More and more travelers are looking for eco-friendly travel destinations that offer both natural beauty and social responsibility. We would like to introduce you to the 10 best eco-friendly travel destinations for 2024

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Eco-friendly vacations are one of the top travel trends for 2024, as more and more travelers try to minimize their impact on the environment while on vacation. Destinations that combine natural beauty and social responsibility are becoming increasingly popular, which is why the famous travel publication Lonely Planet has published its ranking of the most environmentally friendly travel destinations to visit in 2024.

Which countries made the list? Top 10 eco-friendly vacation spots in 2024 and beyond.

Spain

Spain is the world leader in the number of tourists, because the country is rich in culture, nature and a fantastic climate. Currently, the country is actively promoting off-season travel and promoting less-visited areas to attract even more travelers.

At the same time, in order to make tourism in the country more ecological, Spain has set itself a rather ambitious goal - to obtain 75% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and up to 100% by 2050. As part of this program, the country stopped issuing licenses for the development of oil and gas fields, and also closed most of its coal mines and is gradually abandoning nuclear energy.

The main tourist cities of the country - Madrid and Barcelona already actively use alternative sources of electricity and environmentally friendly transport. In particular, El Prat Airport in Barcelona installed solar panels for renewable energy and specially designed glass walls to reduce electricity consumption. Madrid, on the other hand, is actively arranging green areas throughout the city.

The state is also actively promoting ecological tourism, in particular, it has invested funds in the development of ecological transport - it is developing new bicycle paths, electric buses and changing train routes in order to reduce their impact on the environment.

Rules of entry to Spain in the checklist at the link.

Greenland

Previously, such a distant and unknown Greenland is becoming more and more accessible, because in 2024 two new international airports are planned to be launched in the region - one in the capital Nuuk and the other in Ilulissat.

Also, Greenland became the first Arctic country to stop oil and gas exploration. The state plans to focus on renewable sources of electricity and sustainability in mining.

Additionally, Greenland seeks to become self-sufficient by increasing local food production.

Checklist for traveling to Greenland here.

Wales

Wales became one of the first countries in the world to adopt environmental development laws. In particular, the state has currently focused on the construction of ecological transport. Krana is actively building new railway stations. The state also launched the "Wales on Rails" platform, which helps tourists plan a trip to the country by rail.

Interested in a trip to Wales? Entry rules at the link.

Portuguese Way Caminho Portugues de Santiago

The Portuguese Way is a pilgrimage route and a fantastic trail that runs through the territory of Portugal and Spain. Along the 620-kilometer Portuguese Way, tourists can explore historical sites, dine at local restaurants, and socialize with fellow travelers. The views will definitely make you stop to enjoy the beauty of the scenery.

The main advantage is that the accommodation facilities located on the Portuguese Way use ecological methods of saving water, solar energy and promote waste recycling.

A tour of the Portuguese way will be a wonderful part of your trip to Portugal.

Palau

Palau has been popularizing ecological travel for many years, in particular, the country adopted the world's first anti-nuclear constitution back in 1979, and already in 2017, the state leadership obliged international tourists to preserve and protect the islands by law.

This year, the archipelago will reopen to travelers after a long quarantine, the country has developed the world's first initiative to "gamify" responsible tourism. In particular, they plan to reward tourists for eco-friendly vacations – giving points to those who use sunscreen that is safe for reefs, visit culturally important places and eat ecologically clean local food. The winners will be shown the secret places of the inhabitants of the archipelago.

See the link for entry rules to Palau.

Hokkaido, Japan

Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, is a paradise for winter sports and nature lovers. The island occupies 20% of the country's territory, but only 5% of the country's population lives here.

Niseko, a popular city in Hokkaido, has been recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of the best tourist towns, thanks to its emphasis on the environment and the autonomy of its residents. It is also the only Japanese city to join the United Nations' Glasgow Declaration on Climate Change Tourism. Niseko is also trying to use geothermal energy sources for heating buildings.

Checklist for traveling to Japan here.

Ecuador

Ecuador is known for its rainforests, wild rivers, active volcanoes and amazing biodiversity, so the country has a lot to protect. Responsible tourism is already deeply rooted in the culture of the country, because the number of visitors has already been limited, more and more places are being equipped with solar batteries, a new nature reserve and the first airport operating on renewable energy sources have been opened.

For its efforts in the field of sustainable development, Ecuador received the title of "Leading Green Destination in South America" in 2022 and "Leading Green Destination in the World" by the World Travel Awards in 2021.

The country is focused on balanced economic growth and environmental conservation, and the government, hoteliers and local communities cooperate in various ecotourism projects.

Rules of entry to Ecuador at the link.

Patagonia

Patagonia attracts travelers with its fantastic landscapes. In recent years, park management has been involved in new trail development, park expansion, and wildlife restoration projects.

At the end of 2023, the Argentine side opened a planetarium and interpretation center in the park. Chile, on the other hand, is engaged in the revival of cougars, nandu and deer, which are under threat of extinction. A pleasant bonus for travelers will be a solar eclipse that will darken the sky above the park in October 2024.

Patagonia is located on the territory of two South American countries - Chile and Argentina.

Baltic forest trail

Baltic Trails in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is an exciting hiking route that runs through the territory of the Baltic countries. It is part of the great European hiking trail E11, which starts in the Netherlands and ends in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

The 1,060 km long section, known as the Metz Trail, connects Riga with Tallinn. It is in demand among connoisseurs of natural beauty. The route passes through the Scandinavian landscapes of Estonia, the sands of the Curonian Spit in Lithuania and the valley of the Gauja River in Latvia, known for its spectacular autumn foliage.

Find the rules of entry to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on our portal.

Eco-Lodges in South Africa

The beauty of the wild nature of Africa will amaze even experienced travelers. A night camping under the starry sky will surprise every tourist, and a walk next to giraffes and zebras will give memories for a lifetime.

Local houses are exceptionally environmentally friendly, because environmentally friendly materials and renewable energy sources are used in construction. In recent years, they have become increasingly popular, because they allow tourists to immerse themselves in nature, minimizing their impact on the environment.

The checklist will help you plan your trip to South Africa.

The world is full of interesting cities where tourists can enjoy the beauty of nature while minimizing their impact on the environment.

Daria Rogova, Head of Insurance at Visit World

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