EcoTourism

Associations and Federations

  • Conservation International [CI]

    CI believes that Earth's natural heritage must be maintained if future generations are to thrive spiritually, culturally and economically. They undertake many programs that combine scientific knowledge with expertise in specialized fields to achieve conservation solutions.

    The EcoTourism department of CI works with CI's regional programs and partners to utilize ecotourism as a conservation strategy in key biodiversity areas. On their website are a variety of links and resources related to the ecotourism industry.

  • The International EcoTourism Society [TIES]

    TIES is the largest and oldest ecotourism organization in the world dedicated to generating and disseminating information about ecotourism. Provided on their website is a list of resources related to ecotourism development.

  • World Tourism Organization [WTO]

    The WTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, the leading international organization in the field of tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and practical source of tourism know-how. As a follow up to the International Year of Ecotourism in 2002 they prepared various publications containing case studies exhibiting exemplary practices in small ecotourism businesses.


Educational Resources / Programs - Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership

Both Medicine Hat College and Calgary's Mount Royal College offer Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership Programs. To learn more about how to start a career in nature-based tourism, visit:


Insurance and Risk Management Information

  • Insurance and Risk Management

    Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation & Culture has compiled a list of publications providing information on insurance for the ecotourism sector.

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Product Development

  • Developing Naturally - An Exploratory Process for Nature-Based Community Tourism

    This is a 127-page publication produced by Clemson University in order to assist rural communities in planning for nature tourism development. Topics include: why do we want to develop, taking our inventory, financing and market identification, management techniques, goal setting and marketing. Chapters may be downloaded separately.

  • The Nature Conservancy

    The Nature Conservancy is a leading international, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the diversity of life on Earth. They produce an ecotourism development manual for conservation planners and managers. The link to this document and other resources is listed below.

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife

    Texas Parks and Wildlife department provides outdoor recreational opportunities by managing and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat and acquiring and managing parklands and historic areas.

  • The International Centre for Responsible Tourism [ICRT]

    ICRT is a postgraduate training and research centre based at the University of Greenwich. Located in their web library are a variety of publications related to ecotourism and sustainable tourism development including:

    • Best Practices Tour 2000 in Adventure Travel and EcoTourism

      The 2000 Best Practices Tour was hosted in Ontario and Quebec and was a 9-day study tour providing the opportunity for emerging ecotourism and adventure tourism operators from across Canada to learn, exchange information, and network with some of the most successful businesses in their field.

      This report contains a summary of best practices in the industry. It also contains the seminar presentations delivered throughout the tour discussing the business practices of some of the most successful adventure travel and ecotourism businesses in Ontario and Quebec.

  • The Tourism and Environment Forum [TEF]

    The TEF is a partnership of public and private organizations set up to promote sustainable tourism in Scotland. They produce Green Publications related to greening tourism in Scotland. These publications include:

    • Greening Scottish Tourism - 10 Best Practice Case Studies [24 pages]
      This booklet celebrates some of the best examples of green tourism in Scotland.

    • Greening Scottish Tourism - Linking the Built and Natural Heritage [24 pages]
      This booklet celebrates some of the best examples of linking cultural and natural tourism in Scotland with 10 best practice case studies depicting castles, parks, houses, and isles.

    • Sustainable Tourism in National Parks & Protected Areas - 2002 [86 pages]
      This series of four documents [Executive Summary, Case Studies, Bibliography and Final Report - without Case Studies] identifies the key principles for sustainable tourism in Scotland's national parks. It also portrays these principles further through examples from the National Parks in England, Wales and Europe.

    Located on their website are links to other organizations' publications. The publications listed below are located further down the webpage:

    • Perspectives on International Best Practice in Green Tourism - Scottish Enterprise, 2004 [80 pages]
      The purpose of this study was to investigate overseas examples of green tourism best practices and to examine the characteristics that are contributing to green tourism success at a country/strategic level and at a business level.

  • The World Wildlife Fund [WWF]

    [WWF] conserves endangered species, protects threatened habitats and addresses global threats. The WWF deals with a variety of issues affecting our environment, including tourism. Through their website they provide publications related to ecotourism and their actions taken in the past to promote this in communities around the world.

    • Guidelines for Community-Based Ecotourism Development

      Broad guidelines highlighting key issues and potential pitfalls that need to be taken into account by field project conservation staff considering an ecotourism initiative in support of conservation and local communities.

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Research

  • Ecolodges: Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Business

    This report, which was released by the Environment Business Finance Program (EBFP) , is a summary of the research from two major studies regarding Ecolodges. The report discusses the environmental, social and economic sustainability in the ecolodge sector, as well as what makes an ecolodge environmentally, socially, and financially successful.

  • Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation

    The Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation provides a number of publications containing information from the Canadian Travel Survey, International Travel Survey and the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey [TAMS].

    After accessing the website, under the heading Travel Activities and Motivation Survey look for:

    • Horticulture Report [39 pages]

      • A report created in September of 2001 that contains information on the interests of travelers who have visited either a garden attraction or botanical garden while on their vacation.

  • Sustainable Tourism: A Research Website

    Sustainable Tourism: A Research Website exists to provide useful information and direction in regards to making development sustainable - to ensure that it meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Check out their website for case studies, quality assurance program ideas, articles and links to government and non-government organizations.

  • Sustainable Tourism Research Interest Group

    The Sustainable Tourism Research Interest Group [STRING] exists to provide tourism researchers with a comprehensive collection of Internet resources relevant to sustainable tourism.

    Located on their website are links to: organizations working in the area of sustainable tourism; tourism programs and policies initiated by international institutions and donor agencies; articles covering a variety of sustainable tourism themes; various codes of ethics and practices to promote the sustainability of tourism.


Other Resources