Sustainable Travel

Picture a traveler comparing two safari trips. One calls itself “eco-friendly.” The other promises a solar-powered camp with no generator humming at night and a local guide who can follow a leopard by its tracks. Which one do you believe? Which one do you remember? “Eco-friendly” is a common phrase in travel marketing, but under new green claims laws like the EU’s EmpCo Directive, that kind of vague claim is a legal risk, not just a weak pitch. The good news is that one c

Not all carbon offsets are created equal. In recent years, growing scrutiny has highlighted concerns about the quality of some carbon credits, particularly around whether the claimed emissions reductions or removals are real, measurable, and permanent.  This guide outlines the key principles of quality assurance and how to identify credible carbon offset projects. Key Takeaways The best carbon offset programs follow strict verification standards, demonstrate additionality, minimize risks li

Not all carbon offsets work the same way. Some protect forests or build wind farms, while others restore mangroves or pull carbon out of the air with new technology.  This guide breaks down the main types of carbon offset projects, how each works, and real examples of projects in action. Key Takeaways Carbon offset projects fall into two main categories: avoidance projects that prevent emissions and removal projects that pull carbon from the atmosphere. Project types include forestry, energ

New tool helps tourism organizations navigate requirements under the EU’s EmpCo Directive and build trust with travelers. SEATTLE, WA (September 28, 2026) — As new European Union rules on environmental marketing take effect, Sustainable Travel International has launched a Green Claims Checker that helps tourism organizations identify potentially misleading sustainability claims and improve how they communicate them. The tool checks communications against the Empowering Consumers for the Green Tr

For many years, tourism businesses have used words like “green,” “eco-friendly,” and “responsible” to position their products as sustainable. But even when businesses have good intentions, broad green claims without proof make it difficult for travelers to distinguish real action from greenwashing. That is starting to change. From September 27, 2026, a new EU directive introduces stricter rules for sustainability marketing. The Empowering Consumers for the Gre

SEATTLE, WA (June 10, 2026) — Sustainable Travel International launched Humí, a new AI-powered carbon footprinting tool for tours that turns existing itineraries into emissions reports in seconds, rather than weeks. The tool replaces manual data collection and spreadsheets with a simple workflow powered by AI and Sustainable Travel International’s tourism-specific emissions methodology. It is available for free for a limited time. Users simply paste a tour itinerary webpage link or upload a PDF.

Our first Climate Impact Portfolio of 2026, released on May 4, 2026, supports six carbon offset projects around the world. Read on to learn more about the impact these projects are creating for the climate, communities, and biodiversity. Carbon offsets purchased from Portfolio 1 of 2026 are distributed across the forestry, energy, blue/teal carbon and carbon removal projects listed below.   Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) by Project Ty

As travelers become increasingly aware of their environmental impact, many are asking how their trips affect the places they visit. Ecotourism offers a way to experience nature while helping protect it and support the communities that live alongside it. Our guide to what ecotourism is introduces the concept and the key principles that define ecotourism. This blog builds on that foundation by showing how those principles come to life through real-world ecotourism examples from destinations around

When people picture ecotourism, they often imagine walking through rainforests dense with vegetation, diving into the deep blue to observe marine wildlife, or hiking mountain trails where each change in elevation reveals a new landscape. These activities may look “eco,” but their impact hinges on how they are planned and managed.  Not every outdoor or nature-based activity automatically qualifies as ecotourism. Overtourism and the growing strain on fragile habitats have made this clear.  As outl

As record-breaking sargassum blooms overwhelm coastlines in Mexico, the Sargassum Recovery for Clean Coasts project intercepts the seaweed before it decays and releases methane. Collected locally and detoxified through bioremediation, the sargassum is transformed from waste into biochar-enriched compost that restores soils, supports farmers, and locks carbon into the ground. This project advances a circular blue economy where coastal ecosystems, tourism, and communities thrive. The Sargassum Rec

In this video, members of Tanzania’s Indigenous Datooga and Hadza communities share how the Yaeda-Eyasi carbon offset project has helped them protect their land and way of life. “This land has been our home forever. It is part of who we are.” Carbon revenue supports community-led forest protection, helping prevent land loss to invaders and reducing the need to relocate pastures. Communities are paid to protect their forests, with locally appointed rangers earning stable incomes through carbon fi

Our fourth Climate Impact Portfolio of 2025, released on December 17, 2025, supports seven carbon offset projects around the world. Read on to learn more about the impact these projects are creating for the climate, communities, and biodiversity. Carbon offsets purchased from Portfolio 4 of 2025 are distributed across the forestry, energy, innovative climate technology, and blue/teal carbon projects listed below.   Carbon Dioxide Equiva

The world is a remarkable place — from the snowy peak of Mount Everest to the darkest depths of the Mariana Trench, and all the wondrous corners in between. People are drawn to watch elephants roam the Serengeti, learn about forest traditions from communities in the Amazon, and marvel at the reefs of the Coral Triangle. Ecotourism offers a way to do all of this while conserving the natural places we visit.  Yet in recent years, “ecotourism” has become a buzzword. The term is increasingly used to

“Tourism shouldn’t buy offsets—it should just reduce its emissions.” It’s a common refrain, but it oversimplifies a complex challenge. Offsets aren’t a loophole or an excuse. They’re a necessary counterpart to decarbonization. The industry must reduce emissions wherever possible and invest in carbon offsets as it does so. And it’s not because tourism needs to “compensate” for what it’s still emitting. It’s because offsets accelerate progress toward net zero. They deliver real, measurable results

Salt marshes are some of the most fascinating yet overlooked coastal landscapes. Stretching between land and sea, these wetlands are alive with movement, from shifting tides and rustling grasses to the calls of wading birds. For travelers wandering boardwalk trails or paddling through tidal creeks, salt marshes offer a different way to experience the coast. These ecosystems shelter wildlife, protect shorelines, filter water, and store large amounts of carbon in their soils. Read on to discover w

Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes are powerful natural climate solutions. These blue carbon habitats capture and store vast amounts of carbon while shielding shorelines, supporting marine biodiversity, and strengthening food security in climate-vulnerable regions. Yet they are disappearing due to development, pollution, and other human activities. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems is critical for both climate action and community resilience. Read on

Coastal ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes do far more than paint a beautiful backdrop for a day by the sea. These blue carbon ecosystems capture and store enormous amounts of carbon, protect shorelines from storms, and support fisheries and tourism around the world. Yet despite the numerous benefits that blue carbon ecosystems bring to people, nature, and the economy, they are among the most threatened ecosystems.  Our world’s blue carbon ecosystems are rapidly shrinking in

Tucked between land and sea, you’ve probably seen blue carbon ecosystems without realizing how important they are. Maybe you’ve kayaked through mangrove tunnels, floated over seagrass meadows, or spotted birds feeding in a salt marsh at low tide.  These blue carbon habitats do far more than set the scene for coastal adventures; they’re among the planet’s hardest-working ecosystems. Together, they absorb a surprising amount of carbon, shelter marine life, and protect coastal communities fro