The Developing World's Top 10 Ethical Destinations

by Kate Darlington · 2010-07-06 05:57:00 UTC
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As a world traveler and adventure-seeker, I'm always looking for the next hot spot. But as a student of global development and poverty, I've grown wary of many travel opportunities — especially in the Third World. It seems like the chances I'll become an exploitative voyeur, supporting an unjust government with my tourism dollars, is all-too high these days. And with so many destinations to chose from, how in the heck do you figure out where to go?

Well, thanks to Ethical Traveler, a project of the Earth Island Institute, the search for the next adventure has gotten a little bit easier. The organization aims to help adventurers, tourists, travel agencies and outfitters "use our economic power to strengthen human rights and protect the environment" and make travel a positive force in the world. And they just released their annual report, The Developing World's 10 Best Ethical Destinations.

The winners are? (Drumroll, please...) Argentina, Belize, Chile, Ghana, Lithuania, Namibia, Poland, Seychelles, South Africa and Suriname.

According to Ethical Traveler, the top 10 won out over the other 114 developing nations based on their performance in three categories: Environmental Protection, Social Welfare and Human Rights (well, that, plus a prerequisite abundance of natural and cultural attractions for tourists to enjoy).

Some of the choices (like Argentina, Chile and South Africa) have been staples for the developing world traveler for quite some time. But there are also a few underdogs that may come as a surprise. The Seychelles is setting records in land conservation (a full 50% of the country). Suriname won over other South American countries for its unspoiled biodiversity and efforts towards ecotourism. Namibia and Ghana's justly ruled governments won them points. And Lithuania scored high for its freedom of the press.

It's also interesting to see who's missing from the list. For one, you'll notice no Asian countries present. They lost out mostly for their lack of clear environmental policy and for a continued history of human rights abuse and irresponsible development. Unfortunately, Costa Rica (a previous top-ten) got booted this year, thanks to how the country's lately dabbled in sex tourism — in fact, Costa Rica currently rivals Thailand and the Philippines for title of top sex tourism destination. On a happier note, Croatia and Estonia have inched their way up to earn the World Bank's 'High Income Economies' classification, thereby disqualifying them from this year's competition.

Of course, no country is perfect. For example, Ethical Traveler is quick to note vast income disparities in South Africa and anti-gay policies in Belize, Namibia and the Seychelles. And other countries that didn't make the list sill boast many opportunities for tourism that is ethical and sustainable.

But this year's list offers a really helpful starting point for a guilt-free vacation — especially one that goes off the beaten path. What's really important for the conscientious tourist, though, is less where you go, and rather what you do once you get there.  For help figuring out how to be an ethical traveler no matter where you end up, check out these 13 tips on traveling ethically!

Photo Credit: Storeyland

Kate Darlington graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in International Political Economy. Recently, she worked for the Indigenous Fisher Peoples Network in Kenya.
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