Another solution that has been presented to correct issues in the tourism industry, such as over tourism and mass tourism, is ecotourism. Over tourism, by definition, is a form of tourism that harms host communities and the natural environment through the overuse and destruction of resources as a result of overcrowding, or the accumulation of too many tourists at one destination.¹ Over tourism generally occurs due to a lack of concern for a host community’s health and welfare and the ultimate desire to maximize tourism revenue by allowing as many tourists into an area as possible.¹ In tourism “hot spots,” the social and environmental degradation caused by over tourism often exceeds the economic benefits of tourism revenue, especially when that revenue is not being equitably distributed throughout the community.¹ Developing nations are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of over tourism both economically, socially, and environmentally as their waste and sewage systems are not equipped to handle a large influx of tourists.¹ The sustainable alternative to and solution for over tourism is ecotourism, which not only takes into consideration the health and welfare of host communities but also encourages the conservation and preservation of the natural environment and its resources and the equitable distribution of revenue to underserved areas.¹

Ecotourism is defined by the International Ecotourism Society (TIES) as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”² Ecotourism is meant to provide effective economic incentives for the conservation and enhancement of bio-cultural diversity, helping to protect both the natural environment and preserve the cultural heritage of host communities.² Ecotourism can also help empower local communities to fight against poverty and achieve sustainable development by increasing employment opportunities and local capacity building.² According to the principles of ecotourism outlined by the International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism stakeholders should aim to:

• Reduce the physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts of tourism.²
• Strengthen environmental and cultural awareness and respect.²
• Create a positive experience for both tourists and host communities.²
• Directly provide financial benefits for conservation.²
• Provide financial benefits for both the locals and private industry.²
• Deliver memorable experiences to visitors that help raise concern for the host country’s political, environmental, and social climate.²
• Design, build, and operate low-impact facilities.²
• Create empowerment by recognizing the rights and spiritual beliefs of Indeginous People in host communities and working in partnership with them.²

Some of the major stakeholders in the ecotourism industry include tourists, local communities, tourism operators and guides, travel agencies, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and environmental groups. 

Although the objective of ecotourism is to provide a sustainable alternative to more harmful forms of tourism, there are some challenges and limitations that face ecotourism. While ecotourism aims to decrease overcrowding and equitably distribute revenue by encouraging tourists to diffuse more evenly into areas underserved by tourism, an increase in the number of tourists in these areas can hinder natives’ freedom of cultural expression, resulting in a gradual loss of cultural identity over time.³ Ecotourism also aims to preserve the natural environment and its resources. However, by bringing tourists to new areas, sometimes including ecosystems that have been relatively untouched by humans, ecotourism can unintentionally cause disruption to the environment from increased foot traffic and the demand for resources such as food and water to accommodate tourists.³  While these may only be some of the challenges facing ecotourism, there are no solutions that do not have barriers. Therefore, if it is implemented correctly, ecotourism can be a solid solution for improving the tourism industry and achieving sustainable tourism development. 

References

1. The International Ecotourism Society. (2019). Ecotourism is the Solution to Overtourism. https://ecotourism.org/news/ecotourism-is-the-solution-to-overtourism/
2. The International Ecotourism Society. (2019). What is Ecotourism? https://ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism/
3. Conserve Energy Future. (2022). Challenges, Solutions and Future Trends in Ecotourism. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/challenges-solutions-future-trends-ecotourism.php