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Eco-friendly travel has become one of the fastest growing trends in the tourism industry. With the pressing concern toward protecting the environment, an increasing number of businesses, resorts and ecological parks in the Riviera Maya are adopting environmentally-sustainable practices to preserve Earth’s natural wonders for generations to come.

The increasing number of tourists visiting Cancun and the Riviera Maya has provided great social and economic benefits for Mexico; however, the growth of tourism infrastructure has generated pressure on environmental and social resources of the area.
Here’s why you should opt to stay at an eco-friendly resort on your next vacation.

1- Eco-Friendly Resorts Reduce Environmental Waste

Traveling green is about supporting destinations that work to reduce their ecological footprint. Many resort developments ignore the impact they have on the environment and create massive waste and contamination that destroy the regional flora and fauna. While camping and backpacking on vacation is a good eco-friendly option, it is not for everyone. For tourists accustomed to traveling ‘in style’, it is possible to have an upscale vacation and be environmentally responsible at the same time.

Many luxury resorts are investing in programs, infrastructure, equipment and technology to reduce their environmental impact. Such programs include plant and wildlife management, environmental monitoring, waste management and environmental education.

Hacienda Tres Ríos serves as a model for luxury travel and sustainable tourism. Recently awarded the Leading All-Inclusive Resort and the Leading Green Hotel of Mexico and Central America, the resort used cutting edge technologies to protect the environment in every development stage of the resort; from design, to construction, to operation. It remains actively involved in energy saving, taking part in community projects, reducing utility consumption, recycling and making intelligent use of water. In addition, the resort participates in reforesting, protecting the wildlife, and educating both staff and guests to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle.

2- Eco-Friendly Resorts are Socially Responsible

Sustainable tourism also implies preserving and respecting the local culture and traditions, improving the standard of living of local communities and supporting the development of the local economy. Many green resorts employ local staff and purchase materials native to the region. Other resorts collaborate with nonprofit organizations and agencies for the development of rural communities and preservation of World Heritage Sites, through an economic and technical support agreement. These communities generate new ideas for sustainable development objectives in rural communities in the Yucatan Peninsula.

With the world at our fingertips, we must not let Earth’s natural treasures slip through our fingers; travel responsibly. Choosing to stay at one resort versus another may have a stronger environmental impact than you may imagine.