Disappearing Destinations: Five Natural Wonders to See Before They Are Gone

Go Responsibly with Sustainable Tourism Tips from IndependentTraveler.com

PENNINGTON, N.J., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- IndependentTraveler.com
(www.independenttraveler.com), a leader in online travel information,
highlights five of the world's disappearing destinations and provides
suggestions about how to visit them responsibly. Tourists should hurry to see
the destinations most threatened by global warming -- but they must travel
responsibly in order to keep from contributing to the problem.
Endangered Destinations
-- Alaska, U.S.
Due to its northern location, Alaska is warming five times faster than
the rest of the planet. Glaciers are disappearing and remote villages
are threatened as the ground literally melts out from under them.

-- Venice, Italy
The city has been sinking for centuries, but rising ocean levels due to
global warming have accelerated the threat. Protective barriers
currently being built by the Italian government may not be enough to
save the city.

-- Glacier National Park, Montana
This famous park's name may soon be a misnomer. Its glaciers are
projected to disappear within 30 years due to rising temperatures.

-- Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Its colorful corals have already suffered several mass bleaching events
due to rising water temperatures, over-fishing and coastal land use.
Few reef-building corals will be left by 2050.

-- The Alps, France and Italy
Scientists predict that most of the glaciers in the Alps could be gone
as soon as 2037. Decreased snowfall levels have already put some local
ski resorts out of business.

Go Responsibly
Before visiting any of these endangered destinations, or traveling at all,
consider the environmental impact of the trip. IndependentTraveler.com offers
five ways to travel responsibly in order to decrease the harmful environmental
footprint a trip can leave behind.
1. Participate in a conservation project while on vacation in order to
both enjoy and help save the local environment.

2. Fly direct to a destination if possible. Taking fewer flights decreases
fuel consumption and air pollution.

3. Choose tour operators and hotels carefully. Look for companies that not
only preach conservation, but practice it as well. Call and ask about
an organization's recycling programs and sustainability policies.

4. Stay on marked paths when hiking and dispose of trash responsibly,
recycling whenever possible.

5. Purchase carbon credits to help offset the emissions from flights.

Visit IndependentTraveler.com's comprehensive Green Travel Center to learn
more about becoming a responsible traveler. Within the Green Travel Center,
travelers can find information about:
-- What green travel is
-- Why travelers should "go green"
-- Green travel tips
-- Trip ideas: eco-destinations, tour operators, volunteer vacations

IndependentTraveler.com
IndependentTraveler.com debuted on America Online in 1990 and quickly
established its credentials as an authoritative Internet resource for
objective travel information, advice, deals and trip reports written by
travelers. IndependentTraveler.com was acquired by TripAdvisor(R), LLC, the
world's largest travel community and an operating company of Expedia, Inc., in
May 2007.
The Independent Traveler is a trademark or registered trademark of The
Independent Traveler, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or
product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their
respective owners.
IndependentTraveler.com is published by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a
subsidiary of TripAdvisor, LLC, which is an operating company of Expedia, Inc.
CONTACT:
Sarah Schlichter
editor@independenttraveler.com
609-730-9155 x19
Web site: http://www.independenttraveler.com

SOURCE IndependentTraveler.com

Sarah Schlichter, IndependentTraveler.com, +1-609-730-9155 x19,
editor@independenttraveler.com