Ecotourism is a fast growing sector of the travel industry. In some places such as Dominica and Suriname (see below), the economy of the country is based on its natural attractions. These are well-known tourism spots for naturists, but any destination that offers easy access to nature and allows travelers a chance to travel without undue harm to the environment can be considered an ecotourism destination.

Eco-tours do not necessarily require travelers to go to exotic, far-off lands. Even city dwellers will be able to find impressive nature after little more than a few hour’s drive. In the U.S., state parks and national parks are good places to find ecology. Yes, places like Yellowstone and Yosemite are extremely crowded and do not seem to have the kind of untouched nature that serious eco-tourists require. But most park visitors are there to see the main attractions (the geysers, the giant sequoias), so vast sections of the park remain untouched and unvisited. Some state and municipal parks offer similar experiences and  even have naturalists on staff for guided hikes. There is no need to travel to the primary rainforests of Brazil’s Amazon jungle to consider yourself and eco-tourist.

Fortunately for nature lovers, eco-tourism is becoming more mainstream. Even popular resort destinations are finding that a good number of visitors either aren’t interested in the typical beach vacation or want to add an extra element to their tropical getaway. Mainstream destinations like Aruba and Jamaica have focused more on their natural attractions and a new crop of destinations in the region are becoming tourist hotspots because of their ecotourism opportunities. Dominica, an island in the Lesser Antilles that is often referred to as the Nature Island, is such a place. Its virgin forests, mountain hiking trails, nesting sea turtles and hot springs (including a lake that actually boils) have been drawing in-the-know eco-tourists for the past few decades. With virtually no resort scene, Dominica is developing strictly as an eco-tourism destination and is betting its future tourism success on nature tourists.  Suriname is another destination that is growing because of its natural attractions. Untouched rainforests and natural coastal areas have been drawing budget travelers, mainly from the Netherlands, for quite some time. However, the country is set to grow its industry. A positive side effect for both the countries’ environments is that their governments and businesses are focusing on conservation (not because of any moral stance, but because it is practical for the growth of their industry).

Some people want to go beyond the act of merely visiting these natural landscapes as a sightseer. Education is a major part of the ecotourism industry. Some travelers have a desire to learn about conservation, while others want to learn how to be more environmentally friendly and live off the land without harming it. Eco-schools have been established to train people in the art of sustainable living or teach them skills to become an active part of environmental and conservation movements. National parks and nonprofit conservation organizations often offer such courses and classes. These are good places for independent travelers to seek out opportunities without having to join a tour or travel to a far-off school.

Like other genres of travel, tourist traps can be part of eco-travel as well. This makes it important to research an attraction or a tour before leaving.

Eco-tourism continues to grow as more people search for a chance to experience nature up close or discover something besides what is offered by typical vacation destinations. Natural destinations are gaining notoriety and some of the old mainstays are expanding their access to nature. The result: it is getting easier and easier to embark on an ecotourism adventure.

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Image 1 via Quintanomedia

Image 2 via TheDreamSky

Image 3 via Chrissy Olson