Ecological tourism not only has arrived, but also is one of the fastest-growing travel fields.
Tourism officials from around the world, gathered recently at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., said the environment is taking center stage everywhere.
The assembly also noted a growing demand by tourists for authenticity, and said responsive tourism is the watchword.
Travelers now have catalogs of vacation ideas based on eco-tourism. For example, Geo Expeditions organized a December trip this month into the rain forests of the Amazon to witness the natural evolutionary growth of the region and the manmade changes that are affecting this environment.
In addition, Geo is featuring 27 easy-to-take expeditions to discover uncommon ecosystems and cultures. For a copy, phone 800-351-5041.
Harp seal tours
Each spring a herd of 250,000 harp seals enters the St. Lawrence River in Canada. Instead of being the targets of hunters, seals have been offering fascinating exploration.
The tours are held in March and include a helicopter ride to the frozen areas where the seals gather to bear their young. For more information, telephone Wildlife Tours in New Brunswick at 506-459-7325.
Anguilla protects wrecks
In Anguilla, wrecks of ships have been sunk to create a new marine ecological system. Nowhere else in the Americas are so many underwater wrecks so close together.
The artificial reefs not only attract divers, but also fish and lobster.
The two-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has created two preserves to provide safe refuge for rare and endangered species. On Barbuda is the largest frigate bird colony in the world, and at Jumby Bay, an Antigua resort, a project is under way to protect the hawksbill sea turtle.
On Islamorada, Fla., Cheeca Lodge won the 1990 Gold Key Environmental Achievement Award for its programs at the resort that include a marine science camp for children. The luxurious resort also offers an underwater snorkel trail and adult programs ranging from canoeing in the Everglades to birdwatching.
Audubon river cruises
The Audubon Society of New York is sponsoring cruises aboard Clipper Adventure Cruises along the Orinoco River, in the Caribbean, the Intracoastal Waterway and Costa Rica. Naturalists will be aboard the small, maneuverable vessels. The programs are part of the Earth Fund, a conservation effort that the Audubon Society recently began. For more information, call 800-932-7849.
Among other firms offering unusual destinations and ecotours are the non- profit Ocean Society Expeditions in San Francisco (telephone 415-441-1106), where travelers go whale watching and visit Amazon rain forests; and Wilderness Travel in Berkeley, Calif., which has produced one of the most colorful catalogs around; telephone 800-247-6700.
Playing it bright in Britain
Interhostel, a study/travel program for those over 50, is offering 15 programs for its 1991 season. Among the programs is one in Bristol and Bath in the southwest of England June 26-July 10. Participants will visit the prehistoric stone structures at Stonehenge, the pub described in ”Treasure Island” and tour Bath with its famed Georgian architecture.
The program, including accommodations, meals, lectures and events, is $1,595 a person; air fare is extra.
For a catalog, write to Interhostel, University of New Hampshire, Continuing Education, Room P, 6 Garrison Ave., Durham, N.H. 03824; or call 800-733-9753 weekdays.
Adults are invited to take courses on topics ranging from Shakespeare, the Middle Ages, the Churchill years or Dickens at a program at Cambridge University in England July 7-20.
Students will live at Emmanuel College. Further information is available from Dr. Joann Painter, Office of Cooperating Colleges, 714 Sassafras St., Erie, Pa. 16501; 814-456-0757.
