What is Ecotourism? Why is ecotourism important? What are the Principles of Ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a form of sustainable travel that supports the local environment instead of putting more pressure on it and exploiting its resources.

Ecotourism is a complex concept growing in importance more and more each year and if you care about protecting nature and having a positive impact, you should make sure that your travels are done sustainably.

Ecotourism is focused on uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel. There are several guidelines in place for those who partake in ecotourism. Namely, ecotourism:

• Focuses on pristine, unspoiled natural environments
• Minimizes impact on the environment
• Builds environmental and cultural awareness and respect
• Provides positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
• Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
• Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• Raises awareness to host countries’ political, environmental and social climate

This may seem like a tall order, but the aim of sustainable travel is a big vision. Given the very real threats of deforestation, a decline in biodiversity, and global climate change, ecotourism is more important than ever.

Why is ecotourism important?

Ecotourism is a growing segment of the global tourism industry that is making significant positive contributions to the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of destinations and local communities around the world. Offering market-linked long-term solutions, ecotourism provides effective economic incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural heritage of our beautiful planet. By increasing capacity building opportunities, ecotourism is also an effective vehicle for empowering local communities around the world to fight against poverty and to achieve sustainable development. Furthermore, ecotourism has provided an impetus to assist in greening the tourism industry on many fronts.

• To sustain tourism & its positive impacts.
• To Increase capacity of building long term development.
• To value the destination.
• To achieve sustainable development.
• To empower local communities and their products.
• To conserve and enhance bio-cultural diversity.
• To  contribute to the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being.

Principles of Ecotourism

Ecotourism is about responsible travel to natural areas that promote conservation, bring harmony among communities, and sustains well being of local people. People who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should adopt the following ecotourism principles:

• Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and local people
• Provide direct financial benefits for environmental conservation
• Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry
• Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates
• Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities