There is no reason why eco-friendly holidays should be any more expensive than traditional breaks, according to a travel expert.
Jeremy Smith, who co-wrote Rough Guides’ Clean Breaks book, said it is a popular myth that responsible tourism carries higher costs for consumers.
He said that many people believe green holidays will be pricier as food and clothes that have environmentally friendly credentials are often thought to be more expensive.
‘This doesn’t need to be the case at all with tourism,’ Mr Smith commented.
‘Staying in a hotel that is responsible doesn’t mean that it is more expensive. Staying in a homestay can be one of the cheapest ways to travel.’
The writer identified a number of destinations that offer opportunities for eco-tourism, including South Africa, Laos, Costa Rica and Northern Ireland.
Rough Guides’ Clean Breaks book provides information on 500 experiences that benefit local people and communities, from watching the zebra migration in Botswana to riding the train-hotel from Paris to Madrid.