Top Tips for Finding a Tip Top Eco Travel Company
Tip 1 Decide on country
Decide which country you’d like to go to first. This will narrow down your
choice of travel companies as most of them cater for specific destinations. And
always consider the road less travelled to ensure your impact is kept to a
minimum.
Tip 2 Decide on type of holiday
Once you’ve decided where you’re going, then figure out what you’d like to do.
If you’re not sure, do a bit of research on the internet to see what is
available in the country you’ve chosen. Do you want an adventure holiday, a
volunteer holiday that involves working with local communities or a plan
bog-standard all-about-you break (in an environmentally sound hotel or lodge of
course)?
Tip 3 Investigate Company
When you know what you’d like to do start investigating companies online. There
are very few travel agents on the high streets that concentrate on eco-friendly
packages but if you’re lucky enough to know one, book an appointment and have a
chat with them one-on-one so you get more ideas. On the other hand, too many
ideas can make your decision harder so be sure to have a set agenda before you
meet with them. After all, travel agents are sales people and work on commission
so are experts at coercing travellers into taking holidays they had no intention
of booking.
Tip 4 Use online forums
Decided on a few travel companies that might be able to offer you a perfect eco
trip? Then do a little digging.
Online communities and forums are a great way to find out information about
holidays and companies from people who have already been there or used the
company. Review websites can be useful but be wary of them as they are extremely
subjective and more often than not are used by disgruntled customers who want to
complain, so their number far outweighs those who were happy with the
experience.
Tip 5 Book a small group tour
The travel industry is the biggest industry in the world and believe it or not,
still growing; fast. People are earning more than they used to and many
travellers are no longer content with visiting countries in their own continent.
Television, books, guidebooks, the internet, all greatly influence people’s
travel decisions as information has become more readily available. This means
there are more people travelling to destinations that were once frequented by
few travellers. The impact of visiting hoards on certain destinations has
resulted in their demise. Booking a tour with a company that specialises in
small group travel will ensure your impact is kept to a minimum.
Tip 6 Check tour frequencies
Check how many times a year the company makes trips to specific destinations. It
may be better to book a trip with a slightly larger group if the tours occur
only a few times a year rather than going with a company that promotes smaller
groups but operates a few tours every week, all year round.
Tip 7 Ask for the tour company’s green credentials
A good green tour company will more than likely have their eco credentials
listed on their website or show approved eco
accreditation. If you’re booking accommodation, the same should apply.
Check:
- Whether they employ locals in their business.
- Whether you will have the chance to stay in family-run accommodations as
part of the trip?
- Do the locals benefit from the tour?
- Is money ploughed back into the local economy?
- Does the tour operator work to minimize the impact of the vast numbers
fed through their company?
Tip 8 Wait and book tour abroad with locals
Don’t book your tour online or in a travel agent, wait until you arrive at your
destination and book a tour run by locals. It will guarantee the money generated
will go back into the local economy and you’ve done your bit for
ecotourism.
| 