eco tourism videos

5 Inspirational Sustainable Tourism Videos for 2020

Being unable to travel or go out has proven difficult for people who love to travel. As the restrictions are beginning to lift, it is a good time to information-gather for when travel is possible again! In that spirit, we would like to introduce a collection of inspiring short videos to get you thinking about the future of sustainable travel.

GLP Films shared the official selection of “Best Sustainable Tourism Films” for 2020.  The selection is the top 5 videos from over 100 submissions by travel industry groups and filmmakers around the world.

Founded in 2008, GLP is a content marketing agency founded as the brand “Green Living Project” which is mainly focused on storytelling for sustainability. The GLP has been implemented by requesting that the travel industry, including travel brands, production companies, media, destinations and tour operators, submit the best short footage that supports the overall theme of sustainable tourism. 

This selection was announced with the desire to shed light on the positive story of the future of tourism amid the difficult times of today. Laura Knudson, Marketing Director of GLP Films had this to say about the submissions: “We are excited to celebrate inspiring messages of sustainable tourism through video storytelling. We thank all the travel brands and filmmakers that submitted their videos, and hope these positive stories of tourism and humanity add a little light to the challenging times the travel industry and the world are facing right now.”

The 2nd “Best Sustainable Tourism Film” Contest was created from the viewpoint of “Eco-friendly and sustainable tourism”. The award-winning works are due to the strengths of the sustainable tourism message and the quality of the video overall.  It was also judged in terms of compelling storytelling.

At this time, we will introduce the five videos selected as “Best Sustainable Tourism Film 2020” from destinations around the world.

Each video is unique and beautifully edited. The themes are that of world tourism such as community tourism, women’s empowerment, wildlife protection, social impact, local production for local consumption from farm to table, and cultural heritage. 

Please watch and enjoy the beautiful images and the lively faces of the locals, which may give you a case of wanderlust! 

1: CYCLING TOWARDS A BRIGHTER FUTURE

A community story that promotes tourism using bicycles in Morocco. This particular group aims to dispel the negative perception that owning a bicycle is for those who cannot afford gas or electric powered forms of transportation. And to instead instill a sense of fun, adventure and togetherness with friends.

By riding a bicycle, you can become more integrated with local life. In order to do sightseeing using a bicycle, it is possible to educate people in the profession of being bicycle guides and bicycle repairmen in the community, and one can use public speaking techniques, emergency response, and safety measures necessary for guides.  In addition, the aim is to empower women in the area by offering bicycling classes to women, and as a bicycle guide activities are also conducted in order to build self-confidence and encourage self-reliance.

2: THE SOUL OF SKÅNE

A story about local production for local consumption in an area called Skåne in Sweden.

The locals tell about locally grown organic foods and the connection with nature.

The video shares interesting facts, such that the restaurants also source ingredients from the fields, the hospitality of the locals and the stress-free country life. This is a video that impresses with the gentle nature and smiles of the local people.

3: TURTLE CONSERVATION IN COSTA RICA

A story about the conservation of sea turtles in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Tortuguero means turtles in Spanish. This video has many scenes of baby turtles, which can be quite endearing.

In Central and South America, sea turtles are endangered because eating turtles and their eggs is a traditional food. This sea turtle breeding area protects sea turtles. They accept volunteers from all over the world. Because many travellers visit to observe turtles, it is important to protect sea turtles for a sustainable form of tourism that does not destroy nature. This form of tourism is preferable to the hunting of turtles, which has long been a source of income for the local community. 

4:  SRI LANKA TRAVEL: DISCOVER ARTISAN CRAFTS AND DELICIOUS MEALS AT THE STHREE CAFE

A story of a craft shop and cafe in Sri Lanka.

This initiative for women’s empowerment was established in 2018. While it is possible to make high technology and wonderful things, it helps women who could not sell clothes and crafts made without a sales channel until now. 

In addition, a program for travelers who wish to experience cooking local food is offered. These initiatives are beneficial for many reasons, as well as directing funds into the local community.

5: FOOD FORAGING IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

A story about foraging and cooking naturally sourced foods in Newfoundland and Labrador, northeastern Canada. The wild grass and tree nuts that can be obtained locally are wonderful in color, and although it can be difficult to collect, it is said that it is very delicious if you cook it and share the meal with a person who is important to you.

In various parts of the world, local people are maintaining their livelihoods by hosting travelers who come to sightsee from outside of the area, while considering the environment of earth. It may be difficult to travel right away, but once you are able to travel, it would be nice to visit places that offer sustainable travel using these local materials and resources. 

Want to learn more about eco-friendly travel? If you would like more inspiration delivered straight to your email inbox, please click here to sign up for the Ecotourism World newsletter.

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What is ecotourism? A guide on how to travel sustainably.

Immerse yourself in nature — with respect for the environment and the culture that supports it.

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If you love nature, you may have tried to plan a vacation where you get to be immersed in it. Maybe you’ve explored a coral reef or visited an elephant sanctuary, or you dream of doing so one day. These activities can fall under the umbrella of ecotourism — a kind of nature-based travel that aims to protect and empower the environment, animals, and local communities — when planning vacations.

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, accounting for 22 million new jobs last year , with a large part of that growth stemming from a post-lockdown itch for travel . As people return to packing as much stuff as humanly possible into a carry-on, ecotourism, too, will likely skyrocket to a market value of $299 billion by 2026 . In the last 10 years, travelers have become more environmentally conscious and socially responsible , looking for travel experiences that reflect their morals.

Still, the question for many well-meaning tourists remains: Is ethical ecotourism even possible?

There are a few things that complicate ecotourism’s narrative, like the carbon emissions produced by flights , or the challenges of ensuring that a significant degree of profits actually do go to local communities, protecting wildlife, and cultural heritage. Nature-based travel, too, can risk losing the plot, from sanctuaries that operate like petting zoos to the development of tropical coasts into even the most nature-forward resorts.

“It really boils down to an attitude, and an ethic about how we approach the natural world,” says David Fennell , a geography and tourism studies professor at Brock University in Ontario, Canada, and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Ecotourism . “Just by virtue of going to a national park doesn’t mean you’re an ecotourist, you have to have that attitude. And you have to tap into that ethic about what is important [to] not just yourself as a tourist, but about conservation and animal welfare.”

As a tourist, choosing where to go is an important decision, one that can help or hurt the environment and communities where you are visiting. There are some situations that are too good to be truly as effective as they claim, and accreditations, though helpful, may not tell the whole story. Understandably, trying to figure out what’s best for the environment, for communities, and for yourself can be overwhelming. It may be that ecotourism is a state of mind rather than a destination. Here are some ways to think about your next adventure to ensure your ethics align.

What actually is ecotourism?

An alternative to mass tourism — or when thousands of people visit a destination day in and day out ( think the resort-ification of Ibiza , in which people partied so hard that legislation was passed in 2022 to change the destination’s wasteful image) — ecotourism is meant to get you off the beaten trail and into a mindset of reciprocity with the site you are visiting.

As with many sustainability-oriented services, ecotourism got its start in the ’70s. It officially became a dictionary entry in 1982 , where it is defined as supporting conservation efforts, especially in often threatened natural environments. Since then though, the definition and intent have evolved to include bolstering local communities.

In the literature on ecotourism, travel can be distinguished into “hard paths” and “soft paths,” based on how many aspects of your trip follow the ethical north star of ecotourism and how demanding the trip will be of you. For example, if your trip features a strong environmental commitment and will be physically active, you’re likely on the hard path of ecotourism. If your trip is aimed at physical comfort with only a moderate nod to environmental commitment, you may be on a soft path. But taking it as an ethos means you can be an ecotourist anywhere, especially locally.

You might be wondering if a hike on a busy trail or swimming with manatees is ecotourism. Although both of those examples are nature-based tourism as they interface with the natural world, they’re not necessarily ecotourism, since both of these activities can put these destinations at risk if done in excess. Hiking a spot to death or droves of tourists putting Florida’s manatees at risk put pressure on the ecology of those places. In the 1980s, mass tourism began to wreck some of the world’s most sensitive ecosystems, such as the Riviera Maya in Mexico, where near-constant development has led to local forests being cleared .

Wildlife tourism runs the gamut from cruel breeding and hunting of lions to we-really-shouldn’t-have-cetaceans-in-captivity dolphin shows to cool , ethical birdwatching. Ecotourism including wildlife can be ethical as long as the animals you are engaging with are not manipulated or not free to disengage in interaction with tourists. “Anytime you have an animal that’s held in a captive environment, that you’re manipulating, the animal is not free to disengage that interaction, based on its own will,” says Fennell.

If you’re interested in going on adventures that are a little more sport-oriented, such as kayaking or diving, then this might be also considered nature-based tourism, since activities like climbing, sailing, camping, and snorkeling are less directly connected to ecological benefits. An example of nature tourism would be surfing lessons off Australia’s Coffs coast : You’re in nature having fun, but vibes are about all you’re contributing to the scene.

Ecotourism also has an educational component: You’re meant to learn about nature, culture, and threats to the area you’re in. Paul Rosolie — founder and Wildlife Director of Junglekeepers , a program that uses donations and tourist money to buy tracts of the Amazon along the Las Piedras River, in the Madre de Dios region of Peru — highlighted how ecotourism has brought people to the front lines of conservation.

“This is the edge of human presence on this planet,” Rosolie said via voice memo deep in the Amazon. “The battle is playing out between the progress of roads and development and the last places where there are untouched ecosystems, Indigenous communities, communities of species yet to be discovered. You get to see incredibly pristine, pure wilderness where a few people have managed to make a living.”

Ecotourism should encourage ethical considerations, like respect for the environment and host communities. For example, ecotourism aims to be biocentric , meaning that the interest of the living beings you are hoping to protect is prioritized over your own drive for pleasure. There is also the risk of too much tourism causing gentrification and raising prices for locals — see what’s currently happening in Mexico City , or consider the (fictional, but still germane) plot of HBO’s The White Lotus . Ecotourism aims to reverse the exploitative relationships between tourists and locals.

Lastly, ecotourism should strive for sustainability. In the case of Junglekeepers , which offers base station visits and ranger-accompanied hikes to tourists, this means extending employment to former loggers in their ranger program. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where there are six ecolodges for tourists to book, has anti-poaching teams who work with the Kenya Wildlife Service to stop illegal poaching for ivory, bushmeat, and logging.

The tricky questions around ecotourism

Just because ecotourism might have a broader application these days, it doesn’t necessarily mean all travel qualifies, especially since there are slews of companies and organizations attempting to make a quick buck off a catchy buzzword. Unfortunately, it’s hard to sift the wheat from the chaff. As ecotourism as a concept grows more and more popular, some experiences and excursions may not necessarily meet the intentions lined up above.

Tourism can be rife with greenwashing : vague and unsupported claims, and exaggerations about how much good a given entity is doing, like hotels highlighting their donations to ecological causes, but underpaying their staff . Some excursions put Indigenous peoples in precarious situations , and some force animals to perform or be ridden or petted in a forced and unnatural manner .

Milo Putnam — founder of Laro Ethical Wildlife Travels , a service that helps people plan eco-travel — warns, “Don’t be tricked by misused greenwashing buzzwords like ‘rescue,’ ‘sanctuary,’ or ‘eco-park.’ Companies know that tourists like these terms, which to these companies can mean more profits, even if it isn’t true. These terms are meaningless if not backed by actual ethical practices. Instead, look further to see if they are certified or accredited by a trusted organization.” (More on this below.)

Additionally, Fennell believes the most ethical ecotourists — the traveler and any organizations involved — should keep animals off the menu. Ecotourism’s biocentric approach should lead us to widen our moral consideration of animals and to care not only for charismatic megafauna like lions and elephants, but also for all creatures that make ecosystems function. “The global food system — mainly animal agriculture — is the primary driver of biodiversity loss ,” Putnam added. “Choosing a more plant-based diet has a positive impact on wildlife around the world.”

How to choose where to go

Certifications may give a clue to how well a given destination is achieving ecotourism goals, but they may not always exist.

Putnam has compiled a tip list for planning animal-based adventures and points to the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries as a resource. The federation checks in to ensure that no captive breeding is taking place, that tourists do not have direct contact with wildlife, and that animals have appropriate housing and veterinary care.

There is no universal ecotourism certification, but the Global Sustainable Tourism Council has compiled a list of certifications around the world that emphasize the four “C’s”: conservation, community, culture, and commerce. These certifications are a good place to start and they cover Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America, and Australia.

The land down under is at the top when it comes to vetting their tourism options. Australia’s ecotourism industry has some of the most sophisticated certifications including nature tourism, ecotourism, and advanced ecotourism . In this certification system, outback safari glamping in Karijini National Park counts as ecotourism, because it supports Indigenous peoples as it is owned and operated by the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation , which represents the interests of the Banjima, Yinhawangka, and Nyiyaparli peoples in Western Australia.

Everyone I spoke to underscored the importance of selecting an ethical destination for travel because the money you spend as a tourist can have a positive impact rather than an ambiguous impact or even detrimental effect on the places you’re visiting. As Rosolie puts it, “Finding the right place to go as a traveler is a very powerful decision to people who are devoting their whole lives to protecting a place.”

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What Is Ecotourism? Definition, Examples, and Pros and Cons

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Ecotourism Definition and Principles

Pros and cons.

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Ecotourism is about more than simply visiting natural attractions or natural places; it’s about doing so in a responsible and sustainable manner. The term itself refers to traveling to natural areas with a focus on environmental conservation. The goal is to educate tourists about conservation efforts while offering them the chance to explore nature.

Ecotourism has benefited destinations like Madagascar, Ecuador, Kenya, and Costa Rica, and has helped provide economic growth in some of the world’s most impoverished communities. The global ecotourism market produced $92.2 billion in 2019 and is forecasted to generate $103.8 billion by 2027.

A conservationist by the name of Hector Ceballos-Lascurain is often credited with the first definition of ecotourism in 1987, that is, “tourism that consists in travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific object of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas.”

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of ecotourism since 1990, defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education [both in its staff and its guests].”

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) looks at ecotourism as a significant tool for conservation, though it shouldn’t be seen as a fix-all when it comes to conservation challenges:

“There may be some areas that are just not appropriate for ecotourism development and some businesses that just won’t work in the larger tourism market. That is why it is so important to understand the basics of developing and running a successful business, to ensure that your business idea is viable and will be profitable, allowing it to most effectively benefit the surrounding environment and communities.”

Marketing an ecosystem, species, or landscape towards ecotourists helps create value, and that value can help raise funds to protect and conserve those natural resources.

Sustainable ecotourism should be guided by three core principles: conservation, communities, and education.

Conservation

Conservation is arguably the most important component of ecotourism because it should offer long-term, sustainable solutions to enhancing and protecting biodiversity and nature. This is typically achieved through economic incentives paid by tourists seeking a nature-based experience, but can also come from the tourism organizations themselves, research, or direct environmental conservation efforts.

Communities

Ecotourism should increase employment opportunities and empower local communities, helping in the fight against global social issues like poverty and achieving sustainable development.

Interpretation

One of the most overlooked aspects of ecotourism is the education component. Yes, we all want to see these beautiful, natural places, but it also pays to learn about them. Increasing awareness about environmental issues and promoting a greater understanding and appreciation for nature is arguably just as important as conservation.

As one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry, there are bound to be some downsides to ecotourism. Whenever humans interact with animals or even with the environment, it risks the chance of human-wildlife conflict or other negative effects; if done so with respect and responsibility in mind, however, ecotourism can reap enormous benefits to protected areas.

As an industry that relies heavily on the presentation of eco-friendly components to attract customers, ecotourism has the inevitable potential as a vessel for greenwashing. Part of planning a trip rooted in ecotourism is doing research to ensure that an organization is truly providing substantial benefits to the environment rather than exploiting it.

Ecotourism Can Provide Sustainable Income for Local Communities

Sustainably managed ecotourism can support poverty alleviation by providing employment for local communities, which can offer them alternative means of livelihood outside of unsustainable ones (such as poaching).

Research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that communities in regions surrounding conservation areas in Costa Rica had poverty rates that were 16% lower than in areas that weren’t near protected parks. These protected areas didn’t just benefit from conservation funds due to ecotourism, but also helped to reduce poverty as well.

It Protects Natural Ecosystems

Ecotourism offers unique travel experiences focusing on nature and education, with an emphasis on sustainability and highlighting threatened or endangered species. It combines conservation with local communities and sustainable travel , highlighting principles (and operations) that minimize negative impacts and expose visitors to unique ecosystems and natural areas. When managed correctly, ecotourism can benefit both the traveler and the environment, since the money that goes into ecotourism often goes directly towards protecting the natural areas they visit.

Each year, researchers release findings on how tourist presence affects wildlife, sometimes with varying results. A study measuring levels of the stress hormone cortisol in wild habituated Malaysian orangutans found that the animals were not chronically stressed by the presence of ecotourists. The orangutans lived in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, where a local community-managed organization operates while maintaining strict guidelines to protect them.

Ecotourism May Also Hurt Those Same Natural Ecosystems

Somewhat ironically, sometimes ecotourism can hurt ecosystems just as much as it can help. Another study in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution found that ecotourism can alter animal behaviors in ways that put them at risk. If the presence of humans changes the way animals behave, those changes may make them more vulnerable by influencing their reaction to predators or poachers.

It's not just the animals who are at risk. As ecotourism activities become too popular, it can lead to the construction of new infrastructure to accommodate more visitors. Similarly, more crowds mean more pressure on local resources, increased pollution, and a higher chance of damaging the soil and plant quality through erosion. On the social side, these activities may displace Indigenous groups or local communities from their native lands, preventing them from benefiting from the economic opportunities of tourism.

Ecotourism Offers the Opportunity to Experience Nature

Renown conservationist Jane Goodall has a famous quote: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved.” It can be difficult to understand something that we haven’t seen with our own eyes, and ecotourism gives travelers the opportunity to gain new experiences in natural areas while learning about the issues they face. 

Ecotourism also educates children about nature, potentially creating new generations of nature lovers that could someday become conservationists themselves. Even adult visitors may learn new ways to improve their ecological footprints .

EXAMPLES OF ECOTOURISM

The East African country has some competitive advantages over its neighbors thanks to its rich natural resources, paired with the fact that it has allocated over 25% of its total area to wildlife national parks and protected areas. Because of this, an estimated 90% of tourists visit to Tanzania seeking out ecotourism activities. Ecotourism, in turn, supports 400,000 jobs and accounts for 17.2% of the national GDP, earning about $1 billion each year as its leading economic sector.

Some of Tanzania’s biggest highlights include the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro , and Zanzibar, though the country still often goes overlooked by American tourists. Visitors can take a walking safari tour in the famous Ngorongoro Conservation area, for example, with fees going to support the local Maasai community.

The country is also known for its chimpanzees , and there are several ecotourism opportunities in Gombe National Park that go directly towards protecting chimpanzee habitats.

Galapagos Islands

It comes as no surprise that the place first made famous by legendary naturalist Charles Darwin would go on to become one of the most sought-after ecotourism destinations on Earth, the Galapagos Islands .

The Directorate of the Galapagos National Park and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism require tour providers to conserve water and energy, recycle waste, source locally produced goods, hire local employees with a fair wage, and offer employees additional training. A total of 97% of the land area on the Galapagos is part of the official national park, and all of its 330 islands have been divided into zones that are either completely free of human impact, protected restoration areas, or reduced impact zones adjacent to tourist-friendly areas.

Local authorities still have to be on their toes, however, since UNESCO lists increased tourism as one of the main threats facing the Galapagos today. The bulk of funding for the conservation and management of the archipelago comes from a combination of governmental institutions and entry fees paid by tourists.

Costa Rica is well-known throughout the world for its emphasis on nature-based tourism, from its numerous animal sanctuaries to its plethora of national parks and reserves. Programs like its “Ecological Blue Flag” program help inform tourists of beaches that have maintained a strict set of eco-friendly criteria.

The country’s forest cover went from 26% in 1983 to over 52% in 2021 thanks to the government’s decision to create more protected areas and promote ecotourism in the country . Now, over a quarter of its total land area is zoned as protected territory.

Costa Rica welcomes 1.7 million travelers per year, and most of them come to experience the country’s vibrant wildlife and diverse ecosystems. Its numerous biological reserves and protected parks hold some of the most extraordinary biodiversity on Earth, so the country takes special care to keep environmental conservation high on its list of priorities. 

New Zealand

In 2019, tourism generated $16.2 billion, or 5.8% of the GDP, in New Zealand. That same year, 8.4% of its citizens were employed in the tourism industry, and tourists generated $3.8 billion in tax revenue.

The country offers a vast number of ecotourism experiences, from animal sanctuaries to natural wildlife on land, sea, and even natural caves. New Zealand’s South Pacific environment, full of sights like glaciers and volcanic landscapes, is actually quite fragile, so the government puts a lot of effort into keeping it safe.

Tongariro National Park, for example, is the oldest national park in the country, and has been named by UNESCO as one of only 28 mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Sites. Its diverse volcanic landscapes and the cultural heritage of the indigenous Maori tribes within the create the perfect combination of community, education, and conservation.

How to Be a Responsible Ecotourist

• Ensure that the organizations you hire provide financial contributions to benefit conservation and find out where your money is going.
• Ask about specific steps the organization takes to protect the environment where they operate, such as recycling or promoting sustainable policies.
• Find out if they include the local community in their activities, such as hiring local guides, giving back, or through initiatives to empower the community.
• Make sure there are educational elements to the program. Does the organization take steps to respect the destination’s culture as well as its biodiversity?
• See if your organization is connected to a non-profit or charity like the International Ecotourism Society .
• Understand that wildlife interactions should be non-invasive and avoid negative impacts on the animals.

Ecotourism activities typically involve visiting and enjoying a natural place without disturbing the landscape or its inhabitants. This might involve going for a hike on a forest trail, mountain biking, surfing, bird watching, camping, or forest bathing . 

Traveling in a way that minimizes carbon emissions, like taking a train or bike instead of flying, may also be part of an ecotourism trip. Because these modes of travel tend to be slower, they may be appreciated as enjoyable and relaxing ecotourism activities.

The Wolf Conservation Center ’s programing in New York State is an example of ecotourism. This non-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation of endangered wolf species. It hosts educational sessions that allow visitors to observe wolves from a safe distance. These programs help to fund the nonprofit organization’s conservation and wildlife rehabilitation efforts.

Stonehouse, Bernard. " Ecotourism ." Environmental Geology: Encyclopedia of Earth Science , 1999, doi:10.1007/1-4020-4494-1_101

" What is Ecotourism? " The International Ecotourism Society .

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" Galapagos Islands ." UNESCO .

" About Costa Rica ." Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC .

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What Is Ecotourism?

Conservation, offering market-linked long-term solutions, ecotourism provides effective economic incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural heritage of our beautiful planet., communities, by increasing local capacity building and employment opportunities, ecotourism is an effective vehicle for empowering local communities around the world to fight against poverty and to achieve sustainable development., interpretation, with an emphasis on enriching personal experiences and environmental awareness through interpretation, ecotourism promotes greater understanding and appreciation for nature, local society, and culture., the definition., ecotourism is now defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (ties, 2015). education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests., principles of ecotourism, ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. this means that those who implement, participate in and market 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 hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for 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.
• Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.

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10 Rewarding Ecotourism Activities to Do Around the World

Posted by Francesca Brooking | Sustainable Travel , Travel | 6

From planting trees to ethical safaris check out this list of 10 ecotourism activities that protect the environment, provide economic benefits to local communities and guarantee an unforgettable trip.

As we become increasingly aware of our environmental footprint, more people are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the planet – including how they travel. 

With it, there’s a growing appreciation for the natural world and interest in authentic, meaningful, immersive experiences. As a result, ecotourism is on the rise and becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors in tourism. 

But what exactly IS ecotourism and how can it be put into practice? Ecotourism is defined as:

‘Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the wellbeing of local people and involves interpretation and education.’ International Ecotourism Society, 2015

Ecotourism is all about using tourism to protect the natural environment, empower local communities and educate travellers. It’s primarily a hands-on and nature-based form of travel. 

Ecotourism activities can look like cycling, hiking, small-group wildlife tours, kayaking and tree planting , alongside low-impact ways to get out in nature and give back to local communities.

The easiest way to build this responsible form of travel into your itinerary is to take part in ecotourism activities. Some are specific to a destination, and others you can do anywhere once you know what to look for!

If you’re looking for adventure and ways to minimise your carbon footprint, read on to discover 10 eco-friendly nature tourism activities.

Each one of these environmentally conscious trips gives back to the planet and guarantees a spectacular holiday. 

Editor’s tip: In my detailed guide , you can read more about the benefits of ecotourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism examples, and how to be an eco-friendly traveller.

10 Amazing ecotourism activities to do around the world

Don’t have time to read the whole post? Check out the video below for a quick summary of the 10 types of ecotourism activities you can do.

Read on to discover 10 of the best nature-based things you can do that protect the environment and give back to the local community while you’re at. 

I’ve also included top ecotourism destinations around the world you can do these rewarding activities!

1. Do a small-group eco-tour 

Small-group tours are a fantastic way to see the world, particularly if you’re looking for nature, ecotourism and adventure. 

One such tour operator is G Adventures. They offer a range of wildlife experiences called The Jane Goodall Collection , and they’ve all been endorsed by the renowned ethologist herself. 

Each tour has been carefully designed to be ethical and immersive to help travellers see some of the world’s most incredible wildlife responsibly. 

Working in partnership with The Jane Goodall Institute, G Adventures ensures that all tours uphold their Animal Welfare Policy so that all wildlife is protected and respected.

Popular ecotourism holidays include a culture & wildlife experience in Uganda and Rwanda which features the famous mountain gorillas. 

Others include island-hopping in the Galápagos and polar bear spotting in Norway. 

Wildlife-focused travel is always exciting, but sadly not all experiences are ethical.

Going on a tour with a responsible travel company like G Adventures allows you to see some of the most incredible creatures in the natural world as ethically and safely as possible.

These ecotourism tours raise awareness of their subjects and the threats to their habitats. They also empower local communities through employment opportunities which is exactly what eco-friendly travel is about. 

2. Go hiking or trekking 

Some of the best ecotourism activities you can do are hiking and trekking. It’s just you and nature, passing by local communities along the way. 

Depending on your experience level, you can go as beginner-friendly or advanced as you like. Do local one-day hikes or go on multi-day excursions exploring deserts, jungles and mountains! 

The great thing about hiking holidays is that you can do them almost anywhere and get the same level of enjoyment. You don’t need to fly halfway around the world when there is nature to be explored close by.

United Kingdom

Since I’m based in the UK, I would be remiss not to mention some beautiful multi-day walking holidays I have at home. These include but are not limited to:

• Cotswold Way, a 102-mile footpath from Chipping Campden to Bath
• South West Coast Path, running 630 miles from Minehead to Poole Harbour
• Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a 186-mile trail from Amroth to St Dogmael’s
• The West Highland Way, a 96-mile trail from Milngavie to Fort William
• Causeway Coast Way, a 33-mile route from Belfast to Derry Londonderry

For hiking in Europe, consider Los Picos de Europa, a biosphere reserve and mountain range in Northern Spain. One of Europe’s biggest national parks, it’s home to a stunning mountain range of the same name. 

You can take in the scenery on a series of short well-marked hiking circuits, two long-distance hiking trails and four high mountain hikes. 

One of the best places in the world for jungle trekking is the tropical rainforests of Borneo. From orangutans to elephants, this nature lover’s dream is teeming with wildlife. It’s also been around since the dinosaurs. 

I highly recommend you go with an ethical tour so you can safely trek in this unspoilt landscape. 

If you want to do some of the most beautiful hikes in the world with a guide, Much Better Adventures has an extensive collection of trips for every level.

Editor’s tip: Whether hiking, trekking or taking part in any outdoor activity, always stick to the principles of ‘Leave No Trace’ and leave nature exactly as you found it. 

Read Next: Incredible One-Day Walking Trails in the UK

3. Do a cycling holiday

Cycling holidays are becoming an increasingly popular ecotourism activity, and it’s easy to see why. It’s exercise and a good dose of the great outdoors all in one. 

There’s also a certain level of freedom in strapping your bag to your bike and cycling off that you don’t get with driving. Perhaps because you can go places, cars can’t like mountain trails or off-road routes!

It’s more eco-friendly, too (my eco-packing list will make the trip even greener).

Portugal is growing in popularity with cyclists. Most roads are well-kept, and the sunny maritime climate all year round makes it perfect for cycling. 

There’s also a diverse range of landscapes to explore. One of them is the 200km long Ecovia do Litoral cycling trail which takes you all along the Algarve coast to the Spanish border. 

You have rugged, sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, with opportunities to go inland to visit communities typical tourists in the Algarve rarely see. 

Another excellent cycling destination is Wales. It offers an exciting terrain of challenging mountain peaks, cool countryside rides and stunning coastal trails. 

You also have a wealth of dramatic scenery, castles and villages to explore along the way. You can do a self-guided trip or build your route with companies like Wheely Wonderful Cycling. 

They do a range of self-guided eco tours to suit every level. They also transport your luggage for you, so you’re free to ride unencumbered. 

A growing sustainable travel destination, Slovenia has launched a brand new Green Gourmet Route which combines great food and cycling. Honestly, what could be better?

The itinerary is 11 days and takes cyclists through destinations bearing the Slovenia Green label. It runs mainly along paths and features culinary delights such as Michelin-starred restaurants, vineyards, farms and spas.

You can do this eco activity by yourself or with a local tour group.

4. Go kayaking 

Kayaking is an eco-friendly way to enjoy waterways and coastlines because it’s all self-powered. No gas, oil or loud noises are involved, making it unobtrusive to the natural world around you.

You also have time to relax and take in your surroundings. It’s the perfect way to travel slowly.

Below are some amazing ecotourism places that are perfect for kayaking trips. 

During a trip to Costa Rica, I spent a morning exploring the mangroves near San Antonio National Park by kayak with an environmental scientist / tour guide.

I learned about the importance of mangroves as an ecosystem and the life it supports. My guide also highlighted the threats to mangroves and how small-group, low-impact tourism is helping to protect them.

Afterwards, we tucked into a delicious home-cooked lunch. It was one of my favourite ecotourism activities in Costa Rica!

The Norwegian Fjords are one of the most magnificent sites on Earth, and paddling through them allows you to experience every part of this dramatic landscape. 

Don’t miss the stunning Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s 17km long, and the narrowest point is only 250m wide. 

As you paddle through, you’ll be greeted with snow-capped mountains, pretty farms and cascading waterfalls along the way. 

Greece’s Peloponnese Peninsula is a fantastic spot for sea kayaking. The coast is rich with hidden coves, mysterious caves and plenty of ancient history. 

Begin your trip at Voidokilia, one of the best beaches on the peninsula, before paddling towards the beautiful seaside town of Pylos. 

You’ll also come across the formidable sight of Old Navarino Castle, a 13th Century Frankish castle with dramatic views out towards the bay below. 

Read Next: How to Visit Greece on a Budget

5. Go diving or snorkelling

Whether you’re diving or snorkelling, exploring the marine world can be an unforgettable experience. You just need to be aware of how to do it safely and ethically so as not to harm the fragile environment. 

Above all, make sure you’re wearing reef-safe sunscreen to prevent harmful chemicals like oxybenzone from entering the water and bleaching coral reefs. 

Always go with reputable guides that are respectful of marine life and work to protect it. 

Home to some of the healthiest coral reefs in the world, Fiji is popular with scuba divers and snorkellers alike.

For this reason, many local resorts have developed ecotourism activities to help protect the environment from the effects of mass tourism. 

One example is Mantaray Island. The waters in front of the resort are a marine reserve that has allowed life there to flourish. They also carry out yearly environmental surveys to monitor the impact of the resort on the reserve. 

No strangers to a busy tourism scene, Thailand is working hard to mitigate the damage to the marine environment caused by overtourism.

The Smiling Seahorse is a dive company specialising in Liveaboard holidays in the Similan Islands. They have a responsible tourism policy, only use eco-friendly products on the boat and are part of the Manta Trust Operator Wall of Fame.

6. Go dolphin or whale watching

Dolphin and whale watching is another fun water-based activity to do on your travels. It can give you an exhilarating experience and benefit the marine environment if done right.

When choosing to do this activity, look out for responsible travel companies that have a marine biologist onboard the boat or donate a portion of the profits to conservation efforts.

Make sure the dolphins or whales are wild and in their natural habitat. They must be allowed to behave naturally and come and go when they choose. This means no feeding or touching the animals.

The noise of the boat’s engines is also important – particularly for whale sonars!

As for swimming with dolphins , there’s some debate about whether or not it’s truly ethical. Again it’s worth checking how the tour interacts with them before making up your mind.

As a general rule, stick with watching them safely from the boat if you’re unsure!

Below are some incredible ethical places to go dolphin and whale watching.

If you like dolphins and feeding your adrenaline, Sea EO Tours offers speed boat tours in Lisbon.

The 3-hour tour takes up in a speed boat up the Tagus Estuary into the Atlantic Ocean, searching for resident common dolphins and other marine life.

It’s an exhilarating trip, and you can get pretty close to the dolphins. I did it, and although the dolphins were a little slow to appear, we were soon surrounded by a pod of 25 leaping and diving all around the boat.

Afterwards, we glided back down the river, stopping for a quick tipple of sweet wine in front of Belém Tower.

If you need any help booking this tour or any of your Portugal, I recommend Original Travel. They offer some fantastic sustainable self-guided travel itineraries.

You’ll also get access to a travel concierge who can help you every step of the way!

New Zealand

Another great to see dolphins and whales is New Zealand – specifically, Kaikoura on the South Island.

The area is a haven for marine life thanks to a deep water trench which offers a bounty of food for sperm whales, seals and dolphins.

I did a whale-watching boat tour with Whale Watch Kaikoura. During this catamaran ride, I saw sperm whales and, as a bonus, dolphins, seals, penguins and an albatross!

7. Set sail on an eco-friendly cruise 

For the most part, cruises are notoriously bad for the environment.

In 2017, one major cruise corporation was found to emit 10 times more sulphur oxide into the atmosphere around European coasts than more than 260 million cars in Europe! 

At high concentrations, sulphur emissions damage fragile ecosystems, increase human health risks and contribute to acid rain. Now imagine being on deck and breathing that in every day… 

Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten proves that cruising can become an ecotourism excursion. 

Hurtigruten has been a leader in sustainable exploration travel since 1893. They’ve avoided the use of heavy oils for over 10 years, and they’re building the first-ever hybrid electric-powered expedition cruise ships. 

These emissions-free ships are set to be the greenest cruises in history. 

Hurtigruten expeditions take you to some of the farthest corners of the world, including Antarctica, where you get to go whale watching, penguin spotting and explore the vast continent on foot. 

Each trip is designed to be an educational and meaningful experience. 

A dedicated Expedition Team hosts you throughout the journey and provides lectures on wildlife, geography, culture and more to help you understand the places you visit. 

8. Venture on a canopy walk 

Ziplining and canopy walks are thrilling ways to explore forest terrain. What’s more, you’re seeing it all from above – a view which is usually reserved for scientists and researchers. 

One of the best examples of ecotourism in the world is the canopy tour in Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. 

Climb high into and above the trees on secure walkways and harnesses. Here, low-hanging clouds kiss the treetops, and you can spot exotic birds and monkeys in the branches. 

To get the adrenaline pumping, swap walking for ziplining and zip past jaw-dropping vistas of ancient forests, waterfalls and valleys. This one is by far the most popular ziplining tour in Monteverde!

These tours are committed to providing incredible experiences whilst raising awareness of the delicate ecosystem of the cloud forest. 

They give you invaluable insight into the balance of nature and what’s being done to protect the inhabitants of this reserve for years to come. 

Costa Rica accounts for 6% of the world’s biodiversity , so it’s vital that we protect it.  

9. Experience tree planting holidays 

Tree planting is an ecotourism holiday that offers a hands-on and rewarding way to give back. Plus, you can see first-hand the positive difference you’re making to the environment. 

Trees for Life is an organisation that’s working to rewild the Scottish Highlands by planting trees and recovering declining forests. 

To date, they’ve planted more than 2 million trees in and around Dundreggan near Loch Ness to restore the Caledonian Forest, which once covered most of Scotland. 

You can take part in voluntary Rewilding Weeks run by Trees for Life and spend a week in the Scottish Highlands planting trees and monitoring wildlife. 

All your food and accommodation are included in a set price, and you’ll get transfers to and from Inverness.

Trees for Life is also involved in other environmental projects, including research into the possibility of bringing the lynx back to Scotland and increasing the red squirrel population. 

Another way you can get involved in rewilding is through an eco-tour with SCOTLAND: The Big Picture.

This charity runs five-day immersive Rewilding Journeys where you’ll see first-hand the key projects involved in restoring the Scottish Highlands.

This ecotourism experience is one of my personal favourites as I was lucky enough to do it myself!

10. Book eco-friendly safaris 

Safaris are understandably one of the biggest bucket list activities. Seeing the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo) in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.

However, there’s some debate about whether or not they can be considered ethical. 

Safaris and the term ‘Big Five’ is rooted in trophy hunting and although it’s far better to shoot with a camera than a gun, there is still pressure to find and track animals for tourists to photograph. 

Animals are followed around by noisy jeeps and become accustomed to human interaction. Another problem is animals contracting human illnesses with fatal consequences. 

Luckily, some operators use safari tourism to empower local communities and protect and conserve wildlife. 

One example is Volcanoes Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, which have restored local wetlands that were previously used as illegal brickworks and now attract 200 different animal species. 

The slightly more budget-friendly Botswana Lodge Safari in the Okavango Delta works with a wildlife rehabilitation centre and provides them with funding and vital equipment. 

Both operators employ trained staff from nearby communities. These ecotourism attractions only run small-group tours so as not to cause any anxiety to the animals. 

Editor’s tip: When choosing an ethical safari, research how they operate and what’s been said about them. Look at how they interact with the wildlife – there should be no opportunities for feeding, touching or getting up close. Observe how they give back to local communities through employment and funding. 

The world’s best ecotourism activities: Final thoughts

I hope these examples of ecotourism activities have inspired your next travel goals!

It’s getting increasingly easier to fill your travel itinerary with nature-friendly experiences that are gentle on the environment.

Ecotourism holiday destinations are also growing around the world as nations get more serious about their impact.

Whether you have a thirst for adventure or want to take things easy, there’s something for everyone.

What’s your favourite ecotourism activity on the list?

Looking for more sustainable travel tips?

• How to Pick an Ethical Travel Activity
• 10 of the Best Solid Toiletries for Sustainable Travel
• Sustainable Travel Packing List 101: Your Complete List for an Eco-Friendly Trip
• Sustainable Travel Tips That Will Help You Travel Greener

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About The Author

Francesca brooking.

Francesca Brooking is the Founder of Little Lost Travel. A travel expert with a passion for the planet, Francesca is on a mission to help you travel well. From Costa Rica to Jordan, she's travelled all over the world. When she's not off on an adventure, she's reviewing sustainable travel products and writing travel guides.

Great ideas! Eco friendly is definitely the future of travel. I think the ‘big pause’ of the pandemic has led us all to reflect on this even more, as we see how various ecologically-fragile places in the world have significantly benefited from fewer visitors. It’s so important to consider how our future travels can be more responsible and mindful of our impact on the planet.

Thank you! Absolutely! Some places need tourism more than others for sure.

I’m forever grateful for your commitment to responsible travel. Thank you for the great ideas. I’ll take them all to heart.

Thank you! That’s so nice 🙂

Such a great list! I’d love to do an eco friendly cruise to Antarctica or a safari! I’m sure they would be such magical experiences!

Me too! Two for the bucket list haha.

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'Goa is not just a beach-destination, it has huge potential for eco-tourism'

Interview, Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai

Earlier this month, P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, the governor of Goa and an eminent author who has so far penned 230 books held a symposium on the traditional trees of India at the Raj Bhavan in Goa. Well-known experts from across India participated in the symposium and presented their valuable study papers on India's rich natural heritage. Under his governorship, the Raj Bhavan is taking steps to promote Goa's lesser-known historical and cultural heritage, especially through the governor's widely circulated books, including, 'Heritage Trees of Goa', 'Discovery of Vaman Vriksha Kala' and 'Heavenly Islands of Goa'.

The governor’s writing career began in 1973 with articles, stories and poems. Speaking about Dr Pillai, Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant in an earlier occasion, said, "His first book came to be published in 1985 bearing the title 'Rent Laws of Kerala.' The pace of his writings then picked up and he attained the first milestone in his career when his Malayalam book 'Pazhassi Smriti' was released in 2010 by the then President of India, Pratibha Patil." 

The governor's 100th book – ‘Dark Days of Democracy’—was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. The next 100 books have incredibly come in a short span of 5 years. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK from Raj Bhavan in Goa, the governor speaks about his interests and more. 

Excerpts from the interview:

Tell us about the symposium on traditional trees of India. What was the idea behind it?

We are bound to promote constitutional provisions mentioned in chapters of Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties. i.e Chapter IV and Article 51 A. Our mother land Bharatvarsha, from time immemorial, expounded that plants are sentient beings, though their faculties are dormant, dull and stupefied. The Rig Veda and Atharva Veda note consciousness in plants. Our ancient findings on plant consciousness are now accepted by the world as true. Jagadish Chandra Bose, the Indian scientist, discovered over a century ago that plants possessed a nervous system similar to animals. Bose became the first to use the term ‘Plant Nerve’. Before him, Augustus Waller from London claimed that he had reported ‘the phenomenon of vegetable electricity’. Bose’s first experiments went to proving plants had life. He invented the machine ‘crescograph’ - (A crescograph is a mechanical device that measures plant growth, and was invented by Bose in the early 20th century) and through it he convinced the world the screams of agony of a fresh cabbage while it was being boiled in water. He demonstrated it before the Royal Society of London in 1901. Nobel Prize winner George Bernard Shaw – (Irish playwright), who was a vegetarian, is said to have wept while witnessing the screams of agony of a fresh cabbage while it was being boiled in water by J.C. Bose. Now, the world accepted the theory put forward by Bose about one century ago. Why did Western scientists and Indians overlook the details of Shri. J.C. Bose’s detailed experiments in full vigor is a question that requires an answer even now.

You say you have a reverence for trees. You have even penned a book titled 'Heritage Trees of Goa'.

It was in Mizoram that I first learnt about my own fascination for trees. Before coming to Goa, I was the governor of Mizoram for almost 2 years. In the National Index of Happiness, Mizoram is ranked No. 1. Its forest cover is 89 per cent in terms of percentage vis-à-vis geographical area. You look at Finland. In the World Happiness Index Finland is ranked as the happiest country on the earth. Its forest cover is 74 per cent. So, you see there is a definite correlation between happiness and forest cover. You all know when trees breathe they take in the carbon dioxide that we breathe out and they release out the oxygen that we breathe in. So, you can then imagine the huge quantum of pure fresh oxygen that is available to all these fortunate people and how much it has contributed to their overall well-being. In terms of other benefits, trees absorb cosmic healing energies from the sun and moon and gently radiate them toward the earth's living beings for their health and well-being. Trees shelter thousands of creatures of all kinds. Every single part of a tree is useful, either as food, medicine, fuel, timber, or as source material for building various things. Therefore, we as human beings must understand and appreciate their indispensable and invaluable existence on the planet. 

You have highlighted Goa's vast green cover and have promoted it for tourism

After I took charge as governor (of Goa) in July 2021, I visited Partagal Mutt in Canacona Taluka to pay my respects to His Holiness. Swamiji informed me about the existence of thousand-year-old a banyan tree in the sacred precincts of Partagal Mutt. It was then I decided that one day I would return to the Partagal Mutt to worship this great banyan tree. About a year later, I began the Saimik Daiz Yatra (journey to learn about natural heritage trees of Goa) by worshipping the thousand-year-old banyan tree in the divine presence of His Holiness and then went on to see and learn about 30 more heritage trees all more than 100 years to 500 years old spread out over the length and breadth of Goa. There were some amazing trees that I discovered on the premises of the temples and churches like Shidam, Satvin, Baobab (an African tree known as 'Tree of Life'), Maddi and Hudo. These trees reflect the deep spiritual and cultural bonds of local communities with nature and have been worshipped and protected by the people over the centuries. These trees also constitute an integral part of the folklore and socio-cultural association of the people with nature and the environment. The yatra resulted in the writing and publication of 'Heritage Trees of Goa' which was released by the governor of West Bengal. The main purpose of this book was to let the country and the world know about the unique eco-cultural heritage of Goa and to promote the state as an eco-tourism destination. 

You have also authored a book titled 'Vaman Vriksha Kala' based on the art of Bonsai and created a Bonsai garden in the Raj Bhavan to further promote this art. Tell us more about it.

‘Vaman Vriksha Kala’ is a monograph focusing on the specialised subject of ‘Bonsai’ i.e. potted trees. In fact, the name of the book means 'the art of miniature trees.' The prime intention of the book is to firmly establish the fact that Bonsai is originally an Indian art, as against the widely held belief that it belongs to China and Japan. In the book I have provided sufficient evidence from ancient Sanskrit texts to establish this claim that the art of Bonsai has its roots in India, and why our ancestors reduced trees to potted size.

Then there is this book on Kaavi Art, a type of stencil technique with red soil and lime, most often found in coastal Maharashtra and Karnataka. How did you come to write a book on it? 

I was fascinated with Kaavi Art as it is Goa's only native painting technique and it happened during my visit to Bicholim when I witnessed the restored Kaavi artworks at the Shree Hanuman temple at Advalpale. Later, we had a four-day workshop at the Raj Bhavan in Goa to promote this art. I truly believe that Aaavi Art is a masterpiece of Goa's cultural heritage. It is also important to note that Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the importance of Kaavi Art in his 'Mann Ki Baat' episode in 2021. I am sure it will bring nationwide attention to this ingenious art form. 

It will be four years since you assumed charge as Governor of Goa. What do you think are the aspects that still require a change in the state?

The first and foremost change is required in the mindset that Goa is a beach-only destination. There is so much more to this state that needs to be talked about. Goa has a huge potential as an eco-tourism destination, with a rich historical and cultural heritage. At the Raj Bhavan that has been my single-minded focus so far and that is how I have highlighted varied aspects of Goa through numerous books that I have authored over the last four years. 

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Pakistan delegation arrives in Shahrisabz to participate in ECO Tourism Capital for 2024

SHAHRISABZ (Uzbekistan),, Apr 25 (APP): Pakistani Delegation of tourism experts, prominent artists, painters, media-persons, and traditional culinary expert, on Thursday arrived in Uzbekistan to be part of the celebration of ‘Shahrisabz – ECO Tourism Capital for 2024’ from April 25- 27.

The Pakistan delegation, under the initiative of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has embarked on Cultural Journey to Uzbekistan for “Shahrisabz – ECO Tourism Capital for 2024”.

It is led by Salman Javed, Senior Board Member of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and Convener of the Tourism Committee in FPCCI. It will participate in a series of events including a cooking competition, modest fashion show, and the International Folk Festival, all part of the festivities in “Shahrisabz – ECO Tourism Capital for 2024”.

The inauguration of Shahrisabz as the “Tourism Capital” of ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) includes a wide array of events such as the ECO Tourism Forum, nomad games, gastronomy competitions, and other cultural showcases aimed at highlighting the rich culture and heritage of ECO countries while fostering cooperation in the field of tourism among member states.

Highlighting the main features, the spokesperson of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) stated that the Pakistani delegation would focus on ECO Region Tourism cooperation for the strengthening of people-to-people contact and cultural exchange between the participating countries.

Among the participants from ECO Member States, designers will showcase creativity skills in the “Modest Fashion Show”, while chefs, specializing in national dishes and desserts, will compete in the “Shahrisabz Cooking Competition”.

Additionally, ethno-sports athletes and folk artists from various countries will take part in the first International Nomad Games and the “International Folk Festival” of the ECO region respectively.

The official opening ceremony of the “Shahrisabz 2024 – ECO Tourism Capital” events is scheduled to take place today, in the Historical Center of Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan. All competition events have been organized in the form of festivals or exhibitions to strengthen friendships between member states and promote cross-cultural understanding.

From March 27 to April 6, the plein-air artists visited the historic cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, and Shahrisabz, capturing the essence of Uzbekistan’s rich heritage through their masterpieces.

This initiative has brought together artists from Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, who through their artistry, weaved together the tapestry of historical narratives and contemporary landscapes, reflecting the enduring allure of Uzbekistan’s ancient cities.

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'My misery, your paradise': The problem with tourism in the Canary Islands

Protesters have taken increasingly extreme measures, with one group going on an "indefinite" hunger strike.

News reporter @jos_franks

Saturday 27 April 2024 08:44, UK

A wave of demonstrations have swept the Canary Islands as locals protested against a tourism model they say has plundered the environment, priced them out of housing and forced them into precarious work.

The seven main Canary Islands are home to 2.2 million people - and welcomed almost 14 million international visitors in 2023, up 13% from the previous year.

The protests were not aimed at individual tourists, activists say, but at the governments that have created a system that skews so much in favour of investors at the expense of local communities.

The tourism industry accounts for 35% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the Canary Islands and local residents who spoke to Sky News agree the islands can't survive without tourism.

But they are also questioning whether local communities and the environment can survive if things stay the way they are.

What's the problem? Tourism is a 'cash cow' - but not for locals

If you're looking for what's behind the wave of protests, you need to look back decades, Sharon Backhouse tells Sky News.

Along with her Canarian husband, she owns GeoTenerife, which runs science field trips and training camps in the Canary Islands and conducts research into sustainable tourism.

The tourism model in the Canary Islands hasn't been updated since before the tourism boom of the 1980s, when the islands were "trying desperately" to attract investment, she explains.

The answer back then was a model that was "incredibly generous" to investors, who only pay 4% tax and can send the profits earned in the Canaries back to the firm's home country, Ms Backhouse explains.

But the model hasn't changed.

That's created a situation where "more and more of these giant, all inclusive resort hotels" are being built, and the proceeds of this "incredible cash cow" aren't shared equitably with the local population, she says.

"It is absurd to have a system where so much money is in the hands of a very few extremely powerful groups, and is then funnelled away from the Canary Islands," she says.

"We're seeing really low salaries, zero-hour contracts and awful working conditions in some of these hotels."

Ms Backhouse was at the 20 April protest in Tenerife and says she has "never seen anything like it" in terms of Canarians being united for a single cause.

'My misery, your paradise'

Earlier this year there was a spate of graffiti in Tenerife.

Andy Ward, director of Tenerife Estate Agents, tells Sky News the media coverage of a smattering of "tourists go home" graffiti has been "100x greater than the on-the-ground reality", where there is little visible animosity.

But there was one spray-painted message that sums up the gulf between Canary Islands residents and the tourists who flock there: "My misery, your paradise".

More than a third of the population of the Canary Islands - nearly 800,000 people - are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to a recent report from the environmental group Ecologists in Action.

The average wage for restaurant staff and cleaners is between €1,050 and €1,300 a month, Mr Ward says, while the cost of renting an apartment can be almost as much.

'Shanty towns' in the shadow of luxury

One of the main issues is the dearth of affordable or social housing, Mr Ward says.

"The governments here have completely neglected this need, instead selling land for more hotels and selling land for luxury villas and high-end apartments, which locals are unable to afford."

What has caused anger is property managers renting out properties to tourists that are "completely inappropriate and inadequate", such as small apartments in residential buildings.

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The regulations on short-term lets "are a complete mess and a mish-mash", he says. Landlords aren’t incentivised to let their properties long-term because they must sign up to long leases, and if tenants default on the rent it can take 18 months to evict them.

His views are echoed by Kris Jones, a British citizen who was born in Tenerife, taking over the bar his parents owned in Playa de la Americas, the Drunk’n Duck.

Many hotel employees are forced to live in the multiple motorhome sites that have popped up around the south of the island because they can’t afford anything else, he says.

"Shanty towns" is what Ms Backhouse calls them, built in the shadow of "uber luxury hotels".

Mr Jones questions why planning permission has been granted to hotels without ensuring their employees will be able to live nearby.

He says the idea the island's population hates foreign visitors is "utter garbage".

He stresses that the protests were against the government - not tourists.

"It's nothing to do with the behaviour of British tourists, and isn't even part of the agenda at all," he tells Sky News.

Hunger strike to stop hotels

Protesters say they are having to take increasingly drastic actions to have their voices heard.

Subsequently six members of Canarias Se Agota - which translates to the Canary Islands Are Exhausted - have been on hunger strike since 11 April.

As well as demanding a halt to new tourism developments and a limit to the number of visitors, the campaigners want to stop the development of two luxury resorts in Tenerife.

Both developments faced legal hurdles on environmental grounds that had paused construction, but stop work orders were lifted earlier this year.

Campaigners maintain the developments breach environmental laws - claims the developers deny - and have committed to continuing the hunger strike until the government intervenes, despite some strikers needing hospital treatment.

The hunger strikers, who have not been named, were among fellow protesters on the streets of Tenerife on 20 April.

A spokesperson for the campaign said: "If anything happens to any of our comrades... you (Fernando Clavijo - president of the Canary Islands) will have to face the fury of the people."

The strikers met with the Canary Islands president on 23 April, but their demands were rejected.

Representatives of the strikers said on 26 April the "medical condition of the six is deteriorating, but they are determined to continue" until their demands are met.

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Protesters are also demanding "access to respectable housing", an "eco-tax" and "immediate measures to put an end to the raw sewage discharges into the sea".

Salvar La Tejita, an environmental organisation which helped organise the mass protest, says: "It is vital to clarify that these protests are not against the tourists or tourism in general, but are against the political class, administrations, hotel chains, and constructors who are jointly responsible for the unsustainable circumstances which Tenerife is now in.

"This platform is not in any way responsible for the graffiti messages 'Tourists Go Home' which have been sprayed in and around many tourist resorts.

The environmental cost of tourism

The Canary Islands are a "biodiversity jewel in the Atlantic", Ms Backhouse says - but they haven't been fully protected or valued.

Politicians in the past have said the development of the controversial resorts can't be stopped "just because of a weed", she says.

"These aren't just weeds. What they're actually doing is interfering with an ecosystem which will have difficulty surviving if you plonk a resort right in the middle of it."

The building of these resorts has an environmental costs as "beautiful landscapes are cemented over", Ms Backhouse says - and the cost only mounts once they open.

"The problem with these resorts is that we just don't have enough resources in terms of water, what happens to all the rubbish, how is it all recycled.

"Locals are feeling disenfranchised from their spaces because it all becomes tourist territory.

"Towns and villages that locals grew up in or would go on holiday in suddenly are completely unrecognisable."

What solutions are on the table?

One of the proposals is a tourist tax which would be invested in protecting the environment.

Ms Backhouse says the hotel industry is against it and the government is nervous about it - but GeoTenerife's research indicates it wouldn't put tourists off.

"I think the reality is very few people will cancel their holiday because they have to pay a little bit of money that goes towards protecting the landscapes they're coming to see."

Hoteliers have proposed instead putting up IGIC, which is similar to VAT, but Ms Backhouse says that isn't welcomed by campaigners "because again, that just puts the onus on the locals to prop up the system".

A tourist tax is one part of the answer to protect the environment, but it doesn't answer the question of job insecurity and unaffordable housing.

Ms Backhouse says it is encouraging to see solutions proposed, but "it's going to take something far more wide-ranging to put this train on a more sustainable track".

Impending crackdown on holiday homes

A draft law is expected to be passed this year which would ban newly built properties from becoming short-term rentals and toughen up the rules for existing properties.

It comes as official figures show the number of rental beds on the island reached 220,409 in March this year - an increase of more than 40,000 from the same point in 2023.

Canaries regional tourism chief Jessica de Leon told the Reuters news agency that enforcement support for the islands' 35 inspectors is key to the success of the new rules.

"We are going to empower [the police] so that they can act when fraudulent behaviour is detected in homes," she said, adding that the plan could involve 1,300 people, which would include all of the islands' police forces.

"The first step is to contain the growth, the second is to clean up [existing listings]," said Canaries director of tourism Miguel Rodríguez.

An example of the crackdowns to come occurred on 16 April, when police raided a property in Tenerife after its owner was reported for listing the building's rooftop as a campsite on Airbnb, offering renters tents for €12 (£10) a night.

Read more: Tourist dies after falling into sea in Tenerife Why are university students protesting in the US?

The plans have not proved popular with landlords, who would be forced to comply with the new rules within five years.

"Everything that the government is trying to impose is problematic," says a spokesperson for Ascav, the Canary Islands Vacation Rental Association, adding it is "the most restrictive" legislation of its kind in Europe.

They believe around 95% of the existing holiday homes that abide by current laws will not be able to meet the new criteria, which includes getting consent from local authorities to open, meeting higher energy classification thresholds, having a minimum surface area and more in a long list of "impossible compliance".

"The consequences will be immediate," they warn. "If holiday homes are banned on the islands, visitors who demand this type of accommodation will choose other destinations, Canary Islanders will be even poorer, bars, restaurants, rent a cars, supermarkets, leisure activities, etc. will lose economic activity. Undoubtedly, we all lose."

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Ascav acknowledges "something is going wrong" for the island's economy, but argues it's not down to those providing holiday homes, nor the tourists Canarians "love".

"The message is for our governments, for their passivity, incompetence and lack of planning," they say.

"They are the ones that have allowed that the resources of tourism has not to been shared with the local population. Locals has been excluded because governments preferred permitting to exploit the territory and tourism to the maximum, without any return for the islands and their inhabitants.

"The solution is to listen to ourselves, to listen to our visitors, to listen and protect to the Canary islanders, to integrate, to plan, to be sustainable, to grow with, not at the expense of, to be responsible for the territory and the well-being of its people, to diversify, to ensure the quality of the destination.

"Our problems have to be resolved by politicians, but they lack will and predisposition, that's why we are fed up."

What have politicians said?

The islands' president said the day before the 20 April protests that he felt "proud" the region is a leading Spanish tourism spot, but acknowledged more controls are needed.

"We can't keep looking away. Otherwise, hotels will continue to open without any control," Fernando Clavijo told a news conference.

Two days after the protest, Mr Clavijo posted on X saying: "What happened last Saturday in the streets of Canarias leaves a message that we share. Canarias has to review its model, where we want to go.

"It had to be done during the pandemic, but it is a challenge that we assumed and on which we are already working with the councils, with the city councils and that we must face as a whole in society."

He has called a meeting of island presidents and Canary Island administrators on 30 April in the hope of finding a solution.

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Sultan Kudarat partners with Miss Universe, shows off tourism destinations, ‘inaul’ cloth

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• by Harlem Jude Ferolino
• Apr. 26, 2024 3:00 pm in News

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) -- The province of Sultan Kudarat took center stage in this year's Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) pageant as it became the official provincial partner.

Supported by Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, the candidates for MUPH 2024 are in Sultan Kudarat this week, specifically for their tourism shoots, runway challenge, and national costume competition. 

Also, for the first time in the pageant’s history, MUPH will stage a fashion show using the traditional Maguindanao "inaul" cloth as material.

Kaharudin Dalaten, the chief of staff of the governor and the OIC provincial tourism officer, confirmed in a press conference on April 23 that Sultan Kudarat Province has been chosen as the provincial partner for Miss Universe Philippines 2024.

"We are glad to announce that we are the official provincial government partner for the Miss Universe Philippines 2024. Napakasaya [We’re very happy] and overwhelming that the Miss Universe Philippines has chosen Sultan Kudarat Province as its provincial partner," said Dalaten.

He further clarified that the 53 MUPH candidates have arrived in the province on April 24 and will stay until April 29 to hold their tourism shoot, which will feature Sultan Kudarat's premier tourism destinations, including the Bansada Agri-Eco Adventure Park in Bagumbayan, Halo-halo of Esperanza, Lutayan Lake in Lutayan, Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City, the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital and Provincial Capitol in Isulan, Pangadilan Rock Formation Falls, and La Palmera Mountain Ridge in Columbio.

“Based on the memorandum of agreement, Miss Universe Philippines will bring back to Sultan Kudarat the top three winning beauties for tourism shoots in other tourism hotspots in the province, including those in the coastal municipalities such as the Katunggan Coastal Eco Park,” Dalaten said.

When asked why Miss Universe Philippines Organization sought partnership with LGU Sultan Kudarat, Dalaten explained that this was due to the province's rich but barely known tourism products.

“ Alam natin na napakayaman ng probinsiya natin sa turismo [We know that our province is very rich in tourism]. We have so many tourism destinations worthy of promotion—our world-class caves, our mountain ridges, and other key tourism destinations. Sultan Kudarat has so much to offer, yet we are one of the most underrated destinations in the country,” he said, emphasizing further that one of the priorities of Gov. Mangudadatu is to intensify promotion of the province’s visitor industry offering.

“ Sabi ni Gov, hindi naman tayo mapapahiya dito kasi andaming world-class tourism offerings ang Sultan Kudarat. This time ma-showcase natin sa mga kandidata galing sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas and the world, Maganda, sabi ni Gov na ‘yong experience ay baon nila pagbalik sa kani-kanilang lugar at masasabi na once in their lives pumunta sila ng Sultan Kudarat at pumunta sila ng Mindanao. They will all be a living testimony that Mindanao is safe,” he said.

(The governor said we will not be embarrassed here because Sultan Kudarat has world-class tourism offerings. This time, we will be able to showcase candidates from different parts of the Philippines and the world. The governor expressed that the experience will be a treasure, allowing them to return to their respective places and proudly share that they once visited Sultan Kudarat and Mindanao.)

He added that the province's annual Miss Sultan Kudarat is also famous for staging one of the country's most elaborate and elegant pageant competitions, which is another reason for the province's selection as a MUPH partner.

Meanwhile, the fashion show featuring “inaul,” the traditional colorful and intricately designed cloth woven by Maguindanaon women, will highlight the cultural and historical significance and its importance to the people in the area, “how inaul has changed lives, how inaul created impact on the weavers and stores that sell these, and how inaul portrays Maguindanao provinces and the rest of the Cotabato Empire.”

At least 15 local designers will dress the candidates with their “inaul” creations. A local make-up artist will also take care of the candidates.

Dalaten revealed that entry to all the MUPH events, namely the Runway Challenge on April 26, the Inaul Fashion Show on April 27, and the National Costume on April 28, is free of charge. The Sultan Kudarat Gymnasium and Cultural Center, in addition to the Provincial Capitol grounds, will be used as the venues for these events.

To secure the MUPH candidates, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police have comprehensively laid out security measures for the location of shoots and events, according to Second District Board Member Soriel Lib-atin.

The Miss Universe candidates and party are also expected to savor the coffee from Sultan Kudarat. Proposals are underway to officially designate the province as the "Coffee Capital of the Philippines." 

Miss Universe Philippines is the second major event that the provincial government of Sultan Kudarat hosts this year.

In February, Sultan Kudarat Province hosted the largest Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, where over P1.2 billion worth of services and benefits were provided to over 300,000 individuals. (DED - PIA Region 12)

• Miss Universe Philippines
• Sultan Kudarat

About the Author

Harlem Jude Ferolino

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