Tourism is the world's largest industry...wow!

Green Money Journal reports gives business the green business. By following the money, we see where power lies...and where sustainable (or green) changes can be made.


Tourism is the world's largest industry, and thus it has worldwide power and impact. So of course, GreenMoney Journal asks how, as travelers, do we make that impact more ecologically and socially responsible? As is the case with all of our spending, we realizing that our travel dollars hold far-reaching market power.

The past few decades have seen the rising popularity of adventure travel, ecotravel, archaeological travel, nature travel, spiritual tours, etc. People are backpacking, biking and using local transport to reach distant corners of the world. Such travel is very participatory and personally nourishing.


Travel can provide personal diplomacy -- breaking down barriers of ignorance, misunderstandings, and distribution of resources. Knowledge can be shared -- knowledge about the value of endangered species and life sustaining technologies and methods of living a simpler, cleaner, greener life.

But air travel, and even ship travel can take a tole on our environment. One way to offset your carbon footstep ;-) is to travel as sustainably as possible.

The Green Hotel Initiative helps you find "green hotels" in which to stay. They practice low-water impact, less laundry, local, organic foods, local hiring, and being good local citizens.

Reality Tours can broaden your knowledge beyond typical R&R of tourism.

Building real person-to-person ties to the people you meet can truly bridge cultural divides and provide you with a way to learn and share information and resources over the years.