Top 26 Eco Tourism Blogs and Resources

I am very excited- Next week at this time, I will be in Ecuador! Of course the Galapagos Islands are on the itinerary- and just can hardly wait. As a backpacking traveler, I have always traveled ‘Green’. Nothing weighs over 30 lbs, – never rent a car, walk as much as possible, eat local food, go to the small markets, buy all souvenirs from the locals, never trash and minimize my footprint as much as possible. 

Is that Traveling Green? I hope so- See below definition of Eco- Tourism. 

The Qubec Declaration (UNEP/WTO 2002) suggested 5 criteria to define eco – tourism. They are:

1. Nature based product.

2. Minimal impact management.

3. Environmental education.

4.Contribution to conservation.

5. Contribution to local community.

A more scientific explanation for Eco tourism shall be Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature, promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio – economic involvement of local peoples.

Source: Sanjay Gubbi, Wildlife Tourism: the great Indian green trick? P # 39, Sanctuary Asia, October 2008.

There are many Eco -Tourism Site- unfortunately, I could not list them all- but check out some of the below sites, that can give you information on Green Travel. Personally speaking, I have used Lonely Planet for years, probably because I backpack and the ThornTree Forum offers great resources and information on many subjects.  

Top 25 Eco Tourism Blogs and Resources 

1. Amazing India 
2. Carbon Neutral Tourism The Carbon Neutral Tourism blog brings together information on tourism and travel with a particular leaning towards environmental related issues, along with other interesting environmental news.Visitors often cite the environment as one of the main reasons as to why they visit a particular destination. Through reducing carbon emissions and offsetting carbon produced, is it possible for the tourism industry to become carbon neutral to conserve the environment and, at the same time, meet consumer and business needs? Wider concern for the environment and other major ‘live issues’ will affect how people will choose to use their leisure time in the future.
3. Ekolo Geek (French)  Green French Blog, i can’t really read it- but interesting in translating the words 
4. EkoLogas (Lithuania) Also not in English- but it has green resources listed 
5. Eco Tourism and Conservation
6. Eco Tourism Blog 
7. Eco Tourism: Taking Pictures and Leaving Footprints: (UK( 
8. Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism Blog 
9. Eco Trotters EcoTrotters.com is an online eco travel community born in late 2007 with one goal in mind: to help travelers make more informed decisions when booking an ecohotel. We hope to provide travelers with reliable eco hotel recommendations written by other site users and ecotravelers interested in merging ecology and travel. Our aim is to create a trustworthy ecotourism rating system, based on a list of eco guidelines for hotels. In order for a hotel to be listed as an eco hotel on the website, it must comply with a certain number of eco guidelines. Generally speaking, EcoTrotters defines ecohotels as those which: minimize the hotel’s environmental impact, fund environmental conservation activities, encourage free trade in the local community, respect human rights, and promote knowledge and understanding of sustainability and ecological practices both to the hotel staff and hotel guests. 
10. Fair Spirit– (Africa) no english version, but pictures are interesting 
11. Finding Pangaea (Travel Consultants) 
12. Go Green- Travel Green From green hotels and public transportation to local food and eco-tours, Go Green Travel Green is your source for eco travel tips, reviews, and news
13. Green Hotels “Green” Hotels Association® is encouraging all travelers to green up their travel. The U. S. Travel Data Center estimates that 43 million US travelers are “ecologically concerned.” These travelers will be especially interested, but all travelers can take part in this important mission(the greening of the travel industry-whether away for business or pleasure.
14. Green Travel Carnival- Collection of Green Travel Blogs 
15. Jamble Mag- Green Travel and Global Music “Here at Jamble we try to practice what we preach, and always try to travel green and live green.-Where possible we travel overland rather than fly.-We recycle on the road and choose eco-friendly accommodation where possible.-We aim to pack used or recycled gear, and if we have to buy new, we look for lightweight and eco-friendly products.-Where possible we take part in locally operated tours that benefit the local community.-We eat local food, drink the local beer!”
16. Lonely Planet 26 Authors, 173 countries, and 400 travel-loving staff. We’re using our network to bring you the best in travel blogging – buzz-word events, breaking news, tough travel, odd corners and the world’s craziest kitsch
17. Rezhub- Greening up your travel has never been easier than it is with RezHub.com. We know that there aren’t always green options where you’re going, and you might not have the time (or extra cash) to offset your carbon footprint; so we simplified everything! Any travel you book here will make a difference. Book, hotels, cars, flights and more. 
18. Sierra Club– The Green Life 
19. Simple Green Life– Travel Blog 
20. South American Explorers– I highly recommend them- they are so nice and helpful. They have clubhouses in major cities in SA. You can donate clothes, get maps- get advice or just hang out! If you are going to South America- join the club and you will be happy. I have left luggage there to hold (Lima and Cuzco) They are the best! 
21. The International Eco Tourism Society- is the world’s oldest and largest ecotourism organization, TIES is committed to promoting the principles of ecotourism and responsible travel. With the goal of uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel, TIES serves its members in over 90 countries, as the global source of knowledge and advocacy in ecotourism.
22. The Nature of Ukraine- News on the Protection of Nature in Ukraine, nature reserves, national parks, as well as on eco-tourism and regional studies (not in English) 
23. Planta . Since 1994 Planeta.com has created incentives for communication, opportunities for conversation and rewards for participation. The site brings together those who share a vision of eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly travel
24. Pramodkumar’s 08 Weblog- (Mysore)  This blog discusses the various issues of the Development Sector. The blog focusses more on Entrepreneurial approach to social issues
25. Sustainable Travel International Founded in 2002, Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to providing education and outreach services that help travelers, travel providers and related organizations support environmental conservation and protect cultural heritage while promoting cross-cultural understanding and economic development.
26. Untamed Path– (South America) Tour Operators