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What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism, sometimes referred to as eco tourism or sustainable travel, is the practice of taking care of our planet’s resources while still enjoying the many wonderful aspects of traveling. Part of learning how can we travel the world eco friendly, is looking at the pros and cons of tourism as we know it today, and choosing a better option.  

“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities”

United Nations, world tourism organization
  • Traveling and tourism offer unmeasurable joy, connectivity, and livelihood for millions of people around the globe. We don’t want to see a world without it. 
  • Current practices are unsustainable and harmful, but choosing more sustainable travel isn’t straight forward.
  • Information is scarce and unreliable and often feels like it’s based on current trends rather than scientific data and environmental impact.

But, what if you could travel responsibly?
We wanted to make it possible to care for the world while still taking part in it. 
So we did.

Flockeo for travelers ­– a better way to explore the world

Inspiration Flockeo, travelers, découverte, discover

Data backed eco tourism

Flockeo is built on satellite data, powered by the European Space Agency, ESA, which lets us map out, accurately, which areas are already under pressure from unsustainable tourism. 

That means you can actively choose destinations with respect to biodiversity, urbanization, water scarcity, and air pollution. 

Explore the road less traveled

Traveling is not just about crossing things off your bucket list. It’s about taking part in a world of experiences, sights, and cultures. It’s about getting off the beaten path seeing the wonders our amazing globe has to offer. We help you find sustainable accommodations for the road less traveled. 

Adventures that care for local environments and ecosystems

We give you adventures that consider and care for local environments and ecosystems. Flockeo helps support better choices and practices by allowing travelers to take a more active part in caring for our world.

Support better tourism practices and help grow a healthier industry

Have you ever wondered how much of your dollar actually goes into the local communities? Turns out, it’s often as little as 5-10% of the money you spend on popular destinations that stay in the community. By choosing Flockeo verified hotels and activities, you make sure more of your money has a local impact. At the same time, you foster a more sustainable industry by shifting the demand to better practices.  


Flockeo for partners – attract your dream guests

happy morning, matin joyeux, chambre d'hôtel, hotel's room

Reach your target audience

By becoming a Flockeo partner, you get direct access to travelers who are eco-conscious and looking for the exact services you offer. Save money on marketing by being visible to the travelers you want to attract.

Compete on fair terms

No more competing with the largest hotel chains on overcrowded booking platforms.

With Flockeo, you can’t pay your way to a top listing. We’ve leveled the playing field, allowing partners with a green profile to compete on fair terms, and to showcase their unique vantage points. 

Subscription-based services­ lets you know your costs upfront

Unlike other travel services and booking platforms, Flockeo is not commission-based. With our 2 affordable subscriptions of 220 € / year or 50 €/year, there are no surprise costs, regardless of whether you get 100 guests with us, or 100.000. 

Preserve biodiversity and cultural heritage, and strengthen local communities

It’s not just a photo opt. With Flockeo, you attract travelers who care about biodiversity, halting pollution, preserving cultural heritage, and investing in local communities.


Here’s why sustainable travel matters:

Water scarcity, and pressure on local water supplies

For instance, the average water use per night for a hotel guest in Indonesia is 812 L of water, compared to the average 142 L that a person in the UK uses. While tourism may not be the primary cause of local water scarcity, it is a contributor to the problem.

Pollution

We’ve all seen it. The garbage covered beaches and the plastic bottles floating along streams and rivers. As well, an increase in tourist busses and taxis means added air pollution, and increased tourism fosters added consumption of processed and wrapped goods, and with it, pollution. 

Habitat loss

Tourism is one of the drivers in urbanization and the conversion of wild areas to more tourist-friendly destinations. This means a loss in biodiversity and ecosystem services. 

Gentrification and marginalization of local communities

 “I went there before it was popular”. Ironically, what started as attractive tourist destinations because of their authenticity, becomes a mainstream destination that looks like so many other vacation spots: the same restaurants, same activities, same souvenirs. 

Carbon emissions

Global tourism produces about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s an astounding amount and needs to be addressed, not necessarily by stopping all tourism, but by choosing different transportation methods – both when getting to your destination and traveling locally once you get there. 

Do not miss any opportunity

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