Inspired by the global movement to combat climate change and protect the planet, environmentally-conscious travelers are ditching traditional holidays in favour of trips with an eco-tourism flavour.
That’s the view of Debora Kocak, one of the co-founders of Australian-based coral restoration organisation Hiri, which has recently launched internships for people wanting to do their bit to help save the planet, while experiencing a different lifestyle and culture.
Hiri works with communities throughout the Pacific, educating them about coral gardening and raising awareness of the importance of coral reefs. The company also uses coral gardening techniques to help replenish areas affected by overfishing or other damage.
A survey this year by travel booking site booking.com revealed 70 per cent of travelers would be more likely to book accommodation knowing it was ecofriendly, 62 per cent would feel better about staying in accommodation with an eco-label, and 71 per cent felt companies should offer consumers more sustainable travel choices.
Kocak, who juggles her work with Hiri alongside studying at Bond University on the Gold Coast, said there had been a definite shift in trends among holidaymakers.
“A lot of people are more interested in actually doing something with their holiday that is more meaningful and impactful in some shape or form, so we give people the opportunity to not only have a nice holiday but also do something to give back to a community or save the planet in some little way.”
“A lot of people are more interested in actually doing something with their holiday that is more meaningful and impactful in some shape or form, so we give people the opportunity to not only have a nice holiday but also do something to give back to a community or save the planet in some little way.”
Hiri was offering the chance for holidaymakers who wanted to make a difference to come along with them on one of the company’s coral restoration trips.
“You get to go with us to a village, or to a community and we run them through the whole process of reforestation, so it’ll be from A to Z learning, everything to do with the importance of coral reefs, all the way through to the planting process,” Kocak said.
Seb Thomas, who travelled with Hiri earlier this year to Tubusereia in Papua New Guinea, said the internship was a chance for him to give back.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the Pacific, and I’ve wanted to be a conscious traveler. Often when we go travelling, we forget about sustainability and we consume a lot, I’ve done a lot of travelling but I wanted to give back as well.”
Kocak felt Hiri’s message was particularly relevant at a time where global strikes against climate change and media coverage of environmental advocate Greta Thunberg’s appearance at the United Nations climate summit had struck a chord with the public.
Tags: Hiri
