The Bahamas Meeting the Growing Demand of Eco-Tourism

With eco-tourism growing up to 34% a year – three times faster than the tourism industry as a whole, The Out Islands of the Bahamas offers eco-friendly hotel and vacation packages to support growing eco-tourism worldwide. Vacationers living an eco-friendly lifestyle confirm this stating that eco-tourism is important to them when they travel.

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improve the welfare of local people.”

Many hotels in the Out Islands of The Bahamas have proactively responded to this increase in awareness and are working to make eco-tourism in The Bahamas a priority. Several hotels have started by offering eco-tours and some have gone further by replacing light bulbs with more energy efficient florescent bulbs to installing solar power systems.

Tiamo Resorts in South Andros, Bahamas, is one of the most earth-kind resorts in the world. Tiamo is the first full service resort utilizing 100% solar energy for its electrical needs. From the initial design and construction of the resort to guest education and their immense community involvement, Tiamo Resorts has received several internationally recognized awards for their contributions to eco-tourism in the Bahama Out Islands.

Peace and Plenty Resorts in Exuma, Bahamas, also has an extensive eco-tourism mission in The Bahamas. They go one step further by educating their employees with an ‘eco’ training program. They also educate their guests by providing information about walking tours of George Town and by hosting two cocktail parties a week were local residents have the chance to make presentations to their guests about Exuma. They also ask guests to buy carbon credits on their website to offset the carbon produced by traveling to Exuma and as well as having a guest rebate program for any guest contributing to the Exuma Foundation, the local 501(c)3 charity that is dedicated to helping Exumian people have a better life.

Powell Pointe Resort at Cape Eleuthera in South Eleuthera, Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort in Long Island, and Hotel Higgins Landings in the Exumas also offer an eco-friendly vacation to travelers. Upcoming improvements are planned for Fernandez Bay Village on Cat Island which currently offers vacationers eco-tours.

To read more on what The Out Islands of The Bahamas offers vacationers living an Eco-friendly lifestyle, visit www.MyOutIslands.com.