Chapter Eight

Socially Responsible Travel

Ethical Traveler
A grassroots alliance that unites people who see travel as a positive force in the world. Provides resources and information to transform travelers into “accidental ambassadors” and endeavors to harness the economic power of travelers to strengthen human rights and protect the environment.

World Expeditions
An adventure company that promotes thoughtful, socially responsible tours and treks. Offers trips that are carbon offset and environmentally sustainable.

The Ethical Travel Guide: Your Passport to Exciting Alternative Holidays, by Polly Pattullo and Orely Minelli (Routledge, 2006, ebook and print)
This guidebook lists hundreds of travel destinations and opportunities that promote a positive impact on people and their environment. Lists places to visit and stay in over sixty countries. Chapters cover the definition of ethical tourism, what’s wrong with traditional tourism, why it’s important to be an ethical consumer, and globalization and its effect on travel.

Native Tours: The Anthropology of Travel and Tourism, by Erve Chambers (Waveland Press, 2019, ebook and print)
An academic exploration into the cultural and environmental consequences of travel.

Kiva.org
Kiva is a person-to-person micro-lending website that empowers individuals to alleviate poverty by lending to unique entrepreneurs around the globe: “When you browse entrepreneurs’ profiles on Kiva, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improving life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6 – 12 months), you can receive email updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can re-lend to someone else.”

Environmentally Responsible Travel

Lonely Planet Code Green, by Kerry Lorimer (Lonely Planet, 2006, print).
Discovering a more authentic and sustainable travel experience.

The Nature Conservancy
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy addresses the most pressing conservation threats on a global scale and hosts events to create awareness. More than a million members and 400+ scientists on staff worldwide are working to protect habitats in at least 70 countries and territories.

Sustainable Travel International
A nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable development and responsible travel by providing programs that enable consumers, businesses, and travel-related organizations to contribute to the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic values of the places they visit.

Planeta.com
A clearinghouse for practical ecotourism around the globe with an emphasis on Latin America. Features conference information, stories, and scholarly reports.

Responsible Travel
Rather than only seeking to minimize impact from tourism, this activist organization strives to leave places better off after their groups visit.

MyClimate CO2 offset calculator
Online tools to calculate and offset your CO2 emissions from travel. MyClimate promotes the gathering of knowledge about CO2 reduction, raises awareness, and inspires long-term climate protection.

The International Ecotourism Society
Nonprofit dedicated to promoting ecotourism including developing ecotourism guidelines and standards, providing training, technical assistance, and educational resources.

Center for Responsible Travel
An organization that strives to conserve biodiversity and fight the impact of tourism.

Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices, and consumer behavior.

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