Ecotourism is booming and everyone wants a piece of the action but with so much information available to travellers it is difficult to tell whether the accommodation or tour they're booking is genuinely eco-friendly or sustainable. These top green guides should help.
Green Travel: The World's Best Eco-Lodges & Earth-Friendly Hotels, Fodor’s
A relative new-comer to the eco guidebook family, Green Travel features 100 eco escapes from around the world that work hard to support local communities. The guide lists detailed green credentials for each lodging option and includes independent reviews from people who have experienced the lodge or hotel first-hand. The book also discusses some of the ethics behind ecotourism, from handling poverty-stricken areas to the politics of boycotting specific ecologically-impacted destinations.
$21.95, Random House
Green Places to Stay, Alastair Sawday
Proving to be a massive hit with eco travellers, Alastair Sawday’s holiday handbook is great for planning trips at home or abroad. Listing 'inspiring places striving to be environmentally and socially responsible', this illustrated guide covers 160 places in 50 countries and includes quirky accommodation options such as tree houses in rainforests and Fairtrade tented camps, as well as down-to-earth B&Bs and eco-chic hotels.
$21.95, Globe Pequot Press; £13.99, Alastair Sawday Publishing
Ecoescape, Laura Burgess
Following the success of the original independently and ecologically published Ecoescape, a new range of Ecoescape guides are coming onto the market, starting with the UK version. Sending a message that many of the best environmentally-friendly travel options are usually right on the doorstep, this guide looks at ecotourism through fresh eyes and features handpicked holidays that are totally sustainable. Covering places to stay, visit and eat, the comprehensive directory will satisfy those eager to explore beyond the usual UK haunts. Ecoescape Ireland will be available May 2008.
£8.99, Markham Publishing
Volunteer: A Traveler's Guide to Making a Difference Around the World, Charlotte Hindle
As the idea of ecotourism changes and the boundaries become less defined people are accepting any form of travel that has the intention of giving something back, therefore, a guide to Volunteering has its rightful place among the top eco travel guides. So for those who have always wanted to get involved in ecotourism projects but aren’t quite sure what they’d like to do, or what they can do, Lonely Planet’s latest guide offers a range of ideas, resources and advice. Some may find Volunteer a tad text heavy yet invaluable.
$19.99, Lonely Planet
Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime, Kerry Lorimer
As the title suggests, Code Green is guidebook in the literal sense of the word in that it highlights the type of sustainable and responsible holidays available to travellers and allows them to cultivate ideas for their own personal experiences, rather than listing specific accommodations or attractions. The book also discusses certain issues and criticisms surrounding ecotourism, which is fast becoming the most talked about aspect of the travel industry. Code Green will change reader’s travel habits for good.
$10.00, LonelyPlanet
Other Ecotourism and Green Living Articles
- Interview: Editor of The Ecologist on Fairtrade and Organic Produce
- Responsible Travel Tips
- Composting Made Easy
