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During the last 20 years, ecotourism has been one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry. With a focus on the impact of tourism on nature and communities, advocates suggest that the impact could be extremely positive. As a result, ecotourism has become more than just a niche market within hospitality and tourism businesses; it has evolved into a set of principles and good practices, closely aligned with the concept of sustainable development.
The basic intent of this style of tourism is to foster mindfulness among travelers about the destinations, and likewise to minimise any negative or adverse impact on the environment or local communities.
Ecotourism is typically seen in regions where cultural heritage and environmental diversity are abundant. The increasing interest in, and demand for, ecotourism makes countries like Tanzania and Kenya more popular destinations.
Responsible Travel, an online booking agency for multiple ecotourism organisations around the world, posits that there is an increasing demand among consumers for an adherence to the standards of ecotourism from the travel industry. For example, according to Condé Nast Traveler, 93% of its readers believe that hotels and resorts ought to be responsible for safeguarding the environment they operate in. In the same study, 74.5% said that a hotel's environmental policies could sway their decision on whether or not to stay there.
Considering these statistics, we believe that it is essential for the hospitality industry to embrace ecotourism and incorporate its vital concepts within its philosophy.
By embracing the core elements of conservation, community, and education in ecotourism, hospitality organisations, such as hotels, hostels, resorts, and restaurants, will see a significant growth in their profits by attracting travelers who are sensitive to environmental awareness and sustainable travel.
Many eco-conscious efforts are working well for the hospitality industry. Here are a few examples:
Combining ecotourism and sustainable tourism
Well- traveled and educated guests are looking for more than a stamp that declares a hotel or resort is "green". These eco-conscious travelers understand what hotels and resorts need to do in order to make a difference in the environments where they operate and for the communities they come into contact with.
The hospitality industry should embrace, in theory and in practice, the combined concepts of ecotourism and sustainable tourism. According to Zoe Chafe (2005), "sustainable tourism is the form of tourism that meets the needs of present tourist and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for future.''
Some key concepts for the hospitality industry to focus on and promote are the following: