The Eclectic Rebel Blog and Travel Guide

These days the rising cost of oil, steady erosion of natural resources and climate change are on everyone’s mind. The travel industry has taken notice. In response to growing flocks of truly eco-sensitive tourists, hotels, airplane manufacturers like Boeing, Mexican destination-villagers, and even the United States Government are getting into the show.

Make no mistake. These days “green” equates to cash-on-table for the travel industry, while at the same time tourism-operators do right by savvy customers. It’s pretty dang chic’ to treat Mother Earth with respect whilst out and about frolicking in the surf.

With well over a billion roving travelers heading out to work and play every year, it’s become critical for tourists to reduce their “footprint” and impact on the planets’ resources and destination marketers know it. Florida’s eco tourism is an industry a bright spot in an otherwise lagging economy. “The annual economic impact of recreational hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing in Florida tops $11 billion” according to “The 2006 Economic Benefits of Wildlife-Viewing Recreation in Florida” report.

Following is a list of 14 Totally Green Travel Tips, Destinations, & Eco-Tourism Resources provided as a starting point for your adventures:

Green Travel Tips
“You don’t need to sacrifice creature comforts or go off into the middle of nowhere to be a green traveler; you can visit big cities or small villages, and stay in small economy or luxury hotels.”

Green Travel
“Green” Hotels Association® encourages travelers to green up travel.

Eco Friendly Air Travel of the Future
Discusses the impact of travel on the Earth. Making even minimal changes could affect the impact on economies and cultures around the world.

Green Lodging News
Green Lodging News focuses specifically on environment-related issues impacting “profitability.”

Travel Green Now “The Center for a New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice.”

Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC)
The USA Environmental Protection Agency resource regarding recycling while traveling

Tips to Save Money & Environment
GEEKABOUT.COM

Green Camping & Hiking
“Leave no Trace” is a timeless axiom of the camping ethic.

Mexico Eco-Parks Near Cancun
The giant fiesta vacation doesn’t have to mean a tequila-fired beach tabletop dance surrounded by marauding spring-breaker teenage monsters. In fact, the Spring break destination of Cancun is a short distance from gorgeous parks featuring regional wildlife.

Travel Green With Tips From Google
SearchEngineWatch Blog

Happy Trails: Green Travel Blogs Pick Their Top Eco Destinations
The Guardian polled five eco-travel bloggers asking what their top green destinations are. Responses included El Remanso Wildlife Lodge in Costa Rica, Keveral Farm in Cornwall, and Balamku Inn in Mexico.

Green Travel Blog
RezHub.com incorporates Green Score ratings and information in every hotel search. Travelers get fast and simple tool to learn about environmentally friendly hotel choices.

World Surface aims to encourage “Sustainable Tourism” to readers.

Eco Travel Logue
Eco tourism is about about “discovering new ways of traveling and making a difference.” When shopping for destinations, eco-sensitive lodging, from economy to luxury, or crave the latest eco tourism news and information, you should find it on Eco Travel Logue.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 3:09 pm and is filed under Travel Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.