Ecotourism- Any good ideas on where to go?

[ryan]

I am thinking of planning an Eco-friendly vacation.I have been hearing bits and pieces of going to different impoverished countries to help with building their communities by planting, construction, cleaning, etc. Does anyone have information on cost and/or destinations?

[yanks2709]

Originally Posted by ryan

I am thinking of planning an Eco-friendly vacation.I have been hearing bits and pieces of going to different impoverished countries to help with building their communities by planting, construction, cleaning, etc. Does anyone have information on cost and/or destinations?

Yes, I'd also like to find out more information about eco-friendly vacation possibilities.

[kymsolaris]

How about New Mexico! Here is an interesting article:

New Mexico embraces ecotourism efforts

By Sue Major Holmes, Associated Press Writer
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico wants to join the ecotourism trend, promoting not only the state's natural beauty but also outdoor adventure, cultural heritage preservation and access to wild places.

New Mexico's ecotourism venture was launched early last year but the actual pilot programs begin this summer around the Gila Wilderness near Silver City and Taos in northern New Mexico.

Tourism is New Mexico's No. 2 industry, behind oil and gas production, and brings in an estimated $5.7 billion annually. And if ecotourism can be fairly described as nature-based specialty travel or wilderness experiences that enrich and educate, the state thinks it has something to offer.

Visitors are attracted by "that sense of place we have here in New Mexico," said Deputy Tourism Secretary Jennifer Hobson, who oversees the initiative. "They want to go someplace where they can learn something, have a story to tell, meet the local people."

In describing ecotourism, Hobson has adopted the definition of the 25-year-old International Ecotourism Society: responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

She said New Mexico is ahead of other states in developing a statewide program.

Ecotourism can be hiking and camping with a local guide far into the wilderness, spending a day working on a cattle ranch with a rancher or taking a photography trip on that ranch, or watching a pueblo artist create a pot during a tour with a Native American guide.

Outfitters, guides and others around New Mexico already have been doing ecotourism but "didn't know there was a name for it," said Sandy Cunningham of EcoNewMexico, which has a $250,000 contract with the Department of Tourism to develop the program.

Smaller communities will benefit most from the state's effort, said Arturo Sandoval, president of the 19-year-old Center of Southwest Culture Inc., dedicated to preserving northern New Mexico's traditional land-based communities.

Sandoval's organization is in the third year of what he calls "heritage and cultural tourism," recruiting people to spend a weekend cleaning out irrigation canals — known as acequias — alongside the people who use them to irrigate small farms.

This June's effort will include a traditional matanza, or feast, a talk by an acequia expert and an evening of New Mexico music.

"Heritage and cultural tourism is tied to the real purpose of trying to help small farmers make a 21st century income in a global economy," Sandoval said. It brings in tourists in an unobtrusive way "that doesn't end up with people building resort hotels."

Cunningham said the state initiative wants to attract tourists to places that need economic development who will hire locals who "love guiding, who love hosting people."

Currently, the average tourist spends 2.2 days in New Mexico. Cunningham said ecotourism brings in fewer people who stay longer and spend more.

Everyone from organic growers to artists and conservation groups stands to benefit "from a new and different type of traveler" who becomes passionate about something and wants to return, she said.

The program also will promote New Mexico to its residents.

Cunningham is working on a summer trip aimed at New Mexicans — two days rafting in Chama, two days llama trekking near Taos and two days camping in northern New Mexico, with such extras as fishing, mountain biking and catered meals.

The trip will highlight cultural preservation, rivers and wildlife habitat, plus local guides.

"We have the most incredible state and things you can do here, but the guides can really bring it to life," Cunningham said.

Hobson and Cunningham see ecotourism as broadening the tourism market.

More ranchers, for example, are embracing the idea, Cunningham said. Some already open up their land during hunting season, so adding other programs offers another way to make money.

"They already have wildlife. Whether you're shooting with a gun or a camera, it doesn't matter," she said.

The Silver City and Taos areas were chosen for the pilot projects after workshops that brought together groups ranging from outfitters and guides to ranchers and organic farmers.

While tourists already go to Taos and Silver City and those communities will benefit from the ecotourism pilot project, it emphasizes the rural backcountry — "not what the typical tourist is doing," Hobson said.

"We hope to be in more rural areas in the future," she said.

[littlegreenfairy]

This place sounds interesting:

Black River promoted as eco-tourism site

BLACK RIVER, NC (WECT) - North Carolina's Black River is one of the cleanest, high quality waterways in the state.

It is home to thousands of types of wildlife and plants and how now emerged into a new era.

Noted for its pristine waters and unique plant and animal life, the Black has become a recreational river. Conservation has replaced commerce.

The Pender County Visitors and Tourism office is marketing the 66-mile long river for a different type of use.

As people get back to nature, the Black River has become a treat to travel by canoe or kayak throughout the seasons.

"Research actually shows that families want to do some type of nature based activity while they are on vacation," said Monique Baker, director of the Visitors and Tourism Office of Pender County . "So, obviously, the eco-tourism, being green and conservative and preserving [nature] is catching on."

The Black River is a tributary of the Cape Fear River. It begins in southern Sampson County by the confluence of the Great Coharie and Six Run Creeks and flows south southeast through Sampson, Bladen and Pender Counties, joining the Cape Fear River about ten miles northwest of Wilmington.

Native Americans lived along the waterway, but the river peaked in activity during the years when naval stores were gathered from the pine forest that lined the river.

As the demand for naval stores dwindled and railroads took over the remaining commerce on the river, things got quiet.

The oldest known trees east of the Rocky Mountains can be found on the meandering black water stream including giant cypress trees.

"It is more than just water flowing through the landscape," said environmentalist Andy Wood. "It is actually a combination of this channel, what we call the Black River. But also the bottom land swamps and either side of that supports a variety of wildlife."

If you want a guided tour of the Black River, Cape Fear Riverboats, the same company that operates the Henrietta Three along the Cape Fear River, offers trips up stream and back several times a year, complete with Wood telling the riders about the river's vast history.

"No two trips up the Black River are the same," said captain Carl Marshburn, who owns Cape Fear Riverboats. "Some trips up the river, you will see wildlife. But I have never made a trip up there that I felt was a wasted trip. And I have been up there a lot of times on these tours."

Some would say that with the rise of the railroad and the automobile came the fall of the river. But it flows on. Recognized for its beauty and charm, the Black River is ready for the future.

[someguy]

New Zealand, Africa, or real india... what i mean by real india is not the baliwood nonsense. Go to the undeveloped areas of india where everything is untouched and pots and pans are made with bare hands. Really is a beautiful experience and a great way to appreciate nature.

[mmmoralesss]

Go to native american reservations.. its where it all started. They are very spiritual and probably care more about the environment than anybody

[mmmoralesss]

ive been to south africa peru and romania... amazing if you can appreciate it all

[shannahana]

peru was amazing and very cost effective... highly recommend it !

[david]

My sister went on spring break two years ago to Costa Rica. I never thought that a college spring break could be helpful to the environment, but I was wrong.
She stayed on the beach for a few days then went to Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. It was only two hours from the San Jose airport where she flew into and out of. Tourism itself brings added dollars to an area's economy, but ecotourism has the added bonus of travelers who want to take care of the area they're visiting, through a combination of careful living methods that do less damage to the environment. She ziplined, went hiking in the rain forest, went rafting down a river, among other really cool things. Her pictures are some of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I would really recommend looking into this if you're into a tropical Eco-friendly vacation.

[patpatrick88]

Camping obviously! or going to the Grand Canyon!