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About Ecotourism
"Responsible travel to natural areas
that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local
people."
Ecotourism integrates
conservation, communities and sustainable travel.
The guiding principles of Ecotourism are as
follows:
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Minimize impact
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Build environmental and cultural awareness
and respect |
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Provide positive experiences for both
visitors and hosts |
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Provide direct financial benefits for
conservation |
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Provide financial benefits and empowerment
for local people |
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Raise sensitivity to host countries'
political, environmental, and social climate |
"Tourism
that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while
protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future."
- International Ecotourism
Society
Ecotourism
Facts & Statistics
EFB Fact Sheets
| Global Ecotourism – Coming Soon |
| Ecotourism in
the United States – Coming Soon |
Ecotourism
and Conservation
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
supports ecotourism for its relationship with conservation,
sustainability, and biological diversity. Ecotourism is a valuable
economic, social and environmental development tool that can advance
the three basic goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
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Conserve biological (and cultural)
diversity, by strengthening protected area management systems
(public or private) and increasing the value of sound ecosystems;
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Promote the sustainable use of biodiversity,
by generating income, jobs and business opportunities in
ecotourism and related business networks, and
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Share the benefits of ecotourism
developments equitably with local communities and indigenous
people, by obtaining their informed consent and full participation
in planning and management of ecotourism businesses.
Ecotourism, if it is well-planned, managed and
certified can be one of the most effective tools for long-term
conservation of biodiversity when the right circumstances are
present. Market feasibility, management capacity at local level,
and clear and monitored links between ecotourism development and
conservation are important factors in a successful project.
Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism
2002 was declared the UN International Year of
Ecotourism. This culminated with a declaration in Quebec. The
following principles were outlined to distinguish ecotourims from
the wider concept of sustainable tourism:
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Contributes actively to the conservation of
natural and cultural heritage, |
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Includes local and indigenous communities in
its planning, development and operation, contributing to their
well-being, |
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Interprets the natural and cultural heritage
of the destination to visitor, |
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Lends itself bet |
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Ensures prior informed participation of all
stakeholders, |
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Ensures equal, effective and active
participation of all stakeholders, |
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Acknowledges Indigenous Peoples communities'
rights to say "no" to tourism development - and to be fully
informed, effective and active participants in the development of
tourism activities within the communities, lands, and territories,
and |
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Promotes processes for Indigenous Peoples
and local communities to control and maintain their resources.
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ter to independent travellers, as well as to organized tours
for small size groups". |
8th
Session of the United Nations Commission
on Sustainable Development
In May 2000, in a side event associated with
the 8th session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD 8), groups of Indigenous Peoples
Organizations, NGOs and other Civil Society organizations proposed
guidelines for ecotourism.
The guidelines are as follows:
EFB Report:
The following reports are available for download in English Language: (working...)
Master Plan of Ecotourism Infrastructure Development in Bangladesh .
Proposal of Plantation and Nursery for Saints' Martin Island .
Report on Environmental Condition of Shilaidaha Union Territory
Master Plan of Saint's Martin Island
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