Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, generating about 10% of total world GDP and employing over 10% of the global workforce. Worldwide, international tourist arrivals surpassed 124 million in the first two months of 2011 alone.
One organization, known as Sustainable Travel International, is dedicated to promoting responsible tourism by providing programs that help travelers, businesses and destinations protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage and contribute to economic development.
STI provides easy to use, practical programs so that you can do more than just think about traveling responsibly. Options include an online calculator to learn about your personal carbon footprint, and ways to offset unavoidable emissions through one of their carbon offset projects. The website also features a directory of sustainable travel opportunities, carbon management for travel providers, and much more.
To get involved or learn how you can make your next vacation a little greener, visit sustainabletravelinternational.org.
Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.