Imagine leading a bucket list-type tour to the Florida Keys. Your tourgoers go snorkeling in the azure waters, getting a view of this special environment they simply can’t get from a boat. They get an up-close look at the unique wildlife and colorful coral, making memories for a lifetime.
But what if they could do more than just look? What if they could actually make a difference and help keep one of these fragile ecosystems thriving for the next generation of group travelers? That’s what is offered by the Coral Restoration Foundation, and it’s part of a growing travel trend known as “active ecotourism.”
According to The International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” Active ecotourism takes that a step further, as travelers also take an active role in conserving the environment they are visiting. Rather than just observe, active ecotourists get involved in the places they visit through volunteering and supporting local conservation efforts.
“Participating in ecotourism can be an enriching and entertaining vacation experience,” says the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. “Connecting with nature is always relaxing and satisfying, but when combined with [conscious] efforts to keep the land beautiful, it really can turn into a fulfilling trip.”
A 2021 study by Amadeus, a tech advisor to the travel industry, showed that as travel emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 40% of travelers worldwide wished to see an emphasis on sustainable practices. More than a third of travelers said that “opportunities for travelers to be involved in the preservation of tourist destinations” would help make the travel industry more sustainable.
At the Coral Restoration Foundation in Key Largo and Key West, Florida, there are several ways to get involved. Dive programs are designed to be accessible to all levels, from novice snorkelers to experienced, certified scuba divers. There are land-based volunteer opportunities as well. Groups can book a private dive program for up to 20 certified divers.
Credit: Adobe/Aerial Film Studio
Over on another ocean, Cal State Monterey Bay operates its Habitat Stewardship Project, which welcomes volunteers. Depending on the time of year your group is visiting, tourgoers can help plant seeds, transplant plants from greenhouses to the outdoors, or even clean up trash in local waterways. These programs are not only participatory, but educational.
If any of your tourgoers aren’t able to be physically active in a cleanup or habitat restoration project, there are other ways to be an “active” ecotourist. Consider donating to local conservation funds or initiatives in and around the places you travel. Even the purchase of admission tickets to parks and attractions will help support the environmental efforts of that place. Seek out activities that are the most environmentally responsible. There is also power in education. Taking the time to learn about the environment of the places you visit will help ensure these needs are not forgotten.
While the coral reefs of the Florida Keys and the waterways of Monterey Bay have critical needs to support ongoing conservation projects, odds are that there are organizations in need of volunteers in just about any region around the country. A state’s department of natural resources will likely have information on volunteer opportunities. Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources, for example, utilizes more than 13,000 volunteers each year, many on a one-time basis.
Whether you are looking to build an ecotourism-focused itinerary or just making sure to mix in sustainable activities alongside your tour plan, active ecotourism is an important trend to be aware of. Rather than just seeing a place, consider some ways for your tourgoers to dive in and be a part of something special. You may just find a whole new audience of travelers excited to make a difference.
By Todd Kortemeier
Main Image: Coral reef in Key West, Florida; Credit: Adobe/edb3_16
