It’s no secret that travel and tourism can take a serious toll on the environment. Irresponsible practices and poor management can lead to pollution and the destruction of otherwise beautiful natural environments and wreak havoc on local ecosystems. Thankfully, this is beginning to change, with countries like Iceland leading the way in tourism regulations and more operators taking steps to earn eco-certifications and make their business practices greener.
First established in 1970, Earth day is recognized globally on April 22nd and many countries host various events and promote sustainable activities in communities around the world. In addition to celebrating by conserving energy, planting a tree, recycling, and taking up greener practices in your everyday life, you can also celebrate by planning an eco-friendly experience on your next trip.
One such platform that offers comprehensive search tools for finding eco-friendly boating and water experiences is GetMyBoat – the largest marketplace of its kind available in 184 countries around the world.
Wildlife Tours
While some zoos do a good job of providing healthy artificial habitats for various species and can do wonders for conservation, others neglect animals and overcrowd exhibits. Seeing animals in the wild, whether it’s looking for rare species of exotic birds on a river cruise, seeing howler monkeys swing in the trees above your boat in Costa Rica, or snorkeling to see coral reefs and fish up close, nothing compares to the special experience of getting a glimpse of wildlife in its natural environment.
Having an eco-certified, professional tour guide is the best way to have these experiences when traveling abroad. Not only will you stay safe from any threats due to encroaching on the habitats of wildlife, but you’ll also learn a lot about conservation and facts about various animal species of the region.
Whale Watching and Dolphin Tours
When the provocative documentary, Blackfish, came out in 2013, it shook up the way the world views visits to amusement parks where large cetaceans (whales and dolphins) are kept in captivity. Families increasingly are opting for whale and dolphin watching experiences in the wild, instead of paying big bucks for entrance to a park for trained shows. It’s a much more ethical and raw experience, watching pods of Orcas swim past your boat, instead of seeing them from above in stadium seating. When you see the size comparison of these enormous creatures right in front of you, it leaves an impression unmatched by any artificial re-creation.
There are hundreds of destinations around the world for whale and dolphin watching, and you can see different species depending on where you go and what time of year. See humpback whales in Iceland or Sei Whales in Tenerife. Enjoy cruising as Bottlenose Dolphins jump and play in the waves around your boat or kayak and get REALLY close in one of the hundreds of destinations around the world where these mammals flourish.
Paddlesports
Zero-emissions activities that can be enjoyed in thousands of destinations around the world are paddlesports rentals, particularly kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Not only are these activities low-impact on the environment, but they are also an excellent method of getting exercise, whether it be on a vacation abroad or in your own local area. Renting instead of buying is a great method to use the sharing economy to access what you want, when you want, instead of investing in new equipment that you may only use once or twice.
In addition to exploring by paddling yourself around, you can also try other eco-friendly activities like stand-up paddle yoga (SUP yoga) or see a natural phenomenon like bioluminescent bays on a kayaking excursion at night.
While ecotourism isn’t the perfect solution to the environmental problem, it promotes conscious thinking when it comes to travel. It encourages people to seek out unique experiences that don’t have a harmful impact on the local environment. It’s a step in the right direction and will promote sustainable practices by business owners and tour operators around the world