Ecotourism was first used in Central America and was defined as: “Environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature [and any accompanying cultural features –both past and present ] that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact , and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations .’’ Hector Ceballos-Lascurain [1983].
The US based Ecotourism Society [now The International Ecotourism Society] defined it as “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people .’’ Both these definitions include the elements of environmental conservation, community development and responsible travel to/from the destination, a concept that forces us to consider modes of transport. Interestingly, no mention is made in either definition of sustainability. It is becoming increasingly accepted that the tourism experience should be sustainable.
Why should we even consider ecotourism?
Currently, ecotourism is considered the fastest growing sector of the tourism market in the world. The International Ecotourism Society identified the trends leading to the fast growth to be:
• Increase in the overall travel market • Growth in popularity of vacation to natural areas • Dissatisfaction with simplistic travel packages offered by travel firms and facilities • Urgent need to generate funding and human resources for management of protected areas in ways that meet the needs of local rural populations • Recognition of the importance of tourism within the field of sustainable development So, not only is ecotourism a potentially positive force, it is also something that people want to do. Judging by the press coverage alone, consumers are increasingly interested in green products.
Conde Naste Traveler, one of the most respected travel magazines has an annual ecotourism award, in which it dedicates up to three pages on ecotourism tour operators, destinations and hotels / resorts. They often feature unique ecotourism activities all over the world.
What Exactly is Ecotourism? - To learn more about this author, visit Anne Loehr's Website.
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Anne Loehr
(Visit Anne's Website)
Anne Loehr, a graduate of Cornell
University, owned and managed
international eco-friendly hotels and tour
companies for over 15 years. She is also a
certified coach, specializing in coaching
hospitality industry clients. Her book "A
Manager's Guide to Coaching: Simple and
Effective Ways to Get the Best Out of Your
Employees" is now available in bookstores
and on Amazon. Her work has been mentioned
and/or featured in Newsweek International,
National Geographic Traveler, Elle
(Canada), CNN Money, Washingtonian, and
Body + Soul.
Her business partner has worked as a
business advisor for many conservation
organizations and focuses on helping
international hotels and destinations
become more “green” and sustainable. He
has worked with ConsCorp Africa,
Madagascar tourism board, Marriott Hotels
and many international financiers.
Anne combines all of these skills in
Hospitality Sustainability Solutions,
using coaching and other business skills
to help hotels and resorts become more
sustainable.
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