When you hear the term “green travel”, do you think of paddling up crocodile-infested rivers to a thatched-roof hut with geckos nestled in your bed? No one would blame you if you did. At one time, eco-lodges and adventure tours were some of the few options available to travellers who wanted to see the world without harming it. And while some would join that canoe trip in a hot Amazonian second, it wouldn’t be right for everyone. Families with young children and business travellers, for example, have vastly different needs when it comes to accommodations, no matter how exotic the destination (although facing down a jaguar in the jungle could do wonders for corporate team building).
The good news is that no matter what your travel needs, you can almost always find accommodation that embraces sustainable practices. All Rainforest Alliance Certified lodgings, for example – from posh urban hotels favoured by business travellers to all-inclusive resorts for the whole family – protect local ecosystems, communities and economies through a variety of measures, including:
- the use of biodegradable personal care products (soap, shampoo, etc.) to protect local waterways
- the reduction of water usage through water-saving measures and guest education
- the protection of native plants and animals (that includes preventing the introduction of invasive species to local ecosystems)
- the use of organic pesticides (instead of harmful agrochemicals) on gardens
- the education of clients regarding local customs
- the hiring of local personnel
Whether you’re travelling for work or pleasure, the knowledge that you’re supporting a business that protects the surrounding environment and community will make that poolside umbrella drink that much sweeter. What’s more, you’ll be joining a growing movement of mindful consumers around the world committed to leaving a lighter footprint, wherever they go.
Get a head start on planning your spring vacation or next business trip to Latin America or the Caribbean by using this handy sustainable travel tool.
Content on this page is provided by the Rainforest Alliance, supporter of the Vital Signs platform.
