Ecotourism is defined as responsible, sustainable travel, which supports the biodiversity and local economy of an area. Within this complex balance of tourism and conservation, there is much to be explored. For example, benefits and challenges of ecotourism, the future of this exciting industry, as well as key environmental and geographic themes related to the topic such as sustainability and education.
Ecotourism is a subset of sustainable development. This is because it stimulates local economic growth whilst simultaneously conserving the delicate ecosystems in which it takes place. This is achieved by sustaining the wellbeing of local people by providing jobs, attracting tourists and remaining low impact and small scale. In this way, ecotourism limits the ecological damage caused by tourism and provides longer-term sustainability for future generations.
Another prevalent ecological theme in ecotourism is environmental and cultural education. Visitors are educated about local ecosystems, biodiversity, and the cultural importance of the region, massively enhances their understanding. Conservation workshops often take place on preservation, ecology, and protection of wildlife which further aid in raising the awareness of visitors.
The sustainable accommodations provided by ecotourism aim to minimise its impact on the surrounding environment. They can be built using eco-friendly materials and often use solely renewable energy sources, therefore mitigating the damage caused to the environment. Further, it remains sustainable by avoiding the use of finite sources of energy. Sustainable accommodation can also offer a sense of excitement to those staying there due to its variety. From eco-lodges made with bamboo or recycled materials to treehouses found in the tropical rainforests, it’s truly an astonishing and unique experience!
Green transportation is another important aspect of ecotourism, helping tourists reduce their carbon footprint through the use of electric cars and bicycles to reach destinations in an environmentally friendly way. Many areas now have bike-sharing schemes that allow travellers to rent bicycles on a short-term basis, providing them with an easy, convenient way to get around without increasing their carbon footprint.
There are a wide variety of activities on offer to ecotourists such as kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching. Many destinations have specific hiking trails that offer beautiful views of the landscape, allowing travellers to enjoy the surrounding scenery whilst reducing their carbon footprint. Kayaking also offers an opportunity for visitors to explore the local bodies of water.
However, ecotourism is not always the eco-friendly holiday it is advertised to be. For example, certain “eco-friendly” activities do have some potentially negative impacts. Off-road driving can have a negative impact on the local biodiversity and habitats. Therefore, it is not always enough to stay at a place that claims to be an ecotourism lodge. It’s equally, if not more important, to choose activities that are responsible and prioritise maintaining the local environments. Moreover, irresponsible ecotourism could lead to pollution, litter, and noise that can impact natural habitats and biodiversity. In some countries, another challenge in developing ecotourism is that the infrastructure makes it difficult for tourists to reach remote areas and for local communities to have access to essential goods and services. However, the issue also present an opportunity to develop sustainable infrastructure with the support of the government and adequate funding.
Technology is revolutionising the world around us, and in recent years has been playing an key role in ecotourism. In particular, the development of digital apps that allow tourists to search for eco-friendly accommodations has supported sustainable tourism and ecotourism at large. By using these apps, users can be matched with the hotel or lodge that is right for them, making ecotourism far more accessible to the public.
Food is widely accepted to be a crucial part of a holiday and ecotourism aims to deliver the delicious food we all love whilst making sure this food is sustainably sourced. Sustainable food should be produced using agricultural methods which prioritise the environment, animals, and community. Moreover, ecotourism often utilises local produce and food in order to reduce the food miles (the distance between where the food is made and where it is eaten) and thus the carbon footprint of the meals. Additionally, choosing to buy from local farmers and producers provides economic support to the community. One other feature of sustainable food in ecotourism is that there would typically be multiple vegetarian or vegan options available, to reduce both the greenhouse gas emissions and the deforestation that come with animal agriculture.
The extraordinary growth shown by ecotourism is projected to continue in the future. In fact, the number of ecotourists is estimated to grow by 10% annually. Furthermore, the global ecotourism market size was valued at around $200 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $600 billion by 2030. With the great emphasis on sustainability and conservation in the modern world, ecotourism looks to be the future of travel, providing an planet-friendly way to holiday.
Ecotourism undoubtedly has a crucial role in sustainable development and conservation, but also the local economies in which it operates. Additionally, the future of this rapidly growing industry looks extremely promising, with the multitude of possibilities to expand further. Ultimately, this symbiosis between tourism and conservation has much to offer for both visitors and hosts; it is truly fascinating.
