See the Planet, Save the Planet

Some of you have written to ask: Is sustainable travel, also known as eco-tourism, a contradiction in terms? Christina Cavaliere doesn't think so. The Dupont Circle resident, 30, has studied tribal forestry in Ecuador, taught English in Thailand, worked on a farm in Costa Rica and earned a master's degree in tourism and sustainable development in Australia -- not to mention her time spent traveling in Cambodia, Ghana, India, France and other countries.

Now, as director of training and education for the International Ecotourism Society -- a D.C.-based organization devoted to promoting sustainable travel -- she hopscotches around the globe working to make the industry greener. We talked with Cavaliere to find out how to travel light -- on the planet, that is.

How do you define eco-tourism?

Eco-tourism is responsible travel to natural areas or nature-based areas that conserves the environment and preserves the well-being of local people.

As with all things "green," eco-tourism experiences aren't always as planet-sensitive as they make themselves out to be. How can someone tell the difference?

There are certain things you can look at:

• Is a hotel minimizing impact in any way that they can: green building, conservation of resources such as water? Look at the built environment and cultural awareness and respect.
• See if the local community is employed at multiple levels: not just housekeepers and cooks, but management positions.
• Is the built environment marrying and matching with the natural environment, or is it obviously not a sustainably built dwelling?
• Does it provide a positive experience? Is there a direct cultural or environmental interpretation or educational experience? That's an important part of being sustainable.
• Does it provide direct financial empowerment of the local community? It should be easy to find out or see. How sensitive is it to the host country's political, environmental and social climate?

Some argue that no travel to delicate and endangered ecosystems can really be called sustainable.