The World's 10 Best Ethical Destinations for 2021

Traveling is among the many but perhaps the biggest way in which people can impact the world. Therefore, choosing the right destination matters. Ethical Traveler, an all-volunteer non-profit organization and a project of the Earth Island Institute, has published a special COVID-19 edition of its annual best ethical destinations awards, recognizing the countries around the world excelling in regards to responsible and sustainable tourism. This year, the organization looked at past winners and how they handled the pandemic as well as whether they were able to make tourism more sustainable amid the ongoing challenges.

A winner in both 2017 and 2018, Belize has long been a popular destination for paradise seekers and nature lovers but has recently taken the step to launch a comprehensive plan to make its tourism sector more sustainable. "Belize should be commended for putting the health of its citizens above economic factors. It closed its international airport back in late March and only reopened to tourists on October 1 after developing extensive COVID-19 safety protocols, for which Belize was recognized as an industry leader," Ethical Traveler states.

The West African nation of Benin boasts both a rich and complex history. The birthplace of voodoo offers visitors an abundance of tourist attractions, including marquee national parks such as Pendjari National Park, which is home to a plethora of spectacular animals, including lions, cheetahs, leopards and elephants.

Ethical Traveler points out that Costa Rica's tourism sector has been remarkably successful in implementing effective protocols to ensure safe travels. "These practices have been successful; since re-opening, there have as yet been zero cases of infected travelers," the organization points out.

Located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, this island country offers visitors a "captivating blend of mountains, beaches, peaceful seaside villages, piercing green valleys of flowers and sugar cane and surreal volcanic landscapes," according to Ethical Traveler. To do their part, tourists are encouraged to support local businesses and explore the islands' unparalleled nature and not just the beautiful beaches.

Home to the coveted Galapagos, Ecuador returns to the list after receiving an Ethical Destinations Award in 2019. Ethical Traveler points out that the "lack of tourists brought back the remote and wild beauty of the islands, with wildlife returning to areas it had not been seen for decades." Visitors are encouraged to leave behind a positive footprint and adhere to the regulations currently in place to protect the local environment and wildlife.

One of the most affordable Caribbean destinations currently open to Americans, Jamaica is another repeat winner in 2021 after having won last year. "There are several current efforts to rethink Jamaica's relationship with tourism and tackle the downsides of over-tourism," states Ethical Traveler. "Many industries hope to attract a different kind of tourist-not necessarily wealthier, but more culturally and environmentally conscious."

"Mongolia's attention to human rights, environmental progress and uncorrupted democracy has been recognized by Ethical Destinations since 2016," the organization states, noting that the country has reported fewer than 1,000 COVID-19 cases and no fatalities to date and was the subject of a World Health Organization (WHO) documentary in which it received praise for its successful handling of the pandemic.

Nepal, an Ethical Destinations Award winner in the past, was again recognized for its culture and unrivaled nature and wildlife as well as its positive efforts to combat "attempted suppression of media, treatment of Tibetan refugees and episodes of corruption."

Africa's smallest country secured its third straight Ethical Destinations Award in 2021 and while the destination reopened its borders to tourism last year the experts advise travelers remain patient for now. "The Gambia's health system is fragile; it might take a while before the locals receive vaccines. So wait until the pandemic is over, and you're no longer a risk to the locals. As a poor country. As personal interactions with local cultures are intrinsic to the new sustainable tourism products, be patient-and visit when you can have a full experience."

South America has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic but Ethical Traveler credits Uruguay for its "swift response." The country, which has earned Ethical Destinations Awards dating back to 2014 on the strength of its social, environmental and human rights progress and awareness and even developed its own diagnostic tests and contagion-tracking technologies in the wake of the pandemic, the nonprofit organization points out.