Hilton Paris Opera Is First Hotel In European Continent To Recycle Discarded Soap through Clean The World

When Clean the World set out to establish a presence in Europe, the United States-based social enterprise focused on cities where there is a high density of hotel rooms, a dedication to environmentally friendly practices and committed hotel partners. Credit: Hilton Worldwide.

In celebration of Global Handwashing Day Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) and Clean the World today announced that Hilton Paris Opera is the first ever hotel in continental Europe to partner with Clean the World. Hilton Paris Opera will lead the European roll-out of Clean the World by contributing discarded soap and bottled amenities that will be recycled to benefit European citizens who are at risk for hygiene-related illnesses. As the world’s largest soap recycler, Clean the World has contributed to a 30 percent reduction in pre-adolescent deaths from hygiene-related illnesses since 2009. Hilton signed a master agreement with Clean the World earlier this year making it the organization’s largest hotel partner

Voluntourism Adds Exciting And Rewarding Experiences To Vacationing In Costa Rica

Volunteer activities help travelers make a positive impact on society and nature

Traveling to Costa Rica is always an enriching experience thanks to the destination’s wealth of natural and cultural resources. Now with voluntourism — travel that includes volunteer activities for nonprofit organizations — the rewards are even greater, as visitors make a positive impact on the environment, wildlife and local communities.

Regardless of age, experience level or interests, travelers will find an increasingly wide array of interesting and exciting ways to volunteer their time in Costa Rica. It’s a worthwhile way to make any vacation truly memorable.

Considering that Costa Rica is known for its eco-friendly policies, it’s no surprise that many volunteer opportunities focus on the environment. Volunteers can aid in the sustainable management of wildlife, forest resources and other protected areas with the Association of Volunteers for Service in Protected Areas of Costa Rica (AVSO) (http://www.asvocr.org), which plays a key role in Costa Rica’s conservation, investigation and education efforts. Exciting and rewarding service opportunities are available for individuals, organizations and research can be used for college credit or data for ecologically-themed theses.

Also noteworthy is Costas Verdes (www.costasverdes.org), a non-profit organization devoted to protecting the coastal region. Volunteers can help out with the planting of thousands of trees in deforested areas in the Ostional and Playa Hermosa National Wildlife Refuges and they can also help at Costas Verdes’s nursery, which has more than 2,000 trees ready for planting.  

For those interested in the educational value of voluntourism, several interesting opportunities are available from the Tirimbina Rainforest Center (http://www.tirimbina.org/). The volunteer program at the Tirimbina Rainforest Center provides a unique experience for participants in the development of their scientific knowledge of the tropical forest, as they collect data for the center’s long-term research projects and learn about the ecosystem. Volunteers develop skills in collecting and analyzing data, writing reports and can also participate in various activities including tours and educational programs.

The Organization for Tropical Studies (http://www.ots.ac.cr/), a non-profit consortium of nearly 60 universities, colleges and research institutions from around the world also provides educational programs such as undergraduate and graduate study programs in global health, biology and conservation. In Costa Rica, the organization offers individual and corporate volunteer programs that include reforestation projects and activities at any of its three biological research stations, located in three ecologically diverse ecosystems: La Selva Biological Station, in the Caribbean lowland at the northern base of Braulio Carillo National Park; Palo Verde Biological Station, in the northwestern Pacific lowlands; and Las Cruces Biological Station and Wilson Botanical Garden, on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific slope, where an extensive collection of palms, bromeliads and endangered plants are among the beautiful features.

Abundant wildlife is found throughout Costa Rica and voluntourism makes it easy for travelers to help protect the nation’s diverse fauna. Among the organizations that excel in this type of voluntourism is the renowned World Wildlife Fund    (http://www.wwfca.org/nuestro_trabajo/especies/tortugas_marinas/conservacion_playa_junquillal/programa_voluntarios/), which works both at sea and on land with fishermen, tour operators, governments, industries, farmers and urban groups — as well as local and national authorities — to protect the Western Hemisphere’s largest reef. With the organization’s sea turtle conservation project in Junquillal, volunteers can help these magnificent creatures while receiving technical training and enjoying an unforgettable experience in the field. The minimum stay for this project is 15 days, although visitors are able to commit for up to a month in this worthwhile program.

The Osa Conservation Area contains nearly 2.5% of our entire planet’s biodiversity despite its small size. MarViva (http://www.marviva.net/index.php/en/) works hand in hand with local fishermen to offer training and strengthening in the development of programs that will allow them, in a way that is compatible with the marine resource, to make a living from different activities related to tourism and responsible fishing. The foundation also fosters community coastal organization with an emphasis on mangrove management and responsible fishing, in order to achieve the active participation and empowerment of local leaders in spaces for discussion and national harmonization in Marine Spatial Planning.

Situated in Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific region, the Corcovado Foundation (http://www.corcovadofoundation.org/es/programa-conservacion-tortuga-marina.html) plays a leading role in strengthening protected areas, promoting environmental education, adopting responsible travel and encouraging community participation in the sustainable use of natural resources in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica. Their program for the conservation of sea turtles runs from July to mid-December in the Osa peninsula. Volunteers participate in various conservation activities as members of the research team. Activities include night patrols, relocating nests in the nursery, recording scientific data, tagging turtles, monitoring the nursery, construction, exhuming nests and releasing hatchlings.

Travelers who want to experience and volunteer in local communities might want to consider vacationing at a co-op such as CoopeSilencio (http://coopesilencio.blogspot.com/p/volunteer_07.html). Volunteers will be housed with one of the families in the village and will be based at the animal rescue center. There is also the option to volunteer at the dairy farm or teach English to students and adults at the local school. The volunteer program at El Silencio accommodates all ages (from 16 years), backgrounds and abilities.

Caminos de Liderazgo, (http://inogo.stanford.edu/programs/leadership-program?language=en) a program out of Stanford University, develops leadership skills, and creates a tourism offering based on the vibrant culture of the region.  Participants come together to share their vision for their businesses and participated in activities focused on leadership, tourism, sustainability, and culture. The program is a collaboration between local leaders and entrepreneurs, the CRUSA Foundation, INOGO, SINAC and RBA with the support of businesses such as Nature Air, Travel Excellence and Horizontes.  The program will work with about 30 regional leaders to achieve increased prosperity for the inhabitants, their local cultures and biodiversity of the region.

Visitors can also give back by taking stock in Costa Rica’s future. The Integrated System of Art Instruction for Social Inclusion (SIFAIS)  is an educational program located in La Carpio that emphasizes self-worth and community. The educational program promotes the self-advancement and social integration of lower income children through classes in art, sports and trades training. Classes are open to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay and the program accepts volunteers of all levels of expertise.

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is located in Central America between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south; it is bordered on the east by the Caribbean Sea and the west by the Pacific Ocean. With an abundance of unique wildlife, landscapes and climates this small country proudly shelters approximately five percent of the known biodiversity in the world.  In order to protect and preserve its wealth of natural resources, Costa Rica has become a global leader in sustainable practices with protected areas comprising 26 percent of its land mass. With a peaceful spirit, emphasis on education and an economy based on tourism, technology and exportation, Costa Rica offers one of the highest standards of living in Latin America. Visitors to Costa Rica enjoy a highly organized tourism infrastructure among a tropical paradise of lush rainforests, mystical volcanoes and cloud forests and beaches that meet mountains filled with monkeys and macaws. Offering a broad terrain of activities and accommodations, visitors to Costa Rica will find a range of hotel options ranging from small beachside bed & breakfasts to authentic intimate boutique mountain lodges to major international business hotel brands and everything in between. Costa Rica’s accommodations offer something appealing for everyone’s desires. The phrase “Pura Vida” can be heard echoing throughout Costa Rica from coast to coast.  Used as a greeting or expression of happiness, the phrase literally translates to “pure life,” however its true meaning is “full of life,” which accurately describes the adventure and wonder that await visitors. 

About Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)

Established in 1955, the Costa Rica Tourism Board spearheads the vital task of regulating and promoting Costa Rica’s extensive of tourism offerings. The ICT and its partners in the private sector work tirelessly to garner recognition, standardize practices, provide insightful research data and foster cultural development for the country’s coast to coast one-of a kind tourism products and resources.

Vaya Adventures Announces New-for-2015 Bespoke Vacations to Colombia

Vaya Adventures (http://www.vayaadventures.com/), the experts in designing premier bespoke vacations in South America, announces new-for-2015, Vaya-branded itineraries for private travel to Colombia.

“Politically there are very few countries in the world that have been able to turn their nation around as quickly as Colombia has. The same goes for ramping up services and facilities for visitors so that they can begin to enjoy, among others, a biodiversity unrivaled in the world, stunning and intact vestiges of a colonial past and the energy behind a world-class coffee production,” Vaya Adventures founder Jim Lutz says.

Newly-designed guided programs starting at just $2,517 per person (double) for nine days offer what Lutz calls “unparalleled value” for a South American destination. All accommodations and transfers, some meals, guiding, excursions and entrance fees are included in a base rate for diverse tours that offered year-round. Travel dates are flexible to accommodate client requests.

For more details, trip ideas and suggested itineraries please see: http://www.vayaadventures.com/destinations/colombia/

According to Lutz, Colombia holds a unique position and allure in the expanding world of adventure travel.

Colombia is listed (by the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity) as one of the world’s “mega diverse” countries, hosting close to 10% of the planet’s biodiversity. Worldwide, it ranks first in bird and orchid species diversity and second in plants, butterflies, freshwater fishes and amphibians. With 314 types of ecosystems, Colombia possesses a rich complexity of ecological, climatic, biological and ecosystem components. Colombia was ranked as one of the world’s richest countries in aquatic resources, which is explained in part by the fact that the country’s large watersheds feed into the four massive sub-continental basins of the Amazon, Orinoco, Caribbean, Magdalena-Cauca and the Pacific.

Among Colombia tour highlights are:

• Bogota, with cobblestone streets below a panoramic view of this Andean plateau from atop Mount Monserrate (10,341 feet), Botero Museum (founded in 2000 when perhaps South America’s most recognizable artist, Fernando Botero, donated 208 pieces of his art) and the Gold Museum (the world’s most important collection of pre-Colombian gold).
• The pirate history that imbues Cartagena’s stone walls and location on the Caribbean.
• The Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, dedicated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, viewed afoot and from an open-top jeep so guests can brush shoulders with the hard-working, real-life Juan Valdez’s of the world.
• Villa de Leyva, a charming colonial city in the Andes with excellent, off the beaten path hiking options.
• Tayrona National Park, one of the untrammeled gems of the country, on a gorgeous stretch of the Caribbean coast east of Cartagena, where guests can also explore the pre-Hispanic ruins at El Pueblito. 

An itinerary can be as culturally or actively (think hiking and horseback riding) focused as a client prefers, Lutz adds.  Visits here can also be combined with trips to Ecuador for snorkeling with sea lions and to the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu.

Jim Lutz on Colombia
“Colombia is a destination that is still well enough off the beaten path to feel like a real adventure. A lot of things help make travel in this country captivating, and those who have gone describe it as one of the highlights of their personal travels. Perhaps it’s that it feels like stepping back in time, experiencing what travel to South America was like decades ago, before major destinations gained widespread popularity. Colombia missed out on most of the rapid growth in tourism that many other parts of the continent have experienced. That will change, because the country’s troubles have receded far enough into the background that people now feel comfortable traveling here. Now is the right time to visit!”

For more information, trip planning, availability and reservations please visit:http://www.vayaadventures.com or call 800-342-1796.

About Vaya Adventures
Jim Lutz founded Vaya Adventures in 2004 out of a desire to share his passion for South America with others. This private custom-travel company leaves no stone unturned when it comes to understanding the history and culture of the regions its guests visit, thanks to extensive first-hand research and an expansive network of contacts in each destination, including the finest private guides. Vaya Adventures emphasizes accommodations, restaurants, and neighborhoods that reflect the best of the local culture, studiously avoiding the generic, the touristy, and the corporate.  Through low-impact tourism and a sustainable supply chain, Vaya Adventures strives to create a strong positive incentive for the preservation of both historic and natural environments in South America.  Lutz is also President of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, an organization of over 40 companies working to promote conservation and sustainable tourism in the Galapagos Islands.  

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The World’s Best Whale Shark Encounters Just A Short Flight From San Diego With Baja AirVentures

 

 The whale shark which is not a whale at all and only technically a shark is the largest fish on Earth.  This gentle giant can grow up to 60-feet in length all on a diet of algae, plankton, and krill. There are only a handful of places on the planet where they make predictable appearances during certain times of the year and luckily for North Americans, one of the best is but a two and a half hour plane ride from San Diego, CA with Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/).

Observing and, yes, swimming alongside these docile creatures as they slowly feed can for some, be a life-changing experience. Like clockwork each year from August into October, whale sharks averaging 25–40 feet long migrate to the nutrient-rich waters of the Midriff Island region in the Sea of Cortez, home to Las Animas Wilderness Lodge.

Baja AirVentures flies its guests by private air from Brown Field in San Diego to the remote Mexican fishing village of Bahia de los Angeles, population 500. From there, boats shuttle guests another hour south to Las Animas Lodge situated on a private, turquoise cove rimmed by a mile-long crescent beach.

The self-sustaining, solar-powered retreat offers eight well-appointed beachside yurts with in-room solar shower and composting toilet, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread-count linens, and covered patios with hammocks. Lodging is built around a large centrally located palapa with a large attached patio which serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area.

Guests spend up to five hours daily observing and swimming with whale sharks.  While the focus is on snorkeling with these creatures that naturally feed close to the surface, there are also afternoon outings to isolated islands and coves frequented by up to 10 species of whales (including fin and blue whales), as well as dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles and manta rays. Hiking, kayaking, sailing and fishing round out the remainder of the time at Las Animas.

But it is the spectacle of the migrating whale sharks that is the main attraction in the late summer and fall when water temperatures hover between an inviting 80F – 82F.

"There are people who travel the world over looking to snorkel with whale sharks,” says Baja AirVentures founder and president Kevin Warren. “We've had folks who've gone on our trips who also have been to Australia, Philippines, Thailand, and other known places they congregate but had yet the good fortune to swim with them. But here they accomplished that goal. Over the last five consecutive years, every one of our trips had successful encounters."

Bahia de los Angeles, just 300 air miles from San Diego offers the closest whale shark experience to North American shores and is one of the most dependable locations in the world where they make regular, predictable appearances.

Whale sharks can also be encountered during specific times of the year in the waters of Mexico's Yucatan (Isla Holbox), Honduras (Utila), Western Australia (Ningaloo Reef), Belize (Gladden Spit), Philippines (Donsol Bay), Mozambique (Tofo Beach), Seychelles (South Mahé), Thailand (Koh Tao), Maldives (South Ari Atoll), and Galapagos, Ecuador (Puerto Ayora).

Whale sharks live in all tropical and warm temperate seas but roam the oceans generally alone. However, large numbers will gather in areas with abundant plankton making them prime tourist attractions. The distribution of whale sharks indicates the presence of plankton and the overall health of our oceans. Whale shark numbers, however, are dwindling. The animal is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List primarily due to over hunting (its fins can be valuable in the shark finning trade). The naturalist guides of Las Animas are careful to follow certain rules of conduct to minimize any impact on the animals during their interactions in and above water.

Operating year-round as an all-inclusive eco-adventure lodge, Las Animas offers six-day whale shark programs from August into October, departing San Diego on Monday and returning the following Saturday. All-inclusive programs run $2,495 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). The rate includes round-trip flight from San Diego, accommodations, all meals, beverages, guides, equipment and land and boat transportation.

Weeks during the 2014 season that still have good availability include; August 11–16, 25–30, September 1–6, 8–13, 15–20, 22–27, October 6–11, 13–18 and 20–25. For more reservations or details on the whale shark program and tour itineraries, call 1.800.221.9283 or visit:  http://www.bajaairventures.com/BajaWhaleShark.html. For information on any of the other vacation packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please visit: http://www.bajaairventures.com/.

Enjoy this video on whale shark encounters with Baja AirVentures:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkYxEjDZlss#t=24

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TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: The Samana Peninsula Of The Dominican Republic, One Of The Most Bio-Diverse Destinations In The Caribbean, Is An Outstanding Eco-Vacation Destination #GoDomRep

Christopher Columbus landed in the Dominican Republic in 1492 and it became the site of the first European settlement in the Americas and is the home to the first cathedral, castle, and monastery. The Republic occupies 7/8 of the island of Hispaniola, sharing the rest of the island with nation of Haiti.  By both size and population the Dominican Republic is only second to Cuba with 18,705 square miles and approximately 10 million people, 1 million of which live in the capital city of Santa Domingo.

The bio-diversity of the Dominican Republic including having the Caribbean's highest mountain peak, Pico Duarte, and lowest elevation makes it an outstanding Eco-destination. A recent trip afforded us the opportunity to visit the Samana Peninsula to experience some of the many nature friendly experiences offered including a tour of the Los Haitises National Park, a boat ride to Playa Rincon, a horse back ride and hike to the magnificent El Limon Waterfall, and a whale watching excursion.


The Los Haitises National Park is one of the islands main watersheds, a nature preserve covering an area of 1,242 square miles. Boat tours allow visitors to explore the the picturesque tropical rain forest,mangroves, cays and caves. Most impressive is the opportunity to explore the expansive ancient caves used by the Tainos that peacefully occupied the area for hundreds of years before the arrival of the Europeans. Their pre-Colombian drawings and petroglyphs are well preserved for viewing. Some of the caves are also believed to have served as temporary homes for pirates.

For beach lovers we recommend the water taxi, $20 per person or $60 per boat, to Playa Rincon. Playa Rincon has been ranked among the top beaches in the world with gentle waters, soft sand, quiet and a beautiful view of lush mountains in the distance. If you arrive at lunchtime lobster and fresh fish is on the grill, $20, best enjoyed with a Presidente beer.



A visit to the The El Limon Waterfall, one of the most beautiful falls we've experienced in the world, is highly recommended on your visit as long as you are moderately fit for the combination horse ride and hike that takes 30-40 minutes each way. The waterfall drops 130 feet from the top of the Sierra Samana, 1,000 feet above sea level. Be sure to wear your bathing suit for a refreshing swim and bring your camera to capture the magnificent falls and jungle views. Also recommended are Teva-like footwear since the rocks can be slippy.



Every Winter numerous 35-40 ton Humpback Whales come to the sheltered Samana Bay for mating providing an amazing opportunity to observe the males jumping as part of their mating ritual and to see the mothers and calves swimming side-by-side. Yellow flagged boats authorized by the Ministry of Environment observing strict rules provide 3-4 hour educational tours from January 15th through March 30th twice a day, 9am and 3pm. There is also a land observatory at Punta Balandra on the road to Las Galeras, marked by whale ribs at the beginning of the trail. Expect a cost ranging from $65 for a half day to $80 for a full day including lunch in Cayo Levantado.

A visit to nearby Las Terrenas is also recommended. You'll have an opportunity to explore local shops,
enjoy and purchase local art and enjoy local fresh seafood including fresh oysters in the small fish market on
the waterfront. The beach in Las Terrenas runs 5 miles along the northeastern coastline and is known for its
calm waters that are suitable for swimming.

In Las Terrenas we had our best meal in Samana at Porto at the Balcones del Atlantico, the newest luxury resort in the Dominican Republic with spacious Villa Suites featuring gourmet kitchens with Viking and Cuisinart appliances.  Recommended at Porto are their Fish Carpaccio with lemon pepper and olive oil and their grilled Certified Prime Angus Beef over grilled vegetables served with French fries, served with chimichurri sauce.

On our visit we stayed at the exceptional Bannister Hotel in the Puerto Bahia area of Samana, a member of the elite collection of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It features 31 suites, along with kitchens, overlooking the beautiful Samana Bay. The property features a full array of restaurants, tennis courts, gym, swimming pools, and their Ni Spa. A water shuttle is provided for beach access. Their exceptional concierge services can arrange for all of your island excursions.

For more information about visiting the Dominican Republic please visit www.GoDominicanRepublic.com and for the Bannister Hotel, www.thebannisterhotel.com .

Eco-Friendly Vacations In The Caribbean And Costa Rica Starting At $99 A Night

With Earth Day right around the corner, Hilton Worldwide offers travelers a chance to connect with nature and discover the pristine environments of the Caribbean and Costa Rica.  With amazing spring rates starting at US$99* per night, environmentally conscience guests can enjoy an eco-friendly vacation and create lasting memories at the following hotels and resorts.
The best part? Travelers can take their pick of Hilton Worldwide hotels located among some of the top 10 most affordable Caribbean destinations recently highlighted by TripAdvisor TripIndex.  For reservations or further information, visit www.hiltoncaribbean.com/spring-deals.

Guests are in for an invigorating eco-friendly experience while vacationing at the all-inclusive Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa (pictured left) – a Costa Rican paradise.  Nature lovers can enjoy morning walks and sunset hikes on the resort’s two hiking trails, and eco-focused services await at the world-class Spa Vida. For those looking to experience some of the area’s best natural attractions, the resort in Costa Rica offers kayaking and snorkeling at Playa Arenilla where guests may explore and interact with marine life.  With all-inclusive rates starting at $99 per person per night*, visit www.hiltonpapagayoresort.com.

Curaçao is also emerging as an ecotourism hotspot and Hilton Curaçao Resort – (pictured right) is a great choice for travelers looking for earth-friendly offerings and the chance to discover the wonders that exist under the sea. With an on-site diving program, guests can be at one with nature while vacationing at this beachfront resort in Curaçao – now offering the newest rooms on the island following a complete renovation.  Whether it’s diving, kayaking through the exceptional nature of Piscadera Bay or taking a nighttime dive to see corals in their natural vibrant colors emerge out of the sand, Hilton Curaçao Resort offers a memorable encounter with nature. With rates starting at $99 per night, visit www.hiltoncuracaoresort.com.


With an array of destinations to choose from, Hilton Worldwide features hotels and resorts located everywhere from pristine islands to cultural havens and city centers to ecological paradises throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.  Travelers can take advantage of great spring deals at the following hotels:

•  British Colonial Hilton Nassau, The Bahamas – from $99
• Hilton Curaçao Resort – from $99
• Hilton Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – from $99
• Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre - from $99
• Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Jamaica – from $149 per person all-inclusive
• Hilton Barbados Resort – from $179

 Costa Rica:

• Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa - from $99 per person all-inclusive
• DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Central Pacific, Costa Rica – from $89 per person all-inclusive
• Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport, Costa Rica – from $69
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose, Costa Rica - from $99
• Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport, Costa Rica – from $106

 For reservations or further information, visit www.hiltoncaribbean.com/spring-deals.

*All-inclusive rates are per person per night based on double occupancy.  All rates listed are starting rates, subject to availability.  Certain restrictions apply.

Five Tips to Identify Eco-Tourist Attractions That May be Greenwashing

WSPA uses the Cayman Turtle Farm as a case of a losing proposition for animals, conservation 

In recent years, eco-tourism has become a hot buzzword for environmentally minded travelers, but the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) advises tourists to research visitor attractions to ensure they are operating responsibly, keeping in mind the welfare of animals and the environment, and avoid those that are simply greenwashing.

Using the Cayman Turtle Farm as an example, Elizabeth Hogan, oceans and wildlife campaigns manager at WSPA, put together a list of five tips that can help tourists identify when an eco-tourist attraction is not as animal- or environmentally friendly as it claims. The turtle farm is a popular tourist destination in the Cayman Islands that alleges to focus on the conservation and the protection of endangered sea turtles, but also sells them for food and has a poor track record on animal protection issues.

1)      Avoid direct interaction with the animals.

As a general rule, you shouldn’t be touching animals at an eco-tourist attraction. Whether it’s swimming with dolphins or holding sea turtles, this kind of contact with hundreds or thousands of tourists can traumatize the very animals being protected and compromise their health, sometimes in serious ways. Be wary of any eco-tourist attraction that encourages or allows this kind of contact and know it may also pose a health risk for you personally. For example, at the Cayman Turtle Farm, tourists are encouraged to handle the sea turtles, putting themselves at risk of contracting E.coli and salmonella. 

2)      If there is a high entertainment to science ratio, stay away.

Eco-tourist attractions must balance science and entertainment. Unfortunately, some lean too heavily on the latter. If the eco-tourist attraction you’re considering has too much entertainment, such as snorkelling with sea turtles in small artificial ponds as the case at the Cayman Turtle Farm, it may not be paying enough attention to welfare of the animals it’s supposedly protecting and the science of conservation. 

3)      Don’t eat any of the animals supposedly being protected.

Done properly, there’s nothing wrong with farming. But it’s a very different thing than conservation. Any eco-tourist attraction that tries to balance conservation of a species with selling it for meat is caught in a conflict of interest. At the Cayman Turtle Farm, it claims to be helping endangered sea turtles while simultaneously selling sea turtle meat to local restaurants.

4)      Look for what trusted third parties have to say.

Before you visit an attraction, spend a few minutes on the Internet to see what trusted third-party groups have to say.  In the case of the Cayman Turtle Farm, WSPA as well as other animal and conservation groups have expressed concerns about its policies and practices which are online and come up in any search on the farm.

5)      Ask you travel agent, cruise line and hotel concierge lots of questions.

With the four points above in mind, come armed with questions for anyone recommending you visit an eco-tourist attraction. Ask members of the travel industry to investigate the attractions they are promoting and provide proof that the property is operating with animal’s and the environment’s interest at its core. If they can’t answer all of your concerns, look for other animal- and eco-friendly options.  In the case of the Cayman Turtle Farm, WSPA and other groups have met with and encouraged cruise lines visiting the Cayman Islands to stop directing tourists to the farm because of its poor track record with animal welfare issues. 

WSPA says keeping these five simple tips in mind will help environmentally minded travelers avoid eco-tourist attractions that fail to meet industry standards.

“Ultimately people want to do the right thing and eco-tourism sounds good, it feels good, and people like the idea that they are helping make the world a better place while they are on vacation,” added Hogan. “But it’s not that simple. Luckily if you know what to look for it’s fairly easy to spot problem places even if no one tells you.”

To learn more about WSPA’s campaign to end sea turtle cruelty at the Cayman Turtle Farm, visit http://www.StopSeaTurtleFarm.org.

***

About WSPAAt the World Society for the Protection of Animals, we have worked to expose animal cruelty and prevent animal suffering for more than 30 years. Working with individuals, organizations and governments across the globe, our campaigns range from putting animals at the heart of farming to protecting animals in disasters. Consultative status with the United Nations means we have a unique international platform to prove that the lives of animals are inextricably linked to our own, and now more than ever is the time to stop their suffering.

For more information, visit http://www.wspa-usa.org.