Travel like you mean it

alt We'd all love to jump on a private jet with George Clooney and stay in an overwater bure in the Maldives, but with all the environmental guilt we're exposed to these days, private jets just aren't really cutting it anymore. But this Green Travel thing is all a bit of a minefield. Ecotourism, delcares this website, is "perhaps the most over-used and mis-used word in the travel industry", and they're right. As they further point out, "a rafting trip is only ecotourism if it raises awareness and funds to help protect the watershed", which makes my idea of ecotourism (a lovely solar-powered shower in an overwater bungalow made of sustainable palm fronds) a bit of a reality check. And how about this curly one? "When visiting rural communities, don't hand out sweets and loose change, this only serves to corrupt and create a begging mentality where none existed before." Should one even dare to leave one's house?
Being an eco tourist five years ago meant picking up your banana peels while hiking through rainforests. These days, 'Sustainable Tourism' is almost an art form -- the ability to organise a holiday which, from start to finish, has as little impact on Mother Earth as humanly possible... which means your brain has to work overtime anticipating all sorts of scenarios. What about the food miles caused by your hotel's restaurant menu? The water and electricity used to wash your bathroom towels? The animals people are feeding by hand on that nature walk? The lead in the paint on the walls of that charming B&B? ...not to mention carbon credits, polluting cars and petrol-guzzling planes.

Ecotourism seems to be defined as "any form of tourism that does not reduce the availability of resources and does not inhibit future travelers from enjoying the same experience", and this is being made easier by the number of ecotravel companies and ecolodges cropping up worldwide. If it means a lot to you to travel consciensously, here are some guidelines to ponder. Just want a quick brush-up? Check out The American Society of Travel Agents' "Ten Commandments on Eco-Tourism":

Respect the frailty of the earth. Realize that unless all are willing to help in its preservation, unique and beautiful destinations may not be here for future generations to enjoy.
Leave only footprints. Take only photographs. No graffiti! No litter! Do not take away souvenirs from historical sites and natural areas.
To make your travels more meaningful, educate yourself about the geography, customs, manners and cultures of the region you visit. Take time to listen to the people. Encourage local conservation efforts.
Respect the privacy and dignity of others. Inquire before photographing people.
Do not buy products made from endangered plants or animals, such as ivory, tortoise shell, animal skins, and feathers. Read Know Before You Go, the U. S. Customs list of products which cannot be imported.
Always follow designated trails. Do not disturb animals, plants or their natural habitats.
Learn about and support conservation-oriented programs and organizations working to preserve the environment.
Whenever possible, walk or use environmentally-sound methods of transportation. Encourage drivers of public vehicles to stop engines when parked.
Patronise those (hotels, airlines, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators and suppliers) who advance energy and environmental conservation; water and air quality; recycling; safe management of waste and toxic materials; noise abatement, community involvement; and which provide experienced, well-trained staff dedicated to strong principles of conservation.
Encourage organizations to subscribe to environmental guidelines. ASTA urges organizations to adopt their own environmental codes to cover special sties and ecosystems.

For more info, check out www.ecotourism.org.au

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