From flights and footprints to vacation fashion splurges, traditional tourism hasn’t exactly been kind to the planet. But there is a better way to travel. It’s called ecotourism, and it’s on the rise as travelers’ priorities change.
What is ecotourism?
Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, respects local cultures and benefits local communities. In the best cases, eco tourism improves a destination – for instance by restoring habitats or preserving cultural heritage.
The main difference between ecotourism and sustainable tourism is that ecotourism also involves an educational component. It aims to provide authentic, meaningful experiences that educate travelers about the environment and local cultures in a way that promotes an appreciation of nature and the importance of protecting it.
Although we are increasingly prioritizing authentic, meaningful experiences when deciding where to travel, finding them involves some homework.
“Do your research on what social and political issues may be going on [at your destination]. Not only do you have a better impact, you have a better experience when you do,” says Kelsey Frenkiel from the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST).
Ecotourism also means being responsible about where our tourist dollars go, Frenkiel adds. Buying from locally owned restaurants, hotels and shops prevents ‘economic leakage’ (when money ends up in big corporations). “At the marketplace, don’t haggle if you think the thing you’re buying has a fair price for you. Travel can be a positive impetus for change.”
When you shop at local markets, you support the local community. Photo: Markus Winkler / Unsplash
Why is ecotourism important?
Tourism has surged since Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted. Spain alone saw a 19% increase in international tourists between 2022 and 2023. But even before the pandemic, tourism had been one of the fastest growing sectors for years. That means more people on the move and more emissions, mostly from transport, accommodation and food.
According to sustainabletravel.org, tourism accounts for a whopping 8% of greenhouse gas emissions.
To put that in perspective, to reach a limit of 1.5 degrees of global warming (the limit scientists hope for to prevent the worst impacts of climate change), we need to stick to a carbon budget of 1,500 kg per person per year. A one-way, four-hour flight from London to Marrakesh in Morocco is approximately 500 kg of carbon – or a third of a person’s total target carbon budget for a year. Making the same journey overland saves about 340 kg of carbon pollution.
As we become more aware of the environmental and social impact of travel, there’s a growing appetite for a different approach. Ecotourism is stepping in to meet the demand.
Flying is incredibly efficient but jumping on trains rather than planes takes a big chunk out of our overall emissions, says sustainable travel expert Holly Tuppen
“But it’s not just the carbon saving that makes me giddy about overland travel,” she explains. “Something about popping into cities for a night in transit makes you see them anew. With not quite enough time to do any serious sightseeing but just enough to revel in the atmosphere, there’s unexpected magic and interest at every turn.”
Taking the slow route makes the journey part of the adventure, she says.
The journey is part of the fun. Photo: Levi Meir Clancy / Unsplash
While cutting down on flights is one of the best ways to travel more sustainably, it’s just the beginning, adds Nina Karnikowski. The author of several books about ecotourism, she says there are many ways we can minimize our personal emissions. She suggests traveling by bike or foot, opting for homestays rather than hotels and eating less or no meat.
What are the benefits of ecotourism?
Beyond meaningful experiences for ourselves, the advantages of ecotourism for communities and destinations can be far-reaching.
- Environmental protection
One of the leading benefits of ecotourism is environmental protection. Ecotourism directly supports conservation efforts by funding protected areas, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- Cultural respect
Ecotourism encourages respect for local traditions, arts and histories. Visitors are often introduced to genuine cultural experiences, helping communities keep their heritage alive.
- Community empowerment
Unlike mass tourism, where profits may leave the community, another advantage of ecotourism is that it’s more likely to benefit locals directly through employment, handicrafts and community-run businesses.
Make it count
Despite the benefits of ecotourism, there’s no getting around the fact that flying halfway across the world for an authentic experience is a bit… contradictory.
One of the easiest ways to embrace ecotourism, without losing the wonder of travel, is to discover destinations close to home. Staying local cuts down on carbon emissions and helps us connect more deeply with the people and places around us.
If you have to fly, make it count. Instead of multiple short getaways, consider one extended trip. Fewer flights mean less emissions and more time to soak up one location.
Consciously choosing how you spend your time once you arrive also matters. As these examples of ecotourism show, the key is striking a balance between feeding our wanderlust while positively impacting the places that make travel so magical.
Costa Rica’s reforestation treks
Costa Rica consistently tops the list of successful ecotourism examples. The Central American country has literally made the world a greener place thanks to a long-term reforestation program. Launched in the late 1990s, the program took Costa Rica from being one of the world’s most deforested countries to a leading ecotourism destination. How? For 25 years, the government paid landowners not to clear trees for agriculture. Parallel investments in national parks and protected areas saw agriculture’s share of the economy fall and the number of jobs in ecotourism rise as visitor numbers grew. Nearly a quarter of Costa Rica’s land is now protected through national parks, wildlife refuges and private reserves. Travelers can help support these efforts by joining activities that combine adventure and conservation. They include tree planting during reforestation treks and wildlife monitoring as part of citizen science projects.
An expanse of endless green in San Vicente, Costa Rica. Photo: Miguel Vargas / Unsplash
Rwanda’s gorilla conservation
In Rwanda, ecotourism supports crucial gorilla conservation efforts. Permits fund rangers’ salaries, anti-poaching initiatives and community projects. To protect the animals further, daily permit numbers are restricted, and visitors must maintain a strict distance. Although mountain gorillas remain highly conservation dependent, they are a rare success story, with recent censuses indicating a growing population.
Scotland’s rewilding network
Communities in Scotland have come together to recover nature via the Northwoods Rewilding Network. Several partners of the rewilding initiative have turned to tourism to fund nature restoration. One of these is a former farm and forestry plantation that is now an ecotourism business which supports more than 30 local full-time jobs. Nature benefits too: 5,000 native trees have been planted, the endangered red squirrel has returned, and the list of birds living nearby now includes four at-risk species.
Guyana’s community-led, low-impact lodges
Some of the best examples of ecotourism are led by communities themselves. In Guyana’s biodiverse interior, Indigenous nations have established low-impact lodges and tours that welcome fewer than 1,000 people per year. The income generated helps communities sustain their way of life, and the relationship between visitor and host is based on mutual respect. A visitor is referred to as a guest – and expected to act like one.
How to be a responsible tourist and avoid greenwashing
How can you tell if a company or business lives up to its environmental claims? Saying something is ‘green’, ‘sustainable’ or ‘carbon neutral’ without providing evidence is called greenwashing. It’s misleading and can stand in the way of us making real sustainable choices.
The GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) is the worldwide body certifying the certifiers – if they say it’s a legitimate badge of honor, you can trust it.
EarthCheck is one of the certification bodies that is accredited by the GSTC. Other certifications to look out for are Green Globe, Rainforest Alliance and Biosphere Responsible Tourism. Each has a slightly different focus, but they all prioritize sustainable travel and tourism generally. As yet, there doesn’t seem to be a specific ecotourism certification.
Although certifications are useful, taking a few minutes before booking to read up on an operator or accommodation and its claims of good practice also goes a long way to spotting and avoiding greenwashing, says Kelsey Frenkiel.
Why ecotourism is worth exploring
Ecotourism is ultimately about mindful choices, although mileage definitely plays a part. More people are choosing ecotourism because honestly, who wants to contribute to coral bleaching or deforestation while chasing Instagram shots?
Eco tourists want real, responsible adventures – and they’re changing travel culture for the better to get them.
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