60% of travelers opt for sustainable ecotourism in Latin America

According to a survey conducted by Home to Go, the global ecotourism market could reach $945.34 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 14.31% from 2024.

Travelers' preference for this type of tourism is key to this growth. A report titled "Tourism and Sustainability" by EAE Business School detailed that 60% of tourists would be willing to pay more for services that implement sustainable practices, indicating an opportunity to align demand with policies that promote sustainability.

There is a growing awareness in current tourism and it seems that learning about conservation is valued. However, there are still several issues to address in order to promote this type of tourism in a healthier and more sustainable way for nature and communities.

“Its success depends on an integrated approach that considers both the needs of the natural environment and those of local communities,” explains Dr. Diego Santos, Director of the Master's Degree in International Tourism Management at EAE Business School.

THE IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM ON REGIONS AND COMMUNITIES
Traveling to natural destinations not only contributes to raising awareness about our environmental responsibility, but also socially empowers regions and their communities and generates resources for the conservation of protected areas.

However, there are some drawbacks to these practices. According to the spokesperson, high influx can put significant pressure on local resources, such as increased waste or habitat disturbance. In addition, locals' participation in tourism activities is often conditioned by visitors' expectations, which should not happen.

“For environmental reasons, it is crucial that ecotourism policies incorporate capacity limits and ongoing monitoring mechanisms to prevent short-term benefits from compromising long-term sustainability,” explains Dr. Diego Santos. “Furthermore, there is a need for policies that promote the active and genuine participation of communities in the management of ecotourism, ensuring that this model is culturally sustainable as well as environmentally responsible.”

THE COMMITMENT OF TOURIST GOVERNMENTS
Governments have the power to facilitate the transition towards regenerative practices in the tourism sector, according to the EAE Business School expert. We are talking here about encouraging the use of renewable energies, efficient waste management and the promotion of restorative activities for ecosystems, the latter being a great option to improve the ecological conditions of destinations, where tourists can actively participate.

This is where travelers have a huge responsibility: they must understand that their behavior makes a big difference in the place they visit, and this goes far beyond telling people how to minimize their environmental footprint.

“It is not enough to follow basic rules, such as not leaving waste or staying on marked trails,” says the EAE Business School professor. “It is necessary to adopt a conscious mindset that covers all stages of the trip, from planning to return.”

This means, for example, inviting travelers to choose tourist services that have a firm commitment to sustainability, and that participate in reforestation or square cleaning programs, something that transforms the tourist experience into an opportunity to return something positive to nature.

These are initiatives that must be implemented consciously and as a priority, because as the expert says, "ecotourism represents a unique opportunity to combine economic development, environmental conservation and social empowerment in Latin America."

Fuente: EAE Business School.