C LEVEL's GREENTRIP project aims to identify and raise awareness about the world's most innovative ecotourism projects, locations and ideas. We are starting with an award winning East African project that combines biodiversity conservation with community enterprise and stunning ecodesign.

GREENTRIP DECEMBER 2006 - CHUMBE ISLAND, OFF ZANZIBAR, EAST AFRICA

LOCATION

8 miles off the coast of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania

DESCRIPTION

Small uninhabited and forested tropical island fringed by a coral reef of exceptional biodiversity and beauty. Chumbe offers the chance to spend time in a quiet tropical paradise in beautiful beachfront accommodation that has no impact on the island.

ECO BENFITS

Chumbe is the only privately managed Marine Protection Area in the world. Small scale carefully managed ecotourism provides all of the revenue for running the Marine Park, research projects and for the education programmes.

In addition, the project employs former fishermen from the local community as rangers. They play a key role in teaching fellow fishermen of the importance of Chumbe as a vital fish nursery continually replenishing exploited fish resources around Zanzibar.

Ecotourism is closely managed with only 14 guests allowed on the island at any one time. Accommodation is provided in eco beach huts that offer an exemplary model for tropical beach accommodation unrivalled any where in the world.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Chumbe Island runs as a not for profit enterprise with all surplus revenue going to the local education programmes. School children who have no understanding of Coral Reef biodiversity are brought to the island and taken out to scuba on the reef. The project provides employment for around 35 locals.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CHUMBE ISLAND GALLERY

As sound as these projects may be on the ground, ecotourism that involves flying still contributes to rising global CO2 emissions and Climate Change. When we fly we are directly contributing to one of the fastest growing sources of green house gases. We need to understand this, reduce flying and where we still choose to fly - then we can choose to compensate for our CO2. This is the process of becoming a Carbon Balanced Flyer. GREENTRIP combines a high quality ecotourism holiday choice with Carbon Balanced Travel.