Ecotourism is:
"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment
and improves the well-being of local people."
Ecotourism is about connecting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel.
This means that those who implement and participate in responsible tourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
minimize impact
build environmental and cultural awareness and respect - provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
- provide direct financial benefits for conservation
- provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
- raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
Sustainable travel is:
"Tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and
host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future."
Goals like these can be met with events like our annual Bird Festival and Great Backyard Bird Count at Roosevelt's Little White House and the National Fish Hatcheries in Warm Springs. Plan your vacation to count birds in 2008 today.
Ecotourism in the U.S
About 13% of the 18.6 million U.S. outbound leisure travelers (approximately 2.4 million Americans) can be regarded as ecotourists.
In the United States, LOHAS (“Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability”) estimates that ecotourism, including eco-travel networks, green tourism, eco-volunteering trips, active sports trip programming, and environmentally responsible tourism, are among the fastest growing travel trends, and are estimated to be a $77 billion market. This represents 5% of the overall U.S. travel and tourism market.
55.1 million U.S. travelers are classified as “geo-tourists” or interested in nature, culture, and heritage tourism.
80 percent of adult travelers (over 118 million people) have included an historic or cultural activity while traveling.
Fact Sheet on Ecotourism in the US from the International Ecotourism Society