Go Green! Friendly Eco-Tourism for the Environmentally Aware Traveler
Enjoy the Ride Using Eco-tourism Benefits
by Eric Slarkowski
Since ecotourism means traveling responsibly there are many potential benefits of ecotourism that one can get and there will also be many improvements to the environment as also to the local economy. There is a wide gamut of possibilities that range from resorts catering to the sensitivity of the ecosystem as also stand-alone activities, a number of destinations all across the world are offering solutions so as to reduce the harm that we are doing to the environment and which at the same time provides tourists with enjoyment as well. This is perhaps the biggest benefit of ecotourism and which makes ecotourism a worthwhile experience.
Using Technologies And Principles Adhering To Eco-Friendly Methods
You can also see the benefits of ecotourism in the design and construction as well as maintenance of eco-resorts that use technologies and also principles adhering to eco-friendly methods that are throwing up a whole new industry in itself. Take for example the elevated buildings and walkways in the Caribbean that does not affect the ground vegetation.
With such means, there are also other benefits of ecotourism such as prevention of soil erosion and runoff that could otherwise harm the beaches as also the coral reefs. If the tools of ecotourism such as these are used well by local communities, there are sure to be many benefits of ecotourism accruing. In addition, if we learn to recognize the importance of protecting biological diversity and properly regulate and manage these resources, we will benefit both the environment as well as see improved economic development.
With the current great boom in travel and tourism industry, and the possibility of channeling such tourism to take in ecotourism destinations there would be tremendous benefits of ecotourism reaped as seen in creating new employment, generating foreign exchange income as well as stimulating the economic development of the host country.
There is no doubt that the major benefits of ecotourism pertain to protection of the environment, though another benefit is that it can transform local communities in a most desirable manner. Direct recipients of the benefits of ecotourism are the local communities who must therefore play an important role in the planning, development as well as management of the process of ecotourism.
In fact, the main benefits of ecotourism can be categorized as economic, socio-economic as well as physical. Economic benefits are the most direct and are seen in better employment and more income. The socio-economic benefits are seen in responsible travel to natural areas thereby safeguarding the integrity of the ecosystem while also producing economic benefits to the local communities and encourage conservation. The physical benefits are seen when we learn to conserve our natural resources and preserve nature as best that we can.
About the Author
The author Eric Slarkowski is especially interested in problems corresponding to taxi malaga airport. You might come across his observations on malaga airport spain over at http://www.alicante-spain.com/costa-del-sol/malaga-airport.html and other sources for malaga airport spain information.
Environmentally Guilt-Free Travel
by Sam Greyhawk
Everyone loves to travel. It's a gift we give ourselves, and it offers us all an opportunity to visit new places and expand our horizons. As an environmentally aware traveler one must eventually take responsibility for his or her carbon footprint as it applies to their travel. While many people opt to simply offset the carbon they generate traveling by purchasing carbon credits that isn't the only way to travel green.
Travel Green without Flying
When traveling long distances most people opt for air travel due to its speed and convenience, but is that the only route to your destination? When traveling less then 300 miles, consider alternate modes of traveling such as trains or buses. If you consider all the time you spend getting to the airport, checking in, passing security and picking up your luggage you might be surprised to find that in some cases you total time will exceed or at least equal the time invested in train or bus travel.
Why is it important to consider alternates to airline travel?
Flying is one of the most fuel intensive modes of travel, it only because efficient when planes are filled to total capacity
Airplanes emit more than just CO2, other dangerous emissions such as NO2s can double the short term effects of CO2 emissions
Airplane contrails have been shown to play a role in climate change
Airports are major polluters of local air - many airports are among the top ten point-source polluters in their cities
Traveling by Train
Traveling by train you can find a variety of seating options from coach to private sleeping suites. While the amenities vary, traveling by train can be a very relaxing and even luxurious experience. The biggest limitation you'll encounter with train travel is scheduling and destination availability. As our nation focused more development on freeways and highways, our railways have stayed largely stagnant.
Traveling by Bus
Bus travel offers better scheduling and destination availability but for some people it lacks prerequisite amenities. Buses are a good way to extend the locations you can access via train. For example while you can't take a train all the way from Boston, Massachusetts to Montreal, Quebec - you can take a train 80% of the way and then transfer to to a bus for the remainder of your journey.
Staying Green in the Air
It's not always possible to avoid airline travel, but you can make smart choices that help keep you airline travel green.
Fly economy class to maximize the number of people on the airplane. Consider using economy class only airlines and use your dollars to support a more environmental sound choice.
Since a large portion of airline pollution occurs during takeoff and landing always remember to fly direct.
Bring your own snacks in a reusable container. This is an easy way you can reduce packaging and waste.
While each step may seem small, together all our efforts can make a difference. Traveling is something we all enjoy but since we share this planet we all need to do our part. Remember, regardless of your mode of travel; train, bus, airplane or car, smart decisions can reduce your impact on the environment and let your travel guilt free.
About the Author
Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist who works with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner based in Huntington Beach, California. The Cool-N-Save(tm) is an energy efficiency add-on for your existing air conditioner.
Sustainable Tourism, Best Practice from Italy.
by naimaisonline
The Earth needs to be respected. Sustainable Tourism is a new way to spend more environmentally friendly holidays, taking care of the impact of travel and tourism on the environment and local communities. Its destinations are flora, fauna, and cultural heritage as the primary attractions. Ecotourism wants above all to sensitize people with the beauty and the fragility of nature. Italy Bike Hotels (http://www.italybikehotels.it/) are engaged and have some answers... Waiting for the confirmation of the increment of foreign tourist flows to Italy, looking at the positive data (+4%) of 2007, it is interesting to underline that the Bel Paese hospitality, focuses its attention on the analysis of a new phenomenon called "sustainable tourism".
Sustainable means a new tourism, far away from the conventional tourist goals, slow mobility, special attention to the relationship between tourism and nature, in order to realize a new equilibrium between man and nature, following strategies of harmony and respect of environment. It aims to promote cultural, historical and artistic peculiarities of the territory. People run away from the most crowded tourist destinations, and Green Tourism is able to offer something easy, back-country, natural reserves, parks, cycling routes and trekking paths. Investments in Green Tourism, are something new and positive for Italian tourism market innovation. Useful interventions can be done promoting and qualify natural landscapes, rural atmospheres, artistic and archaeological heritage and local gastronomic tradition.
This innovative tourist offer brings hospitality business to get specialized and to increase facilities dedicated to the tourist target interested in sport and wellness holidays. Its target is constantly increasing both, in age range and social rank. Of course the main purpose is to increase tourist flows, splitting arrivals in all seasons and diversifying the offer following the rhythms of the seasons. The sustainable tourism enriches small countrysides and creates new professional jobs, tied to the planning, the realization, the promotion and then the management of ecotourism, cyclotourism and green tourism business. From the north to the south of Italy, the most important sustainable tourism plans are born, to create new tourist flows, where the conventional mass tourism has no interest and have been financed by European Found for the valorization and the recovery of national heritage.
The tourists of the green are constantly increasing and appreciate the idea to move by foot or by bicycle. In order to answer to these new trends, hospitality structures increase the services to the customers, offering bicycle for rent, expert guides for single or groups, distributing brochures about cycling maps and routes, availability of specialistic laundry for sportswear. All hotels take care about good food, sport menus and always assure rich biological meals, in season and OGM free. The modern society of the consumptions needs to slow down and to simplify daily life, the Italy Bike Hotels (http://www.italybikehotels.it/) have collected the challenge and offers their answer.
About the Author
Lisa Guerrini, works at www.pensareweb.it, she writes web content to promote www.italybikehotels.it
