Traveling Lightly

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that our world is much more fragile than we ever imagined. As heads of state battle over policy, we travelers can do our part by choosing trips and destinations with the planet in mind.

Those who like a dollop of green in their itineraries may have noticed the term “ecopositive” being embraced by marketers as much as baby Simba was in The Lion King. Some are using it to greenwash existing offerings. Others are printing the term on t-shirts to express innate environmental exuberance.

Yet eco-positive, in its intended form – describing something that doesn’t merely offset tourism’s impact but goes a step further to strengthen the environment – is actually quite useful. In fact, more and more operators are finding ecorejuvenation makes a great differentiator in the travel world.

Home to the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, Belize has perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to give back to nature. There, Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is leading the way with initiatives that “regenerate our environment while increasing awareness and appreciation for nature and diverse cultures.” They pull it off beautifully, while thrilling guests with jaguar preserve night hikes, snorkeling and dive trips, cave adventures, and jungle birding. Elsewhere, eco-positive activities include replanting rain forests, re-populating bird habitats, regenerating reefs, hosting research initiatives and survey dives, cultivating organic vegetable gardens, and building water and waste management systems. Australia’s Thala Beach Lodge has had a dramatic impact on vegetation and biodiversity. At North Island, in the Seychelles, a Noah’s Ark project nurtures endemic flora and fauna.

Finca Luna Nueva, Costa Rica

Finca Luna Nueva, in Costa Rica, operates an organic, biodynamic farm, while Ecuador’s Mashpi Lodge hosts “science and magic” in a forest reserve. Extreme greenies love the solarpowered Treehouse Lodge in the Peruvian Amazon and Mumbo Island, in Malawi, which operates with no electricity or running water.

Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia

Luxury lovers fear not, as nature nurturing and ultra-luxury amenities coexist in “eco-chic” spots like Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand, Song Saa in Cambodia, and Misool Eco Resort in Indonesia.

Home to the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, Belize has perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to give back to nature.