*This guest post was provided by Jenelle Bonnie
Although the reason why individuals travel hasn’t changed that much, recent trends indicate that people’s traveling priorities and expectations have changed. Leaning more towards sustainable travel.
Experts shared that more people are now considering sustainability practices when traveling. This is evident in a survey revealing that 53% of global travelers wanted to travel more sustainably in the future. Because of this, 69% of travelers expect the tourism industry, such as hotels and restaurants, to offer more sustainable travel options to meet this new demand.
While many within the industry are now implementing environmentally friendly programs, there are already travel destinations, like beaches, that follow sustainable practices.
Here are five international destinations you should visit if you’re looking for eco-friendly beaches.
Whitehaven Beach in Australia
Located on Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven is the largest beach of Queensland’s Whitsundays.
It’s known for its sparkling white sands and turquoise, blue, and green waters that captivate visitors. Because there are no current inhabitants on the island, the place is also the perfect getaway if you want an escape from the bustling city life.
But what makes Whitehaven Beach a popular tourist destination for sustainable travelers is its consistent adherence to eco-friendly practices, especially since it is a part of the Whitsundays Islands National Park. The beach was recognized by prominent organizations like CNN with an Eco-Friendly Beach award and various Australian Cleanest Beach awards in recent years.
Playa Matapalo in Costa Rica
Playa Matapalo is a small beach village located at the tip of the Osa Peninsula. Besides its bountiful flora and fauna, the region is an eco-friendly travel destination because the local community is dedicated to sustainable habits.
For instance, most lodges depend on solar energy, and most activities encourage guests to enjoy an all-encompassing experience with nature. Because of this, the island earned the Blue Ecological Flag for its conservation and preservation efforts in the area.
This was possible because of their continuous work with conservation scientists who manage the overall land quality of parks, forests, and other natural resources. These professionals also oversee forest conservation efforts and develop strategies to minimize environmental damage. It’s the collaboration between local communities and conservation scientists that makes Playa Matapalo a must-visit for sustainable travelers.
Short Sands Beach in Oregon
One of Oregon’s most famous surfing and boogie-boarding destinations is Short Sands Beach, located within Oswald West State Park. The park is named after the former governor of Oregon, Oswald West, who led the preservation of Oregon’s beaches for public use.
In addition, a memorial marker for journalist Matt Kramer was made in the park for his help in shifting public opinion to preserve the beaches in the area. Through their efforts, the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Area were established, prohibiting the fishing and harvesting of fish, invertebrates, and seaweed on the beach.
So if you’re looking for an eco-friendly surfing location, you can visit Short Sands beach.
Koh Libong in Thailand
Another secluded and peaceful destination are the beaches on Koh Libong island in Thailand.
It’s a beautiful laidback island where you can experience the local island village life while enjoying the beautiful sunsets and long empty beaches. Because the area is not populated with tourists, it’s also a haven for marine animals like birds, turtles, and endangered dugongs.
Today, local officials are committed to adhering to sustainability and ecotourism practices on the island with the help of Swedish environmentalists. This large provincial island in Thailand is a great sustainable travel destination, especially if you also want to protect marine life.
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on Vancouver Island
Last on our list is Juan de Fuca Provincial Park in Vancouver Island. A previous post on discovering the island shared that the park has spectacular scenery, great hiking, and fantastic wildlife viewing.
Located within the park is the Botanical Beach, which is one of the richest tidal areas along the west coast. It has a unique shoreline framed by ridges of shale and quartz, making it a popular destination for visitors wishing to observe the area’s unique ecosystem.
Sustainable travelers will appreciate this destination because it was established to protect the highly scenic and unique coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The park is not only limited to beaches. There are also hiking trails in the forest, which provides a protected habitat and natural corridor for many larger species of west coast mammals, such as cougars, deer, black bears, and wolves.
