more
Michelin-star dining from an organic on-site farm. Natural air conditioning harnessed from the sea breeze. Wild swimming pools cleaned by plants instead of chlorine. Committing to a sustainable staycation no longer means pitching your tent in a wet field and eating homegrown veg from a tupperware. A luxe new wave of stylish eco hotels are … Read more
A new sustainable adventure travel company – Slow Adventure – has recently launched, offering adventures that give power back to local communities. The company supports fair and transparent conservation funding, reinforces the importance of nature so that it is valued and helps adventurers choose how to give back. Slow adventures are immersive and mindful journeys that maximise time … Read more
With its fast ferry network, quiet roads and jaw-dropping mountains, the Helgeland archipelago is the perfect place to try e-bike touring I balk a little at the idea of riding an e-bike for our multi-day trip across the Helgeland archipelago in northern Norway. Bar a brief pause in my 20s, I have ridden a bike … Read more
The chances are you’re already familiar with the volcanic splendor, lush cloud forests, sprawling Mayan ruins, stunning black sand beaches and rich indigenous cultures of Central America. To tread lighter but delve deeper into the region, just book into one of the region’s excellent sustainable places to say. There are eco-lodges powered by solar energy, … Read more
A growing number of repeat safarigoers want to get out of the vehicle and dive deeper into more remote landscapes. Before my first safari six years ago, I envisioned lodges reminiscent of Out of Africa—think leather steamer trunks, dark wood, pith helmets, and lots of khaki. I’ve now experienced close to a dozen safaris across … Read more
That lack of access to market — and the lack of the knowledge, skills and infrastructure needed to run a successful travel business — is key. As Justin Francis of Responsible Travel puts it: “Being able to access the distribution chains of the tourism industry — to get guests through the doors — is difficult … Read more
Thailand is one of our most loved and visited countries in the world. Nearly 40 million people visited in 2019 and, bar COVID, numbers have risen steadily every year, so it’s no surprise that Thailand is reliant on tourism. Around 12% of the economy and 36 million jobs come from the travel industry. However, Thailand … Read more
This Earth Day, let’s celebrate the many eco-friendly hotels bursting onto the scene, from Scotland to Slovenia, Scandinavia to – ugh, Saudi. Yet I urge you to stay alert to the niggle that many hosts are simply savvier at using the right labels to position themselves greener. Beware “performative sustainability”, as a pal dubbed the … Read more
To mark Earth Day, Mark Bibby Jackson chats with Cat Jones, the Founder of Byway, the travel company that is firmly putting slow travel on the map. You opened Byway in the lockdown, what was the thinking behind this? I’ve always been a slow traveller. I’ve never owned a car and love travelling by bike, … Read more
In southwest Colorado, a number of parks and organizations are working together to create what may become the world’s largest dark sky reserve. Standing in the roofless Smokey Jack Observatory in Westcliffe, Colorado, craning your neck to trace the long arc of the Milky Way, you might feel insignificant amid all that sparkles above you. … Read more
The tourism industry is a significant player in revenue generation in many countries. However, the income generated from travel can remain concentrated in the hands of a few. Inclusivity in tourism presents an opportunity to ensure that the income generated remains within the communities where the travel occurs. There are many individual entities and groups in India who have taken … Read more
Ahead of Earth Day on Friday, we pick operators taking action to help the planet and limit overtourism, with eco stays, fewer flights and support for local people Sawday’s new overtourism caps In a move designed to help counter overtourism, accommodation provider Sawday’s has announced that it will cap the number of places to stay … Read more
Being unable to travel for the past two years has had so many of us itching to hop on a plane, take some time off and explore. But, in the last few years, our priorities have changed, and we’ve become much more aware of the impact our air miles have on the rest of the … Read more
A former teacher who now runs a climate organization from Burlington, Vermont, Dan Castrigano says that he had always enjoyed traveling, but eventually became worried about his carbon footprint. At first, he tried buying carbon offsets. But eventually, he decided to simply stop flying altogether. A small but growing number of people have given up flying … Read more
Driven by the flygskam (flight shame) trend of switching from short-haul flights to rail, Swedish train travel was booming prior to the pandemic. Now that travel restrictions have been lifted across Scandinavia, it’s the perfect time to discover the joy of Sweden’s railways for yourself. Despite the drop in demand for domestic air travel, Sweden … Read more
Some disasters announce themselves with a roar, others with barely a whisper. No alarm bells go off when a species goes extinct, or when birds alter their migratory patterns from vertical (north to south) to horizontal (east to west) due to climate change. There are precious few warning signs before endangered destinations, such as the … Read more
You know which destination you want to go to. So how do you choose a sustainable hotel? Or even better, accommodation that makes a difference and has a positive impact? When a sustainable or green hotel is thought of, people often (rightly) consider its carbon footprint and possible negative impacts on the environment. But a … Read more
Debadrita Sur Along the bank of the river Ganges, in northern India, lies the congested and overpopulated city of death, penance, liberation and spiritualism. Varanasi (pronounced Banaras locally) is a land of miracles, legends, mysticism and madness where people often visit to die. This ancient city, also called Kashi, has cemented its legacy in various … Read more
These are some of the family-friendly destinations that Canadians flock to by the thousands every year in search of sun and fun. But as international resorts and hotels prepare to welcome visitors again following COVID-19 restrictions, there is another kind of travel that is getting a lot of attention … Indigenous cultural tourism. “We’re seeing … Read more
Peering at the rows of vegetables, fruit trees and aromatic herbs that snake along sloping terraces at Socalco Nature Hotel, my earth-loving heart begins to beat faster. The boutique venture nestled in the cliffs above the seaside town of Calheta, on Madeira’s southwest coast, was created with permaculture in mind. Think a cluster of solar-roofed, … Read more
If you have followed Save The Med’s work you might already be familiar with the Plastic Free Balearics Certification Programme which was launched in 2021 to help companies reduce their use of single use plastics. Now, the certification initiative launches a guide aimed at the hospitality sector which facilitates purchasing decisions with a lower environmental … Read more
What links Japan, Botswana, Brazil and Saudi Arabia? They are all places about which campaigners regularly approach me to support travel boycotts. Most recently – Russia aside – I have had calls to stop promoting holidays to the Faroe Islands in protest against its bloody whale hunts. Usually my answer is no. Why? Because I … Read more
Numerous trends reports have identified sustainable tourism as a top trend for 2022. But sustainability – which aims to counterbalance social and environmental impacts associated with travel, is no longer enough. The new frontier is regenerative travel, or leaving a place better than you found it, restoring the harm our system has done to the … Read more
The African bush has long been a big draw for wildlife lovers. And in a world emerging from the pandemic, it seems we are reaching out in even greater numbers for the ultimate healing experience. Africa bookings have increased by 43 per cent since January 2020, according to Simon Lynch of travel operator Scott Dunn, … Read more
Trekking, boating and camping in forests can lead to the spread of invasive alien species While ecotourism destinations across the State are expecting a rise in footfall, unregulated activities can cause serious ecological consequences including loss of biodiversity. According to experts, trekking, boating and camping facilities in forest interiors can lead to the spread of … Read more
Anyone seeking new territory to explore, send guests to, or expand into should heed the community’s attitudes to visitors and its expectations of inbound travel & tourism. As part of his postgraduate studies, Saverio Francesco Bertolucci undertook research in the remote Faroe Islands to find out what locals think about tourists and our industry. “Fascinating … Read more
It’s funny how we so often use the phrase “recharge your batteries” when talking about unplugging, going offline, or getting away from technology. Recently I’ve been struck by how often this wording pops up in my inbox, beside mentions of remote hideaways, back-to-basics campsites and the other “off-grid” retreats that have become a sort of … Read more
The global aviation industry produces around 2.1% of all human-induced CO2 emissions and accounts for 12% of all transport-induced emissions. In late 2021, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) pledged to reach net zero flying by 2050. It plans to do so by focussing on a core resource: sustainable aviation fuel. However, to reach this … Read more
My parents “discovered” Sedona, Arizona, in 1999, roughly 1,349 years after the Sinagua people were the first to settle in the Verde Valley beneath the fantastical red-rock formations that are now world famous. In the ensuing years, Mom and Dad hiked almost 5,000 miles on the 200 miles of trails that surround this magical oasis, … Read more
When it opened in Washington DC, Hotel Zena was billed as ‘the world’s first feminist hotel’. The Viceroy-owned property’s pink pool tables, artwork depicting Ruth Bader Ginsburg via the medium of tampons, and its male head chef raised eyebrows. Questions were asked about the commodification of feminism in hospitality, whether corporations are missing the mark on what women … Read more
The Travel + Leisure Global Vision Awards aim to identify and honor companies, individuals, destinations, and organizations taking strides to develop more sustainable and responsible travel products, practices, and experiences. Not only are they demonstrating thought leadership and creative problem-solving, they are taking actionable, quantifiable steps to protect communities and environments around the world. What’s … Read more
Having the freedom and funds to travel is undoubtedly a privilege. As tragedies of all kinds unfold around the world, some due to climate change, it’s incumbent upon those lucky enough to travel to ensure trips are beneficial – especially considering tourism causes approximately eight percent of the world’s carbon emissions. One way of doing … Read more
KOTA KINABALU:Beautiful spots, sites and sights are many and various in Sabah. There is the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the vast green fields of Sabah tea, the invigorating air of the highlands and the crystal-clear river that thunders down from the mountain. There are beautiful natural landscapes and of course there is also the people, warm … Read more
Can the travel industry go plastic free? The travel industry has a close relationship with plastic. It uses vast quantities of the material across all corners of the world. It is the perfect travel companion. It’s lightweight, convenient and affordable. Water from single-use bottles is often seen as the most hygienic way to access clean … Read more
In 1 March 1872, the US president, Ulysses S Grant, enacted a federal protection for the Yellowstone landscape, creating America’s first national park and one of the first in the world. The decision affected thousands of people from at least 27 distinct Native American tribes. More than 10,000 years of history were erased from the narrative at … Read more
In 2019, the United Nations World Tourism Organization reported that international travel had increased to a record 1.4 billion tourist arrivals. It predicted a 3% to 4% annual increase in coming years. That didn’t happen, of course. At the end of 2021, international tourist arrivals were 72% below pre-pandemic levels with 1 billion fewer arrivals than two … Read more
To mark International Women’s Day 2022, Trans Bhutan Trail is launching an exclusive Women’s Adventure Tour, led by female Bhutanese guides. Alongside an opportunity to explore the Trans Bhutan Trail – which will be reopening for the first time in over 60 years in spring 2022 – the new 12-day tour will offer an insight … Read more
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In January, Ecuador designated a new marine reserve in the Galápagos, preserving a critical migratory route for the islands’ most at-risk wildlife. For the first time, during February 2021, scientists documented the real-time journey of a pregnant scalloped hammerhead shark. The shark, whom scientists named Cassiopeia, traveled from the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador to Coco … Read more
Serre Chevalier near Briançon is defying the sceptics with its solar, wind and hydro-powered shift towards building the ski resort of the future “Studies predict that with climate change, skiing will be able to take place here in its current form until 2050…” These profound words came not from an environmentalist, but from the lips … Read more
The term ‘overtourism’ has become the go-to expression to describe mass tourism, particularly for places underprepared for influxes of visitors. Facilitated largely by the advent of budget travel, the world has never been more accessible and affordable to explore. But, in addition to the obvious financial considerations involved, there is a human, environmental and ethical … Read more
What would you do if revenues dried up but you had dozens of elephants to look after? The Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) in Sayaboury, Laos faced this situation as COVID-19 lockdowns and travel bans bit in March 2020. ECC founding partner Sébastien Duffillot shares what they did. The tourism industry has been particularly badly hit … Read more
It seems Venice is finally putting measures in place to curb overtourism, an issue that has been plaguing the city for years. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 25 to 30 million tourists would descend on La Serenissima per year, clogging its narrow streets, polluting the canals, and pushing locals out as historic apartments were given over … Read more
There was the briefest flurry of optimism at COP26 when — in the early hours of 10 November — the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition (IACAC) published a progressive series of commitments to decarbonise aviation. Hope was quickly dashed. We will come back to that shortly. If aviation were a country, it would be the … Read more
In the late 19th century it was tin mining that drove the economic life of Derby, about 100 km from Launceston in north-eastern Tasmania. But the mine has long closed. From a peak of more than 3,000, by the 2016 census Derby’s population was 178, with a 20% unemployment rate. What has saved Derby from … Read more
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The “code red” alert for the climate from the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report has implications for aviation. Air transport’s climate-harming emissions have grown substantially from year to year over decades and— except for 2020 — they are likely to continue to do so in the absence of much more intensive and focused action to … Read more
There’s nothing better than slow travel for family holidays, according to Cat, our founder. She’s never owned a car, and is mum to a three and five year old who’ve been slow travelling the whole of their lives. They love the spontaneity and unexpectedness of holidays exploring overland, hopping on and off trains and buses … Read more
This year, Christmas falls just a few weeks after the COP26 summit in Glasgow, where the world’s policymakers will take stock of progress so far towards global climate targets. So if you’re planning festive trips, why not start thinking about how you can make your Christmas even more sustainable? Travelling by train is one of … Read more
Our Autumnal slow travel holidays are peppered with seasonal harvest-related stop offs. The beaches are quieter, the leaves are on the turn and cosy pubs are lighting fires. In the north, midnight light shows are beckoning. For late summer sun, Italy is ready to welcome you again, from olives groves in Tuscany to sea swimming in … Read more
The world is changing. The past year has been a staggering challenge for all; travel grounded to a halt, and the pandemic drew our way of living on Earth into sharp focus, providing a sore reminder that we must preserve the natural systems that sustain us. The European Nature Trust (TENT) and Steppes Travel, through … Read more
Is it possible to curb climate change through travel? On a 10-day trip to Brazil’s endangered Atlantic Forest, writer Eric Weiner explores the tricky issue of volunteer vacations, one sapling at a time. The roads that lead out of Brazil’s Mata Atlântica, the rain forest region called simply the Atlantic Forest, are winding and shrouded in … Read more
As the nights turn darker and longer in Scotland, the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. The shadows stretch out and the tales turn taller in the season of Samhain and Halloween. Scotland, after all, is the country of Jekyll and Hyde, of real-life Bodysnatchers; a shadowy land where past and present constantly intertwine … Read more
In its 13 years of existence, Airbnb has grown from a minnow to a whale in holiday accommodation. Today, it offers more than 5.6 million active listings across 220 countries and regions. In Australia, Airbnb lists 346,581 spaces — that’s 4% of Australia’s total housing stock. Tourists often perceive Airbnb as having a relatively small … Read more
On this International Women’s Day we look at the importance of investing in women and offer some practical ideas on how travelers can seek out organizations, tours, and businesses that directly invest in or support the well-being of women. In this way, the travel decisions and spending choices we make can make a big difference … Read more
Even though we’re a busy little island with 66 million people and 245,000 miles of road, there are still many wild and remote places in the UK to visit, more so in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, though England does still have many spots too. We really don’t need to travel far to experience adventure. … Read more
In 2017, Indonesia announced an ambitious plan to attract 20 million international tourists by 2019 by developing ten new tourist destinations, dubbing them “the 10 New Balis”. One of the destinations is the scenic Urat village, a small village in the middle of Samosir Island in Lake Toba, North Sumatra. To get there, one must … Read more
In the Gambia, teams of young tourism guides in their first holiday season are doing something very different from what they learned in training. They have been redeployed to act as coronavirus guides for their local communities, raising awareness and explaining to their fellow Gambians how to prevent the spread of infection. On the beaches, … Read more
It was dusk on the first day of my first safari in 2016, and I was watching a herd of several dozen elephants at a watering hole in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. I sat with my guide from Somalisa Camp as the creatures socialized and drank, babies following their mothers. Sundown was our cue to … Read more
Stranded cruise ships have become a symbol of the COVID-19 pandemic. Passengers and crew are desperate to get off but the ports to which they’ve headed don’t want them. It is no exaggeration to suggest this crisis could spell the end of the line for an industry already on the nose for its social, health … Read more
Saturday, March 14 2020, is “The Day the World Stopped Travelling”, in the words of Rifat Ali, head of travel analytics company Skift. That’s a little dramatic, perhaps, but every day since has brought us closer to it being reality. The COVID-19 crisis has the global travel industry – “the most consequential industry in the … Read more
In today’s busy world with all of its demands on the people living in the modern society that has evolved, it’s not a stretch to suggest that mankind has grown apart from its roots in nature. For many people, this increasing disassociation from nature has resulted in an erosion of mankind’s understanding of the natural … Read more
I’m often asked what I consider the safest countries for black people or the most welcoming for black travelers. But I can’t answer those questions. I’ve been traveling internationally since I was four years old. For my Ugandan immigrant parents, vacationing was important—a way to learn more about the world through experience—and they made it … Read more
Encouraged by the recent sustainable reforms introduced by the government of President Ilham Aliyev, a group of experienced professionals has committed to the formation of the Azerbaijan Ecotourism Association (AETA) to implement and foster ecological culture and ecotourism in Azerbaijan. The founders of AETA have consulted with local and foreign experts and representatives of organizations, … Read more
When you travel, is there any way you can “follow the money” to ensure that whatever you spend on your trip stays local and benefits the communities you visit? This article offers a few ideas on how to do that and highlights some movements and methodologies afoot in the travel industry that might help. “For … Read more
If you’re looking for more meaningful travel interactions and are interested in giving something back as you travel, it’s important to understand the concept of social enterprise — what is it, how it works with local communities, and where to find it in the travel industry. When we told friends last month that we would … Read more
In this piece, we explore the nature and meaning of favelas in Brazil and the ethics of favela tours. Through conversations with residents and community leaders in Vidigal favela in Rio de Janeiro, we consider how community-driven favela tour experiences can create positive social impact and reduce the exclusion and separative otherness of marginalized communities. … Read more
If you live in a tourist destination, you might dread the holiday invasion. Likewise, disgruntled tourists complain about crowded and polluted beaches, national parks or attractions. Overtourism is now a serious issue in many parts of the world. A good visitor experience may not be a finite resource in the same way as oil, but … Read more
Ditch all those thoughts of London being polluted and overcrowded. The UK capital has some beautiful places to walk in and is one of the greenest cities on earth; it became a national park city in July 2020. London is green. Some of the best walks to take in London are well-known, and with good … Read more
Adventure in the UK Slog out some scenic but challenging marathons like Scarfell Pike Trail Marathon. The lesser-distance races of the Lakeland Trails also look incredible but if that’s too short a distance, go for broke and attempt a Bob Graham Round. Run around the 5000 mile coastline of the UK like Elise Downing or JOGLE … Read more
Cycling is a great way to explore further distances with kids, so travelling by a safe cycle route is good option if you want to cover a lot of ground. There’s also multiple options cycle wise – toddlers riding their own bikes, tandem bikes, child bike seats or the covered bike trailers. Also, if you … Read more
The art of adventuring successfully with children old and young is being able to balance what you want to get out of the trip with what is going to satisfy the younger members of the party. These family friendly hiking routes manage to do that. Outstanding views, some challenging sections, and a little off the … Read more
The global cheetah population is continuing to decline with only about 7000 individuals left in Africa. This is thought to be about half the population that existed 40 years ago. The decline has been caused by the loss and fragmentation of their natural habitats, a decline in their prey base, the illegal trade in wildlife … Read more
I can see the S-shaped curve of her smooth black back rising out of the darkness below, her enormous 12ft wings spread as wide as a minibus. As she nears, I notice her cephalic fins have curled into a pearly white mouth, now agape in a giant O as she hoovers up a snowstorm of … Read more
New Zealand is one of 36 global hotspots for biodiversity. Its unique wildlife is a major draw card for tourists. About three million international visitors arrive in New Zealand each year, adding NZ$15 billion to the economy. At least half explore a national park or protected area (PA), but they contribute very little to these … Read more
Can’t wait to pack your bags and head off on holiday again? It used to be that people would look forward to a long break in summer, but now tourists have got used to regular short breaks through the year. We love to jet off to the world’s glittering cities, even if only for a … Read more
This year is the United Nations’ International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. UN World Tourism Organisation Secretary-General Taleb Rifai declared it gave: … a unique opportunity to advance the contribution of the tourism sector to the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental, while raising awareness of the true dimensions of a … Read more
With a reputation in Australia for public drunkenness and antisocial behaviour, backpackers might not seem likely role models for “greener” ways of living. Most backpackers are from upper- or middle-class backgrounds where high consumption is the norm. Surely those patterns of high resource use will continue on holiday? In fact, backpackers provide interesting insights into … Read more
The recent leaking of a new draft management plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) has prompted vigorous debate over the merits of tourism development in protected areas. Specifically, the plan proposes to reclassify many “wilderness zones”, which were defined in the 1999 TWWHA Management Plan, into four “recreation zones” – effectively giving … Read more
Australians love to travel. About 9 million Australians travelled overseas last year, 60% of them on holiday. For most tourists, sustainable development and climate change were probably not high on their list of concerns. But increasing numbers of travellers are concerned about these issues. Is sustainable tourism possible when tourism accounts for about 5% of … Read more
