Traveling Sustainably doesn't mean sacrificing luxury

Traveling sustainably doesn't mean sacrificing luxury Twenty years or so ago, the words luxury and sustainable were rarely together. The luxurious taste was more likely to be grand and brash than purposeful and environmentally sensitive. Travel was no exception, and there were no limits to what money (and a large carbon footprint) could buy. As we plunge into a new decade, things are quite different. While luxury travel still exists, there is a growing stream that is looking more at sustainability. In an age where most things are available at the click of a button, luxury is less about “stuff” and more about experiences. It's all about careful craftsmanship, unique cultures, untamed landscapes, and going slow. Today it is more important than ever to make travel count. Whether they're funding vital conservation efforts or invigorating communities, luxury travelers can do their part without compromising on the fun. After all, any experience based on a genuine love for a place, a landscape, or a community will always trump those that don't. Sustainable luxury travel, high-end, low-impact accommodation Luxury accommodations have a significant advantage when it comes to sustainability: exclusivity. Generally speaking, where there are fewer people, there is less damage to the environment. An example of this is the luxury accommodation in Costa Rica. On the Osa Peninsula, where ancient rainforest falls into the wild Pacific, the 1, 000-acre nature reserve of Lapa Ríos hosts just 30 guests at a time: howler monkeys drop by for breakfast and scarlet macaws fly overhead. On the Caribbean coast, the owners of Kasiiya Papagayo are building low-impact bungalows so slowly that nature has time to grow around them. Both pristine landscapes would be at risk of exploitation were it not for the financial support of conscientious travelers. Using high-end, low-impact tourism to finance the protection of an ecosystem and its surrounding community is a proven formula. In South Africa, luxury travel company Beyond's Phinda Private Game Reserve is home to one of the largest black rhino populations in the country thanks to conservation efforts paid for in part by visitors. In Indonesia, the Misool diving resort funds a private marine reserve larger than the five boroughs of New York City combined. Stroll through the ancient olive groves on the Greek island of Ios, and you'll most likely enjoy the conservation efforts of the exclusive Calilo Resort: after buying a quarter of the island, its owners will only develop 1%. And, in Scotland, Wildland's portfolio of lovingly restored properties supports rebuilding efforts across more than 200, 000 acres of mountains, streams, peat bogs, and woodland. Grand conservation projects aren't the only way to make luxury accommodations sustainable. Green energy and sustainable design are financial investments, so high-end properties are well-positioned to take the plunge. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is one of the most sought-after hotels in the Caribbean overlooking the prized palm-fringed sands of Aruba. It is also the greenest; 618 solar panels, energy-saving measures in the room, and an ozone-based laundry system have helped it achieve carbon neutrality. Fans of the city can also get in on the act. In Denmark, Villa Copenhagen's Earth Suite is made from fully recycled materials. In Germany, Aqua Hotel is the world's first high-rise passive house, powered entirely by renewable sources. Five ITC hotels across India are powered by 100% renewable energy, as is Inspira Santa Marta in Lisbon. How to make a sustainable choice Going green is so trendy that everyone wants a piece of the sustainability pie. As welcome as it is, it can lead to a greenwash, where marketing claims overshadow concrete actions. It is more important than ever for travelers to identify who is speaking. Unfortunately, there is no quick win to make a sustainable decision. It's a case of doing your homework and not being afraid to ask questions about missing information. When in doubt, opt for locally owned independent properties, which are often more passionate about the surrounding communities and landscapes. Más información sobre este texto de origenPara obtener más información sobre la traducción, se necesita el texto de origen