Africa

CHUMBE ISLAND

Tanzania’s small western gem is the first marine protected area in the world. Chumbe Island hosts also a rare wildlife forest and an award winning ecolodge. Located just off the cost of Zanzibar, is often forgotten near its biggest and beautiful sister. Chumbe is a small sustainable experience, those possible only in such protected and isolated environment, away of stress, cities and noise. The Chumbe Island Coral Park was first privately founded by Sibylle Riedmiller, a conservationist, and development professional who saw in Chumbe Island the chance for a development project through sustainable tourism. The marine park became a place where visitors can learn about natural resources and enjoy natural activities, natural beauty and a sense of freedom and privacy, and while doing so founding the conservation of corals and the education of local schoolchildren and fishermen at the same time. Read more about their facilities, that can host a maximum of 14 guests and ethical employment guideline for locals here.

Europe

PORTUGAL

Portugal has been Europe Re-discovery of the decade. Travelling through its nature and cities, you’ll feel authenticity, beauty, and a respect for the land and its rules that many other European countries have lost with time. You can feel the magic of seeing and eating what your great-grandparents would have seen and eat and your grandchildren will.
If you’re interested in a whole nature experience, Portugal’s major national park is Peneda-Gerês, in the Minho district, north of the city of Braga, close to the Spanish border. The country has many other specially protected areas, which are nature reserves. Most of these are in the mountainous regions, including Montesinho, near Bragança; Alvão, near Vile Real Amarante; and Serra dos Candeeiros, near Fátima.

The cost of the Algarve will leave you breathless, nothing more sustainable than riding the one-line train through the region, starting with a great walk and meal in Faro and enjoying one of the stops at every small city, having dinner in Lagos.
If cities are what you’re looking for, Lisbon and Porto won’t disappoint you. Find out local gastronomy, traditional music and the magic breeze that blow through their historic streets.

Asia and Pacific

BHUTAN

Defined as the ecological wonder of the eastern himalayas, this small Kingdom hosts 10 protected areas and has 72 percent of its land still under forest, as well as a great variety of rare plant and wildlife species.Considered a model for sustainable tourism development, Bhutan  has a long-term strategy of controlling tourism and ensuring that its impact doesn’t do any arm to local environment and population. Visitors are requested to book through recognised sustainable operators and thanks to the country’s effort, tourist respect and enjoy local culture and traditions, contributing to the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage and improving the well being of the citizens within the overall concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) with its four main pillars: sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, conservation of environment, preservation and promotion of culture, promotion of good governance.

In 1974 Bhutan’s former King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, launched a modernisation and development plan seeing in tourism a great danger and a greater opportunity: the country adapted since then the general winning policy of “high-value, small-volume” for international tourism, a move that annually helps Bhutan’s economy, employment’s rate and as well the guarantee of an unique and authentic experience when visiting the country.

Buthan is the prove that a long term sustainable tourism is possible!

Special Mention

REPUBLIC OF PALAU

Last but not least, one of the top destination in the world showing global leadership in combatting climate change and environmental degradation. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, the Republic of Palau is a group of islands that is as beautiful as it is various. Visitors from all over the world come to these corner of paradise to enjoy its coral atolls, small limestone islands, magical underwater worlds and definitely play a big role for the economy of this small nation. Heavy tourism can be disruptive in such a fragile environment, so the country of Palau has now introduced for every visitor a stamped pledge upon arrival in there passport in the form of a poem that reads:

Children of Palau,

I take this Pledge,

To preserve and protect your beautiful and unique island home.

I vow to tread lightly, act kindly, and explore mindfully.

I shall not take what is not given.

I shall not harm what does not harm me.

The only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away.

As simple as it is deep and full of meaning, this “sustainability” pledge gives a worldwide example of governmental effort to protect its citizen and land. Together with the poem, visitors now also must watch a video that aims to educate them to be environmentally responsible when visiting the country.