Green Travel Trends 2011
Europe’s ecotourism stakeholders and activists gathered four months ago at Estonia for the first European Ecotourism Conference called “Balancing Sustainability and Profitability”. Delegates debated ecotourism developments and future challenges as well as opportunities.
Here are some of the topics which surfaced as top green travel trends for 2011:
Zero Carbon Hotels
Tourism is an industry that is in particular at risk from the threat of global warming. We have started to see the first zero carbon hotels open in Europe over recent months. As governments introduce incentives for green businesses and pressure grows on the travel industry to green-up its act, expect to see more travel businesses focusing on measuring, reducing or even eliminating their carbon footprint from 2011 and beyond.
“Voluntourism”
“Voluntourism” or volunteer tourism enables tourists to contribute and benefit local communities while seeing the world and is destined to increase as travelers look for more meaningful ways to travel and contribute to local communities. Expect to see more volunteer activities integrated into green and sustainable travel programs through 2011.
Slow Travel
More and more travel businesses recognize that travelling can be more than just a means of getting from A to B. As well as companies and websites facilitating cross-country train and ferry travel, expect to see more businesses promoting slow, memorable travel where “getting there” is an important – if not the most important – element of the holiday.
Local Travel Movement
The local travel movement aims to connect tourists with local people while on holiday, ensuring enriching experiences for both parties. We’ve already seen movements like “couch surfing” gain ground over the past few years. Now a new website for the Local Travel Movement hopes to take things to the next level. Proponents of local travel believe it is the only truly green way to travel, as it ensures you respect local traditions and culture as well as the natural environment.
Text: Borko Milosevic
www.european-ecotourism.com
Here are some of the topics which surfaced as top green travel trends for 2011:
Zero Carbon Hotels
Tourism is an industry that is in particular at risk from the threat of global warming. We have started to see the first zero carbon hotels open in Europe over recent months. As governments introduce incentives for green businesses and pressure grows on the travel industry to green-up its act, expect to see more travel businesses focusing on measuring, reducing or even eliminating their carbon footprint from 2011 and beyond.
“Voluntourism”
“Voluntourism” or volunteer tourism enables tourists to contribute and benefit local communities while seeing the world and is destined to increase as travelers look for more meaningful ways to travel and contribute to local communities. Expect to see more volunteer activities integrated into green and sustainable travel programs through 2011.
Slow Travel
More and more travel businesses recognize that travelling can be more than just a means of getting from A to B. As well as companies and websites facilitating cross-country train and ferry travel, expect to see more businesses promoting slow, memorable travel where “getting there” is an important – if not the most important – element of the holiday.
Local Travel Movement
The local travel movement aims to connect tourists with local people while on holiday, ensuring enriching experiences for both parties. We’ve already seen movements like “couch surfing” gain ground over the past few years. Now a new website for the Local Travel Movement hopes to take things to the next level. Proponents of local travel believe it is the only truly green way to travel, as it ensures you respect local traditions and culture as well as the natural environment.
Text: Borko Milosevic
www.european-ecotourism.com