What is ecotourism? A guide to implementing it in your travels

Did you know that eco-tourism is the fastest-growing segment in the tourism industry worldwide? With a focus on environmental conservation and appreciation of nature, it emerged as an alternative to mass tourism and its impacts. Read on to learn more about what ecotourism is, its challenges and how to practice it.

What is ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that uses natural and cultural heritage in a sustainable way, promoting conservation. It fosters environmental awareness and aims to improve the quality of life for local populations.

Beyond this concept, what does ecotourism look like in practice? Activities such as wildlife and plant observation, zip-lining, canoeing, snorkeling, trekking, cycle tourism, hang-gliding, canopy tours, and rafting are examples of ecotourism activities.

They involve observation, contemplation, adventure, and above all, contact with nature and interaction with local communities.

What all these activities have in common is environmental preservation and the promotion of the well-being of local populations in tourist areas.

You might also like these articles:

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Benefits of ecotourism

Now that you know what ecotourism is, let’s look at its benefits. Unlike traditional tourism, ecotourism has a minimal impact on the environment and promotes responsible travel practices.

Thus, it brings numerous benefits for travelers, destinations, and local communities, including:

• Nature conservation: Ecotourism helps protect natural areas like national parks, reserves, and conservation zones. By drawing visitors to these areas, it raises awareness about the importance of environmental preservation.
• Environmental awareness: Those who engage in ecotourism have the opportunity to learn more about local ecosystems, biodiversity, and the environmental challenges faced by certain regions.
• Cultural preservation: Ecotourism supports the preservation of cultural traditions and customs, as it often involves interactions with local communities and Indigenous peoples.
• Promotion of sustainable practices: Specialized agencies and ecotourism destinations typically adopt sustainable practices, such as recycling, water and energy conservation, waste reduction, and promoting conscious consumption.
• Enriching experiences: Travelers and tourists participating in ecotourism activities enjoy memorable outdoor experiences, like hiking in stunning places, observing wildlife, and having adventures in rivers, at the sea, in the mountains, in forests, and so on.
• Sustainable economic development: Ecotourism can be a significant source of income for local communities, encouraging sustainable economic development and reducing dependence on environmentally harmful activities, such as resource extraction.

Best practices in ecotourism

The success of ecotourism depends on the commitment of everyone involved, from the participants to the local authorities and tour operators. Some essential practices include:

1. Leave no trash behind: Always carry a bag to take your trash with you.
2. Take nothing home: Instead of collecting items from nature, which can harm the local ecosystem, why not take a photo as a souvenir?
3. Stick to authorized areas and avoid risky behavior: Prioritize your safety.
4. Don’t pollute the water in rivers, lakes, and springs: Try to use natural and eco-friendly products.
5. Respect animals: Don’t feed them, observe them from a distance, and be mindful of excessive noise.
6. Hire accredited guides and specialized agencies: It’s important that staff are properly trained for these activities.

These are simple practices that may seem obvious, but with the growing demand for ecotourism, it’s becoming more common to find traces of human presence in very remote areas.

Therefore, it’s important that these small actions are respected so that ecotourism continues to allow people to appreciate the beauty of nature, while contributing to its preservation and the well-being of local communities.

Challenges of ecotourism

While ecotourism presents numerous benefits for both travelers and the environment, it is not without its challenges. As more people become aware of the positive impact of responsible travel, the demand for eco-friendly destinations has grown. 

However, without careful management and planning, certain aspects of ecotourism can become problematic. Here are some of the key challenges that eco-tourists, businesses, and local communities must consider:

1. Overtourism: the strain of popularity

One of the most significant challenges of ecotourism is overtourism, the phenomenon where destinations attract so many visitors that they begin to suffer from overcrowding. While ecotourism destinations are meant to promote sustainability, the increasing influx of tourists can put a strain on the local environment, wildlife, and cultural heritage.

• Environmental degradation: High volumes of tourists can lead to soil erosion, damage to sensitive ecosystems (like coral reefs or forests), and overuse of resources like water and energy. Trails can become trampled, wildlife can be disturbed, and waste management systems can be overwhelmed.
• Loss of authenticity: The rapid development of tourism infrastructure to cater to increasing numbers of visitors can alter the local way of life. Traditional communities might lose their cultural identity and authenticity, as they adapt to the demands of the tourism industry.
• Decreased experience quality: For travelers, overcrowded eco-tourism destinations can diminish the very experience they seek. Instead of peaceful interactions with nature and local culture, they may face long queues, crowded trails, and a lack of personal engagement with locals.

To avoid these issues, destinations must carefully manage tourism flows, implement capacity limits, and encourage travelers to explore lesser-known or off-the-beaten-path eco-friendly spots.

2. Greenwashing: misleading eco-claims

Greenwashing refers to the practice of companies or businesses falsely claiming to be environmentally friendly, when in reality, their practices don't align with sustainable values. As ecotourism gains popularity, some businesses may use eco-friendly branding as a marketing tactic to attract customers without implementing genuine sustainable practices. Here’s how to identify and avoid greenwashing:

• Check for certifications: Look for reputable eco-certifications, such as Green Globe, EarthCheck, or LEED, that require businesses to meet specific environmental and social standards. Certifications can help ensure that businesses are genuinely committed to sustainability.
• Evaluate transparency: Trustworthy eco-friendly businesses are transparent about their practices. They should provide clear information on how they reduce their environmental impact, for instance.
• Research the company’s actions: Don’t rely solely on marketing materials. Check independent reviews, sustainability reports, and third-party audits to gauge whether a company’s eco-friendly claims are legitimate.
• Look for real impact: Genuine eco-friendly businesses typically show measurable results, such as reduced energy consumption, waste diversion rates, or participation in conservation efforts. Be cautious of businesses that boast about being "green" without providing concrete examples of their environmental impact.

By learning to identify greenwashing when doing ecotourism, you can ensure that your travel choices truly support sustainable and responsible businesses.

3. Cultural sensitivity: respecting local communities

As I mentioned, ecotourism is not just about preserving the environment; it's also about ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism in a culturally sensitive and respectful way. However, tourism can inadvertently disrupt local cultures and traditions if not carefully managed. Here are some key considerations to ensure ecotourism respects local communities:

• Economic imbalances: While ecotourism can bring economic benefits to local communities, it can also lead to disparities. In some cases, large companies and external operators may profit from tourism, while local residents do not receive a fair share of the revenue. Try to find out if tourism profits are reinvested in the local community, supporting local businesses and employment.
• Respect for local customs: Travelers should be mindful of local customs, especially in indigenous or rural communities. Simple gestures, such as asking for permission before taking photos, dressing appropriately, and following cultural protocols, can help avoid inadvertently offending the locals.
• Avoiding over-tourism of indigenous lands: Communities, particularly indigenous ones, may have strong relationships with their land and natural resources. When these areas become overexposed to tourism, it can lead to displacement, loss of cultural heritage, and changes in the local way of life. It’s important to prioritize tourism initiatives that respect the rights of indigenous groups and allow them to guide their own involvement in tourism development.

To address these cultural sensitivity challenges, travelers should engage in dialogue with locals, support community-led tourism initiatives, and avoid exploiting cultural traditions for entertainment. Travelers should also ensure they are contributing to community-based tourism programs that empower the local population.

Ecotourism and volunteering

One way to experience ecotourism sustainably is through volunteering in ecological projects. On the work exchange platform Worldpackers, there are several hosts focused on sustainable practices, which also prioritize contact with nature.

You can volunteer at a permaculture farm, an ecohostel, an environmental project, a sustainable community, an NGO, etc. The exchange is simple: you work for a few hours a week and receive free accommodation, as well as other benefits such as meals and eco-friendly activities.

What’s most interesting about the Worldpackers community is that it’s present in over 140 countries, so you can choose almost any place in the world to do this exchange and practice ecotourism even if you’re on a budget.

Here are a few examples of ecotourism volunteering opportunities:

Volunteering in the Sahara Desert, Morocco

In Morocco, there’s an oasis at the gateway to the Sahara Desert that welcomes volunteers from all nationalities through the platform. This volunteering position involves helping to rebuild a 200-year-old adobe house and turning the area green again.

The host charges a small fee to cover all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and the volunteer can choose what they would like to help with: working with marketing, assisting in the kitchen, or maintaining the space.

Each position has its own characteristics, but the work schedule at this host is only 2 to 3 hours of work per day.

Like the idea of spending some time in the Sahara Desert and leaving a positive contribution? Check out more details here.

Volunteering in the Colombian Pacific

Between the jungle and the sea, Bahía Solano is a very remote place in Colombia. There are no highways leading there, and the only ways to access the region are by plane or boat. Because of this, the area is completely preserved and a perfect destination for those looking to practice ecotourism.

An ecohostel located in front of Bahía Solano beach welcomes volunteers to help with household tasks, in the kitchen, or at the reception.

In this volunteering experience, you have the opportunity to meet indigenous communities living in the area, hike through the Utría Natural National Park, and even spot whales, depending on the season.

Have you ever thought about volunteering in such a paradise? Learn more about the position here.

Volunteering in the Himalayan Mountain Range in Nepal

Located between India and Tibet, Nepal and is known for its temples and the Himalayan Mountain Range, where Mount Everest is located. It is home to the highest mountains in the world, attracting travelers who are into trekking.

In Kathmandu, the country's capital, there are some cool volunteering opportunities, including at Himkala Adventure, a family-owned trekking company. In this experience, you will live with a Nepalese family, experience local life, and help them grow the agency.

You will receive discounts on tours, all meals, and a private room in the family’s house.

Would you like to get to know real life in Kathmandu, learn about the trekking industry, explore rural villages, and even get discounts to explore the highest mountains in the world? See more details about the Kathmandu position here.

Volunteering in the main ecotourism destination in Brazil

In Brazil, the most awarded ecotourism destination is Bonito, in Mato Grosso do Sul, which is known for its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear rivers, and diverse wildlife. Tourists can snorkel in transparent waters filled with colorful fish, explore impressive caves, and trek through lush forests that highlight Brazil’s unique biodiversity.

Bonito is ideal for nature enthusiasts and offers eco-friendly accommodation and activities that support conservation, making it a sustainable destination for adventurers and environmentalists alike.

There, you can participate in a volunteer program at a cultural center, allowing you to learn about the region’s history, interact with the local community, and, of course, enjoy a variety of ecotourism activities.

This host is currently looking for a web developer or web designer who can help improve their website. In exchange, they offer a private room and use of their equipped kitchen, bicycles, high-speed internet and a dedicated workspace, besides discounts on tours. Click here for more information about this host.

Do you still have any questions about “what is ecotourism?” Ask us in the comments section!

And if you’re thinking of practicing ecotourism while saving on accommodation, create a free profile on Worldpackers right now and start saving your favorite volunteer spots. There are over 1,500 ecological projects where you can volunteer!