6 Eco-Friendly Destinations For Your Next Vacation

If you’ve never practiced responsible tourism before, April 22nd, also famed as ‘Earth Day‘ is the right time to start planning your next eco-friendly vacation. This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a global initiative known for its ability to educate and raise public awareness for environmental issues impacting our planet now and for generations to come. With more than fifty-five percent of travelers wanting to make more sustainable choices on the road this year, I’ve compiled 6 eco-friendly destinations to plan your next vacation and be a responsible tourist.

1) Belize — Where Every Day is Earth Day

Central & South America are known for arresting greenery that blankets most of the continent, and the country of Belize having the privilege of being both in Central America and the Caribbean benefits from both regions; spouting lush rainforests, secret waterfalls, mystical Mayan ruins and dotted islets. It should come as no surprise, then, that the country abides by the motto “Every Day is Earth Day” and has enacted multiple preservation efforts to build environmental awareness, including: phasing out all single-use plastics removing the Belize Barrier Reef from the danger list (the largest in the Northern Hemisphere) after almost a decade, to banning off-shore drilling touting eco-friendly accommodations that are tucked between rainforest canopies and waterfalls, and, most importantly, ensuing over 103 areas of Belize’s forested jungle landscape is protected. When it comes to finding sustainable travel destinations, Belize leads the charge on preserving its natural beauty.

2) Park City, UT — Complimentary Zero-Emission Transportation

Park City, Utah — known as Winter’s Favorite Town — takes pride in being a budding ecotourism destination, allowing visitors to travel responsibly without compromising the vacation experience. Just 25 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport, frequent shuttles carry passengers around the clock and once inside city limits, transportation is provided through complimentary zero-emission buses. By investing in green transportation, the town has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 70,000 tons since 2005. Additionally, Park City ski resorts use low-energy-consuming snow guns, recycle bins next to every trash can and only locally-sourced culinary ingredients. Throughout the town, there is a community-wide plastic bag ban, along with a community recycle center: Recycle Utah. Continuing the momentum surrounding green initiatives, Park City has North America’s most ambitious climate goals: to be net-zero carbon and run on 100% renewable electricity for city operations by 2022, and for the whole community by 2032.

 3) Tallahassee, FL — Clean Energy Resolution

Tallahassee, Fl offers ways to practice sustainability within the community. In February 2019, Tallahassee adopted the Clean Energy Resolution, a goal to move to 100 percent private and public use of renewable energy by 2050. Through programs, such as Tallahassee Solar, renewable energy is harnessed from solar farms and allows residents to lock in a fixed utility rate until 2037, incentivizing Tallahassee to practice different forms of sustainability. The capital city provides safe accommodations to encourage the community to bike for recreation and transportation. In 2018, Tallahassee was recognized for its efforts by earning the Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designation from the American League of Bicyclists.

4) The Crystal Coast —The Southern Outer Banks, NC

Home to 85 miles of coastline, and glimmering unspoiled beaches, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast welcomes one of nature’s most interesting cycles, the sea turtle nesting season. During this time, turtles travel thousands of miles to lay their eggs at area coastal gem, Emerald Isle, which is designated as an official sea turtle sanctuary. Guests to Emerald Isle often rent beachfront vacation homes through local realty companies, all of which make a conscious effort to educate visitors on the do’s and don’ts of nesting season. Additionally, at the nearby North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, conservation efforts are underway to protect five (of seven) sea turtle species that live in the region’s coastal waters — this includes caring for sick, stranded or cold-stunned turtles, deploying stranding networks, nesting beach patrols, and providing rehabilitation facilities to aid the animals.

5) Galapagos Islands — Water & Energy Conservation

Galapagos Islands of Ecuador are home to a large number of native species of giant tortoises. UNESCO designated the Galapagos a World Heritage Site in 1979, and both the Galapagos National Park and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism mandate eco-friendly rules for travel companies, the majority of which are cruises. From locally produced products to recycling waste to conserving water and energy, the initiatives by the government are remarkable to promote responsible tourism.

6) San Francisco — Zero Waste Initiative

San Fran is one of the most eco-friendly cities in the United States. It became the first city to ban plastic shopping bags in 2007 with an ambition to become a zero-waste city by 2025. This doesn’t mean the city won’t create any trash, but that waste is reused or recycled instead of going to the landfill. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, 2016 numbers were 30 percent below levels in 1990, and the city is working to transition all of its buses and light rail transportation to hybrid electric. A growing number of hotels are LEED-certified, a green designation, while the prevalence of healthy, organic and locally sourced food isn’t a trend so much as a deeply ingrained part of the culture.

Do share your experience if you’ve been to any eco-friendly destinations as mentioned above in the comments below? If not, where would you love to go for an ultimate eco-friendly vacation?

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