Not everything that is called ecotourism is ecotourism
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES): For 25 years TIES created a network of experienced professionals and developed a valuable ecotourism knowledge base and was respected as a leader in ecotourism. However, since we left TIES in 2015, we have learned that:
- It is not an US-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization anymore and we do not know if it legally exists anywhere else.
- Its brand name is now being used for dubious purposes and linked to people who have no understanding of or experience with ecotourism and do not represent what was once TIES.
- We continue to receive serious complaints by people all over the world about the practices of people associated with TIES since 2015.
Please help us to help people aware about the risks of getting involved with “TIES”and spread the word in your networks: read TIES – Doing Your Due Diligence
Not all tourism in nature is “ecotourism”
The catchphrase “ecotourism” is often used relating to tourism activities that fail to meet the definition and the basic principles behind it. (link to Definition and Concepts) Most commonly it is confused with “tourism activities in nature”, “sustainable tourism” or “adventure tourism”.
The problem with that is that “ecotourism” gets a bad name through headlines and texts like this.
“Uncontrolled ecotourism threatens National Parks”
If tourism is “uncontrolled” and “threatens“ natural areas, it is NOT ecotourism.
“Greenwashing in ecotourism, or: how you are being fooled”
Greenwashing is rampant in travel and tourism. But if there is greenwashing, it is NOT ecotourism.
“Country X is set to become a global leader in the field of ecotourism as it plans to open the world’s largest underwater theme park”
A staged experience like a theme park is NOT ecotourism, even if it claims to be eco-friendly and researchers are involved. As diving is involved it could qualify as “adventure tourism”.
“Hunting tourism”
Some hunting tourism outfitters claim to be contributing to conservation and local communities, however, they fail to meet the principles of being non-consumptive/non-extractive and ethical in relation to nature.
“A Stay at a Sustainable Hotel or ‘Eco-Resort’”
Sustainable practices in large hotels and resorts are highly commendable. However, a “sustainable” or “eco” label is not synonymous to an ecotourism experience. Though the accommodation might be operated using good environmental practices, the siting and construction of the hotel might have had big impacts on the local environment and community. It is also rare to see an interpretation and education program to enrich the guest experience and enhance the knowledge of staff and local community.