Travel can unite, inspire, and even change us. Looking over the brink of a thundering waterfall in Newfoundland and climbing sawtooth peaks in the Italian Dolomites reminds us of the wonder of the world.
But while travel should be a force for good, the past year has reminded us that it also has the potential to overwhelm and even harm the places we love, and many destinations are now imposing new restrictions as they grapple with the negative effects of overtourism. In the BBC’s first guide to the top destinations to visit this year, we had wanted to find the places that were having the reverse problem.
All of these 25 places are not just open for business and welcoming tourists, but also utilising tourism to benefit the local population, help the environment or maintain their special cultural heritage.
We developed the list based on research and input from BBC Travel reporters and several of the world’s top sustainable travel experts, including the United Nations World Travel Organisation, Sustainable Travel International, the Black Travel Alliance and the World Travel & Tourism Council.
As travel in so much of the world bursts past pre-pandemic highs, and dramatic weather and global warming unveil the tenuous impermanence of so many bucket-list sites, travelling responsibly is about choosing where your trip can be for the greater good.
From hiking a moonlike terrain in Bolivia to Greenland glamping in the world’s largest island’s Arctic, your future great getaway awaits. Ever dreamed of swimming with sperm whales?
Dominica now has the opportunity to do so in an ethical, sustainable manner as part of the Caribbean island’s pioneering initiative in marine conservation and regenerative tourism.
The island nation recently announced the creation of the world’s first sperm whale reserve, a protected marine park established to conserve its resident giants. Restricted permits for whale swims guarantee close, respectful interactions, providing tourists a once-in-a-lifetime experience to share the ocean with these magnificent cetaceans as well as supporting research and generating sustainable tourism activities for residents.
New in 2025, enhanced infrastructure and systems will greet travellers, such as digital immigration forms to streamline arrival and creation of a cable-car system taking passengers from Roseau Valley up to Boiling Lake, one of the globe’s largest thermal springs. Getting to the island has never been simpler: in addition to current American Airlines flights from Miami, United Airlines is introducing direct flights from Newark from 15 February.
Several new hotels are expected to open in 2025 (with an addition of almost 500 rooms with a 25% growth in inventory), among which is the six-star Hilton Tranquillity Beach Resort and Spa in Salisbury. Or opt for a true classic like Secret Bay, a high-end eco-residence that often makes the sustainability top lists.
