Sometimes it isn’t easy to know how to find an eco lodge or to get information on farm stays. Many people are interested in eco tourism but just simply don't know where to start. So, why not first take a look at a five of the top eco tourism websites?
Ecoclub – a Greenie Hangout
Ecoclub. The International Ecotourism Club based in Athens, Greece, is a global cooperative network promoting eco tourism. It is very comprehensive and covers eco jobs, eco business, eco education as well as eco tourism and travel in over 80 countries. Ecoclub probably has one of the most comprehensive directories of eco lodges and environmentally friendly accommodation and services a traveler would find anywhere on the Web. This is a seriously greenie hangout.
On its website, the Ecoclub owners say that they are working for ecological change in tourism. “We work to that end by promoting and supporting the philosophy and practice of Ecotourism (Ecological Tourism) worldwide.” Ecoclub explains that it does this by lobbying and participating in important tourism policy and decision-making processes; in conferences and also by working with the media and by supporting and participating in the worldwide green movement.
Planeta.com – Site for Serious Eco Tourism
Planeta.com is Ron Mader’s popular, award-winning site for serious eco tourism that has been going strong since 1995. It provides free access to more than 10,000 pages for travelers, students, and policy-makers. It has its own set of criteria, which have many believe have become a benchmark in the eco tourism industry.
Planeta.com runs an annual competition for government websites to promote eco tourism. For the second year in a row in 2008, Ecotourism Laos has won this sought-after award.
EcoTravelLogue – From Farm Stays to Green Gear
EcoTravelLogue is the green branch of the popular BootsnAll Travel Network, with information ranging from Accommodation to Green Gear, Farm stays and Eco tourism jobs. It also has one of those "Build your Trip" modules, which means that greenies and eco travelers can make plans that are more detailed for their eco vacations.
The home page has an interesting news section that is constantly updated with eco tourism news from around the world.
TransitionsAbroad - Responsible Travel Portal
The Travel Abroad section of TransitionsAbroad’s online portal offers a comprehensive section on Responsible Travel and Ecotourism. There is very little concerned with eco tourism and volunteer tourism that cannot be found on this comprehensive and interesting website.
Some of the topics TransitionsAbroad.com features:
- Responsible travel programs
- Article archives
- Links to key websites and organizations
- Links to Budget Travel
- Links to Senior and Teen Travel
- Women Travel
- Study and Living Abroad
- Webzine called TAzine
Sustainable Travel International – Promote Responsible Travel
Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable development and responsible travel by providing programs that help consumers, businesses, and travel-related organizations protect the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic needs of the places they visit . On this website, eco travelers can get eco certification, browse in the eco directory, work at becoming carbon neutral, access the green travel market, and find out about ecotourism education and training.
These five top eco travel websites are just a launch pad for mobile greenies and other responsible travelers to kick off their exploration of the Web.
Also take a look at Best Eco Travel Guides.
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