Eco Tourism overview

The growing concern for the adverse environmental effects of mass tourism, coupled with the emergence of alternative forms of tourism such as Eco tourism, has initiated an immense debate on whether the latter could, indeed, lead to greater sustainability in the long term. As a matter of fact, Eco tourism is an alternative form of tourism that has been constantly gaining ground at a global scale during the past few years. Its fundamental principles refer to minimizing negative impacts on the environment, respecting the local cultures and actively contributing to the economic and social well-being of host communities, as well as conserving the natural environment. Certification within the tourism field, whether referring to conventional tourism, sustainable tourism or Eco tourism, is another issue that has attracted a great deal of attention both among tourism experts and the public during the last years. 

 

The International Eco tourism Society and UNWTO report that more and more international travelers are purposefully selecting vacation destinations that protect the environment and present options for socially responsible travel. This global market of responsible travelers is growing up to three times faster than any other market segment. Based on UNWTO and International Eco tourism Society estimates, it is probable that about 10% of the global tourism market engages in some form of Eco tourism while on holiday.

Eco tourism captures $77 billion of the global market and experiencing double-digit gains that are likely to accelerate as concern about global warming rises. Among the Eco tourism attractions are wild fauna, wild flora, geological features, hydro-logical features, natural landscape, natural seascape, archaeological features, picturesque villages, local communities, local customs and traditions, traditional art and hand crafts, local gastronomy.

The  United Nations World Travel Organization  (UNWTO)  estimates that in 2007  Eco tourism captured 7 percent of the international market. According to Travel Weekly, sustainable tourism could grow to 25% of the world’s travel market  by 2012, taking the value of the sector to approximately $473 billion a year.

Global Growth in Tourism

1950:  25 million tourist arrivals.

2004:  760 million tourism arrivals.

2007:  903 million tourist arrivals.

2020 Forecast: 1.6 billion intl. arrivals.