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Eco-friendly destinations with a focus on sustainability
As a result of the climate emergency, eco friendly travel destinations have come to everyone’s attention, and each of us needs to think about how to travel more sustainably. We’re advocates for flying less often and staying longer to both reduce our impact and maximise our time being immersed in that destination. Tourism’s impact is often far more positive thanks to its economical and social influence, that ripples down and into the communities. Check out these eco friendly holiday destinations you can visit for a once in a lifetime trip.
1. Bhutan
As the only carbon negative country on the planet, Bhutan has cemented itself as an eco friendly holiday destination and a sustainable travel company like SevenTravel can get you there. The last remaining Buddhist kingdom, Bhutan is a pioneer of environmentally friendly travel with its unique approach to tourism. Visitor numbers are regulated with the number of flights restricted and a daily traveller tariff enforced that supports the local economy (funding healthcare and education systems) and protects its forests in its constitution, making it the perfect choice for the top spot in our shortlist of eco friendly travel destinations. Its less-is-more approach has resulted in higher tourism spend with less visitors and a mutual respect that means visitors are welcomed into Bhutanese communities with little barrier for a truly bespoke cultural holiday.
2. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has been pushing the sustainability agenda forward since the sixties and is leading the charge of eco friendly travel destinations as it aims to become the world’s first carbon-neutral country and net zero by 2050. When you picture Costa Rica, the first image that comes to mind is likely its lush rainforests which make up over a quarter of this Central American country. Home to almost six percent of the world’s species, Costa Rica is bursting with biodiversity and one of the first countries to promote responsible ecotourism with 99% of its electricity sourced from renewables, as well as conservation programmes to protect its reserves, rainforests and parks. Sustainability has become a way of life in Costa Rica and you’ll see this first hand on a luxury adventure holiday when you meet the locals who are engaged in protecting the country’s rich natural resources for future generations.
3. Iceland
Arguably one of the most eco friendly holiday destinations, Iceland is, contrary to its name, one of the greenest destinations. Like Costa Rica, 99% of its energy comes from renewable sources, in large part as a result of its geographical make up. Iceland sits across two tectonic plates (we can arrange for you to swim in between on our bespoke Iceland holidays), providing an abundance of geothermal energy which is used to heat homes across the country. That’s not all, as the country has become more popular thanks to increasing number of flights and jaw-dropping scenery that is flooding Instagram, a responsible tourism initiative has been announced and joined by over 300 Icelandic tourism companies in order to promote the growth of tourism and reduce the impact on the environment. It is this balance along with its climate change policies and actions that make it an ideal destination for environmentally friendly travel.
4. New Zealand
Tiaki means to care for people, place and culture. This is the name of New Zealand’s tourism campaign that ask visitors to tread lightly and leave no trace, travel safely, showing care and consideration for all, respect culture, travelling with an open heart and mind. New Zealand’s world-leading sustainable tourism commitment is centred on four key pillars: economic, environment, visitor and community. They have pledged for every New Zealand tourism business to be committed to sustainability by 2025, and their sustainability ethos extends beyond the tourism sector as their government passed legislation for the country to be net zero by 2050, revamped its public transport to help reduce the number of cars and its farming processes are some of the most sustainable on the planet. If you’re looking for eco friendly holiday destinations – New Zealand’s approach is holistic, action-led with community at its core.
SevenTravel is a positive impact, sustainable travel company. We’re focused on reducing our carbon footprint through a long term strategy that looks at how we can redesign our tailor-made luxury holidays, as well as giving back through our Positive Future Fund. Read more about our commitments here.