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WHAT'S NEW
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Low-impact travel -- how to be a conscientious tourist
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Travel to Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and other popular tourist spots without leaving a negative impact on local people and their environment.
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By Dayna Boyer
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Do the words "low-impact travel" conjure up images of sleeping in a lean-to with no running water? Think again. You don't have to sacrifice comfort for a vacation that leaves you feeling good about your effects on the local area you visit and on the locals, too. Planning a socially conscious and eco-friendly Caribbean vacation is easy thanks to a variety of websites and organizations that help travellers to be conscientious tourists.
What is sustainable tourism?
Sustainable tourism, otherwise known as responsible tourism, takes into account the environmental and social impact of tourism and aims to create as little damaging impressions as possible in a particular area. When you're planning your trip, use the Internet to seek out tour operators that support sustainable tourism.
Where do my tourism dollars go?
If you've ever travelled to popular tourism destinations in the Caribbean such as Cuba, Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, you may have noticed that many residents on these islands live in poverty and seem to be disconnected from the financial revenue generated by tourism. So where do your tourism dollars go?
According to The International Ecotourism Society, "80 per cent of money for all-inclusive package tours goes to airlines, hotels, and other international companies."
Where to stay
To send more of your vacation dollars into the local economy of the destination you're planning to visit, consider staying at an eco-lodge. According to The International Ecotourism Society, these places "hire and purchase locally, and therefore put a higher [amount] -- sometimes as much as 95 per cent of money into the local economy."
While you're supporting local communities with your tourism spending, remember that your accommodations don't have to be rustic. Some of the most luxurious retreats assist and complement their local communities without scrimping on lavishness. Ayako Ezaki from The International Ecotourism Society suggests visiting wellness and health retreats because they're usually low-impact destinations.
For instance, Jungle Bay Spa & Resort in Dominica works with the surrounding communities of locals while also providing a comfortable vacation spot where travellers can indulge. Founder Samuel Raphael says that 56 of the 59 staff members are from the surrounding communities (including himself). Raphael's resort has become an integral part of the Dominica community; the resort has been active in a number of social programs, scholarships, and established small rural development funds to loan money to local groups.
Not only can you enjoy a variety of spa, yoga and adventure activities while at the resort but also, most of the food served at the resort comes from the surrounding villages and is organic.
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