Luxury holidays are all the rage; most people aspire to stay in better accommodation than that in which they live at home when they go away. And now, in response to global climate change, travelling responsibly is becoming a growing priority amongst tourists and travellers. responsibletravel.com asks if there is room in today's travel industry for chic, luxurious, yet responsible tourist destinations and resorts. And if so, where?

Not long ago, a holiday with all the mod cons - hotels with flat screen TV, Sky and luxury shopping at hand - was considered by most the epitome of luxury. But now, an increasing number of people leading very hectic, urban lives put a premium on tranquility, wide open spaces, abundant nature, and a back-to-basics philosophy - and some high end resorts are picking up on this trend. Wilderness is the new luxury, and celebrities such as Jade Jagger are just as likely to be found in remote simplistic retreats, as they are larging it up in Monaco.

Tourists seeking to experience some of the world's last wilderness areas are prepared to pay for the privilege of eco-chic lodges and resorts - but wilderness conservation also comes at a price. Many wilderness areas have been managed by man for centuries - there is, for example, only one forest in Europe with no evidence of being managed by man - but the conservation of vast pristine areas is very expensive.

Some wilderness areas are only kept pristine because local people use them wisely and sustainably. For example, developing countries parks and wilderness areas often have the best firewood, grazing and water - by not eroding parks of these resources, local people pay what is known as an 'opportunity cost' . If they are not rewarded for this - beyond the knowledge that they are conserving their natural heritage - then very poor communities face no alternative but to support their families in any way that they can, often to the detriment of the wilderness.

So while you are nourishing your soul at an eco-friendly wilderness retreat, make sure that your holiday is also nourishing conservation and local communities. If you are paying top dollar for an eco chic resort then the least you should expect is that they are looking after it and local people.

Below are some top eco chic destinations that are approved by responsibletravel.com for their conservational and eco-aware practices:

Luxury Alpine Chalet in Switzerland: Set amid spectacular alpine scenery, this is a high-tech tented camp, combining comfort and originality with low-impact tourism. These luxurious 'cocoons' come complete with wood stoves, petrol lamps, woollen throws and organic bedding ensuring superb comfort in style while IPods take care of entertainment. Sleeping a maximum of 14 guests the camp consists of seven pods (dome-shaped tents) pitched on raised wooden platforms around a traditional Alpine chalet. The Alpine chalet has been renovated to house a dining room, library and cosy lounge around an open fire.
Exclusivity with a touch of luxury from £90 (ex flights) pppn, more info here

Seychelles luxury accommodation: This private island and nature reserve offers an exclusive experience with a privacy found in very few other places on earth. A maximum of eight guests are accommodated at any one time and share the island with its natural inhabitants, offering some of the closest encounters with nature available in the Seychelles. The island has a beautiful, white sandy beach almost one kilometre long, which fringes the island on the eastern coast. If you visit between September and February, you will undoubtedly get the opportunity to observe the Hawksbill turtles who come ashore to lay their eggs at this time of year - a rare and wonderful sight.
From £1400 per villa per night for 2 persons sharing (all inclusive). More info here

Chumbe Island marine park: This luxury island resort is situated eight miles from Zanzibar and is the first privately managed Marine Park in the world. Uninhabited, it covers 24 hectares and contains a protected coral rag forest and reef. Snorkel through the unique shallow water Reef Sanctuary, explore the Forest Reserve or enjoy the historical monuments. Or just allow yourself a lazy day at the beach watching dhows and outrigger boats go by. Accommodation on the island is very special - it's what Robinson Crusoe could only have dreamt about!
From £100 per person per day depending on the season, more info here

Indonesia luxury beach resort: Immerse yourself in splendid isolation in the most unspoiled region of the Indonesian Archipelago. Tucked amongst the trees of this remote island are just seven luxury bungalows and three villas that offer complete solitude and comfort together with everything you need from an idyllic tropical setting. The property is 438 acres of dense tropical forest, with rice terraces and grasslands wrapped around the two-and-a-half-kilometre long beach. This world-class beach is protected on both ends by cliffs and headlands ensuring total exclusivity for guests.
Luxury bungalows & villas from US$350 to $950, more info here

Selous Game Reserve & Mafia Island holiday: This trip offers you the best of the awesome Selous Game Reserve (42,000 sq. km of wilderness) in Tanzania, and a slice of beach paradise that is the Mafia Archipelago. You'll spend time at the photogenic Selous Safari Camp, tucked away beside the beautiful Lake Nzelekela. The final five nights will be spent in the Mafia Archipelago - which consists of five sleepy tropical islands, clustered together in the Indian Ocean.
Tailormade from £2,303 (13 days) including flights, more info here