A View From the Waterfront: April 2007

27 April 2007

The Building Need for Responsible Travel

Support for responsible travel continues to grow. In Alaska, the cruise ship industry was surprised to see grassroots support of a legislative initiative taxing their passengers to pay for port infrastructure and environmental compliance oversight. Travelers have concerns over the impact their vacations may cause to the environment. I have written several articles on responsible, clean boating including a new edition coming in the Alaska Sea Grant's Seas and Coasts periodical series on the subject.

Jennifer Miner, a fellow writer at Suite 101, just wrote a outstanding article titled Responsible Luxury Travel Plans: Easy Sustainable Tourism can be Part of Leisure Vacations that offers suggestions for the ecologically aware traveler. As Jennifer says, "…disproportionate amounts of nonrenewable natural resources are used for the leisure of luxury travel - can lead to an uncomfortable feeling of guilt. And who needs guilt when taking a well-earned vacation?

Responsible boating and travel are built on a foundation of respect. Respect for the safety of your passengers, respect for coastal communities effected by tourism and most of all respect for the environment. We should be selfish. Protecting our natural lands and waters preserves them for out future enjoyment.