Insider's Views of Responsible Travel

The following are some of the world’s leading organizations working toward responsible travel and ecotourism.

Business Enterprises for Sustainable Tourism (www.sustainabletravel.org) is an organization dedicated to the promotion of best practices. Contact: 212-759-0900

Conservation International (www.conservation.org) is a nonprofit that works in biodiversity hotspots worldwide with a mission to conserve the Earth’s living heritage, global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature.
Recommended: CI’s Library (www.conservation.org); CI’s Ecotourism Department (www.ecotour.org) has lists of tour operators, resources, and destinations. It also showcases new ecotourism projects worldwide (www.ecotour.org/xp/ecotour/destinations).

The International Ecotourism Society (www.ecotourism.org) was founded in 1990 and is dedicated to generating and disseminating information about ecotourism.
Recommended: “Travel Choice” link, where travelers can learn about making educated responsible travel decisions and connect with member destination, lodges, and tours that have signed a code of conduct stating that they follow the guidelines of responsible ecotourism travel; Online library, newsletter, and resources.

International Institute for Peace through Tourism (www.iipt.org) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives that contribute to international understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, and the preservation of heritage. Through these initiatives, IIPT seeks to bring about a peaceful and sustainable world. Recommended: Credo of the Peaceful Traveler (www.iipt.org/credo.html); Information and links to organizations that promote responsible tourism, as well as papers and conference presentations (www.iipt.org/links.html).

The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org/aboutus/travel/ecotourism/) is a biodiversity conservation organization that works with conservation organizations, communities, the private sector, and protected area managers to advance ecotourism that serves as a source of financing for conservation; reduces threats to protected areas; offers rural communities opportunities to develop sustainable businesses; and share best practices and lessons learned.
Recommended: New Online community called “The Great Places Network.” It provides a free online resource for people interested in the latest updates and events surrounding its efforts to protect the earth’s natural diversity. Its educational newsletter highlights issues, projects, accomplishments, and opportunities for travelers.

United Nations Environmental Programme (www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism) created a Tourism Program to ensure that conservation (through sustainable management and use) of the natural, cultural, and man-made environment is an integral part of tourism development.
Recommended: UNEP’s “Library” offers an excellent collection of ecotourism resources (www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/home.htm).

World Tourism Organization (www.world-tourism.org). This U.N. agency serves as an international forum for tourism policy issues. It also offers a number of practical resources.
Recommended: Web guides to the Sustainable Development of Tourism (www.world-tourism.org/sustainable); The International Year of Ecotourism (www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE-Main-Menu.htm)

World Wide Fund For Nature(www.worldwildlife.org) known worldwide by its panda logo, “leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats.” Now in its fifth decade, WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on earth through three main goals: saving endangered species, protecting endangered habitats and addressing global threats such as toxic pollution, over-fishing, and climate change. WWF’s international conservation groups facilitating responsible tourism programs worldwide, include: WWF U.K. Tourism Research Center (www.wwf.org.uk) provides publications, news on global issues, tourism principles, and reports. It is also home to WWF’s Ecological Footprint program (www.wwf.org.uk/researcher/issues/footprint/index.asp)