What is Ecotourism – And Why Are Millennials So Obsessed?
Amidst selfie-taking travelers and Disney Adults, a silent revolution is taking place. Beneath the veneer of Instagram-worthy travel lies millennials' quiet commitment to sustainable, responsible practices as they jet-set around the world. This shift in trends isn't just another five-minute fad but one that reflects a deeper generational consciousness.
Climate change, habitat destruction, and species extension have all played out in the background of millennials' formative years, fostering a deep sense of ecological responsibility. Plus, this generation is searching for something more profound than scripted tours. We want an authentic connection to the place we're visiting.
Millennial philosophy aligns with sustainable tourism and ecotourism
Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials – now the largest part of the workforce in the United States – have a distinct value system that sets them apart from older generations. They value social justice and invest in companies that have "embraced visible sustainable practices," per Forbes.
79% of millennials stay loyal to companies that show they care about their environmental impact. "Corporate social responsibility," Forbes writes, is what millennials feel is "key to alleviating poverty and improving life outcomes."
According to a study from American Express, Gen-Z and Millennials are very focused on what they want from their trips. A survey they conducted found that 79% of Gen-Z and Millennials want to live like a local in the places they're visiting, while 82% also said they wanted to go on a vacation with a "minimal impact" on the environment.
Millennials are the most ethnically diverse and educated generation, so it's no surprise that they're also more open-minded than Gen X and Baby Boomers. But, since they also earn 20% less income than their parents, Forbes reports many millennials are building up savings and making socially responsible investments (SRIs). This includes investing in quality, authentic experiences that leave a bigger impact on them than they did on the place they visited.
Overtourrism ruins the party
One of the things millennials have come of age understanding is the adverse effects overtourism has on a destination or attraction. We grew up reading about how 2000's The Beach drew tourists to Maya Beach in Thailand, where the movie was filmed. In 2018, the beach was closed by Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) for what was supposed to only be four months but has since closed indefinitely.
The original plan involved allowing time for the damaged coral reefs to recover and for building more infrastructure to accommodate large groups of people. However, the DNP states that the "ecosystem and the beach's physical structure have yet returned to its full condition."
Cruise ships also caused damage at the Coral Triangle near New Guinea coral reefs off the island of Cozumel in Mexico. Not to mention, they've been a big part of the rampant overcrowding in Italy and
Both Santorini and Antarctica now limit the number of visitors allowed on land at one time. CNN reports Venice will charge visitors 5 euros if they aren't staying in the city overnight. Anyone traveling to Venice must "book" their visit, but only daytrippers planning to stop during the busiest periods will have to pay. The goal is to curb locals' disruptions when tourists flood the city, making it impossible for many to continue living and working in Venice.
Enter ecotourism and sustainable tourism
The goal of ecotourism and sustainable tourism is to find that balance between preserving the life and customs of the destination and inviting people to be part of that culture and those rituals.
Sustainable Tourism, according to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), "takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, assessing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities." This includes conservation efforts, preserving cultural heritage and traditional values, and providing equitable socio-economic benefits.
Tara Cappel, travel expert and Founder of FTLO Travel – a group and solo travel company for millennials – believes "tourism should be a fair exchange: travelers should have incredible, perspective-shifting experiences and the people facilitation that; the local people, learning a living from it." That's why sustainable tourism is at the heart of FTLO's mission.
FTLO is one of many companies honing in on the sustainable tourism and ecotourism trend. Zoe Shapiro launched Stellavision, a travel company focused on small, women-only group tours of Italy. According to Shapiro, the goal of each trip is for travelers to "see Italy differently" and to go beyond the typical tourist destinations to showcase and educate about Italy's culture.
How ecotourism is different than sustainable tourism
Ecotourism, by contrast, is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education. Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines ecotourism as "nature-based forms of tourism where the observation and appreciation of nature and traditional culture in natural areas in the main motivation behind traveling. Specifically:
Educational and interpretation features
Tours are organized by specialized, small-group tour operators
Destination partners are usually small, locally-owned businesses
Minimizes negative impacts on the natural and cultural environment
It's this environmental aspect that makes ecotourism different than other forms of socially conscious tourism. Ecotourists pick sustainable options for their food, lodging, and transportation. They also choose activities where any interactions with nature or wildlife promote conservation. This includes wildlife viewing, like whale watching through companies whose goals are conservation and education, or hikes and walking tours led by local guides.
Tropical North Queensland in Australia, home to two UNESCO World Heritage areas, is no stranger to the ecotourist. According to CEO Mark Olsen, while tourists have been coming to visit the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest for decades, the last two years have seen a dramatic shift in travel trends. People are more environmentally aware and understand the impact they can have on an area, good or bad.
How to be a better ecotourist
However, practicing ecotourism is more than being aware of your environmental impact. It's a commitment to staying present and aware while abroad – to get more out of your trip than Instagram photos. Instead of just a break from their everyday life, the Toronto School of Management claims travelers who practice ecotourism have a more genuine, meaningful experience. The money they spend gets reinvested into the local communities they are revisiting, on conservation efforts and employing locals.
Sure, your next vacation destination looks great on Instagram, but to be an ecotourist -- let alone a responsible, thoughtful, sustainability-aware tourist -- you need to make time for more research. Besides learning about the language, read about local culture and customs. Support local businesses whenever possible. Take tours, whether historical or haunted, led by locals who can tell you about the area you're visiting. Be intentional and go out of your way to have authentic experiences.
Does this mean avoiding tourist traps? No. But make sure you recognize the purpose of the space you're visiting and don't make it the focus of your entire trip. While you'll learn a lot about the hospitality culture, you won't know what it feels like to be actually be in a place if you only stick to the beaten path.
