Essay On Eco-Tourism Destination

891 Words4 Pages

GREEN TRAVEL
A-Z
Five Steps to Creating a Sustainable Eco-Tourist Destination
Most business owners, especially in the risky business of tourism, will balk at the terms “eco-tourism” and “sustainable destination.” First, what in the world is a sustainable destination? Second, wouldn’t it be too expensive—financially unviable?
Tourists, however, have already spoken: The eco-tourism niche has been growing at roughly three times the rate of the greater tourism market, since the 1990s, according to the International Ecotourism Society. Moreover, switching to a more environmentally sustainable business model could have a significantly positive impact on your bottom line. Of course, with a clear “green” label, you could easily find yourself in a more premium segment without having to spend as much as the conventional competition. Thus, as a business owner, you need to strongly consider making your tourist hot-spot a more sustainable destination. Here are five basic steps that any resort, hotel, or tourist destination could take to become environmentally friendly.

1. Reduce Your Environmental Impact

Investing in energy-saving lighting options, such as CFLs or LEDs, can greatly reduce your energy bills with no inconvenience to your customers. Energy use is one …show more content…

Importantly, an eco-friendly business has different goals and needs, as compared to conventional businesses, and this requires planning and preparation. For example, do you already have the support of the local community or will you have to build a relationship from scratch? How much will it cost to switch to local suppliers for supplies and still maintain quality? Are you located near or inside a protected environmental reserve or national park? These aspects, and others, will have a significant impact on your financial sustainability and thus should constitute part of your green business

Open Document