Finding Eco-Tourism Tour Companies
Most people think of tour groups and picture Bermuda shorts wearing, big camera toting, never leave the hotel grounds, old package tourists. Sure, there are many tours like this. These plush package tours promise to show you a country but from a safe distance and never our of your comfort zone. We hate these tours and the tourists that come with them. We do not advocate those tours! All the benefits go to large multinational organizations not the locals who will reinvest it and that is actually what sustainable tourism is not.
However, there are many good organized tours out there. There are organizations that try to reduce the impact of travel: tourism that not only leaves a small environmental footprint but also supports the local economy. Many of these companies design their tours so you aren’t herded like cattle but are allowed to wander and really get to know each location while having the logistics taken care of for you. These tours offer a lot of free time and their big edge is they promote independent travel but without the hassle of booking everything. Companies like Gap Adventures and Intrepid Travel are two of the bigger names.
Tours also offer a lot of benefits for new travelers:
- Provide comfort.
- Reduce Stress.
- New Friends.
- Provide a local expert guide.
- Take out the planning part so you can relax.
Not all people are ready to pick up and leave their home to travel the world by themselves. Some people need to wade into the travel pool. Tours can reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with your first trip and make people more willing to travel. Moreover, they give people a chance to get comfortable and make that leap to travel junkie. Anything that gets people out traveling is something we support.
There are two main things to consider when looking for an eco-tourism company:
The Money- Who does the tour operator use? Are they using local businesses? Are you being shuttled from hotel to hotel in a big bus or a small van? Are you staying at the Marriott or staying at local owned hotels? Ask the tour company where their money goes. Those who only use local operators follow the eco-tourism ethos and use local organizations that benefit the local economy. Most of the money should stay within the community and not be sent elsewhere.
Environmental impact- Ecotourism is foremost about helping the environment. Your tour should try to reduce its impact on the environment. That means avoiding those big buses, ritzy hotels, and flying when possible. It means staying at hotels or guesthouses that conserve energy. It means taking part in environmental programs and environmental education. It means only leaving footprints not waste. Check with various eco-tour alliances and groups for a list of companies that have been certified “eco-friendly.” With so much money pouring into the industry now, and green the new business catchphrase, a lot of companies are trying to cash in on being green while not actually protecting anything green. Make sure you find a legit organization.
Remember that tour companies are not inherently bad. Many of them are very good and using them can be a rewarding experience. Eco-tours can be a great way to learn about the environment. And it’s not just organized eco tours that are becoming increasingly common. These days there are any number of eco-resorts and green hotels for the conscientious eco-traveler to choose from. There are a lot of options out there for green minded travelers. Just make sure you do your research about the green credentials of each place in addition to normal questions about safety, cost, guides, and schedules.