The International Ecotourism Society, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and UNWTO, recommended the following 10 recommended ecotourism best practices which not only promotes environmentally responsible tourism but positively impacts the lives of the local community and generates long-term economic benefits. These practices create greater awareness around sustainable business practices, and consumer behavior encouraging stakeholders to hold themselves accountable for sustainable tourism global actions.
1. Minimize wildlife disturbance: Ensure the safety of wild animals and their habitats by requiring visitors to stay on designated trails, keep a safe distance from animals, refrain from feeding them, and not removing or disturbing any nature artifacts.
2. Encourage local economic benefits: Contribute to the local economy by hiring local employees, purchasing goods and services from local businesses, and supporting local community development projects.
3. Reduce waste and promote resource conservation: Encourage visitors to reduce, recycle and reuse, and minimize the use of water and energy by promoting a sustainable culture.
4. Respect local cultures and heritage: Recognize and respect the culture and heritage of the host community, generating awareness that promotes protecting cultural and natural assets.
5. Educate visitors: Use different mediums and experiential activities to provide visitors with ecological knowledge about the destination, encouraging dialogues and cultural exchange that inspires engagement and positive impact initiatives.
6. Minimize carbon emissions: Reduce carbon emissions by using environmentally responsible transportation, or by promoting carbon offsets that lead to a greener ecosystem.
7. Provide safety measures: Ensure visitors' safety by providing safety measures for outdoor activities and by providing safety standards training for trip providers.
8. Support biodiversity conservation: Develop activities and programs that promote or support the conservation of biodiversity as this encourages sustainable ecological practices.
9. Involve the local community: Foster close collaboration with local residents to ensure that ecotourism practices align with their needs and aspirations, helping them achieve community welfare, growth, and environmental preservation.
10. Promote sustainable practices among tour providers: Engage with tour operators and the relevant companies operating within the travel chain to promote and implement sustainable practices.
