Characteristics and Principles

of Ecotourism
Characteristics of EcoTourism
There are various characteristics of eco-tourism are as following:
• Focuses small group of people travel to natural areas.
• Results in promoting environmental awareness among the tourist
and locals.
• Ensures fiscal benefits for preservation of the area.
• Strengthen local communities.
• Respect local traditions and customs.
• Ensures protection of human rights and activities such as
conservation of ecological and cultural sustainability through
ecosystem protection.
 THE PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM

Ecotourism is essentially all about bringing nature/wildlife conservationists, local

communities, and the responsible travel industry together to ensure development
focused on long-term sustainability rather than short-term profits.
The goal is to develop tourist accommodations, activities, and attractions that benefit
everyone involved– the local flora/fauna, the local people, travel industry stakeholders,
and travelers alike.

With this mission in mind, the ecotourism industry has collectively developed a number
of core guiding principles over the past few decades. Although international regulation
and accreditation have remained elusive, these guidelines provide a general blueprint for
responsible tourism development.
 Important Principles of Ecotourism

Ecotourism is about responsible travel to natural areas that promote conservation, bring
harmony among communities, and sustain 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

1. BUILD ENVIRONMENTAL & CULTURAL AWARENESS
Education is a key aspect of ecotourism initiatives, for locals and visitors alike. Most of these
efforts are focused on improving awareness, sensitizing people to environmental issues, and
encouraging them to be conscious of their impact on the places they visit.
Some tour operators create conservation education programs for local schools. Many offer
interpretative guides, naturalists, and guest lecturers to help deepen travelers’ understanding of
their experiences.
Immersive interactions with local cultures are also becoming increasingly common. These
experiences often emphasize interaction rather than a typical performer-audience relationship
with visitors.
2. DESIGN & OPERATE LOW-IMPACT ECO TOURS/FACILITIES

The focus is all about sustainability, minimizing the negative carbon footprint travel often leaves on
the environment. But these days the big picture goal is to create positive, rather than merely neutral
impact.
From using alternative energy sources and ensuring all building materials are locally sourced to
limiting eco tour group sizes, conscious consideration should be made to ensure low impact at
every stage, from development to implementation.
 3. PROVIDE FINANCIAL BENEFITS FOR CONSERVATION
The idea of using the revenue generated by ecotourism to help fund the conservation of nature
and wildlife is not a new idea. In fact, it dates back more than 100 years, to the creation of the 
US National Parks Service.
Referred to by documentarian Ken Burns as “America’s Best Idea,” this concept has since
been applied to more than 6,000 national parks in nearly 100 different countries around the
world.
When managed properly, ecotourism can help provide a revenue-generating alternative to
urbanization, deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, and poaching. And though critics claim
ecotourism often fails to deliver on its promise, recent scientific studies continue to illustrate
its conservation benefits.

4. PROVIDE FINANCIAL BENEFITS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE

Critics have similarly pointed out that some ecotourism initiatives have created more problems
for local people than they solve. Poorly managed programs can lead to conflicts over land and
resources, unfair profit distribution, and cultural exploitation.
True ecotourism MUST provide financial benefits to local people, whether through direct (tours,
admission fees, and donations) or indirect means (such as taxes on travel or accommodation). It
generally works best when there is smaller scale, slower growth, and greater involvement by local
communities in all steps of the tourism development process.
5. SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS

Ecotourism initiatives should always strive to support human rights, economic

empowerment, and democratic movements in a given destination.
In addition to increasing awareness about sociopolitical and environmental issues facing
a given destination, ecotourism initiatives should support local businesses and the rights
of indigenous inhabitants to control their land and assets.
This principle is arguably the most problematic and contentious. Should tour companies
or travelers boycott a given destination due to human rights abuses or unfair treatment
of its indigenous population? In many cases, such boycotts don’t punish the powers-
that-be nearly as harshly as the locals who rely heavily on tourism revenue to survive.
ECOTOURISM
PRINCIPLES IN
ACTION
 ECOTOURISM PRINCIPLES IN ACTION

Becoming a more responsible traveler is the best way to ensure your adventures are
positive for the local people and the planet. 
When the core principles of ecotourism are applied, it can stimulate financial growth in
developing nations, strengthening the global economy.
Individually, one person taking these baby steps to going green might not seem to make
much of an impact. But if we all take simple strides towards being more conscious of our
choices, collectively we can make a world of difference. Here’s how
PACK LIGHT
Lightening up your load saves money on baggage fees and increases plane fuel-efficiency.
Pack items that can be washed in the sink and are quick drying so they can be worn multiple times
during your trip.

SAVE WATER

Take shorter showers, turn off the faucet while shaving and brushing your teeth, and re-use towels for
multiple days.
And NEVER use the hotel laundry, as they typically wash each guest’s clothes separately, even if there
are only a few items.

SAVE ENERGY

When you leave your hotel room, turn off the lights, heat/AC and TV.
Consider leaving the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door so that the housekeeping staff won’t clean your
room every day.
This will save on harsh chemical cleaning supplies and the electricity of vacuuming and washing bed
linens.
REDUCE/REUSE/RECYCLE
Take a BPA-free water bottle you can refill, use just one bar of soap for both sink and
shower.
Return brochures and maps once you’re finished using them, and hold on to your trash
until you find a place to recycle it.

BUY LOCAL
Seek out indigenous artisans and learn about their craft.

LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS

Stick to marked trails to avoid harming native flora, and consider taking a bag to pick up
trash along your journey.
Not only is it a great way to help keep the outdoors beautiful, but it also protects wildlife
that might eat or get tangled in the garbage.
BE A TRAVELER, NOT A TOURIST
Take time to immerse yourself in the local music, art and cuisine. Embrace the
cultural differences that make it unique.
Get to know the locals and how they view life. You might be surprised at the
things you learn when you open your mind to new ideas!

HONOR LOCAL TRADITIONS

Some cultures have very different traditions from yours.
Women are forbidden to show skin in some Muslim countries. For some, being
photographed in like having your soul stolen.
Understand and respect these traditions, or risk offending the people whose
culture you’re there to experience.