The Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA) is a group of Mayan and Garifuna villages located in the rainforest and other endangered eco-systems in the southern part of Belize. The TEA operates guesthouses in ten villages (nine Mayan and one Garifuna) and its trained guides lead visitors on jungle tours, cave exploration, canoe trips and village tours. The mission of the TEA. is to create jobs in the villages, keep tourism to a manageable level, and educate visitors about the beauty and value of the indigenous cultures and the environment that the native people inhabit.

The Galapagos Islands is a region folks love to visit. Managing environmental and infrastructure demands created by upwards of 145,000 visitors a year is front of mind with one visionary travel company. Ecoventura has taken an environmental leadership role to create structure that will ensure that visitors can continue to come here. This family-owned cruise company transports 4,000+ passengers annually aboard a fleet of three expedition vessels, identical, superior first-class 20-passenger yachts with 10 double cabins.

Intrepid Travel’s team spirit has made the company one of the top “Best Places to Work” by Outside Magazine (May 2009 issue), reports the award-winning Intrepid Express newsletter. Intrepid was ranked No. 1 out of 30 selected companies that best enable employees to balance productivity with an active, eco-conscious lifestyle. As Tiffany Richards, President of Intrepid Travel’s Boulder office, notes, Intrepid’s philosophy is “very much about promoting responsible travel, getting off the beaten path, helping to support positive change, and having fun along the way.”

Lapa Rips Ecolodge has received many major awards and recognitions – including National Geographic Adventure’s “50 Top Ecolodges: The Most Earth-Friendly Retreats in the World’s Most Spectacular Wilds” in 2009 and Conde Naste Traveler’s “Gold List” in 2008 and 2009. A recent addition to Lapa Rios Ecolodge’s inspiring achievements is the 2009 Coastal Living Awards (Tourism category). The Coastal Living Awards honor those working to protect and preserve coastal environments and coastlines for generations to come.