SIDS
ECOTOURISM
SUCCESS
STORIES
Ecotourism is a unique way for travelers to engage in sustainable tourism while vacationing. Throughout the years, specific "Eco" organizations, including Eco-resorts, tours, and Non-Governmental Organizations, have developed across the globe. This specific type of tourism is now increasingly becoming one of the more popular, with growth rates increasing every year. The United Nations, aware of the fact that tourism could be one of the most detrimental activities if not planned by in accordance with the threshold imposed by nature,has declared next year, 2002, the International Year of Ecotourism, to promote sustainable practices in this growing industry.
Recently, The Division for Sustainable Development, Small Island Developing States Unit, decided that in preparation for the International Year of Ecotourism, it would be beneficial to identify successful practices of ecotourism on small islands. In order for ecotourism to be categorized as successful, it must meet the following criteria; it must combine natural and cultural tourism; involve local populations in the program, including providing educational resources to the local community; identify, manage, and conserve the natural and cultural environment, as well as the resources on the island; and help generate practices that will lead to the future sustainability of the island. If this criteria is practiced by an organization, it deserves to be recognized as successful.
In order to locate these certain organizations, the SIDS Unit started a thoughtful Internet search for ecotourism organizations. The focus was on four different categories; Eco-resorts and hotels, Eco-tours, Non-Governmental Organizations involved in ecotourism, and Government Codes of Conduct and Guidelines regarding ecotourism for travelers. Once an Internet-site that fit the criteria was located, further contact with the organizations was initiated, enabling us to obtain further information directly from the source. Many of the organizations were delighted to correspond with us and are eager to show all that their organization has achieved.
The stories presented on this site come from across the globe and vary in success levels. While all of the organizations engage in practicing ecotourism, some emphasize focus in different areas than others. This is due to a various number of reasons, including the size of an organization, length of time the organization has been in existence, amount of funding available, and economic/political situations occurring on the island. However, it is important to recognize that although some ecotourism organizations are more developed that others, the ultimate goal of sustainable development, conservation and education through ecotourism remains consistent.
We have compiled a ratings scheme to determine which aspects of sustainability each organization is focusing on. Criteria will be rated on the following principles.
Education -This category will focus on three levels of education; how well the staff is properly educated, if and what level of education the organization provides to local communities, and how well the organization informs guests about sustainable tourism practices and how to successfully practice themselves.
Conservation and Preservation - This pertains to the level of conservation and preservation activity in the environmental and cultural sectors. This category will determine the impact thus far.
Sustainable Use of Resources - This category involves how well the resort utilizes, preserves and recycles resources, and the effective techniques they practice. This category will focus on water, waste and energy resources.
Innovative/Creative Practices - Many organizations are developing new approaches to conservation, education, marketing, and creative ways to sustainably use resources. This category focuses on these new approaches because they are direct factors contributing to successful ecotourism.
Influence on Local Communities Economies - This category determines if the involvement of the organization with the surrounding communities brings new economic growth to the local community, involving local human resources in the projects.
Local and Global Recognition - This category determines to what extent the local public, as well as the rest of the world is familiar with this ecotourism organization.
Marketing Practices - The way an organization market's itself, which could be anything from brochures to a website, is also a way to practice sustainable use of resources. This category will rate how well the organization considers this matter.
Involvement of Local People - This is how much the community is actively invovled with the organization/tour itself. For example, a village stay or village tour operator.
The icons located in front of the specific criteria can be used as a guide with each individual success story. If the icon appears with story, then it is practiced successfully by the organization, and will appear on the final results page. If an icon does not appear in a category, does not necessarily mean that they do not successfully practice it, information on that specific category was not provided.
With the International Year of Ecotourism approaching, it is important to recognize the successful, original leaders of the ecotourism industry. These success stories will hopefully set examples for future ecotourism organizations around the globe.
The following stories have been drafted from individual websites of the organizations, as well as further information provided from direct sources.
The SIDS Unit wishes to thank Ms. Meggan Reim (UN Volunteer) for her valuable contribution to this project.
For further information please contact:
Mr. Espen Ronneberg
Inter-Regional Adviser for Small Island Developing States,
Division for Sustainable Development/UN DESA,
One United Nations Plaza,
Room DC1-824,
New York, NY 10017
Fax: (212) 963-4340
Ms. Jayne Musumba
Associate Sustainable Development Officer
Small Island Developing States Network, SIDS Unit - Division for Sustainable Development/UN DESA,
One United Nations Plaza,
Room DC1-818,
New York, NY 10017
Fax: (212) 963-4340