In recent years, the impact of tourism on local communities and countries has been under the spotlight. But, as travel bounces back following the pandemic, destinations are committing to a more environmentally and socially responsible future. Those efforts have been captured in a fascinating new documentary series by Sustainable Travel International, which features, among others these six places doing their best to tackle the impact of tourism, in their own way.
Coulibri Ridge, Dominica
Coulibri Ridge is a low-impact luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, where tech and nature work in perfect harmony
(Sustainable Travel International)
Deep in the coastal mountains of the Dominican Republic lies Coulibri Ridge, a low-impact, high-end resort demonstrating perfectly how technology and nature can work in harmony. The island of Hispaniola provides the ideal setting for such a place, surrounded by untouched nature, sprawling rainforest and craggy mountainous landscape with the Atlantic Ocean only moments away.
Before building commenced, the owners considered every detail, taking advantage of natural surroundings and enabling off-grid living, from the way the sun sets to the angle of the mountain. Solar panels harness the sun’s power to store energy for the day, wind turbines generate electricity, and rainwater is collected to provide water for the property. The resort is a beautiful example of how it’s possible to live off-grid whilst helping to build resilience to climate change.
Australia
Reef Magic in Australia’s Tropical North Queensland replant loose coral reef fragments, increasing biodiversity and ensuring greater natural coral coverage for the future
(Sustainable Travel International)
In Australia’s Tropical North Queensland, where rainforest meets the reef, in the only place in the world where two UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites join, a handful of people are paving the way for sustainability. Establishments like Ochre restaurant craft their menus using foraged, regional produce, whilst establishments like Reef Magic lend a helping hand to support the long-term resilience of Moore Reef’s marine ecosystem. When coral fragments become loose, Reef Magic attach them to reef star structures that are then re-planted back into the ocean, increasing biodiversity, bringing back marine life, and increasing natural coral by over 50% in the years to come.
On land, deep in the Daintree rainforest, Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre is also doing its bit for…
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