TRAVEL
How to Find Sustainable, Authentic Ecotourism Travel Experiences Across Canada
Explore a more community-minded, earth-friendly way of travelling.
By Suzanne Morphet | Illustration by Jeannie Phan
Are you looking for a travel experience that benefits the community you want to visit, offers opportunities to learn and minimizes environmental impact? You’re not alone. According to the 2024 Blue Cross Travel Study report, 82 percent of Canadians are interested in this type of travel experience, also known as ecotourism — and 26 percent are planning to take or have already taken an ecotourism trip. But not every experience is created equal. How can you be sure of what you’re signing up for? Read on for helpful guidelines on what to look for when you’re planning your next adventure.
Look for third-party certification An easy way to verify if a travel experience is good for the planet and the community: check for a “stamp of approval” or certification indicating that a company’s offerings have been vetted by a reputable third-party organization. For example, the Canadian organization GreenStep and the global group EarthCheck help tourism businesses measure their environmental impact and recognize progress with badges. Biosphere Sustainable certifies destinations, hotels and businesses, aligning its standards with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s accreditation program, The Original Original, measures everything from sustainability to community engagement and support. You can find The Original Original-certified businesses across the country, including Haida Style Expeditions on Haida Gwaii, EverOutdoor Adventures in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Tikippugut in Nunavut. However, not all certifications mean the same thing. “[There was] one in the past where if you signed up, you got the logo. If you paid, you got a check mark within the logo. And if you actually did [something], the logo changed colour,” says Rachel Dodds, a sustainable/regenerative tourism expert and professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. Do your due diligence to ensure that a business offers verified ecotourism experiences, not just a check mark.
“If [they’re] not mentioning what they’re doing for their local community or the environment, chances are they’re not doing it.”
Dig a little deeper in your research Not all sustainability-minded travel operators will have third-party certification, especially small, seasonal operators. When you’re researching options, Dodds suggests going “one click further” to discover what a company is doing. “If [they’re] not mentioning what they’re doing for their local community or the environment, chances are they’re not doing it.” For example, check to see if the company has policies around waste reduction, buying local and hiring local guides. If you’re unsure, Dodd’s advice is simple: “Ask.” You can also look to trusted organizations such as The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, which collaborates with tourism operators at the forefront of sustainable travel. This includes Eagle-Eye Tours, which organizes birding-focused tours in Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park and Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park, among others. Or search online for companies with solid sustainability track records. Finding the perfect ecotourism experience may not be as straightforward as, say, booking a plane ticket. “There are so many different facets,” says Dodds. Still, she says, the effort is worth it. “You’ll find tons of examples [of] how much we’re improving. I can come up with some amazing experiences... amazing operators that are doing great things.” CAA