Growing Green Support for Eco-Holiday Ideas

The UK travel association ABTA said this week that a third of all holidaymakers in Britain think that holiday deals should receive an “environmental rating” along the same lines as the star rating system used in hotels.

While only 29 per cent of UK holidaymakers were of this opinion last year, the figure had grown to 33 per cent in 2011. On top of this, 19 per cent of respondents to an ABTA survey agreed that they would be prepared to pay extra for a holiday provided by a firm with a strong record on corporate responsibility and good greed credentials.

Here, then, are three ideas for eco-friendly holiday destinations, courtesy of green consumer blog The Green Familia:

• Ecocamp Patagonia, Chile: Combining the favourite features of hotel and camping holidays, this “eco-camp” in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park offers visitors comfortable fixed tents with plenty of room and real beds – while still being close to the wonders of nature that the region is famous for. Activities at Ecocamp Patagonia include hiking, trekking, nature and bird watching, as well as simply taking in the breathtaking scenery.
• WhitePod, Switzerland: This exclusive resort located high in the Swiss mountains gives visitors a unique holiday experience based around state of the art eco-efficiency. Accommodation is in one of the resort’s ten distinctive pods designed to show off the best of Alpine living. As well as the amazing mountain views, WhitePod offers visitors activities such as snowboarding and night skiing – perfect for eco-tourists that want a more peaceful location for their winter sports holidays.
• Cousine Island, the Seychelles: Not for those seeking cheap holidays, this eco-resort on Cousine Island is a luxury affair, with just four exclusive villas available for hire – meaning that no more than ten visitors can visit the beautiful island at one time. While there, the lucky ten will be able to take part in activities such as fishing, diving, snorkelling, charter trips and sailing – and will leave with a wider knowledge of environmental issues.