Most people know that our planet is in a very fragile state and to ensure it continues to exist, more and more tour operators and destinations are becoming eco-friendly. They need to if they don’t want to see customers turning to support those who do and regarding you as someone adding to the problems of the already fragile planet Earth. 

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are the most biodiverse places in the world and thousands of people visit these extraordinary islands every year. The island needs to be aware of how these necessary visitors actually impact the island. 

In their efforts to promote responsible tourism, they have introduced changes to the way the islands manage tourism, such as restricting the number of visitors in certain areas. They charge entrance fees for visitors to the National Park that help towards funding conservation projects within the Park.

You can’t explore the island independently but will require a local guide who educates visitors on protecting the sites. Obviously, the tour company you choose to book your trip to the islands will also make a difference. 

There are tour operators that have the welfare of the archipelago at heart and Voyagers Travel has sustainable tourism policies in place. They plan wonderful getaways for tourists to the Galapagos, knowing full well the importance of regulating the number of tourists to certain areas.

The islands are one of the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the National Park also plays a role in regulating travelers within the archipelago so as to preserve flora and fauna of the islands. 

New Zealand

As an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is made up of 2 main islands – the North and South islands and lots of small islands. 

This country leads the world in sustainable tourism, and in fact, the country’s Tourism Sustainability Commitment is aiming to see every tourism business committed to sustainability by 2025.

New Zealand aims to protect and restore its natural environment while continuing to be a high-quality destination of choice for every visitor. Tourism is a major foreign revenue earner for this beautiful South Pacific country with its fragile natural environment. 

One of the major destinations involved with ecotourism is Mount Cook National Park, known for its exquisite lakes and snow-capped mountains. With this top attraction plus others, the country will be exploring lots of new opportunities for conservation tourism, where people give back to the exquisite areas they visit. 

Bhutan 

Bhutan is a small nation in Asia in the eastern Himalaya mountains south of China. Bhutan’s tourism initiatives put it as a leading sustainable tourism destination in the world.  

Every guest visiting the country pays a daily tariff that covers all accommodation, meals, transport and guides. A certain percentage of that goes back into environmental preservation as well as towards community development.  

One of these is free health care for all residents but also visitors. The country wants to achieve both a high-value tourism model for visitors but which has a low impact on the precious natural environment, which has remained unspoiled.  

Namibia

An extraordinary country of extremes – from the ancient Namib Desert to the windswept Skeleton Coast, the country leads the way with responsible tourism, being the first African country to add the protection of the environment to its constitution.

For starters, it’s a wonderfully sparsely populated country and is a must-see for sustainability-conscious tourists. Their aim is to safeguard their ecosystem and, in doing so, encourage tourism that brings positive economic benefits. 

Hotels and lodges follow amazing conservation practices and the country has become an example of the finest responsible tourism in action in the world. 

Norway

Sustainable travel is becoming ever more important in Northern European tourism. Travelers who are concerned about sustainability on their tours take note of things such as the economical use of water and energy in accommodation establishments. 

In Norway, the country wants to ensure that businesses and the hospitality industry put a lot of value on eco-friendly initiatives and they now certify the sustainability of companies. 

For instance, their Green Key is awarded to any industry showing excellence in environmental responsibility. Also, the Nordic Swan certificate is for reducing the environmental impact of the production of goods and to ensure environmentally friendly goods and services to customers.