Organizations and Associations 

There are numerous organizations worldwide that are dedicated to preserving 
and protecting the environment while promoting tourism. Here are a few you can 
get some great information from or even use to get involved.

1. VISIT: VISIT stands 
   for "Voluntary Initiative for Sustainability in Tourism" and this site was 
   created to help tourists and tourist destination countries work together to 
   protect the environment while still making it accessible for everyone.


2. Tourism 
   Concern: This organization focuses on issues related to tourism and 
   the environment. You can read up on campaigns and get helpful information for 
   your next trip.


3. The Travel 
   Foundation: This charity website can be a great place to find 
   information on how you can better learn to travel without harming the 
   environment. Even if you can’t take a trip, you can also get involved and give 
   back through the site.


4. EcoClub.com: This 
   international tourism club is a great place to meet up with others interested in 
   ecotourism, find environmentally friendly hotels, and even get links to jobs in 
   ecotourism. Join the site or sign up to receive emails with loads of useful 
   ecotourism information.


5. International Ecotourism 
   Society: This worldwide community can help you to learn more about 
   ecotourism, support programs, find ecotourism experts, and locate exciting 
   destinations and environmentally friendly accommodations for your next 
   vacation.


6. The Blue Flag 
   Organization: This Foundation for Environmental Education-run site 
   can help you plan your next beach getaway. Blue Flag rates and certifies 
   thousands of beaches in Europe, South Africa, Morocco, New Zealand, Canada and 
   the Caribbean on water quality, environmental management as well as a number of 
   other factors.


7. The Nature 
   Conservancy: It’s only natural that one of the largest 
   organizations dedicated to preserving nature would have a whole portion of its 
   site dedicated to ecotourism. Learn how to reduce your impact, take trips 
   through the Nature Conservancy, or check out their list of resources to learn 
   more.


8. The Rainforest 
   Alliance: Rainforest lovers will find numerous resources on this 
   site about preserving the rainforest, rainforest friendly tours, and even a 
   place where you can adopt a little piece of the rainforest for yourself.


9. South American 
   Explorers: This non-profit organization can help you to book your 
   next trip to South America. Whether you want to try out your Spanish in Lima or 
   travel down the Amazon in Brazil, you’ll find help on this site to do so all 
   while being ecologically responsible.


10. World 
    Tourism Organization: Find out everything you ever wanted to know 
    about tourism on this site. The sustainable tourism section has articles on the 
    latest developments and important issues in ecotourism.


11. Green 
    Cross International: According to the mission statement on this 
    site, Green Cross "provides unbiased environmental analysis and expertise, 
    information dissemination, education, objective evaluations for public debate, 
    scientific studies, and social and medical support." This site can be a great 
    way to learn the real statistics of any place you choose to visit.

Blogs  

Blogs are becoming and ever more popular source of information for Internet 
users, and these ecotourism blogs can be a great way to learn about everything 
eco-friendly.

1. Ecotourism Blog: 
   This blog covers some of the most beautiful destinations in the world 
   in regard to protecting and preserving them as well as reporting on various news 
   stories that apply to ecotourism.


2. EcoTravelLogue: This 
   blog provides all kinds of information for the potential ecotraveler with posts 
   on destinations, planning a trip, accommodation, things to do, and more.


3. Development 
   Crossing: Whether you’re looking for information on global warming 
   or issues concerning ecotourism, this environmentally conscious blog addresses 
   it all.


4. Beautiful 
   Oceans: If your ecotourism dreams lie in the coral reefs or kelp 
   forests of the world’s oceans, then you’ll find plenty to read about here. Learn 
   about reef conservation, eco-diving, and even a little bit about underwater 
   photography.


5. Low Impact 
   Living: Focusing on all aspects of low impact living, this blog 
   contains some great information on vacations that won’t take a toll on the 
   environment. Learn about organic eating, green spas, hybrid car rentals, 
   environmentally friendly hotels, and more.

Volunteering 

Take ecotourism to the next level with these sites that allow you to get your 
hands dirty working on various humanitarian and environmental projects all over 
the world.

1. GoEco: This 
   organization arranges volunteer trips to South Africa, Kenya, Nepal and much 
   more to help improve the welfare of the local people and the environment.


2. EcoVolunteer: 
   Just like the name suggests, this site helps set travelers up on various 
   volunteering vacations, and users can choose their trips based on preferred 
   destinations or particular animals they are interested in helping.


3. Global Vision: Make a 
   difference in some of the world’s locations that are in most desperate need of 
   conservation help. Work at preserving marine environments, do wildlife research 
   or even help teach others about conservation and wildlife.


4. Voluntourists Without 
   Borders: Use your volunteer power and vacation time to work on 
   issues involving rural poverty, conservation and environmentally friendly 
   tourism. Work to help preserve the Pang Soong Nature Trails or the village of 
   Ban Mae Lai.


5. People and 
   Places: On this site, you’ll find a diverse assortment of volunteer 
   projects that range from wildlife conservation in India to building Habitat for 
   Humanity houses in Madagascar.


6. Green 
   Volunteers: With one of the largest collections of conservation 
   volunteering opportunities, this site is be a valuable resource for those who 
   want to provode a little environmental help on their vacation. Just purchase the 
   guide and choose your exciting vacation from hundreds of options.

If you share a love of both the environment and travel, then an ecotourism 
vacation could be a way to combine the best of both into one great adventure. 
You’ll get to see some of the most remote and beautiful locations on earth, all 
while making sure you preserve them for those who follow. Whether you’re new to 
ecotourism or an old pro, these sites can help you get some basic information, 
book a trip, and even contribute to making sure that the world’s most 
spectacular sites stay that way. 

Travel Booking  

Whether you want to book an exotic rainforest vacation or a camel ride across 
the Sahara, these sites can help you find a trip that will be both 
environmentally friendly and fun.

1. Sustainable 
   Travel International: On this comprehensive site, you’ll find all 
   kinds of ecotourism resources including trip bookings, eco-certification, 
   newsletters and even advice on how to carbon-offset your trip.


2. ResponsibleTravel.com: 
   At this site, you’ll find loads of great ecologically friendly holiday getaways 
   as well as travel tips, an ecotourism blog, and even an ezine to help keep you 
   informed.


3. MesoAmerican Ecotourism 
   Alliance: Recognized for their ecotourism trips by National 
   Geographic, the MEA offers numerous exciting vacations that will help inspire 
   your love for the environment and nurture your adventurous spirit.


4. GreenStop.net: 
   GreenStop.net contains a directory of accredited green hotels and travel 
   companies to help make finding and booking your next ecotour easier than ever. 
   With destinations on every continent, you can find sustainable vacations just 
   about anywhere.


5. EcoTour: If 
   you want to book an earth-friendly vacation, EcoTour is a great place to start 
   your planning. With hundreds of ecotour providers, you’ll find tours to 
   everywhere in the world from the Congo to Sahara. Additionally, you’ll find 
   travel guides and articles to help you learn more about your destination of 
   choice.


6. EcoTourism at 
   Conservation International: Whether you’re looking for an African 
   safari or a trip to the Galapagos, you can find information on how to do so 
   responsibly and even find some very special destinations the organization has 
   helped set up in Brazil, Bolivia, Ghana, Venezuela and more.


7. EarthFoot: This 
   small company can help you create a fun and personalized environmentally 
   conscious vacation. See the bright avian residents of Guatemala on a birding 
   getaway or swim with the dolphins in beautiful Hawaii.


8. GAP Adventures: 
   Ecotourism doesn’t have to be boring. Turn your trip into an unforgettable 
   adventure with this booking site. You can visit the new seven wonders of the 
   world or get up close and personal with the mountain gorillas of Uganda.


9. Global 
   Exchange: Global exchange offers what are referred to as "reality 
   tours". Travel to Cambodia to learn about and how you can help stop child 
   prostitution or get informed on protecting the coastal environment of Costa 
   Rica.


10. Intrepid 
    Travel: This award winning company specializes in environmentally 
    responsible tourism and can help you arrange your next eco-friendly vacation. 
    With trips to just about every corner of the globe, you’ll undoubtedly find 
    something that interests you and won’t leave you feeling guilty.


11. Journeys 
    International: You’ll find a wide variety of small group tours on 
    this family-owned site. Whether your interests lie in trekking through the Andes 
    or exploring the wildlife from the icy decks of an Antarctic cruise, this site 
    has something for you.


12. Blue Ventures: 
    Combine education, research and conservation with the trip of a lifetime. This 
    site’s tour of Madagascar was named one of the top 50 tours of a lifetime by 
    National Geographic Traveler.


13. Tribes Travel: This 
    fair trade travel company offers expeditions to Africa, South America and Asia 
    that can allow you to watch lions sleeping away the day or enjoy an eco-friendly 
    honeymoon in a posh hotel in Marrakech.


14. Wildland Adventures: 
    Make your next trip an adventure by booking a safari or trip down the Nile with 
    this small ecotourism company.


15. Peregrine 
    Adventures: This Australian based company offers small group 
    adventure tours to destinations worldwide including far-flung locales like the 
    Himalayas and Antarctica.


16. World 
    Expeditions: Get adventurous without hurting the environment with 
    this ecotourism company. Book trips to volcanic landscapes, the lemur filled 
    jungles of Madagascar or follow in the steps of Genghis Khan on the Mongolian 
    Steppes.


17. Earth Routes: 
    Find your next earth-friendly vacation through this site. You’ll find tours to 
    the Caribbean, Switzerland and even a few small ship cruises as well as travel 
    tips and green travel information.


18. Orbitz.com: 
    Orbitz isn’t one of the biggest travel sites without a reason: they offer travel 
    tailored to just about any need, even ecotourism. You’ll find a list of 
    destinations, information about ecotourism, travel tips and more on this part of 
    Orbitz’s site.

Information and Guides 

Before you ever leave your home, read up on all kinds of ecotourism tips, 
facts and other information on these great sites.

1. EcoHoliday 
   Guide: Find tons of resources for planning your next eco-trip on 
   this site. You’ll find information on environmentally conscious vacation 
   rentals, travel agents, activities, transport, and even places to eat.


2. World Surface: 
   This online travel magazine was created to promote sustainable tourism and is 
   contributed to by writers and photographers from all over the globe. Visitors to 
   the site will find information on tons of destinations and can create their own 
   travel diaries and photo albums to share with other travelers.


3. Planeta: Find 
   resources on ecotourism, recommendations on books, and guides on everything from 
   bird watching to local crafts on this site.


4. GreenTraveller: Get 
   some great tips on how to have a greener and more environmentally friendly 
   holiday at GreenTraveller. You’ll find directories of green hotels, tours, and 
   low impact ways to travel to them.


5. Eco-Index: Sustainable 
   Tourism: Here you’ll find a list of businesses in Latin America and 
   the Caribbean that have been certified to be environmentally friendly. It can be 
   a great way to protect the beautiful rainforests and beaches of these 
   destinations while making sure they stay that way.


6. EcoTravel.com: 
   This online magazine features stories from all over the world about the most 
   exciting ecotourist destinations. It also features a directory of tour companies 
   and agents to help you book your next trip.


7. Transitions 
   Abroad: This site addresses a wide variety of travel issues, but it 
   does contain a valuable section on ecotourism. You’ll find responsible travel 
   programs and article archives, as well as links to important websites and 
   organizations.


8. NewConsumer: This 
   UK based magazine is dedicated to stories about how you can live a more 
   ethically, vacations included. Check out the travel section for articles on 
   environmentally friendly vacation ideas all over the world.


9. Big 
   Volcano Ecotourism Resource Center: Find information on the history 
   of ecotourism, codes of conduct, and loads of other ecotourism articles and 
   resources on this site.


10. Best 
    Ecotourism Vacations: Not sure where you want to head to? Get some 
    ideas of the best and most popular ecotourism destinations in this article from 
    SmarterTravel.