Where to Go in 2021

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY NEEDS A TRAVEL REBOUND. YOU COULD USE ONE, TOO. AS SOON AS IT’S SAFE, MAKE YOUR PLANS COUNT WITH 24 IDEAS TO HELP HEAL THE WORLD ONE SMALL STEP AT A TIME

- NIKKI EKSTEIN

RESTORE THE ENVIRONMENT

BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO REEFS IN THE MALDIVES

WHY NOW Rising temperatures have made coral bleaching a pervasive and ongoing threat, ever since more than 90% of Maldivian reefs died out during the 1998 El Niño event. The trailblazing effort known as Marine Savers has been a critical lifeline for this ecosystem and inspired similar projects across the archipelago. Staffed by 10 marine biologists at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, the group lets guests help build and install “frames” on which new coral can grow. The hotel’s bungalows are perched over the water and have sea-gazing lofts, large-screen TVs, deep soaking tubs, and outdoor showers—leaving you in better shape than when you arrived. Return the favor by pitching in.

LEAVE NO TRACE IN COSTA RICA

WHY NOW When Costa Rica began its Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program in 1998, it was a world’s first. Today its Earth-friendly hotels have rippled into something of a global standard. A massive overhaul of CST criteria planned for 2021 will inspire hoteliers to raise the bar higher and acknowledge those who already have. Take your pick of these new five-star openings: Origins Lodge, a jungle hideaway with treetop villas; Nayara Tented Camp, a glamorous, safari-style resort surrounded by a sloth sanctuary; or Kasiiya Papagayo, which holds just seven suites on 123 beachfront acres. All have been built with lowor no- impact construction methods. Meanwhile, the government released a carbon footprint calculator last November to encourage tourism offsets. It’s also moving to protect 30% of its land under official conservation programs and encouraging other countries to do the same.