In the 80s and 90s, the buzzword in travel was eco. Add solar panels, throw a compost in the backyard, hire several locals and you too could call yourself an eco-resort. That soon gave way to a more sustainable development of tourism, or simply the trend for the new millennium, “sustainable tourism.” Now the National Geographic Society has pushed the envelope even further by implementing what they call “geotourism,” tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of the place being visited. According to Jonathan Tourtellot, Director of Sustainable Tourism at NGS, “ecotourism focuses only on nature. It’s a niche. Geotourism includes the environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and well-being of its citizens. It’s a more holistic way of traveling.” 

Tourtellot and the NGS have designed a Geotourism Charter for countries and states to follow. Honduras, Romania, and the Cook Islands in the South Pacific have signed the charter and started to practice some of the basic principles of geotourism. Here in the United States, the Yellowstone region of Montana formed a geotourism council and recently unveiled a map created by locals that highlights historical, environmental, and cultural points of interest. In addition to Old Faithful and all those bison and elk, you’ll find the affordable 360 Guest Ranch, a historic dude ranch specializing in horseback riding and fly-fishing excursions. There are also canoe rentals on the Jefferson River in Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, dinosaur displays at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, and a favorite local hot springs in Chico.