Ecotourism is the fastest growing segment in the travel industry. Within a few years, ecotourism is expected to generate hundreds of billions of dollars for the global economy, while helping to conserve habitats and endangered species.
According to The Daily Green, there is no cut-and-dry or universally agreed upon definition of ecotourism, but it encompasses traveling to destinations in a sustainable and low-impact way. More precise enthusiasts may define ecotourism as traveling to natural and protected areas.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona
The Daily Green compiled a list of the best ecotourism websites based on general overview and country-specific information.
Orbitz is among those honored, as the company has put together a great ecotourism hub for information and planning tools. One can search for eco-friendly hotels as well as eco-friendly destinations. Orbitz also partners with Carbonfund.org to offer customers the option to offset flights booked through its website in support of third-party validated carbon reduction projects around the world.
Image Credit: Charles Conner, US National Park Service
Having a great weekend and minimizing your footprint on our planet can go hand in hand. In 2009, an estimated 32.4 million Americans took some type of trip for Memorial Day weekend and traveled at least 50 miles. That’s a lot of gas—about 54 million gallons based on an average fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon. Here are some ways to make the most of your weekend while minimizing your carbon footprint.
- Check out what’s going on locally! Many cities and towns have parades, fairs, fireworks shows and other events to commemorate Memorial Day and for residents to enjoy the official start of summer activities.
- Share your culinary skills with family & friends! Host a summer barbeque, and to minimize your work in the kitchen, ask guests to bring a dish or help with the meal.
- Take transit! See if you can take public transit and save on gas too. Have you considered taking Amtrak? Train trips can be fun for the kids and the whole family.
- Offset your travel footprint: if you’re driving, flying or taking other modes of transportation, you can offset your footprint affordably and support great projects to advance a clean energy future.
- Take in a baseball game! Whether it’s your local team or the major leagues, you’re likely to find a game that weekend to enjoy.
You don’t have to travel far to enjoy Memorial Day weekend, but if you will, remember you can reduce your footprint by offsetting in support of third-party validated carbon reduction projects. Learn more about reducing your footprint at our Save Energy page!
IES Abroad gives their students more than a great study abroad experience – they help their students make a difference in the fight against climate change. Even if you’re not attending their newly established Environmental Studies & Sustainability program in Germany’s black forest, IES has made it easy to calculate and offset your abroad experience’s carbon footprint with Carbonfund.org. Through our affiliate page with IES, students can calculate the carbon footprint of their flight to their abroad destination and any flights they take while they are studying. IES students, when they’re not skiing in the Alps, scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef, dancing Tango in Buenos Aires, or eating Tapas in Barcelona, can now fully understand and neutralize the climate impact of their travel.
IES has lead the way in greening study abroad. Their Go Green InitiativeTM has significantly improved their Chicago headquarters and worldwide offices’ environmental performance. Through this program, IES has significantly reduced paper usage, switched to FSC certified paper, encouraged their employees to save energy, reduced their carbon footprint, increased recycling, and reduced water usage. They’ve even gone the extra mile by composting leftover food and powering offices with renewable energy in some locations.
Ever wish you could decrease your jet lag?
It’s been sold in airports and onboard airlines and has also been offered through an American Express membership program and the FlyRight website. FlyRight’s jet lag remedy contains an all natural blend of 12 herbs designed to boost the immune system, improve circulation, and offset travel fatigue.
Now, through a partnership with Carbonfund.org, a portion of the proceeds from sales of FlyRight Jet Lag Formula will support Carbonfund.org’s efforts to help end global warming through Carbonfund.org’s third-party verified carbon offset projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation. Ted’s Tinctures, Inc., makers of FlyRight is also offsetting the company’s business office emissions.
Founded in 2007 by Ted Ray, Silicon Valley Licensed Acupuncturist and herbalist, FlyRight Jet Lag Formula is the first in a line of all natural herbal supplements that increase productivity and improve quality of life for business travelers worldwide. It was developed by Mr. Ray for his clientele of Silicon Valley executives and road warriors who sought a jet lag solution to keep them healthy and productive on the road. To learn more please visit the FlyRight website here.
