10 ecotourism destinations to fill your list

After nearly a year of self-isolation, lockouts, and working from home, we are slowly and cautiously considering travel plans to strengthen the news of the vaccine around the world. We have also had time to think about how to travel responsibly without causing further harm to the environment. That’s where ecotourism destinations come from.

According to the International Society for Ecotourism (TIES), ecotourism can be defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that protects the environment, maintains the well-being of the local population, and includes interpretation and training.” It is also known as sustainable tourism and is part of the protection of the environment as well as the knowledge of the different ways to preserve it. As an ecotourist, you can not only enjoy and immerse yourself in these unspoiled places, but also contribute to the maintenance and protection of the areas. Ecotourism also increases local employment and empowerment and fosters protection by providing financial assistance. It allows economies to prosper without exploiting local wildlife.

Swim with sharks, go caving, snorkel, and witness a great migration, not to be missed while being eco-conscious. You can do all of this while reducing the environmental impact of travel and without harming animals or ecosystems in the process. These experiences have been carefully selected for ecotourists so that they can experience less-seen, tourist-free, and unused versions of the environment, while giving them the opportunity to leave it better than they found.

From Malaysia and the Philippines to Sweden and Iceland, here’s a rundown of the best ecotourism destinations around the world.

[Featured Image Credit: Nattu Adnan/Unsplash; Hero Image Credit: Vicky Hincks/Unsplash]

Gothenburg, Sweden

This is the second largest city in Sweden and has been considered one of the most sustainable destinations in the world in recent years. Most of the public transport in the old port city now uses renewable energy and more than 90% of the hotels are eco-certified. The city is surrounded by dense forests and offers ample breathing space in the form of parks, meadows and hiking trails.

Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia

The national park is located on the island of Borneo in the state of Sarawak and is famous for its extensive network of caves and rich biodiversity. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with high peaks, deep gorges, lazy rivers, and unique geological formations such as the Pinnacles, a forest of limestone towers. You can go hiking, caving adventure, canopy walking and much more. Tour guides are encouraged to help visitors protect and preserve the park.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

In addition to being one of the richest biodiversity destinations in the world, this volcanic archipelago in the Pacific is also known for having many unique iguanas and lizards. An interesting fact: Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was inspired by a visit to the Galapagos in 1835. The islands have a delicate ecosystem consisting of thousands of endemic and unusual plant and animal species. The authorities are involved in low-impact tourism: only a limited number of visitors, including a registered guide, receive daily access.

Donsol and Peleliu, Philippines

The metropolis of Donsol facilitates ecotourism by allowing only a limited number of tourists to sign up to swim with the whale shark as the locals try to retain their population in the area. You can also experience stingray diving. Similarly, Peleliu to the east is the best for kayaking – you’ll come across spinner dolphins and skinny jellyfish.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park, often regarded as a celebrity spot (among visitors, actor Will Smith, soccer star David Beckham, former US President Barack Obama, and others), is the oldest game reserve from Tanzania. The country has come a long way in protecting its habitat by designating 25 percent of its land for protection. It has a large herd of animals such as zebras, gazelles and wildebeest, and it is also the only place in Africa where land migration continues. The proof of a major migration should definitely get you on the list. Local guides seek to emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation and ensure that visitors cause the least possible disturbance to the ecosystem.

Vingvellir National Park, Iceland

This ‘national park’, pronounced ‘Thingvellir’, is one of the most iconic (and most visited) places on the Icelandic mainland. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers stunning views of the mountains on three sides, the Vallingvallavatn Lake at one end, and the lava fields filled with lush grass. You really have to see it to believe it. To balance the number of tourists, the park, maintained by the environmental agency Umhverfisstofnun, focuses on the use of sustainable natural resources to maintain the ecological cleanliness of the area as much as possible.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Without a doubt, the world’s largest and best-known coral reef ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef, has been under threat for some time due to pollution, overfishing and global warming. The good news is that this home to diverse marine life, including 4,000 types of mollusks and 1,500 species of fish, is now slowly recovering. The islands along the reef have developed a desire to engage in limited ecotourism, which helps the economy and continues to fund conservation.

Koh Kong, Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the most popular ecotourism destinations in Southeast Asia. Close to the Thai border, Koh Kong province is a hidden gem, with dense mangrove forests, crystal clear rivers, tropical islands with pristine beaches, and rich biodiversity, including several endangered species. Guests can enjoy an unspoiled location with eco-friendly hotels and restaurants here, as well as day trips, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

Costa Rica has many ecotourism activities for the conscious traveler. The country has also reserved a quarter of its land mass for protected lands, national parks and reserves. The Monteverde cloud forest area (which means “green mountain”) is home to several endemic species of animals and plants: more than 100 species of mammals, 1,200 species of frogs and reptiles, and 400 species of birds.

Burren, Ireland

The Burren, one of the most unique places in the island nations, is home to 70% of Ireland’s native plant species and has a rugged, moon-like landscape and a diverse ecosystem. Formed millions of years ago, the area is also one of the largest and most accessible karst areas in the world. The Burren Ecotourism Network, which seeks to ensure the sustainable development of communities, the environment and cultural heritage, has been named Lonely Planet’s Best Community Tourism Project on the Best in Travel 2021 list.

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