Eco tourism is the biggest name in holiday adventures this decade. Green vacations are providing tourists with the opportunity to see, experience and preserve the natural beauty around the world in environmentally-friendly destinations. Going green on vacation means destinations that do not damage the cultural heritage , protect the local communities, and where resorts are usually built from local resources and staffed by local workers. They have the ethic of sustainability and conservation. Many more of us are choosing green vacations in wonderful locations over the traditional heavily built up resorts. Here are 10 Best Destinations for Green Vacations.
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1. Coral Bay, Australia
Western Australia is home to some of the most beautiful natural paradises in the world and Coral Bay is no exception. Just off the beachfront, swimmers can access the breathtaking Ningaloo Reef. A marine wildlife haven, it’s teeming with an abundance of incredible underwater creatures, giant turtles, dolphins, manta rays and whale sharks, which swim around the snorkelers as they explore the reef..
Coral Bay does more than dazzle with its underwater splendor; it's a beacon of eco-tourism. Visitors can engage in sustainable snorkeling tours that aim to protect the fragile reef ecosystem. The local community is deeply committed to conservation, ensuring that interactions with the marine life are respectful and non-intrusive. With its turquoise waters and golden beaches, it's the perfect blend of luxury and ecological responsibility. Those seeking solace in nature will find Coral Bay's untouched landscapes a serene escape, with eco-friendly accommodations that minimize environmental impact, allowing for a vacation that's as green as it is glorious.
2. Botswana
Glorious Africa, where the raw wild and untamed landscapes give way to rolling Savannah's and an abundance of African wildlife, just wait to be explored. Nature lovers will be overwhelmed by the beauty and splendour of the Okavango Delta that runs all the way from the sweeping deserts of the south up to the barren plains in the north. With so much excitement and so much to see, it is one of the most popular locations for eco-friendly vacations on the African continent.
Botswana's commitment to conservation is evident in its low-impact tourism policies, with eco-lodges and safari camps that work in harmony with the environment. Stepping into this majestic land, adventurers are embraced by the Chobe National Park, the second-largest park in Botswana, famous for its elephant population. It's a place that reverberates with the calls of exotic birds and the movement of Africa’s "Big Five". In the gentle meanders of the delta, mokoro canoes glide silently among watery channels, offering an intimate glimpse of the delta's unique ecosystem and its inhabitants, utterly unspoilt by human touch.
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3. Belize
Home to the biggest reef in the Western Hemisphere, the Mesoamerican Reef, Belize is a true slice of paradise for divers and snorkelers. The reef and fishing industry is protected by a local organization call the Friends of Nature which strive to conserve the rare fish species that live and breed here. Explore the Mayan ruins and tropical forests while on your green holiday.
4. Kaikoura, New Zealand
Recently taking the leap to reform their whaling days, Kaikoura in New Zealand has launched the Green Globe 21 tourism certification. With an emphasis on conservation and preservation, eco-tourism is alive and well, and Kaikoura is experiencing a boom with people coming from all over the world for their environmentally friendly tours and activities. This stunning area is renowned for being one of the best destinations for whale watching.
5. Galapagos Islands
This world UNESCO Biosphere site is situated off the stunning coastline of South America. Here, more than 95% of all of the islands are protected by law and the eco-tourism laws are strict and stringent, minimizing the impact to the delicate balance of the environment at all costs. See some of the world’s last active volcanoes and swim with sea lions and penguins, in the wonderful and wondrous islands that many see as the birthplace and reason for green vacations.
6. Laos
Not the first destination in Asia most tourists head for but over the past decade, eco-friendly tours in Laos have grown increasingly popular. With environmentally friendly tour operators taking visitors through no less than 20 national parks in 7 completely different areas, there is an abundance of exciting adventures to be had on green vacations in Laos. Ride elephants, travel through forests on bikes, and glide through the exotic waters by boat.
7. Dubai
One of the most unlikely candidates for being an eco-tourism hotspot, Dubai has many incredible offerings right there in the desert. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve was started way back when in the 60’s and today protects more than 33 different species of reptiles and mammals. 50 years ago, the endangered Arabian oryx was on the verge of extinction, but now well on its way to a healthy population, thanks to the reserves efforts. Avoid the masses heading for the high rise hotels and shopping malls on the coast, and see something of the real Dubai.
8. Borneo
Virtually untouched, the wild and untamed paradise that is Borneo, is one of Indonesia’s best kept secrets, and eco-tourism is not only alive and well here, it is absolutely booming. Peering over the dense jungles, exotic caves, incredible wildlife and cashmere beachfronts is the glorious Mount Kinabalu which is home to more than an amazing 5000 species of plant life. It’s absolutely one of the best places in the world for the ultimate in green vacations.
9. Croatia
If you read my posts regularly you’ll know I have a particular soft spot for Croatia. This eastern European country is not only known for its exceptional food and agritourism, it has always had a deep seated connection with environmentally friendly tourism. Organic produce, local farming and the most incredible scenery in the world provide a backdrop for one of the most exciting destinations in the world for eco-friendly vacations.
10. Argentina
Home to the sensational Glacier National Park and the Perito Moreno – the planet’s only advancing glacier, Argentina has a wealth of natural treasures that sweep right through he country. Eco tourism is fully fledged and established here, with renewable natural resources being used for the building of homes and lodges. Tropical rain forests, the Andean mountain ranges and the Patagonian steppe are just a few of the natural delights to see and experience on green holidays in Argentina.
Green holidays and tours and destinations are on the rise, and eco-friendly vacations are experiencing a boom worldwide. Out of this list of 10 Best Destinations for Green Vacations, which one would be your choice?
Top Image Source: pure-botswana.com
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