R
esponsible travel is often wrongly considered the cheap
option, only available to those happy to stay in the most
basic of accommodation while spending their days
researching an obscure plant or digging wells in a third world
country but that is simply not the case. Environmentally friendly
holidays are available to suit all budgets and tastes, even those
who prefer the more luxurious things in life. But before I list some
of my personal favourites, a few words on eco tourism…
Ecotourism has moved on from its green-only roots in the
80’s and 90’s to a more diverse, more sophisticated branch
of travel; now generally referred to as ethical or responsible
tourism. Whilst this boom will have far reaching benefits for
the future, it has taken time to achieve - just about any trip
with a vague reference to flora and fauna advertised itself as
ecotourism in the early 90’s and there were a host of dubious
operators. Thankfully as global awareness of environmental and
social issues has developed, so has the range of responsible
travel options.
Code Green, a Lonely Planet publication on responsible travel
defines the subject as follows: it is “about accepting responsibility
for your actions, attitudes and impacts: through your conscious
choices, you can minimise your personal impacts and make a
positive contribution. Be a part of the solution, rather than the
problem.”
As a responsible traveller there should be three primary
considerations behind every choice: environmental impact,
cultural impact and economic impact. Ultimately the greatest
challenge is balance. A week indulging yourself in something
as simple as no trace camping and canoeing is just that, an
indulgence. It may tick the environmental boxes, but it does
little for the culture or economy.
On the flip side, a couple of days involved in a programme to
support indigenous South Americans, is unlikely to be enough
to offset the carbon footprint of getting there in the first place.
Our greatest responsibility lies in our ability to choose the right
travel experience, the trip that suits our own needs as well as
the environment and the people we touch along the way. And
here are a few of the world’s best options for the executive
looking to relax and unwind, while still playing their part in
maintaining the balance:
Why not start in the wilds of Canada’s Yukon - As the world
leader in ecologically sustainable luxury wilderness spa holidays,
Perfect Earth Tours Spa & Resort, located about 90 minutes
(by float plane) outside of Whitehorse, truly goes out of its way
to embody extreme eco spa luxury in the heart of the Yukon
Territory. Their motto: “If it is not good or healthy enough for our
own children and grandchildren, then it is not good enough for
our guests”.
What they strive to achieve is a perfect balance between
absolute wilderness luxury and corporate and personal
ecological responsibility. You may relax assured that while you
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