Ecotourism – Finding eco-friendly, green accommodations for your next vacation

July 2, 10:10 AMWorldwide Travel ExaminerMark Resnicoff

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    BC Marriott Green Roof - Photo Credit: pnwra – Flickr

True ecotourism can be simply defined as a trip or vacation that leaves minimal impact on the destination’s environment.  Why then, do many environmentally conscious people fail to consider the actual policies and practices of hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts when making reservations for their “eco-friendly” vacations?

Many travelers do take part in environmentally friendly activities such as hiking, biking and camping.  They also take time to find eco-friendly transportation alternatives to long airline flights or traditional summer road trips in their big SUVs.  So, why not go a step further and stay in accommodations that not only claim to be eco-friendly, but have actually proven their green practices to previous guests?

A quick internet search can provide travelers with several resources of information on such establishments:

• iStayGreen.org – Provides a comprehensive search engine for finding environmentally friendly lodging around the world.  Each listing includes descriptions, amenities and reviews by iStayGreen members.  Properties verified by an audit process as “green” are given an “Eco-Leaf” rating.
• IndependentTraveler.com – Offers a list of eco-friendly lodging options available on the internet.  For serious ecotourists, the site also lists eco-friendly tour operators, carbon offset companies and other resources to help create a completely environmentally sensitive vacation.
• Expedia.com – Features a search process for finding green hotels across the globe.

Even popular hotel chains like Doubletree and Marriott now feature environmentally friendly hotels.

If being eco-friendly is important to you, go beyond “green” transportation and activity options and find environmentally friendly accommodations for your next vacation.