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ECOTOURISM CHARTER

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The charter aims to develop the best management practices (BMP) in ecotourism to educate and regulate all stakeholders (hoteliers, tour operators, resource managers, visitors, host communities, concerned government departments, NGOs) on one hand and, on the other, also help the ecotourism managers, to implement the BMP for sustainable development.

This charter will be supportive of the International declaration of Quebec Ecotourism Summit, 2002, and expect all stakeholders to support and practice Ecotourism in true spirit:

• The Quebec declaration on Ecotourism acknowledges that tourism has significant and complex social, economic and Environmental implications, which can bring both benefits and costs to the environment and local communities.
• Ecotourism should continue to contribute to make the overall tourism industry more sustainable, by increasing economic and social benefits for host communities, actively contributing to the conservation of natural resources and the cultural integrity of host communities, and by increasing awareness of all travelers towards the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
• It should recognize the cultural diversity associated with many natural areas, particularly because of the historical presence of local and indigenous communities, of which some have maintained their traditional knowledge, uses and practices many of which have proven to be sustainable over the centuries.
• Many of the ecotourism spots are home to peoples often living in poverty, who frequently lack adequate health care, education facilities, communications systems, and other required for genuine development opportunity.
• Affirm that different forms of tourism, especially ecotourism, if managed in a sustainable manner can represent a valuable economic opportunity for local and indigenous populations and their cultures and for the conservation and revenues for protected areas and other forest areas.
• Ecotourism development must consider and respect the land and property rights, and, where recognized, the right to self-determination and cultural sovereignty of indigenous and local communities, including their protected, sensitive and sacred sites as well as their traditional knowledge.

The charter follows the WTO definition of ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

The Ecotourism BMP should address all issues related to

1. Waste management
2. Water usage
3. Energy usage
4. Facilities maintenance
5. Recreation
6. Public/social interaction
7. Ensuring local employment generation/ livelihood opportunities for host communities

Each best practice covers different concepts and addresses them in varying detail, depending on the characteristics of the activity and the region concerned. Nonetheless, there are some common areas in all of them, which form the base for any Environmental Management System.

• Energy
• Solid Waste
• Water
• Emissions and effluents
• Environmental Impacts
• Noises

The Charter will be enforceable by law.

The charter includes

• Guidelines for the major stakeholders
  • Government
  • Communities
  • Private operators
  • Tourists
  • NGOs
• Guidelines for the specific tourism activities
• Guidelines for the Tourism in Protected Areas

Download Complete charter (PDF Format) - Ecotourism Charter