Top 10 Ethical Destinations for 2012 announced
Uruguay seaside
Report names highest performers in human rights, environmental protection
Nonprofit group Ethical Traveler announces the top 10 ethical destinations for 2012.
From a shortlist of 30 finalists, an annual report released today highlights 10 tourism destinations for their accomplishments in the areas of environmental protection, social welfare, and human rights.
The 2012 list of The Developing World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations. The winners (in alphabetical order, not in order of merit) are:
- Argentina
- The Bahamas
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Latvia
- Mauritius
- Palau
- Serbia
- Uruguay
Every year Ethical Traveler conducts a study of developing nations, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The research team first identifies the best tourism destinations in the developing world. Next, using publicly available data, countries are rated in the areas of environmental protection, social welfare, and human rights.
For more on the methodology, please see the full report at EthicalTraveler.org .
Report co-author and Ethical Traveler executive director Jeff Greenwald says, “It’s always an honor to compile this list. It gives us great pleasure to express our admiration for these countries, and we hope they’ll reap real economic and social benefits as a result of our endorsement."
As researcher Natalie Lefevre points out, “None of these countries are perfect, but the countries that are on this list deserve their spots – thanks to their effort to ensure that tourism has a positive impact on their country and their people."
Ethical Traveler noted some surprises in 2012. According to Greenwald, "The steady trend we’re seeing toward green practices and support for sustainable tourism – by governments and travelers alike — is a fantastic development, and shows a real coming-of-age in the international tourism community."
Island nations and South American countries did well again this year. New on the list for 2012 were Serbia, Palau and the Bahamas.
Greenwald notes, “One thing that was interesting this year – and unfortunate – was that some otherwise excellent countries in Latin America and Africa didn’t make the list because of their draconian anti-gay laws."
Ethical Traveler encourages travelers to use their vacations to reward these countries by visiting them, and enjoying the wonderful sights, cultures and activities they offer.
Report co-author Natalie Lefevre says, “I hope that the countries that didn’t make it onto 2012 year’s list will feel motivated to work harder on their environmental, social and human rights records, so they might be reconsidered in 2013."
The 2012 winners were initially announced at the Commonwealth Club of California. To view the full 2012 Ethical Destinations report and accompanying photo gallery, please visit http://ethicaltraveler.org/destinations .
Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Get your copy at a special offer price: HERE
Valere
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt