benjaminteicher.com – freelance writer

/mX September 14th 2008/

Benjamin Teicher discovers ethical ways to travel across a planet under stress

Forget Paris. And if you think Buenos Aries is the hippest place to travel to, think again. Because the coolest destination for jet-setters isn’t a place at all. Its a destination called sustainable travel.

In the last decade, travellers have watched in horror as popular tourist destinations slowly decay from the twin challenges of climate change and over development. At the same time as the New Zealand’s majestic glaciers melt into vast lakes, major trekking routes in Nepal are disappearing under a blanket of discarded water bottles.

But all is not lost, or not yet anyway. A new breed of traveller has risen from the ashes of climate change and over-development.

This traveller not only wants to reduce the environmental impact of their experience on the destinations they adore, but also lusts after more authentic experiences when away from home.

‘I think we’ve all been to a beach that looks like any other beach in the world. There is Coca Cola and McDonald’s and no real indication of where you are’ says Brian Mullis of Sustainable Travel International, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of sustainable travel.

‘They want authenticity because its a lot harder to find these days.’

Kristie Gray from Ecotourism Australia agrees that travellers to Australian destinations are becoming more discerning about the green credentials of the hoteliers and tour operators that they use.

‘Research has found that travellers want to immerse themselves in nature and want to experience the feeling of doing something good for the environment’ she says.

‘Many consumers are making substantial changes to their lifestyle at home to ensure they are living in a more sustainable way and want this philosophy to translate into their holidays.’

The tourism market has been quick to respond with a plethora of travel options that proclaim green credentials while at the same time hailing their positive impact on local communities.

Think eco-lodges in the foothills of the Himalayas, daring safari camps that develop local communities, and spectacular cruises in boats that tread lightly across the Great Barrier Reef.

‘Some are implementing renewable energy, many are supporting fair trade as part of their operations. Others are supporting local environmental conservation and community development,’ says Mullis.

But not everyone is convinced by the promise of a guilt-free travel adventure.

‘At the end of the day, if you want to be sustainable, then don’t travel’, says Daniel Morton, a seasoned backpacker.

Morton was horrified by the scale of development he experienced on a South East Asian jaunt a few years back.

While he relished the all-night beach parties, he worried about the utter devastation they caused.

‘There was so many people on the beach that you couldn’t stay with your friend next to you for more than five minutes without getting lost. With that kind of concentration of people you can only imagine what it did to the beach.

For Morton, sustainable travel will always be a fringe industry, only available to those who can afford it.

‘When you’re trying to travel on the cheap you don’t quite have the luxury of trying to mitigate the damage. You could carbon offset your flight or something. But that’s about it.’

‘It seems a bit self indulgent.’

Yet for tourists who feel that sustainable travel is one eco-lodge too far, Brian Mullis suggests making a few small changes when on the road.

‘For example in taking public transportation as opposed to renting a car or flying place to place. Or in taking some time to get to know a particular area well instead of feeling that you have to visit every major site.’

Mullis says that, over time, travellers will realise that there are more benefits to a sustainable mindset than simply preserving the planet.

‘I think that many travellers realise that travel is about immersing yourself in the experience, and that it is more about the journey than the destination.

‘In the same way, sustainability is all about getting on the journey, on the path. We might not do everything we can overnight but everyone can do something.’

Panel: Sustainable Hot Spots
The following regions are widely recognised for the sustainable slant to their burgeoning tourism industries.

Northern Mozambique
Experience world-class diving, safari adventures and a vibrant cultural life in a region with an holistic approach to sustainability.

Caribbean
Island hop from Cuba to the Dominican Republic, two of a number of nations in the region with tourism projects that support local communities and preserve the local environment.

Ningaloo Reef
Snorkel with over 550 fish species and 220 different kinds of coral in this pristine marine park in Western Australia.

As well as these wholesome destinations, there are a number of accreditation programs around that will help you sort the green from the greenwash.

Sustainable Travel International has one at www.sustainabletravelinternational.org. You can find Ecotourism Australia’s directory for the local scene at http://www.ecotourism.org.au/.