Eco-Tourism

Ecotourism, according to the Washington DC based International Ecotourism Society, is about uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel.

They advocate that eco-tourism, should:

• Minimise impact
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for the local people
• Raise sensitivity to a host country's political, environmental, and social climate
• Support international human rights and labour agreements

There is a wide range of eco resorts and eco tour services to choose from. Luxury lodges in Africa and Australia, experiencing Mongolia, trekking in the Himalayas, vacations on idyllic islands, mountain climbing, deep sea diving and arctic circle tours.

What they all have in common is a desire to work positively with the local population and strengthen the local economy of the travel destination, promote cross cultural experiences, fully empower the indiginous peoples and create as little impact as possible on the natural habitat while promoting biodiversity and conservation.

Choosing your honeymoon destination carefully can really make a difference.

Images: Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia