The Good, the Bad and the Sustainable by Jessica Finley
Travel:
According to the World Tourism Organization, sustain- able tourism manages local resources in ways that fulfill economic, social and aesthetic needs while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems. Put simply, this means that our world should be a better place because we travel, and as sojourners, we must be committed to protecting the places we love. Travel helps us understand different cultures, perpetu-
ates peace and allows us to visit places, monuments and people so unique that their memories will resonate with us for a lifetime. But travel also impacts the eco-habitats, cul- tures and economies of the local people who host tourism throughout the world. The heavy carbon emissions associ- ated with air travel, rental cars and even hotel visits pollute the atmosphere and add to global warming. Additionally, the overuse of precious resources in sensitive regions can alter fragile ecosystems, in turn destroying entire communi- ties of people. The good news is that as travelers, we have a choice.
Next time you travel, make sure the company you use actively works to mitigate their impact in order to help pre- serve destinations and cultures for future generations. Ask your travel agent, tour operator or airline how their com- pany engages in social and environmental responsibility— then make your choice based on their commitment level. If we begin to demand more sustainable travel, the tourism industry will be forced to demonstrate how they protect our planet’s precious cultural and natural resources.
Jessica Finley is the executive director of iJourneyGreen, a 501(c)3 organization that supports sustainable travel. Email
Jessica@iJourneyGreen.org or visit
iJourneyGreen.org.
by Heather Boerner Swapping
Today’s affordable options for enjoying a relaxing or adven- turous vacation are as numerous and varied as the people who provide them. Swapping homes for vacation with individuals or families throughout the world saves money, while offering rewarding opportunities for personal enrich- ment.
As a home-swapping vacationer, you will enjoy
unique travel advantages: having local knowledge about your destination via correspondence with your exchange partner, and, often, receiving guidance and hospitality from the partner’s neighbors and friends. Some home swap organizations also offer local help from representatives worldwide.
Because you are arranging an exchange with another person, and not a travel agency, a family emergency may lead to last-minute cancellations. This rarely happens, but if it does, some organizations offer assistance in finding a suitable alternate exchange. Having a stranger stay in your home is something to take seriously. Always address any concerns you may have with your potential exchange partner prior to the
exchange. Your goal through this communication is to form a relationship that promotes a genuine sense of security. The most important advice for potential home swap- pers is to be flexible with dates and destinations. For exam- ple, expecting to attend a family wedding on a particular weekend in a specific small town is probably unrealistic. On the other hand, if you want to visit the south of France sometime during the fall of 2010, you will likely have your choice of many exchange offers.
HomeLink International, established in 1953, is a leading home exchange organization, providing personal customer service to all its members through local offices worldwide. For more information, visit
HomeLink.org.
natural awakenings July 2010 31 HOME
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