What in the World - Can eco-tourism ever really be eco?

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Costa Rica is known as a world leader in eco-tourism. It has lush rainforests, tranquil beaches and protected wildlife and is famous for sustainable travel.

It’s part of a growing market that promises to protect nature, support local economies and let people explore the world without harming it.

But can tourism ever really be eco-friendly? Or is the very act of getting on a plane, staying at a resort or hotel, and taking selfies in pristine places fundamentally at odds with sustainability?

Graihagh Jackson, a BBC journalist who also presents the Climate Question Podcast, takes us through what eco-tourism is and what issues tourism can cause for local communities.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Emily Horler
Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Thursday, 14th August 2025.

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