Top 6 Destinations with Green Stories to Mark World Environment Day

Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 10:56 IST

Let these destinations inspire you to tread more consciously, engage more deeply, and celebrate Mother Earth through every journey you take.

This Environment Day, select journeys that take you beyond greenwashing. We are talking about celebrating unique destinations and experiences that let you be a part of the change. Embrace eco-friendly journeys, empower local communities, and reconnect with nature—one mindful step at a time.

Ras Al Khaimah

In Ras Al Khaimah—the Nature Emirate—adventure and sustainability go hand in hand. The Responsible RAK initiative, in partnership with EarthCheck, unites over 20 tourism businesses and attractions to measure and reduce their environmental footprint. Even adrenaline-fuelled experiences like the Jais Flight, the world’s longest zipline, and the Jais Sledder have been seamlessly integrated into the mountain ecology, ensuring minimum impact on nature. The Bear Grylls Explorers Camp—the world’s first Bear Grylls-branded accommodation—features 16 recycled cabins, where guests can stay overnight and immerse themselves in nature, trying their hand at mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing. Resorts like Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island are championing zero-waste goals while offering elevated beachfront luxury.

Thailand

If you are seeking a getaway that honours the environment, Thailand—the open-air studio for the upcoming film Jurassic World: Rebirth—invites travellers with its meaningful encounters. At Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, eco-luxury reaches its peak. Nestled between the rainforest and the Andaman Sea, its 54 villas are designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor. The use of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from the on-site Chef’s Garden, sustainable drinking water from natural spring flowing from the nearby Naga Mountain through regenerative practices, and low-impact Jurassic Paradise excursion make moments mindful. When you are staying here, you are a part of their efforts to minimise carbon footprint and measures to preserve the ecosystem for future generations, such as plastic-free initiatives. Even Christmas decorations are made of natural and reusable materials, such as coconut shells, driftwood, leaves, and recycled glass bottles.

Seychelles

In Seychelles, sustainability is a way of life. This archipelago of 115 islands has long been a leader in marine and terrestrial conservation, offering travellers a chance to experience nature in its purest form. Explore the underwater world of Sainte Anne Marine National Park, one of the Indian Ocean’s first protected marine zones, on a guided snorkeling that also supports reef education and marine stewardship. Across the island, eco-conscious resorts run on solar power, sourced organic produce, and actively support wildlife efforts – from giant tortoise protection to bird habitat restoration. In Seychelles, tropical vacation is about reconnecting with the planet, the ocean, and yourself.

Kenya

In Kenya, sustainability is deeply interwoven into the rhythm of life. Beyond the traditional safari, you will find ways to engage with local communities and nature. At the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and Ol Lentille, community-driven models are making waves while rhino conservation efforts are underway in the Borana Conservancy in the Laikipia area. Stay at Sasaab and Sabache Camp in Samburu, where architectural design draws from local knowledge and sustainable practices—from solar power and rainwater harvesting to supporting indigenous tribes.

Sri Lanka

A journey through Sri Lanka is imbued with vibrant ecosystems and community-led sustainability drives. Your stay at restored tea estate bungalows and heritage properties by Teardrop Hotels is more than what meets the eye. You will experience sublime eco-conscious luxury with the Travelife Gold Certificate. The no-plastic policy, locally sourced ingredients, and on-site gardens ensure nearby farmers, fisheries, and local communities benefit directly from tourism. A highlight is Lunuganga in Bentota, the former estate visionary architect Geoffrey Bawa, where tropical modernism meets the jungle in a poetic union of design and ecology.

Israel

This country is known for not just advocating sustainability but also living it. Head to the Arava Desert, where Kibbutz Lotan serves as a beacon of eco-conscious and community living. The ecovillage practices permaculture farming, earth-based architecture, and zero-waste construction, offering immersive workshops. Travel deeper into the Negev Desert to visit solar-powered Kibbutz pioneering sustainable agriculture in one of the world’s harshest climates. Explore olive groves, stay in eco-lodges made of natural materials, or hike among wildflowers, Israel reminds us that green travel can be enriching.

Let these destinations inspire you to tread more consciously, engage more deeply, and celebrate Mother Earth through every journey you take.

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More

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