The Rise of Ecotourism
Ecotourism has been on the rise since the 1980s, but only now is it beginning to grab the headlines. For those of you who’re wondering, ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local people in the area,” according to the International Ecotourism Society. Basically, your impact should be minimal while providing a positive experience for you, as well as, for your hosts.
In the year 2010, it was assessed that travel and tourism accounted for approximately 9.2% of the world’s GDP, which is why it’s not surprising that currently the tourism industry is responsible for almost 5% of global carbon emissions. The World Economic Forum and Booz & Company did some research and estimates show that emission will double by 2035 if nothing is done to improve the situation. On the flip side, sustainable tourism has shown exponential growth as climate change and its adverse effects have come into the limelight.
A recent study by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that ecotourism is, by far, the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry expanding by 20% to 34% every year. A survey conducted by Conde Nast Traveler of its readers showed that 93% of them thought that travel companies should take on the responsibility of protecting the environment and 58% even went as far that while choosing their hotel they give preference to hotels that support the local community. Another survey done by TravelZoo of US travelers showed that over 90% of them would be willing to choose a ‘green’ and environmentally conscious hotel provided that the price and amenities provided were at par with their counterparts.
It’s extremely clear that the demand for ecotourism is on the rise according to a survey done among TripAdvisor members. 71% of them stated that they would be making more environmentally friendly choices while traveling during the next 12 months. There are even statistics to show that “eco-conscious” consumers tend to travel more often as compared to the average consumer. The CMIGreen Traveler Report 2010 shows that 75.9% took at least two vacations away from home while 22% took as many as five to eight vacations during that same time.
For more news about the importance of ecotourism, keep visiting us.
By G+ Author: Elizabeth Steinfeldt.
Elizabeth Steinfeldt
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