| As environmental awareness grows and the futures | | | | destinations, but due to its isolated location has |
| of our ecological treasures become more uncertain, a | | | | escaped the detrimental effects of mass tourism. A |
| new brand of travel - eco-tourism - is becoming | | | | range of eco-lodges and sustainability programs are in |
| increasingly popular. Eco-tourism involves travel to | | | | place to ensure the preservation of the islands' |
| fragile, pristine and usually protected areas. | | | | pristine ecosystems. |
| Eco-tourism programs take a number of forms, | | | | Canada |
| whether they are designed to educate the traveller, | | | | Canada is land of staggering natural beauty, with |
| provide funds for conservation, or economically | | | | majestic mountains, sweeping rivers, and glistening |
| develop and politically empower local communities. | | | | glaciers that support a healthy ecosystem of flora |
| Whatever the form it takes, eco-tourism programs | | | | and fauna. It's not surprising, therefore, that Canada |
| and initiatives are intended to minimise negative | | | | has implemented a range of eco-tourism initiatives. |
| environmental aspects of regular tourism and work | | | | Parks Canada oversees 157 national historic sites, 42 |
| towards the overarching goal of preserving the | | | | national parks and three national marine conservation |
| environment and protecting it from excessive human | | | | areas. These conservation areas continue to grow, |
| intervention for generations to come. | | | | and there are a range of eco-tourism programs and |
| Are you and your green thumb ready to jump on | | | | lodges to enjoy and help preserve these pristine |
| the green bandwagon? Here are a few popular | | | | environments. So hop on cheap flights to Canada to |
| eco-tourism destinations. Cheap international flights will | | | | experience them for yourself. |
| help get you on your ecological way. | | | | Kenya |
| Brazil | | | | Whether you choose to undertake a safari with an |
| Home to the largest share of the Amazon rainforest | | | | eco-friendly operator or want to help with animal or |
| and the Pantanal, the world's largest wetlands, Brazil | | | | land conservation in Kenya's national parks, Kenya has |
| has long attracted environmental advocates | | | | long attracted eco-tourists and the environmentally |
| concerned about the destruction of some of the | | | | conscious who are determined to help preserve the |
| world's most precious natural assets. Eco-tourism has | | | | ecological uniqueness of Africa's natural world. |
| caught on, and a number of eco-lodges and | | | | Belize |
| eco-programs allow visitors to sustainably and | | | | Home to the largest reef in the Western |
| responsibly visit the sites and help in research and | | | | Hemisphere, Belize eco-tourism initiatives are aimed at |
| conservation efforts. | | | | preserving Belize's colourful, unique and pristine |
| Palau | | | | underwater world. Reef support initiatives and |
| The island nation of Palau, situated in the Pacific | | | | sustainable fishing, diving and snorkeling practices are |
| Ocean to the east of Indonesia boasts an untouched | | | | all part of the effort to protect Belize's waterways. |
| underwater wonderland as well as other pristine | | | | Eco-tourism initiatives and programs can now be |
| natural assets - and environmentalists and | | | | found in all corners of the globe as tourism operators |
| conservationists are determined to keep it that way! | | | | join in the push to address global warming and |
| Palau is recognised as one of the world's top diving | | | | protect the environment for future generations. |
