I could’t agree more with the article. i live in Costa Rica, a country openly promoted as a eco-tourism destination. When many travellers come here, they are surprised by the growing tredn in luxurious all-inclusives that have even negatively impacted the community in terms of water supplies.
For the conscious traveller, then it is harder to find real eco-tourism. Forums like this are a great start.
I am involved with Nicuesa Lodge, located in the Osa Peninsula, one of the most diverse areas in the country and possible the world. The efforts the communty has made in terms of waste disposal and environmental education are great. For example, at Nicuesa energy is solar and the lodge was build with recycled materials. So visitors know that they are indeed participating in this global efforts to protect the environment.
I strongly believe that it all begins with community participation.

]]> http://www.ecotourismlogue.com/planning-a-trip/eco-tourism-goes-mainstream.html/comment-page-1#comment-167 ianmack Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:32:16 +0000 http://www.ecotravellogue.com/planning-a-trip/eco-tourism-goes-mainstream.html#comment-167 thanks for the post. i agree, as sustainable travel becomes more desirable (hence, profitable) we have to be careful of green-washing, where companies trump up their eco-friendly nature while actually doing little. hopefully at some point in the near future, an international standards commission will be set up to standardize sustainability. until then, probably best to inquire directly how exactly a company is eco-friendly or sustainble.

thanks for the post. i agree, as sustainable travel becomes more desirable (hence, profitable) we have to be careful of green-washing, where companies trump up their eco-friendly nature while actually doing little. hopefully at some point in the near future, an international standards commission will be set up to standardize sustainability. until then, probably best to inquire directly how exactly a company is eco-friendly or sustainble.

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