The travel and tourism business is now perhaps the largest industry on Earth. While tourism can build understanding, tourism managed poorly can ruin a place. Yet if handled well, tourism provides an incentive to preserve the best things a destination has to offer: wildlife habitats, historic districts, great scenery—even a style of music or a unique local Traditions

That’s why the Ecoportal Venezuela have a program to increase knowledge about sustainable tourism

The goal is to encourage everyone,  to conduct tourism in a way that supports the geographical character of the place being visited—its environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics, and the well-being of its citizens. Local participation is key. Residents who benefit from tourism tend to value and conserve what tourists are coming to see. .

It’s informative. Travelers not only learn about the destination, they learn how to help sustain its character while deepening their own travel experiences. Residents learn that the ordinary and familiar may be of interest and value to outsiders.

It supports integrity of place. Destination-savvy travelers seek out businesses that emphasize the character of the locale in terms of architecture, cuisine, heritage, aesthetics, and ecology. Tourism revenues in turn raise local perceived value of those assets.

It benefits residents. Travel businesses do their best to employ and train local people, buy local supplies, and use local services.

It conserves resources. Environmentally aware travelers favor businesses that minimize pollution, waste, energy consumption, water usage, landscaping chemicals, and unnecessary nighttime lighting.

It respects local culture and tradition. Foreign visitors learn about and observe local etiquette, including using at least a few courtesy words in the local language. Residents learn how to deal with foreign expectations that may differ from their own.

It does not abuse its product. Stakeholders anticipate development pressures and apply limits and management techniques to prevent the “loved to death” syndrome. Businesses cooperate to sustain natural habitats, heritage sites, scenic appeal, and local culture.

It strives for quality, not quantity. Communities measure tourism success not by sheer numbers of visitors, but by length of stay, money spent, and quality of experience.

It means great trips. Satisfied, excited visitors bring new knowledge home and send friends off to experience the same thing—which provides continuing business for the destination.

Before you go:
There are conflicting uses of the term ecotourism. Many tour operators use this term for marketing purposes only, appealing to the public's increased awareness of environmental matters. Other tour companies are very careful to construct their itineraries in an eco-friendly way. Each trip you take is an opportunity to make a difference, and by doing some preliminary research you can select an environmentally responsible company whose trips benefit the communities in which they take place.

We've developed a list of questions to help you discern if the company you are selecting really is an eco-tour company:

Does the company:

1. Build environmental and cultural awareness through education, activities, and pre-departure information?

2. Provide direct financial contributions for conservation efforts?

3. Minimize impact on the environment and the local culture?

   • Travel in small groups?

   • Train tour guides in "Leave No Trace" ethics?

   • Respect local culture?

   • Look for lodgings that emphasize local traditions?

   • Seek out excursions offered by local or indigenous people?

4. Support local businesses and service providers?

   • Use locally owned services - hotels, lodges and transport companies - to ensure that as much revenue as possible stays within, and therefore benefits local communities?

   • Partake of community tourism offerings whenever possible - walking tours, overnight stays, purchases of locally made products?

5. Offer site-sensitive accommodations?

6. Use hotels that:

   • Conserve natural resources-water, electricity, etc.?

   • Use recycled products?

   • Use non-toxic cleaning products?

   • Use fresh, filtered air in guest rooms rather than recycled air?

   • Reduce water consumption by opting out of frequent changes of towels and bed linens?

   • Reduce electricity consumption by favoring fluorescent or other low-energy lighting?

While you're traveling:
When you are away from home there are a number of steps you can take to help ensure tourism remains a positive experience from everyone and that we leave places as we found them:

Be Respectful of Nature.

• If possible walk/horse ride/bike only on designated trails. This prevents vegetation damage and erosion. If you have to travel off trail, walk on durable surfaces and have your group spread out so that new trails aren't created.

• Remember you are traveling through the animals' backyard - observe all wildlife from a distance and don't attempt to feed the animals.

• Try not to leave any traces of your visit. This will allow everyone to enjoy such places as nature intended.

• Snorkelers & divers need to practice minimal impact techniques so as to avoid touching corals, and marine life.

• Don't be tempted to collect living or dead items or historically significant souvenirs.

Reduce Waste

• In many developing countries and remote places, waste management facilities are limited or nonexistent and recycling is unheard of. You can help minimize the impact from your visit by selecting products with minimal packaging, using reusable water bottles (like Nalgene brand), and purchasing drinks in glass bottles as these tend to be reused.

Pack it in, Pack it out

• Do not dump garbage. If you bring it, take it back with you. If you find garbage others have missed or dropped by accident, pick it up.

• When hiking do not bury toilet paper, as animals will often dig it up and spread it all over. Instead pack it out. Carry out all plastic or cotton feminine hygiene products.

Protect Water Systems & Oceans

• Wash yourself and your dishes 200 feet from any water sources and away from campsites

• On extended backcountry trips, don't use soap or shampoo; even biodegradable soap still has an impact on the environment. If you do have to use soap use it 200 feet from any water sources and the smallest amount necessary.

Leave what you Find

• Take only pictures, leave only the lightest of footprints, and bring home only memories.

• Resist the temptation to take home souvenirs found in the environment or at archaeological sites.

• Leave the place you're visiting in a natural condition.

• It is all right to take any trash you find home.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

• Preserve the solitude; respect others by traveling and camping quietly.

• Uphill hikers have the right of way.

Respect Cultural Differences

• Local customs and traditions are often different to our own; take time to learn what behaviors are acceptable and what is not

• Ask permission before taking photographs of local people - carrying a Polaroid is a good opportunity to make new friends, and many families will never have had a picture of their children.

• Taking the time to learn a few words and phrases in your host's native tongue is always appreciated and is a great introduction to starting an interaction with locals.

Purchasing Power

• Help endangered species - do not buy products that exploit wildlife, cause habitat destruction, or come from endangered species.

• Buy locally made goods.

• Travelers can make another important contribution - information. Material benefits often slip through the hands of the local community. Honest information from travelers from the outside world can help people make informed decisions, empowering them in their own economic development

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he Leave No Trace Principles of outdoor ethics form the framework of Leave No Trace's message:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

4. Leave What You Find

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

6. Respect Wildlife

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.

• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.

• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.

• Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.

• Repackage food to minimize waste.

• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.

• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.

• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.

• In popular areas:

  • Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.

  • Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.

  • Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.

• In pristine areas:

  • Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.

  • Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.

• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.

• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.

• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.

• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.

• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.

• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.

• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.

• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.

• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.

• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.

• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.

• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.

• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.

• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.

• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.

• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

Index related sections

impact-on-conservation	sustainable-tourism
ecotourism-professional-directory	conservations-and-ecotourism-organizations