A 700-word piece written for a theoretical travel company “Jade Travel.”
With an ever-brightening spotlight being shone on the pressures the environment is being put under, it’s not surprising ecotourism has taken off in a big way. An ever-growing number of people are now looking at the environmental cost of a potential destination, alongside the quality of the beaches and the abundance of martinis. When planning your next holiday, don’t think that you will need to replace your suitcase for a backpack, or a 5-star hotel for an off-grid cabin. Guilt-free travel can still be luxurious, and to prove it, here are four sustainable travel destinations from across the world.
Sustainability is Serious in the Azores
Is there any destination name that sounds more luxurious than the Azores? Just saying the name emits a feeling of wealth and serenity. Well, it may come as a surprise to hear that the Azores rank as one of the most sustainable travel destinations you can visit today. As well as its pristine beaches and world-renowned vineyards, the Azores has racked up a whole host of accolades for its initiatives. From capping the number of visitors allowed per year, to whale and dolphin watching tours that promote their protection.
The Atlantic archipelago boasts a number of impressive, high-end hotels, from beach side villas to hotels housing thermal springs. With the Azores you can have a holiday as special as the destination sounds, while being safe in the knowledge that you’re amongst award winning conservationists.
Travel for a Cause in Thailand
While the protection of The Azores is a locally led ambition, there are places where tourist money is very much the protection. Take Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park, a combination of rich jungle, beautiful island stacks and an elephant reserve. Bucket loads of tourists flock to Thailand every year to have close encounters with the famous Asian Elephant, but it’s sometimes difficult to find an ethical way to do it. The Elephant Hills within Khao Sok is one of few completely chain-free elephant experiences, where the gentle giants are allowed to roam free.
The park also has a range of beautiful accommodation options, all of which are on the doorstep of nature. From floating cabins to luxury jungle tents. The dramatic landscape is home to a range of rare animals that rely on the park for protection. In a county that really could do with a few more nature-friendly tourist options, Khao Sok is a way to see this incredible part of the world sustainably.
The National Parks of Costa Rica
Staying on the topic of national parks, no country has dedicated a bigger percentage of its land to their protection than Costa Rica. The Central American country is a treasure pot for ecotourism, and one the best in the world for seeing jungle environments and rare creatures in a sustainable way. With 28 national parks covering 25 percent of the country, Costa Rica takes conservation seriously.
Being only 50,000 KM2, it’s possible to see a big chuck of the Caribbean beaches, the Pacific waves, the cloud forests, and the high reaching volcanoes in one foul swoop. The best part is that hidden amongst the jungles and coves are some luxurious hotels and restaurants.
Eco-Beauty in Iceland
So far, your options are island archipelagoes and jungle paradises, that’s all well and good, but what if your skin is sensitive to the sun, and you prefer a colder climate? Iceland is very much a buzzword in the current tourism industry, that might make you think of thousands of people flocking to the best spots and spoiling them. One of the benefits of Iceland arriving late on the tourist scene, is that it was able to put protections in place before things got out of hand. That means that the glaciers, geysers, and geothermal lagoons of this northern European island nation, still have an untouched quality.
A good thing about Iceland becoming a hotspot is that the accommodation options have expanded dramatically, with both rural and inner-city luxury hotels giving you the chance to experience this country of ice and fire in comfort.
So now you know that luxury does not mean spoiling the landscape, and your travel preference does not need to weigh heavy on your shoulders, what are you waiting for? Jade Travel offers a wide range unique tours within each of these splendid locations. Fancy ethical elephant tours in Thailand? Island hoping in the award-winning Azores? Seeing the cloud forests of Costa Rica or the fjords of Iceland? Then contact Jade travel on 01672 555765, or by clicking the link below, to book your customized tours today.
Jake Garrett 