Earth Island's acceptance of new "global travelers' coalition" brings resources, recognition, growth. Ethical Traveler is the first grassroots alliance uniting adventurers, tourists, travel agencies, and outfitters -- everyone who loves to travel, and sees travel as a positive force in the world.

Earth Island Institute has enthusiastically approved Ethical Traveler as a new project. Organizers expect that the new project will fit well into Earth Island's portfolio of public interest environmental and social initiatives.

As Earth Island's Executive Director John A. Knox explains, "Ethical Traveler brings together travelers in the same way that other Earth Island projects have brought together consumers. Just as Earth Island helped popularize the concept of dolphin-safe tuna, we will now support Ethical Traveler's efforts to mobilize the traveling public, as in Ethical Traveler's current campaign to protect endangered marine life in the Galapagos-Cocos corridor."

Ethical Traveler staffers describe the organization as a way to harness the economic power of travelers, and to use that power to protect human rights and the environment. Global travelers are as varied as the cultures of the globe, but one thing they hold in common is an interest in preserving the world they love exploring.

Ethical Traveler's Executive Director Jeff Greenwald said, "Many organizations apply to Earth Island Institute each year, and only a handful are chosen. This is a real honor, and a huge vote of confidence from one of the country's most respected activist groups.'

About Ethical Traveler's Mission: Ethical Traveler is the first grassroots alliance uniting adventurers, tourists, travel agencies, and outfitters -- everyone who loves to travel, and sees travel as a positive force in the world. We feel that all travelers are, in effect, freelance ambassadors. We also believe that we have the ability to join our voices, and to use our economic power to strengthen human rights and protect the environment.

About Earth Island Institute: Founded in 1982 by veteran environmentalist David Brower, EII incubates organizations that promote citizen action. EII supports what Brower called "Global CPR" -- conservation, preservation, and restoration on Earth.