As 2020 became the year of staying put—when we watched jellyfish glide through newly transparent Venetian canals and wild goats annex empty Welsh streets—leaders in sustainable travel came to a realization: “If there is a positive effect from the pandemic, it is our collective human perception of our impacts and what we can and must do as a society to respond,” says Gregory Miller, executive director of the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST).
But even pre-pandemic, we had reached an inflection point in the rise of sustainable travel: According to a survey cited in CREST’s 2019 report, 70 percent of global travelers were likelier to book accommodations they know to be eco-friendly.
So if the stats are any indication, you’re probably looking for ways to minimize your footprint as you venture back out into the world. The eco-friendly hotels, resorts, lodges, and glamping sites you’ll find here are perfect Earth Day inspiration.