4 Tourist Destinations That Feature Innovative Green Communities

By Anica Oaks

Being that the travel industry is now considered the world’s largest industry, carrying with it a multi-trillion dollar annual footprint, this article today covers four top tourist destinations that have gone all the way in providing green communities for their visitors and inhabitants as well.

Florida Keys

Lying just off the mainland of the US, the Florida Keys offers visitors a uniqueness not found in many other destination spots. Offering a therapeutic healing balm of its own, the famous island chain works wonders for the mind, body and soul.

For nearly 120 years, the Keys have openly celebrated a tradition of conservation while at the same time demonstrating its focus of attracting responsible tourism and environmental stewardship while developing the island chain’s future.

Green-focused transportation systems using electric cars and environmental-friendly hybrid fleets of taxi cabs are readily available for hire in Key West proper. These fuel-efficient vehicles get up to 38 miles per gallon, reportedly reducing Key West emissions by 80 percent.

EPCOT Center

Further north up from the Keys, towards the Orlando area, Walt Disney long ago started a green initiative that has been much abandoned by those not interested in keeping the vision of the great “imagineer” intact.

The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) Center, in the heart of Walt Disney World, still keeps the vision of Walt Disney alive in having a futuristic green model community.

Producing high-tech, indoor, hydroponic plant growing techniques that produce Mickey Mouse-shaped veggies, several greenhouses totaling 2.5 million square feet produce much of the food consumed by EPCOT for its habitants and visitors alike.

The Azores

One of the most recognized sustainable green destinations in the world, the Azores ranks high across the board in 100 indicators used by international teams of professional engineers.

Including various aspects of sustainability such as nature, the environment, local identity, culture, tourism, business, local community and security, the Azores press onward developing policies that explore and optimize renewable energy. As such, currently 28 percent of the energy produced stems from renewable resources

There’s no doubt that with quality master’s of electrical engineering degrees from schools such as the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), many more opportunities for further sustainable infrastructure development will emerge.

Mauritius

As small as this island nation is, it launched an initiative to plant 200,000 trees by 2014. With magnificent fishing reserves and marine parks, this Indian Ocean community uses coral-farming programs to counter the loss of fast-eroding reefs.

Depending on where they are on their own selected initiatives on green sustainability, not only these four destinations spots, but others as well, lead the way in green communities for the planet. Some may seem like they are doing more, but even smaller initiatives are not small at all when everyone does something to reduce the carbon footprint on the green and blue planet.

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Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.