Ethical Travel Destinations for 2013

A non-profit group, Ethical Traveler, released their annual survey of the developing world’s top countries for tourism based on environmental and human rights performance.

On International Human Rights Day, Ethical Traveler released its annual survey of the world’s most ethical tourism destinations. The list highlights 10 countries - all in the developing world – that combine best practices with superb scenic and cultural attractions. The winning destinations have all demonstrated a clear and continuing commitment to environmental protection, human rights and social welfare.

This year’s 2013 top ethical destinations, in alphabetical order, are:

• Barbados
• Cape Verde
• Costa Rica
• Ghana
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Mauritius
• Palau
• Samoa
• Uruguay

How were these destinations evaluated?

Using publicly available data, potential destinations were evaluated on a broad spectrum of criteria—including ecosystem support, natural and cultural attractions, political rights, press freedom, women’s equality, commitment to LGBT rights, and— the survey’s newest indicator— terrestrial and marine area protection.

Some examples of Best Practices from the selected destinations:

Ghana maintains a high degree of freedom of the press, has a stable democracy which just re-elected a pro-environment President; about 15 percent of its territory is environmentally protected in some form.

Latvia is well-rated for human rights and press freedom; it was also the most-improved country on the Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) Environmental Performance Index (EPI).

In Uruguay, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights and women’s rights are among the best in the region.

Click here to read the full 2013 Ethical Destinations report.