In correlation with some work I'm doing, I've had the opportunity to browse through a vast number of travel sites oriented towards the ethically and ecologically minded traveller.
What I mean is, the sort of person who is concerned about the size of their footprint when they go on a holiday...
This leads me to ask some questions. Many of these companies arrange trips to remote areas so that travellers can truly experience a culture and the landscape surrounding it. They try to do so in a way that respects the cultures they come into contact with, and they often do what they can to support local economies and livlihoods. Equally, all efforts are maintained to avoid environmental degredation.
Here are a couple of sites that give something of an example of the sort of thing I'm discussing. I look at these images, and there is part of me that thinks..."Wow, that looks really cool, I would love to do that.."
http://boojum.com/photographs.html http://www.byndlimits.com http://www.bangladeshecotours.com http://www.dragonflyexpeditions.com
But, I can't help but wonder at the longterm impacts upon peoples and ecologically sensitive areas... Yet, at the same time.. in some areas the eco travel industry has become a lifeblood to survival and continuing a relatively traditional way of life..
Thoughts ?