Best Responsible Travel and Ecotourism Publications

You can find more relevant book resources on Planeta.com’s “Travel Books” section, where Ron Mader reviews new titles and top-shelf books exploring ecotourism.

The U.N. Environment Program’s official online bookshop, EarthPrint (www.earthprint.com), also provides a central location where authoritative environmental publications are available. It contains a variety of key environmental titles from a number of commercial publishers, as well as environment related titles from smaller NGOs and organizations.

Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime by Kerry Lorimer (2006. 224 pp. $19.99, Lonely Planet Publications, www.lonelyplanet.com). Details 82 journeys that will have a positive impact on the environment, culture, and economy of your next vacation destination. Examples range from budget to luxury.

Community Development for Tourism by Sue Beeton (Landlinks, 2006, 246 pp., $49.95). This book examines the integration of local communities and tourism development. It highlights the value of strategic planning and community empowerment. Case studies document how things work around the world.

Conde Nast Traveler (www.concierge.com/cntraveler/) This premiere U.S.-based travel magazine recognizes leaders in the ecotourism industry through its annual Green List. Here you can read about the annual Green List’s top 12 destinations, hotels, and outfitters.

The Ethical Travel Guide: Your Passport to Exciting Alternative Holidays by Polly Patullo with Orely Minelli for Tourism Concern, www.tourismconcern.org.uk (Earthscan, www.earthscan.co.uk., 2006, 320 pp. $22.50) features local providers in 60+ countries and international operators.

Green Volunteers: The World Guide to Voluntary Work in Nature Conservation (2005. 256 pp. $14.95. Universe Books, Italy) and World Volunteers: The World Guide to Humanitarian and Development Volunteering (2005. 256 pp. $14.95. Universe Books, Italy) edited by Fabio Ausenda and Erin McCloskey. Information on conservation organizations that accept volunteers and how to apply. See www.greenvolunteers.com.

How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Abroad by Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, and Zahara Heckscher. 2002. 467 pp. $17. Penguin-Putnam; www.volunteeroverseas.org. This highly-recommended book (and its website) provides a comprehensive overview of volunteering abroad, including evaluations of over 100 volunteer organizations.

Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune by Tim Leffel (Travelers Tales, 2006, $12.95, 226 pp.). Leffel articulates a vision he calls “contrarian travel,” and he’s onto something of great value to the responsible traveler. Tim’s unique perspective into “budget travel” highlights a respectful mode of immersion available to most travelers. See www.contrariantraveler.com.

New Consumer Magazine (www.newconsumer.org). The U.K.’s first and only fair-trade lifestyle magazine. By publicizing the world of fair trade, they hope to attract more customers to fair-trade goods and build more support for the organizations involved in the growing fair-trade movement.

New Key to Costa Rica (www.keytocostarica.com). Beatrice Blake’s informative companion website for her guidebook The New Key to Costa Rica (Ulysses Press, 2004, 17th ed., 560 pp., $18.95). This classic guidebook highlights some great places and now features more information on rural community visits.

Rethinking Tourism and Ecotravel by Deborah McLaren (Kumarian Press, 2nd ed., 2003, 220 pp., $23.95). Excellent overview of the pros and cons of ecotourism and responsible travel, particularly as tourism impacts indigenous people.

Tourism Ethics by David Fennell (Channel View Publications, 2005, 416 pp., $49.95) This book presents a wide selection of readings, anecdotes, and case studies. From the ethics of tipping to community participation, Tourism Ethics is highly recommended.

Tourism, Recreation and Climate Change edited by C. Michael Hall and James Higham. (Channel View Publ., 2005, 320 pp., $49.95). The chief challenge in the coming decade will be developing solutions that lessen the environmental impact of transportation. The editors of this anthology have prepared the first comprehensive examination of the relationship between tourism and climate change. It’s recommended reading for tourism professionals and policy-makers.

Vagabond Globetrotting 3: The Electronic Traveler in the New Millennium by Marcus Endicott (2006), www.mendicott.com/green-travel. The definitive how-to book for world travel, Vagabond Globetrotting was first published in 1984 at the dawn of the information age. A second, updated edition appeared in 1989. Endicott’s next book The Electronic Traveler introduced readers to the nascent travel resources available in cyberspace. Endicott is one of the pioneers in the field of sustainable travel. Travelers seeking an eco-friendly, people-friendly vacation need to read this new edition of Vagabond Globetrotting.

Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others by Bill McMillon, Doug Cutchins, and Anne Geissinger. 2006 (9th ed.). 416 pp. $17.95 from Chicago Review Press: 312-337-0747, www.ipgbook.com. Describes over 250 organizations sponsoring projects in the U.S. and abroad. Indexed by cost, length of time, location, type of project, and season. Opportunities from 1 weekend to 6 weeks.

Wilderness Lodge Vacations by Kimberly Lisagor (Norton, 2004, 256 pp., $22.95). Great ideas for outdoor travel in North America. This book features more than 100 unique getaways