logo
Top 6 Destinations with Green Stories to Mark World Environment Day

Top 6 Destinations with Green Stories to Mark World Environment Day

News1804-06-2025
Last Updated:
Let these destinations inspire you to tread more consciously, engage more deeply, and celebrate Mother Earth through every journey you take.
This Environment Day, select journeys that take you beyond greenwashing. We are talking about celebrating unique destinations and experiences that let you be a part of the change. Embrace eco-friendly journeys, empower local communities, and reconnect with nature—one mindful step at a time.
Ras Al Khaimah
In Ras Al Khaimah—the Nature Emirate—adventure and sustainability go hand in hand. The Responsible RAK initiative, in partnership with EarthCheck, unites over 20 tourism businesses and attractions to measure and reduce their environmental footprint. Even adrenaline-fuelled experiences like the Jais Flight, the world's longest zipline, and the Jais Sledder have been seamlessly integrated into the mountain ecology, ensuring minimum impact on nature. The Bear Grylls Explorers Camp—the world's first Bear Grylls-branded accommodation—features 16 recycled cabins, where guests can stay overnight and immerse themselves in nature, trying their hand at mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing. Resorts like Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island are championing zero-waste goals while offering elevated beachfront luxury.
Thailand
If you are seeking a getaway that honours the environment, Thailand—the open-air studio for the upcoming film Jurassic World: Rebirth—invites travellers with its meaningful encounters. At Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, eco-luxury reaches its peak. Nestled between the rainforest and the Andaman Sea, its 54 villas are designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor. The use of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from the on-site Chef's Garden, sustainable drinking water from natural spring flowing from the nearby Naga Mountain through regenerative practices, and low-impact Jurassic Paradise excursion make moments mindful. When you are staying here, you are a part of their efforts to minimise carbon footprint and measures to preserve the ecosystem for future generations, such as plastic-free initiatives. Even Christmas decorations are made of natural and reusable materials, such as coconut shells, driftwood, leaves, and recycled glass bottles.
Seychelles
In Seychelles, sustainability is a way of life. This archipelago of 115 islands has long been a leader in marine and terrestrial conservation, offering travellers a chance to experience nature in its purest form. Explore the underwater world of Sainte Anne Marine National Park, one of the Indian Ocean's first protected marine zones, on a guided snorkeling that also supports reef education and marine stewardship. Across the island, eco-conscious resorts run on solar power, sourced organic produce, and actively support wildlife efforts – from giant tortoise protection to bird habitat restoration. In Seychelles, tropical vacation is about reconnecting with the planet, the ocean, and yourself.
Kenya
In Kenya, sustainability is deeply interwoven into the rhythm of life. Beyond the traditional safari, you will find ways to engage with local communities and nature. At the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and Ol Lentille, community-driven models are making waves while rhino conservation efforts are underway in the Borana Conservancy in the Laikipia area. Stay at Sasaab and Sabache Camp in Samburu, where architectural design draws from local knowledge and sustainable practices—from solar power and rainwater harvesting to supporting indigenous tribes.
Sri Lanka
A journey through Sri Lanka is imbued with vibrant ecosystems and community-led sustainability drives. Your stay at restored tea estate bungalows and heritage properties by Teardrop Hotels is more than what meets the eye. You will experience sublime eco-conscious luxury with the Travelife Gold Certificate. The no-plastic policy, locally sourced ingredients, and on-site gardens ensure nearby farmers, fisheries, and local communities benefit directly from tourism. A highlight is Lunuganga in Bentota, the former estate visionary architect Geoffrey Bawa, where tropical modernism meets the jungle in a poetic union of design and ecology.
Israel
top videos
View all
This country is known for not just advocating sustainability but also living it. Head to the Arava Desert, where Kibbutz Lotan serves as a beacon of eco-conscious and community living. The ecovillage practices permaculture farming, earth-based architecture, and zero-waste construction, offering immersive workshops. Travel deeper into the Negev Desert to visit solar-powered Kibbutz pioneering sustainable agriculture in one of the world's harshest climates. Explore olive groves, stay in eco-lodges made of natural materials, or hike among wildflowers, Israel reminds us that green travel can be enriching.
Let these destinations inspire you to tread more consciously, engage more deeply, and celebrate Mother Earth through every journey you take.
About the Author
Swati Chaturvedi
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl...Read More
The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
cnn-news18 environment environment conservation environment friendly environment news environment protection news18 World Environment day
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 04, 2025, 10:56 IST
News lifestyle » travel Top 6 Destinations with Green Stories to Mark World Environment Day
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

An All-Inclusive Resort for $900 a Night? I Put One to the Test
An All-Inclusive Resort for $900 a Night? I Put One to the Test

Hindustan Times

time14 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

An All-Inclusive Resort for $900 a Night? I Put One to the Test

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico—The phone in my oceanview suite rang at 8:37 a.m. 'Good morning, ma'am, this is Alejandro to tell you your service is in the secret box.' The eggs Benedict, bacon and french toast I ordered were waiting in my private delivery closet, no hefty room-service bill to sign. The night before, a butler drew a bubble bath in the soaking tub on the balcony while I was dining at a French restaurant sans pricey check. It was my first taste of the all-inclusive resort life on steroids. Big U.S. hotel brands like Hyatt and Marriott are betting that affluent travelers will consider these one-price-covers-it-all vacations—often derided as cruises on land—if they promise better food, drinks, service, rooms and pools. The upgrades don't come cheap. Room rates can top $1,000 for two at top-of-the-line resorts. Marriott just opened its first all-inclusive W resort, in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, following last year's debut of its first Marriott-branded, all-inclusive in Cancún. There are even preliminary plans for an all-inclusive Ritz-Carlton. Hyatt is betting big on luxury all-inclusive resorts including Impression Moxché by Secrets in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Hyatt has become a major all-inclusive player in Mexico and the Caribbean thanks to big acquisitions, and now has 10 all-inclusive brands including Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Secrets and Breathless. The company opened its first all-inclusive in Aruba—Secrets Baby Beach—this summer. Of course, all-inclusive can mean many things, as I discovered during my cheapo $129 all-inclusive stay in Las Vegas in June. To size up this crop of newer entrants, I booked a short all-inclusive adventure in Mexico in late July. Tough duty, I know. But it was so hot and humid I didn't need the clothes steamer in the room. The wrinkles just melted away. I spent one night at the Marriott All-Inclusive Cancun ($500 for one, $650 for two) and two nights at Hyatt's top of the line Impression Moxché by Secrets an hour south of Cancún in Playa del Carmen ($900 per night for up to two people), home of the secret box and butler and Hyatt's investor day in 2023. Marriott was all ages; the Hyatt was adults only. Neither resort knew I was a reporter. The real deal All-inclusives and Cancún aren't usually my jam, but I love a sprawling beach resort for a laid-back vacation. Both resorts I tried included, well, just about everything promised. Multiple restaurant options, unlimited drinks, nonstop activities that weren't all cheesy (well, there was bingo and a casino night), spas and, at Secrets, pools galore, including infinity pools with great views and free cabanas. Marriott opened its first branded all-inclusive in Cancún last year. Guests have their choice of beach or infinity pool. The rooms were plush (at Secrets it was the biggest suite I've stayed in) with great views. I listened to pop music covers from my patio and sipped espresso martinis, frozen and straight up. I even danced at a pharmacy-turned-speakeasy at Secrets (before the youngsters arrived.) And I didn't spend a cent extra at either place, except for tips. In other words, these places are the real deal. And they offer real value if you want an upscale getaway where the toughest decision you make is where to eat and sunbathe, and you hate checking out with pages and pages of charges. (Looking at you, resorts with overpriced kids' smoothies, $20 frozen cocktails and $30 poolside burgers, fries extra.) At my swank Secrets tower, there was a nonstop spread of goodies at the lobby bar throughout the day if you wanted a pre-meal snack. On the menu: chia pudding, green juice and pastries in the morning, a charcuterie plate and irresistible chocolate bark later on. My favorite meal of the trip, possibly because of the beachside setting at sunset, was lobster risotto at the Mediterranean restaurant at the Marriott. At the Hyatt, I ate almost exclusively at the two restaurants reserved for guests staying in the high-end Impression tower. (It's nearly double the cost of staying in the other tower and also includes the butler, a private pool with complimentary cabanas and a signature spritz.) I ate my weight in homemade chips, guacamole and pico de gallo and enjoyed the shrimp ceviche and mini lobster roll. A quibble or two Not that there weren't upsells, though nothing like I've seen on cruise ships. The Marriott's lobby had an 'elevated experiences information desk.' It offered romantic dinners on the beach and mescal tastings. Hyatt offered a seven-course tasting menu at its AAA Five Diamond restaurant for an extra $75 per person unless you were staying more than five days. Dreamy views from my oceanview suite at Impression Moxché by Secrets in Playa Del Carmen. But there were more than enough complimentary choices for every meal and snack plus free room service. There's a 24-hour outlet at the Marriott that doubles as the morning coffee and pastry shop and nighttime pizza go-to. There were things to critique. The daytime butler at Secrets wasn't at our beck and call all day except through WhatsApp and started at 9 a.m. not 7 as advertised. (Another guest from Illinois had the opposite experience; she said her butler was always around.) The fully stocked minibars weren't all they're cracked up to be. Just a few cans of beer, soda and grocery-store snacks. The morning grab-and-go spread in the lobby at Impression Moxché; a beachside filet and lobster risotto at Marriott All-Inclusive Cancun. I was particularly disappointed in the wine list at Impression by Secrets, a hotel-within-a-hotel that is ranked as high as Park Hyatt in Hyatt's loyalty program hierarchy. I opened the lunch menu on the first day to find every wine had a price tag. The upcharges weren't exorbitant but it felt like nickel and diming. What was free: house wine like you would find at your neighborhood happy hour. The Sauvignon Blanc from Chile wasn't bad, just not the quality I expected—and I'm no wine snob. These are, admittedly, first-world problems. And what I'll really remember are the rooms, the views, the pools and service, especially at Secrets. I don't know what kind of training employees receive, but almost every request was met with 'my pleasure,' 'a pleasure' or 'with pleasure.' Lost? An employee doesn't just talk but walks you there. They remember your name, even on a short stay. The best part: no sticker shock at check out. I got more than my (company's) money's worth. Call me an all-inclusive convert—with the right amount of pampering. Write to Dawn Gilbertson at An All-Inclusive Resort for $900 a Night? I Put One to the Test An All-Inclusive Resort for $900 a Night? I Put One to the Test An All-Inclusive Resort for $900 a Night? I Put One to the Test

IHCL inks 120-key Taj in Himachals Naina Tikker
IHCL inks 120-key Taj in Himachals Naina Tikker

News18

time7 days ago

  • News18

IHCL inks 120-key Taj in Himachals Naina Tikker

Agency: PTI Mumbai, Jul 31 (PTI) Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) on Thursday announced the signing of a 120-key Taj-branded hotel in Naina Tikker in Himachal Pradesh. This is a brownfield project, IHCL said in a statement. 'Naina Tikker represents a unique opportunity for the Taj brand to mark its presence in a relatively unexplored part of Himachal Pradesh. 'This addition strengthens IHCL's presence in the region, enabling a travel circuit across Chandigarh, Chail, Theog, and Dehradun. We are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Micro Turners Group," Suma Venkatesh, IHCL Executive Vice President – Real Estate and Development, said. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 13 hotels in Himachal Pradesh, including eight under development. PTI SM SHW First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Nature Conservation Day 2025: A New Era of Responsible Travel
Nature Conservation Day 2025: A New Era of Responsible Travel

News18

time28-07-2025

  • News18

Nature Conservation Day 2025: A New Era of Responsible Travel

Last Updated: On Nature Conservation Day, we spotlight destinations redefining luxury through sustainability. In 2025, travel isn't just about bucket lists and passport stamps. It's about purpose, preservation, and planet. As climate concerns deepen and travellers grow more conscious, the tourism industry is undergoing a quiet but radical transformation, one that puts nature at the centre of the journey, not just the view from your suite. On Nature Conservation Day, we explore how a new wave of destinations is prioritising sustainable, regenerative tourism, not as a seasonal slogan but a long-term ethos. Tucked between the Hajar mountains, desert dunes, and 68 km of pristine coastline, Ras Al Khaimah is redefining tourism in the Gulf. This emirate isn't just showcasing its ecological diversity—it's preserving it. 'Ras Al Khaimah is blessed with mountains, desert, mangroves, and coastline—making nature central to everything we do," shares Iyad Rasbey, Vice President of Destination Tourism Development at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). 'Sustainability isn't just part of our story it is our story." The emirate's Balanced Tourism strategy has already earned it the distinction of being the first destination in the Middle East to achieve EarthCheck's Silver Certification. Initiatives like Responsible RAK empower local businesses to adopt greener practices, with many on track for Gold Certification. Experiences here from kayaking through mangroves to hiking ancient mountain trails—are designed to deepen respect for nature. Attractions like the Suwaidi Pearl Farm not only preserve heritage but promote eco-education, offering travellers a glimpse into traditional pearl diving with minimal environmental impact. Thailand's Hidden Jewel: Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve For the team at Phulay Bay in Krabi, sustainability is second nature. This ultra-luxury resort nestled between the Andaman Sea and Krabi's limestone cliffs has been plastic-free since 2017 and sources drinking water from natural mountain springs. 'At Phulay Bay, nature isn't just the backdrop, it's the soul of our sanctuary," says Vidya Sagar, General Manager. 'We believe in beauty through sustainability." From beeswax wraps and bamboo straws to holiday decorations made from coconut shells and driftwood, every detail reflects eco-conscious elegance. Guests can engage with local communities through educational initiatives or visit the Krabi Elephant Sanctuary, where ethical interactions support wildlife rehabilitation. Their approach, known as the Good Travel philosophy, invites guests to experience Thailand's culture and biodiversity from mangrove kayaking to longtail boat rides—with mindfulness and intention. If there's a model for how science, policy, and tradition can work in harmony, it's Seychelles. This archipelago has woven conservation into the very fabric of its national identity. From protecting nearly a third of its marine territory to rewilding efforts like reintroducing Aldabra giant tortoises and restoring Wright's gardenia, Seychelles is proving that small islands can lead big change. It recently became home to Africa's first land-based coral aquaculture facility, pioneering climate-resilient reef restoration through micro-fragmentation techniques. This isn't a temporary campaign; it's a way of life that secures biodiversity for generations. A Global Shift in Travel Values According to Lubaina Sheerazi, CEO and Co-Founder of BRANDit, the industry-wide pivot is not just encouraging it's transformative. 'Destinations and hotels are now assessing success not just on luxury or scale, but on sustainability and stewardship," she explains. 'Nature is at the heart of travel experiences not an afterthought." Driven by conscious travellers and forward-thinking operators, today's tourism champions regenerative principles, community inclusion, and ecological awareness. It's a far cry from tourism trends of the past and it's here to stay. top videos View all The Future of Travel Is Rooted in Nature As travellers around the world seek more meaningful, mindful escapes, the message is clear: the planet is the destination. Whether it's snorkelling off a protected reef, hiking untouched trails, or learning indigenous traditions from local custodians, the most unforgettable journeys are now those that leave the lightest footprint. Because when tourism follows nature's lead, we don't just explore the world, we protect it. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 28, 2025, 15:02 IST News lifestyle » travel Nature Conservation Day 2025: A New Era of Responsible Travel Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store