Do you want to go on a guilt-free holiday? Then consider taking an eco-holiday. This might be a trip with a difference and it's more than likely to have a low carbon footprint. Judging by recent trends, getting back to nature without contributing to atmospheric pollution seems to be all the rage.
Self-study activity:
Watch the video and answer the questions below.
1 Which sport is in vogue on the South Coast these days?
2 What does the phrase 'one in five people' refer to?
3 And 16%?
4 What used to be the backbone of the region's economy?
5 How high is the population on the coast each summer?
We're all being encouraged to reduce our carbon emissions, and now the growing green movement is changing the way we holiday. This summer on the South Coast, holidays with a low-carbon footprint are in vogue.
It's a slow and at times challenging way to get about. But the South Coast is becoming a mecca for paddlers of all ages.
(1) The big thing down here is kayaking. Kayaking has gone through a major surge.
Not particularly comfortable in the sea when I started, so it was a challenge of getting comfortable.
This summer there's a new type of watercraft doing the rounds. Glass-bottomed sea kayaks are proving popular to view the rich marine life.
I think it's something that appeals to a lot of people once they get a little older, because the limbs start to give out, the other adventure sports like the skiing and the bushwalking get a bit hard on the joints.
On the South Coast (2) one in five people work in the tourism industry. (3) Last year visitors spent 420 million, an increase of 16%. This year the industry says environmental awareness is driving the surge in popularity of kayaking, surfing and mountain biking.
I think that the carbon footprint factor has a lot to do with it.
Visitors today are looking to be responsible in their approach to holidays and to tourism.
(4) The commercial fishing industry was once the backbone of the region's economy. Businesses say new marine protection is helping to foster eco-tourism.
With the new Batemans Marine Park here we've got a lot of areas that are sanctuary zones and no more commercial fishing, so I think there's real potential.
(5) The population on the coast quadruples each summer, but there are few green alternatives to the highway gridlock. Adrienne Francis, ABC News, South Coast, New South Wales.
