TRAVEL WITH CARE TO CONSERVE

In the wake of Extinction Rebellion, the impending global warming crisis and now Covid-19, responsible travellers are predicted to fly less and take more care in choosing the nature of their holiday. They should weigh up the carbon emissions caused by their flights with the important benefits accruing to the chosen destination and its people – and the planet in general.

From the sad evidence seen since Covid-19 halted travel, it is clear that natural history tourism is vital for wildlife conservation and preservation of ever dwindling wilderness. By choosing to fly to Madagascar in 2021, stay in a small jungle lodge and walk the rainforest trails in the nearby national park, travellers will provide renewed revenue for local employment and various conservation projects. National park entrance fees support park infrastructure and rangers to control poaching and illegal logging. The lemurs depend on us.

By showing that wildlife is worth more alive than dead, locals learn to value their natural heritage and are incentivised to retain it. Landowners soon appreciate that intact wilderness attracts guests willing to pay good rates for the privilege of seeing species in the wild. Numbers of guests are small and thus have a low impact on the environment. They return home determined to help maintain what they have seen so that future generations can also enjoy the natural environment.

Humans have damaged the natural world to such an extent that now it is imperative to preserve what remains: wildlife tourism makes a huge contribution to that effort. So when you ponder your next holiday, keep to the fore the resulting benefits to the planet and choose with care.

Reef & Rainforest has been designing tailor-made natural history holidays for over 30 years. We have observed countless examples of the positive benefits of our kind of trips and urge you to try one to see for yourself. Call 01803 866965 to speak to one of our consultants, visit our website at www.reefandrainforest.co.uk or email us on mail@reefandrainforest.co.uk