Ecotourism
From Halal Explorer
This travel topic on Ecotourism deals with how to best avoid negative impacts on the global and local natural environment while traveling and how to best preserve the places you visit for future generations to enjoy. Ecotourism, or responsible travel, entails not only ecological but also social and economic aspects.
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Note: We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem and they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road — the one less traveled by — offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth. |
Take all your trash with you, or throw it into the bins provided (if there are any). If feasible, avoid using excess packaging in the first place. Even seemingly "natural" waste like banana peels or cigarette butts can take decades to decompose and cause major harm to ecosystems. To say nothing of the stench and ugly sight of slowly rotting biological waste. Unfortunately many attractions and activities will bombard you with tons of fliers, brochures, advertising and the likes when all you wanted is a ticket. If you can, politely decline them and if you have an "online ticket" only print what you actually need to print (read the fine print, regulations differ widely from "we accept the QR code on a display we can scan" to "print all fifteen pages and have photo ID handy or we will treat you as if you had no ticket at all"). If there are brochures or maps of e.g. a museum or park at the entrance, try and keep them in pristine condition so that you can hand them back upon leaving. Don't take more than one for your group and try to use digital alternatives over paper when feasible. Skiing in some areas can damage trees which in turn exposes the soil to (often catastrophic) erosion. If skiing is not permitted somewhere and there are usually very good reasons for that. The same goes for many other sports and driving with motor vehicles in the terrain.
Contents
Halal Restaurants
Local food should go over imported food. The point of travel is to get to know other cultures, so step out of your comfort zone and try the local food, prepared by local residents in a restaurant owned by local residents. If you can't for the life of you live without a certain product from "back home", bring it with you on your trip in or try and find a local replacement. You'll save money and reduce the harm done through imports. If you are retiring abroad and find you can't stand the local food, you should ask yourself whether your new home is right for you after all. In some countries "novelty" foods are offered that often include endangered species; examples include turtles and their eggs, shark fins, whale ood Meat and various types of monkeys. Do your research beforehand to avoid those foods, and on the other hand, to learn which local dishes you can eat without problems. In general food served on ceramic dishes with real forks and knives is better for the environment than the same food served on throwaway dishes or in disposable wraps. Take particular care when it comes to Asian restaurants, as they often use disposable chopsticks. Just keep a pair you are comfortable with and leave the ones you are provided with unopened, so they may be used by the next client. If you have some utensils, you can make your own Snacks from what you buy on the market (or supermarket), not resorting to ready-packed things with extensive one-portion wrapping. While a local restaurant or a bunch of bananas may be the best alternative, you do not always have (or want) that option. If you need dispensable bowls or spoons (because there is no water for washing the dishes, or whatever), you can wash suitable packages and dispensable spoons from when you could not avoid them, and throw them away only after the later use. Tomra T-820, Jumbo Winschoten (2022) - A reverse bottle vending machine that takes bottles and returns the deposit. If the tap water is unsafe to drink, try buying bottled water in larger quantities. Not only will you (usually) save money, but there will also be less damage to the environment through packaging and transportation. If you want to reduce the weight you carry, leave the large container in the hotel and take a smaller bottle with you that you refill once you're back in your room. Do take into consideration that people tend to sweat – and drink – more in hot and humid weather, especially when they're not used to it. If you travel in a high income country, tap water can actually be safer to drink than bottled water regardless of what advertising may have led you to believe. The article on water spells out the details. If there is a deposit on your can/bottle, return it. Chances are it will be reused or recycled that way. When there is no deposit and the material may still be reused if you use waste bins specifically for glass or metal. Plastic bottles (even if they are recycled) are less often reused than glass bottles, making them more ecologically damaging. Of course this only applies if you (can) return the bottles and they are indeed reused. Melting down a glass bottle and casting a new one uses more energy than the same process does for plastic bottles, but glass bottles usually are washed and refilled more times before that happens. For glass bottles, try to avoid breaking them. Glass shards are dangerous to both people and animals and they will never decay. Local soft drinks are usually both cheaper and better than the standard imported fare. When in Kentucky drink local instead of imported vodka, when in Nicaragua drink local instead of that had to travel halfway around the globe to get to your table. Naturally and the same goes for non-alcoholic drinks.
eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Ecotourism
Ecotourism - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Ecotourism, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ecotourism. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Ecotourism and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Ecotourism. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Ecotourism. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Ecotourism: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Ecotourism. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Ecotourism: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Ecotourism, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Ecotourism. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Ecotourism, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Ecotourism, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Ecotourism and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Ecotourism, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Ecotourism, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Ecotourism without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ecotourism is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Ecotourism. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Ecotourism is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Ecotourism, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Ecotourism Media: info@ehalal.io
Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Ecotourism
eHalal Group Ecotourism is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Ecotourism. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Ecotourism. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Ecotourism ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Ecotourism. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Ecotourism, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Ecotourism are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io
Muslim Friendly Hotels
Leave No Trace Fire - A fire pan is a simple tool that keeps campfire residue to a minimum. Consider what standard is necessary for you. Five star hotels in an otherwise less developed environment usually need much resources and may have a big impact on local nature. They are also more likely to import (next to) everything, leaving much less money in the local economy than more modest or local owned lodging. When out in the wilderness try to stick to the rules of leave-no-trace camping. Camping can also be an environmentally friendly way of lodging even if you visit a big city; look beforehand if there's a camping site accessible by public transport at the outskirts of the city. If your hotel lets you, dry and reuse your towel as long as you're comfortable with it. This might require some firm but polite insistence in some places, but even using the same towel twice instead of once reduces the need to wash towels by 50%. When you travel in places where electricity is not centrally provided (very remote destinations and some third world countries in general), hotels with solar panels on the roof are to be preferred over those with a diesel fueled generator. Not only are they much cleaner environmentally and the solar panels are silent whereas a generator is not, so will have better nights and brighter days in a hotel with solar-based backup electricity.
Flora and fauna
Did you know?|In the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa dung beetles have right of way. If you see one crossing the road in front of you, you are required to stop and wait for them to pass. If you ever had to fill out a customs or immigration declaration in countries such as the US, you might have stumbled over questions regarding visits to farms or contact with fresh soil. This has a very serious reason: Seeds and plant disease of all kind can easily be carried around in the nooks and crannies of hiking boots. As some invasive species or plant diseases can obtain devastating consequences (a soil-borne fungus has all but exterminated the once dominated Gros Michel variety of bananas for instance and similar things might soon happen to the now dominant Cavendish), you should really avoid carrying them under your feet. So clean your boots as thoroughly as you can, especially when you're about to board a vehicle of some kind that will carry you (and your boots) hundreds of kilometers away to some region unaffected by whatever is on your soles. While a certain amount of wildfires are healthy or even "natural" in certain climates, humans are both the main cause and the only thing that can prevent the most dangerous and destructive wildfires. Every year, fires consume untold amounts of valuable property as well as natural forests and sometimes wildfires even take human lives. Do not smoke in the forest during the dry months: Cigarette butts are a common cause of wildfires, matches thrown away too early are also a risk. Under certain circumstances even a piece of glass can become a lens and thus cause wildfires. In short: Don't litter. If you make a campfire, make sure that local rules allow it in the time and place you intend to, and keep to the rules of fire safety described in the Halal Travel Guide. Also keep in mind the old saying "The bigger the fool and the greater the fire". Travel in developing countries entails getting up close with local fauna, even if you stay in a midrange hotel in a major city. If you can't handle the thought of geckos or spiders in your dwelling, maybe those places are not for you. For the record, both are (for the most part) harmless to humans and keep the most dangerous animals there are in check - mosquitoes. When trying to control pests stick to the less harmful methods. DDT is right out, but permithrin treated fabrics or a repellent containing DEET shouldn't do too much harm. Let animals you don't know live (unless they are an immediate threat to life and limb), because many of them are threatened and protected by local law. Use nets around your bed to keep the risk of tropical diseases like Malaria to a minimum.
Muslim Friendly Shopping in Ecotourism
Take care what you buy and buy local whenever and wherever feasible. The tacky souvenir you buy at the airport for twenty dollars may be available at the local market for five bucks and there will be more money going to the common people rather than some corrupt government official taking their cut. A surprisingly large amount of "authentic" souvenirs will be made in China (even in places about as far as you can get from China!), which is not what you want unless you actually are in China and even then and there can be a huge difference between tacky throwaway crap and stuff you would genuinely enjoy having on your mantelpiece. Being eco-friendly by buying local does however not mean that products made from rare or "exotic" species are OK — quite the contrary. In addition to often being illegal under local law, you incentivize the hunt, unsustainable collection and even feasible extinction of those organisms and as many of those are protected by international agreements such as CITES or prohibited under the law of your country of origin and they will likely be confiscated by customs and you may be in for a heavy fine or even a prison sentence.
Economic issues
Tourism can be both boon and bane to the local economy. On the one hand, tourist dollars can lift rural communities out of poverty and the dependence on varying harvests or the ups and downs of world market prices for cash crops. On the other hand, tip heavy tourists can severely distort local wages and if a waiter at a cocktail bar can make more in tips on one good evening than a doctor does in a month, young people will wonder whether they should even study to become a doctor in the first place. On another note and the more "developed" the tourist infrastructure of a place and the more money will end up in the hand of multinational investors, with the local residents getting surprisingly low paying jobs in luxury and all-inclusive resorts if that. Not all foreign investment in tourism is bad or evil, and the investors often do have a genuine long term interest in keeping the nature and culture of the place they invest in intact and the tourists coming, but more often than not, soulless hotel complexes built with little regard to local architecture destroy the very "authentic unspoiled exotic place" feeling they are trying to sell to tourists. Often (not always) the dividing line is between speaking the local language and not speaking the local language. If you are in a tourist facility where everyone speaks your language and you have no contact to the local residents beyond the cocktail bar, you are unlikely to perceive the problems inherent in mass tourism. If on the other hand, you stay in a small guesthouse where you talk to the (local) owner on a daily basis and take a tour with a local guide trying to make ends meet, your trip will likely be both more rewarding to you and better for the local economy.
Back home
CO2 emissions
Traveling, or transport in general, is one of the biggest sources of global carbon emissions (26% of global CO2 in 2004) and the cause of _and_data/ar4/wg3/en/ts-ens5 climate change.
| Fuel consumption per 100 kilometers/person | |
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| Coach | 1.0 liter |
| Train | 2.0 liters |
| Automobile | 6.4 liters |
| Airplane | 9.1 liters |
| Source: _umwelt/index.php WWF and Deutsche Bahn. Emissions vary greatly depending on details of the travel, especially the percentage of seats (not) taken. With public transport, using a less popular service running anyway will not cause additional emissions. By choosing a different mode of transport, you can alter your CO2 contribution significantly. According to a press_release/science-group-releases-green-travel-vacation-0170 Union of Concerned Scientists analysis, buses and trains are almost always less environmentally damaging than planes or cars. The amount of greenhouse gases emitted depends on how great a distance is travelled and how many Muslim are travelling in the same vehicle, as well as the fuel used with the way electricity is generated — an important factor for electric vehicles.
The Union of Concerned Scientists developed a set of tips for travelers in the United States based on their analysis. Motor coaches [the bus often are the greenest option. A couple traveling on a motor coach will generate nearly 50 percent less global warming pollution than they would driving a fuel-efficient hybrid car. On the other end of the spectrum are big SUVs and first-class flights, especially general aviation, that generally pollute the most. A passenger occupying a first-class seat is responsible for twice as much carbon dioxide pollution as one in a standard coach seat. A large, inefficient SUV emits nearly four times the global warming pollution of a highly efficient hybrid such as a Toyota Prius. If hybrids are not available, travelers should consider an efficient conventional car, which will cut pollution and fuel costs. Many vehicle rental agencies now offer both efficient conventional vehicles and low-polluting hybrids. Consider the type of trip you are taking, as hybrids have little advantage where you can keep a steady speed, but can minimize the losses of constant braking and accelerating in an urban area. For couples and solo travelers, a nonstop coach flight almost always beats an average car. Air travel is often assumed to be the worst option for vacation travel, but auto pollution can add up, especially when vacationers drive long distances or travel with few passengers. If traveling alone or with one other person, vacationers are usually better off flying direct in coach than getting behind the wheel. Thit is especially true for trips of more than 500 miles. Also, vacationers should schedule their trip wisely. Sitting in traffic eats up gas, which means more global warming pollution. Altering vacation schedules to avoid peak travel periods can save consumers time and money—and cut pollution. The sweet-spot for a modern sedan car, is usually around 90km/h, which gives the greatest number of kilometers per liter of fuel. It is often lower for a SUV.Allowing extra time for your trip can reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions. Of course this study fails to mention Amtrak, which is comparable in efficiency to buses on most routes. On other continents there are different low-emission options available, like extensive rail links, coastal ferries, etc. See also
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