Posts Tagged ‘ecotourism’

FREE Travel Green Ebook

May 12th, 2010

 FREE Travel Green Ebook

Are you interested in ecotourism worldwide?  Then you’ll definitely want to read the free ebook Travel Green Guide from The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).

Says Dr. Kelly Bricker, chair, TIES:

“As you will see in the extensive list of members in this guide, the world of ecotourism and sustainable travel is made up of numerous voices representing a diverse array of knowledge and expertise that will help you, the traveler, make responsible travel choices… By choosing wisely, you can make positive contributions to conservation, communities and sustainable travel around the world, one eco-trip at a time.”

Download the Travel Green Guide free here.

Image courtesy of TIES

Borneo Red Ape Ecotours

April 12th, 2010

BorneoRedApeEncounterdest bo1 Borneo Red Ape Ecotours

Are you an ecotourist?  Then take a look at adventure travel company Terra Incognita Ecotours and its Borneo Red Ape Encounter.

On the island of Borneo, these ecotours will feature local cultures, a World Heritage Site and a trip on the Kinabatangan River.

The ecotours will visit Sepilok Orangutan Centre and continue to the village of Sukau, home of the Kinabatangan Orangutan and Elephant Conservation Programs.  In Sukau, travelers and local staff will view orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and other wildlife.

At the ecotour’s conclusion, travelers will spend a few day on Lankayan Island, known for its tropical life and sea turtles.

The company will limit  ecotour group size to 16 travelers for wildlife viewing. Terra Incognita Ecotours plans to make a contribution to the Red Ape Encounters Community-based Ecotourism Project on behalf of every traveler.

For more info, check out Terra Incognita Ecotours online.

Image courtesy of Terra Incognita Ecotours

Top 5 Travel Trends In 2010

January 5th, 2010

MtCypresspath1 1024x768 Top 5 Travel Trends In 2010

What will be the Top 5 Travel Trends in 2010?

Adventure and luxury travel website iExplore predicts these 5 travel trends:

It’s All About Value. “Bargain hunting will still abound in 2010 as consumers have been trained by the deep discounting of the past two years to seek out the lowest prices—however, in 2010 consumers will be willing to spend if they feel like they are getting a unique experience at a good price.”

Ecotourism Here to Stay. “Not a new trend, but will still continue to play a part in consumer’s travel decisions in 2010—consumers are looking for hotels and resorts that are eco-friendly as well as destinations like Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Belize that offer the opportunity to explore the rainforests, jungles and get back to nature.”

Baby Boomers Taking Experiential Trips. “Over 75 million Baby Boomers in the United States continue to shape trends. This is an active and affluent group and instead of just passing down their money, they are choosing to create lasting memories and spend the inheritance by taking their kids and grandkids on cultural and experiential vacations—hiking the Machu Picchu Trail, African Safari’s and Alaskan Adventures.”

Travel: Not a Game of Risk.  “Due to the uncertain economy and insecurity about jobs and investments, many more travelers are taking out trip insurance in advance of big trips.”

Unique and Customized Itineraries. “The customization trend that is so popular and prevalent in other consumer categories has hit travel. Consumers want truly unique and off the beaten path itineraries that cater to their passions and hobbies—for example: trips to Southeast Asia that focus on photography, cooking classes in Italy or fishing in Argentina with a private guide.”

Responsible Travel Winter Holidays

December 8th, 2009


changingWayThinkTravel602x217 Responsible Travel Winter Holidays

Planning a greener winter getaway?  Leading travel agent for responsible holidays responsibletravel.com has green winter holiday options around the world.

Recently, responsibletravel.com announced it will offer travelers a flight search which compares prices and carbon emissions of different airlines for requested routes.

Says Justin Francis, MD:

“It is exciting to be at the next stage and be the first to offer informed choices, based on carbon emissions, when booking flights. Ultimately we all need to take responsibility for reducing our carbon emissions.  While flying less is a priority the reality is that tourists continue to want to visit destinations that require a flight. By offering a comparative lower carbon flight search, based on the carbon efficiency of different airlines, we are able to offer a practical guide to relative carbon travel.”

Here are 5 responsibletravel.com winter getaways:

1. Beach holiday & tour in Sri Lanka

2. Christmas in Cuba

3. Walking in Andalucia

4. Learn to scuba dive in the Red Sea

5. Northern Lights Winter Holiday

For more info and trips, check out responsibletravel.com.

Image courtesy of responsibletravel.com

Into Australia’s Ecotourism

December 4th, 2009
AustraliaRemarkableRocks135202 2 Into Australias Ecotourism

Image courtesy of South Australia Tourism Commission

Fancy voluntouring in South Australia?  No worries, there are lots of available voluntourism projects from contributing to field research on endangered species to taking part in flora surveys on camel back.

Here are several organizations offering voluntourism experiences:

Earthwatch Australia is an organization that involves the public in scientific field research. Volunteers collect data under scientists’ direction and work as expedition members, sharing the costs of the research among them.  On a two-day expedition on Kangaroo Island, they learn about Australia’s most unusual animals and help conserve their ecosystem. Staying at the solar powered Pelican Lagoon Research and Wildlife Centre, they participate with researchers in searching for, radio-tracking, observing and recording the daily activities of the island’s echidnas and goannas.

» Read more: Into Australia’s Ecotourism

Seeing The Mountains of Costa Rica

November 19th, 2009
CostaRicaAllStarAdventures236341 Seeing The Mountains of Costa Rica

Image courtesy of All Star Trips

Fancy mountain biking in Costa Rica?   All Star Adventures is offering a new mountain biking trip through the northern mountains of Costa Rica.

Says the company:

“Costa Rica’s dramatic mountain region produces a bountiful harvest of the most amazing flavorful coffee, fruit and fresh air. Savor it while you cruise from village to village on a mountain bike..Really experience the natural habitats of countless tropical birds, monkeys, sloths, frogs, and lizards while you quietly roll by. Visit this mountainous tropical rainforest abundant with waterfalls and rugged terrain while enjoying your favorite sport… Get your adrenalin going on the way to an active volcano and recharge in comfortable accommodations and natural hot springs.”

Adventure tour company All Star Adventures features offers a wide range of instruction-based, adventurous alternatives to holiday travel. It specializes in unique travel to international locations with world class sports instruction for all levels.  Trip guides include accomplished athletes in each focus sport.

For more info, visit AllStarTrips.com

Ecotouring New Zealand

October 22nd, 2009

NZpenguinonice Ecotouring New Zealand

Fancy an organized ecotour of New Zealand?

Adventure travel company Terra Incognita ECOTOURS is offering a new ecotour of New Zealand for 2010.   Specializing in wildlife-focused ecotours, the company will take “ecotourists” to North and South Islands of New Zealand to experience the wildlife, scenery, and culture of the region.

Among the sights and experiences will be newly-hatched penguins, the flightless kiwi, marine life, Maori culture, high altitude sheep farming, fjords, seals, dolphins, rainforest and glaciers.

» Read more: Ecotouring New Zealand