Ecotourism; The Perfect Way to Travel Conscientiously
When visiting a new destination, tourists can easily get distracted by exotic landscapes and fail to consider the power of their own ecological footprints. With around 1.2 billion international travelers in 2016, the rate of global tourism is rapidly increasing. Nearly one-tenth of the worlds greenhouse gasses are generated by the tourism industry, which consists of everything from air travel to lodging, and food production to private tours. But, for travelers who don’t want to leave their conscience at home there is an option: Ecotourism.
Structured by three main pillars of conservation, community, and interpretation, Ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” (TIES) For adventurous travelers, who wish to minimize their environmental impact while on vacation, embarking on an eco-vacation means pledging to focus on sustainability while exploring nature, spending money at local businesses instead of corporate chains, and dining at local restaurants with locally-sourced fare. But, as ecotourism becomes more popular, the pressure of ‘going green’ has shifted from the tourists onto the destinations. Famous travel locations, like The Amalfi Coast, are beginning to direct tourists’ attention towards more sustainable, green attractions like local walking tours, and eco-friendly villas called agriturismos. The battle for top eco-destination is on, and so far the Caribbean is setting the bar very high with three tropical destinations that offer myriads of eco-friendly opportunities.
With more than one-third of the islands under strict ecological preservation, Turks and Caicos has maintained a lush, diverse landscape, especially in the 134,400 acre Ramsar Nature Reserve. Guests can educate themselves on local wildlife, like mangrove cuckoos and lemon sharks, while paddle boarding around open rock plains and through dense mangrove forests in the reserve. The islands are also undergoing agricultural changes in order to reduce carbon transmissions from food imports. Demonstration plots are situated around the island, and have shown how the natural North Caicos soil is growing food abundantly. Island guests can try some of the natural produce that is growing on the island like fresh cucumbers, papaya, mangoes, tomatoes, and melons. The rest of the islands are lined with pristine white beaches like in Pine Cay and Grace Bay; the perfect destinations for snorkeling, kayaking, diving, and for relaxing in the natural terrain of Turks and Caicos.
To the South East of Turks and Caicos, and considered to be one of the most environmentally developed Caribbean islands, is St. Barths. The island contains a highly protected 2,500 acre Marine Park that is home to nearly 165 species of fish and 45 species of coral. With permits, and a required tour guide, guests are able to snorkel, dive, take boat tours around the shorelines, and educate themselves on the islands sustainable steps. The amount of outdoor activity on St. Barths is extensive. Tourists can spend their days exploring Colombier Beach by hiking the scenic path near Flamands Beach lined with Lantier Palms, laying among the olive shells on Shell Beach, or surfing at Anse des Cayes.
Within the town and populated areas, locals and tourists work together to recycle all glass and metal on a daily basis, “This movement was quickly adopted and became an everyday gesture, as the residents of the island realize the importance of keeping the island clean. Every day, the recycled trash is collected in the different neighborhoods, which are differentiated by colors” (Saint Barth Tourism). In order to aid this movement, all local grocery stores have begun banning plastic bags in an effort to minimize the amount of waste produced on the island. St. Barths’ focus on sustainability, within both their natural ecosystems and their homes, creates a perfect eco-destination for all travelers to experience.
Surrounded by 203.2 miles of crystal clear waters and flourishing coral reefs, The Cayman Islands lend particularly well to eco-vacations for travelers who love being in the water. The Islands have developed rapidly within the past 30 years and in exchange have passed a set of extreme laws protecting their coral reefs and marine life: The Nature Conservation Law of 2013. The NCL prohibits tourists and locals from tampering with or removing organisms from their habitat. Although the islands’ diverse landscapes are extremely protected, guests can still visit them.
The Six Senses Eco Tour is a perfect option for tourists who are looking to explore and educate themselves on the fragile ecosystem of The Cayman Islands. While on the tour, guests visit dense mangroves, Starfish Point, Stingray Sandbar, and snorkel among 100 different fish species, all while learning about carbon footprints, the history of The Cayman Islands, and the importance of protecting these rare places. Visitors are also welcome to educate themselves on some of the many environmental, non-profit organizations on the island, including the National Trust for The Cayman Islands, who’s mission is “to preserve natural environments and places of historic significance in the Cayman Islands for present and future generations”. The National Trust is an incredible resource that runs historic, educational, and environmental programs for both tourists and locals alike. Whether they ban single-use plastic, or pass a law, The Cayman Islands community has come together to focus their efforts of sustainability towards tourist education and local reform, making it a perfect eco-destination.
