Sustainability and travel have a strange relationship.
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On one hand, tourism can drive sustainability initiatives, along with regeneration projects. I’ve covered these in the past, including projects like bio-rock coral restoration sculpture parks in Bali and nature tours in places like the Pantanal in Brazil. When tourists engage with these experiences, they provide funding that supports locals, the initiatives they manage, and the place they call home.
On the other hand, irresponsible tourism compromises the places we love to visit the most. Development in fragile environments often exacerbates existing problems. Hawaii is a well-known example. The island continues to grapple with the environmental and even sociological impacts of tourism, from degradation of beaches to a local housing crisis.
Tourism & sustainability: the Virunga case
As an optimist, I believe that tourism is evolving in the right direction. The more that travelers demand sustainable lodging, tours, and so on, the more the hospitality industry will provide these opportunities.
For example, Congo’s Virunga National Park is home to eight endangered mountain gorilla families. Tourists can get up close to these habitats with an official guide. The money spent on tours directly supports guides and rangers who undo harmful snares and otherwise protect the mountain gorillas from poachers.
It’s a fantastic example of green travel in action—with tourism directly funding anti-poaching initiatives that have proven successful. And this approach is starting to gain global traction, meaning you don’t need to visit Virunga to take part in positive tourism.
If you’re of a similar mind, keep these hotels on your radar in celebration of Earth Month. They’ve got unique programs that help them manage things like water and energy usage, waste, and more.
Green hotels to book in celebration of Earth Month: domestic US hotels
Arlo Washington DC (Washington, DC)
A chic, modern hotel in Northwest with one of DC’s top rooftop bars
- Certifications: LEED-registered, Energy Star-certified kitchen
- Green initiatives: Drip irrigation system that uses 57% less potable water for hotel functions via a rainwater collection system, long and short-term bike rentals, and reduced material consumption thanks to its location inside an 1888 building
Bardessono Hotel & Spa (Yountville, California)
Wellness-oriented hotel in Napa Valley with unique in-room spa setups
- Certifications: LEED-platinum certified, on-site California Certified Organic Farming Garden
- Green initiatives: On-site solar energy collection, in-room climate control sensors, locally sourced ingredients used at the on-site restaurant, and design focused on natural textiles
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection (Miami, Florida)
A beachfront hotel with a swanky poolside bar right in the heart of Miami Beach
- Certifications: Part of EarthView Hotels, LEED-certified, Green Key Global-certified, Green Lodging Designation, & EcoLab Aquanomic laundry program
- Green initiatives: Recycled room keys, water-saving approach to laundry, donations to a turtle conservation program, and participation in the Clean the World program, which recycles unused soap and hygiene products to be repurposed
Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection (Sandestin, Florida)
A luxurious oceanfront resort on the Gulf that’s highly rated by couples
- Certifications: Green Key Global-certified
- Green initiatives: Energy-efficient climate control, LED lighting, irrigation rainwater sensors, no single-use plastics, and participation in soap and hygiene-product reuse programs
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort (Key West, Florida)
A Key West gem with three outdoor pools and lush gardens
- Certifications: N/A
- Green initiatives: Free weekly eco manatee tour, partnership with Reef Relief & eco-friendly Stream2Sea sunblock brand, partnership with Plogging the Keys cleanups, and coordination with local events on days like World Reef Day and World Ocean Day
Wailea Beach Resort (Maui, Hawaii)
Opulent family-friendly resort on Wailea Beach in Waikiki
- Certifications: N/A
- Green initiatives: On-site solar energy collection, partnership with Pathwater to limit single-use plastics, saline pools (instead of chemical-treated pools), low-flow sprinkler heads, drip irrigation systems, and reef-safe skincare from Project Reef
Green hotels to book in celebration of Earth Month: international hotels
Club Med Columbus – Bahamas (San Salvador, Bahamas)
An all-inclusive resort in paradise with five scuba diving walls nearby
- Certifications: Green Globe-certified, BREEAM-certified
- Green initiatives: Reef Rescue and Coral Conservation scuba diving lessons available, partnership with Only Blue for Reef to support marine wildlife, and participation in Happy to Care program to eliminate single-use plastics
El Cielo Resort & Winery (Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico)
Relaxing, Tuscan-style villas surrounded by some of Mexico’s top vineyards
- Certifications: N/A
- Green initiatives: Farm-to-table ingredient sourcing from the area, on-site solar panel energy collection, earth-friendly pesticides used in the vineyards, rainwater collection and irrigation systems used to support migratory birds, and LED lighting to minimize light pollution
Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort (Nayarit, Mexico)
Luxury all-inclusive, adults-only beachfront resort north of Puerto Vallarta
- Certifications: N/A
- Green initiatives: On-site organic farm used for dining across the resort, participation in the local World of Care program, donations to the local Wet Nose Rescue animal rescue group, and donations to a local primary school
Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos (Los Cabos, Mexico)
An elevated resort with plenty of stylish room, suite, and residence options
- Certifications: Green Key-certified, Forbes Responsible Hospitality Badge
- Green initiatives: Energy-saving green rooftops, on-site desalination plant, and elimination of single-use plastics
Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts (Anguilla)
An intimate boutique hotel with swanky amenities like a rooftop pool deck
- Certifications: N/A
- Green initiatives: Powered almost entirely by the on-site Zemi Beach Solar Farm, rainwater collection systems, donations to coral reef restoration projects, and locally sourced seafood
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