Personal and Business Development Consulting

Eco-Friendly Tourism – Why More and More People Want To Travel Green

Introduction to a Green Travel Business for 2010

The travel industry has suffered a few blows during the economic recession, but green travel is becoming more popular and is helping to prop up the industry. Green travel reduces the traveler’s carbon footprint and his or her environmental impact. Eco-friendly tourism is a form of green travel that is coming to the forefront.

What is Eco-Friendly Tourism?

The definition of eco-friendly tourism is rather broad – it can be used synonymously with green travel, or it can refer specifically to visiting an endangered or pristine area. Merriam-Webster defines eco-tourism as “the practice of touring natural habitats in a manner meant to minimize ecological impact.” The International Ecotourism Society defines it as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Essentially, it means traveling in a sustainable manner, visiting natural habitats, and respecting other cultures.

There is a range of “purity” among eco-tourists. Some work hard to reduce their carbon usage to zero, while others are comfortable with simply lessening their usage. Either way, it is gaining popularity among Americans.

A Growing Field

According to Sustainable Travel International, more than half of U.S. adults say they are “more likely to select an airline, rental car or hotel that uses more environmentally friendly products. And 58.5 million Americans say they would pay more to use travel companies that strive to protect and preserve the environment.” It seems that a number of Americans are on board with eco-tourism. A lot of companies are jumping on the green travel bandwagon, claiming to be environmentally sustainable. Companies such as hotel chains and travel agencies claim to follow the principles of eco-tourism, which are summarized as follows:

* minimize environmental impact
* encourage respect for various cultures and the environment
* make the vacation or trip a positive experience
* provide financial benefits to indigenous people groups
* provide financial benefits to conservation efforts
* increase awareness of the culture in host countries

For a company to adhere to all of these principles is a tall order (though not impossible). That is why it doesn’t hurt to be aware of a sneaky technique known as “green-washing.”

Green-washing refers to companies such as hotels and airlines that claim to be green, but do so in name only. In other words, companies that engage in green-washing are more interested in making money than in helping the environment. While such companies need to make money to survive, it is possible for a business to meet both goals – making money and protecting the environment. To be sure the travel agency or hotels you work with are fully committed to eco-friendly travel, ask a lot of questions and do your research beforehand.

For example, a hotel may make the claim that it is participating in eco-tourism because they have installed low-flow shower heads in their hotels. But what about their overarching business practice and philosophy? Do they work well with local businesses and people in host countries? Have they initiated any conservation efforts around the globe? Are the rest of the companies’ business practices environmentally sustainable? These are good questions to keep in mind if you want to plan a truly green vacation. In fact, some people claim that you are more likely to find in-depth eco-friendly business practices among smaller companies.

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