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Ecotourism: Traveling the world without harming it by Alex Escudero Photos by Julie Wiatt

Another earth day has come and gone. The idea of honoring the earth by using as little energy as possible for one day is a healthy tradition for those of us who live in the U.S. (or would be if anyone did it). We all know by now that we consume tons more of the world's resources, renewable and nonrenewable than the average citizen in any other country on the planet.  

Considering this, it would seem that ecology and tourism wouldn't go together at all.... getting on a plane and flying hundreds or thousands of miles in and of itself uses a lot of precious resources. However, there are ways to enjoy the fun and excitement of visiting other countries and still be a responsible world citizen.

Introducing, ecotourism.

What is ecotourism?

According to The International Ecotourism Society, or TIES for short, ecotourism is "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people." Silver Spring resident Martha Honey is the Executive Director of TIES. In a recent press conference she elaborated on

Martha Honey

ecotourism: "Not only is ecotourism better for local communities and for the environment, but it is growing as a preferred option by travelers, development agencies, and host countries."

By seeking out destinations with programs and hotels who have committed to protecting the local environment, travelers can have a positive impact on the places they visit. These hotels are typically run by the local people and are not linked to large corporations that leach resources and do not reinvest profits into the local economy.

One example is Ranweli Holiday Village in Waikkal, Sri Lanka. Chandra De Silva is the director of this 84 room complex that grows organic food to feed guests, employs only local residents and recycles wherever possible. He spoke at the TIES press conference to contrast ecotourism, with its emphasis on viewing wildlife and learning about local culture and interacting with local artisans, with mass tourism with its emphasis on partying.   There's nothing inherently wrong with partying but with ecotourism there's probably a much better chance that you will remember which country you visited.

A green hotel in Costa Rica

Glenn Jampol is also the director of an ecotourist destination, this one closer to Takoma Park and Silver Spring. The Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn of Costa Rica earned the Costa Rican government's highest recognition for environmental awareness: a five leaf rating. As one of only a few of the gazillion places to stay in Costa Rica to earn this prestigious award, the inn complies with stringent standards on recycling, not using pesticides, feeding clients organic food grown on the premises or nearby, employing local residents and returning profits to the local community. Jampol has proven that protecting the environment can be cost effective. By using a deionization process instead of chlorine to clean the inn's pool, he saved $45,000 over a five year period.

How can I be a more responsible traveler?

Most of us have good intentions when it comes to travel. According to TIES, 70-90 percent of people say they want to be more responsible but only 14 percent follow through. Here are some hints for making it easier.

1. Do your homework--pick a conservation organization, look on its website for recommendations on ecolodges, see who has won awards. For example, Conservation International together with the National Geographic Society offers "legacy" awards to environmentally friendly programs.

2. Look for a "green" travel agency--one that can suggest ecotourist destinations. Solimar in Adams Morgan can get you started (see box).

3. Once you have chosen where you will be staying, ask your chosen lodge if they recycle, if they are certified locally (where available), if they use pesticides, if they are locally owned, if they can give examples of how they are responsible corporate citizens in the local economy.

What about costs?

For Honey's published text on ecotourism and more info, contact TIES.

Sometimes ecotourism is a little bit more expensive than mass tourism but the rewards are worth the extra expense. Operators say that they have many clients who are "repeaters"--once they have visited a lodge and enjoyed a wonderful, nurturing experience, there is a good chance that they will return or send others. At the Ranweli Holiday Village in Sri Lanka, 12-15 percent of clients are "repeaters."