25 Places Plotting A Greener Future

While travel’s on hold, enlightened destinations are looking towards more responsible forms of tourism. We look at those vowing to build back better…

- Holly Tuppen

1 Arizona adventure hub puts residents first

USA

The small city of Sedona, which sits amid Arizona’s spectacular buttes, canyons and pine forests, had the classic problem of many similar tourism gateways: horrendous over-crowding during peak season. But since 2019, it has worked with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council to establish how residents and visitors can co-exist. The plan includes no-fly zones over residential areas for helicopter tours, improving walking-and-cycling routes and traffic flow, and better public transport. It also features the Sedona Cares Pledge, which asks tourists to be mindful of their noise, leave no trace, minimise water use and be caring and considerate at all times. visitsedona.com/sustainable-tourism-plan

2 Okanagan goes organic

CANADA

The laidback Okanagan Valley is often overlooked in favour of British Columbia’s showier headline acts like the Rockies and Vancouver Island. But that’s missing a trick. This landscape of furrowed canyons, dense forest and semi-desert grasslands protects some of Canada’s most fragile biodiversity. Also, the region has long championed responsible tourism that works alongside communities, supporting local makers and producers along the way. The Okanagan is Canada’s primary wine-producing region and, in 2021, will be home to the largest percentage of organic wines in the world. At wineries such as Cedar Creek, which makes 27 organic wines, foraging and tasting experiences help visitors understand the organic transition. cedarcreek.bc.ca; hellobc.com

3 Tourist dollars stay local

COLOMBIA