The world’s most ethical destinations

Every year, Ethical Traveler reviews the policies and practices of hundreds of nations in the developing world. It then selects ten that are doing the most impressive job of promoting human rights, preserving environment, and upholding civil society while creating a sustainable, community-based tourism industry. By visiting these countries, Ethical Traveler asserts, we can use our economic power to support best practices.

Each country selected as a Best Ethical Destination offers the opportunity to experience unspoiled natural beauty, and to interact with local people and cultures in a meaningful, mutually enriching way. The countries on this list are actively improving the state of their people, government and environment. They are the destinations most worth your money and your leisure time.

Ethical Traveler is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, and a project of the Earth Island Institute. No money or donations of any kind are solicited or accepted from any nations, governments, travel bureaus or individuals in the creation of its annual list.

And which countries made the 2013 list? Take a guess – and prepare to be pleasantly surprised!

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Yahoo Lifestyle Entertainment Photo By ThinkStock Tue, Jan 29, 2013 5:00 AM EST

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2. Cape Verde

One of Cape Verde’s most famous exports is the iconic morna singer Cesária Évora, fondly nicknamed the Barefoot Diva. Évora passed on in 2011 but her music – and others in the tradition – plays on in Cape Verde. This archipelago of 10 islands off Africa’s western coast has cast behind its dark past of slave trade and ocean piracy to emerge as one of the continent’s most desirable destinations, with beaches, wildlife, food and music ... more
2. Cape Verde

One of Cape Verde’s most famous exports is the iconic morna singer Cesária Évora, fondly nicknamed the Barefoot Diva. Évora passed on in 2011 but her music – and others in the tradition – plays on in Cape Verde. This archipelago of 10 islands off Africa’s western coast has cast behind its dark past of slave trade and ocean piracy to emerge as one of the continent’s most desirable destinations, with beaches, wildlife, food and music on offer. The islands were uninhabited until the Portuguese colonized them in the 15th century and the country’s riches were quickly exhausted with the abolition of slavery and the exit of the Portuguese. Today, according to Ethical Traveler, Cape Verde serves as a model for political rights in Africa. Last year, the island nation saw its tourism figures balloon by 27.4%, with tourists choosing to vacation for nearly six nights on average. Cape Verde also scores high on renewable energy indices. It increased its total installed renewable capacity by 751.14%, indicating “a decisive movement towards sustainability and away from fossil fuels.”

For travel enquiries, contact the Cape Verdean Consulate General in New Delhi (Address: 6/24, Shanti Niketan, New Delhi, India. Phone: 91-11-2411-4292 / 3)

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