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Plan Your Perfect Green Honeymoon

You care deeply about making sure every part of your wedding is sustainable and eco-friendly… so, why not your honeymoon, too? Eco-conscious tourism is on the rise, and that means planning a “green” vacation isn’t nearly as difficult as it used to be. What is “eco-conscious tourism,” exactly – and why is it so important?

Australia’s Ayers Rock receives more than 300,000 visitors annually, wreaking environmental havoc on the sacred site.

Ayers Rock, one of Australia’s best-known natural wonders, receives more than 300,000 visitors per year. Millions of years old, this ancient red rock is considered a sacred site by the indigenous Anangu people, and its unique rock paintings make it a UNSECO World Heritage site. Sadly, years of tourism have left it largely desecrated.

Despite requests that visitors refrain from climbing on and around the sacred rock, tourists continued to do so time and again. They also left behind trash, urine, and feces, and many vandalized the site, chipping away stones to take as souvenirs and adding carvings of their own.

Now, Ayers Rock (also known as Uluru) is officially off-limits to climbers. People worldwide are generally becoming more aware of stories like this, which illustrate some of the negative impacts of mass tourism. Other impacts include the carbon footprint associated with air and car travel, as well as the socio-economic effects of over-tourism on the lives of local inhabitants.

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Travel companies (like Green Maya) and individuals alike have discovered creative ways to plan luxury trips around eco-conscious values.

Keeping these issues in mind, travel companies and individuals alike began taking steps toward establishing a more forward-thinking approach to tourism. Green Maya, for example, plans incredible luxury trips in beautiful Tulum, Mexico. Their goal is to provide a sustainable and educational adventure, introducing travelers to the rich cultural heritage of the area- all without causing undue harm to the native landscape or people.

If planning an eco-conscious honeymoon is important to you, be sure to check out this Brides.com list of eco-resorts. Plus, read these 40 green travel tips from GreenGlobalTravel.com to discover how you can make your honeymoon (and every future adventure) more eco-friendly.

Bon voyage!