According to a recent article on Living It, some very unique trends are going to be dominating the ecotourism industry during 2019.
What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism is a unique form of travel that engages participants in conserving healthy ecosystems, involves minimal environmental impact and respects the well-being of the local inhabitants. Ecotourism is also very important for the following additional reasons:
- Ecotourism promotes a sense of appreciation for the world’s natural resources
- Ecotourism promotes cultural preservation and awareness
- Ecotourism helps preserve endangered animals
- Ecotourism supports the human rights of people in underprivileged countries
- Ecotourism helps stimulate the economies of communities all over the globe
2019 EcoTourism Trends
Issue-Oriented Travel
This year when it comes to choosing a travel destination more globe trotters will be letting their social conscious be their guide. Suffice it to say that more trips will be booked that allow tourists to support and promote social, political and environmental causes like global warming. Enjoying regional eco-adventures reduces our carbon footprint.
Travel Designed to Empower Women
In 2019, more tourists will be visiting developing countries for the purpose of supporting, and hopefully uplifting, the local women they encounter at their chosen destination. They will also be staying at establishments and shopping at businesses in foreign lands that are both owned and run by women.
Volunteer-Oriented Holidays
Instead of lounging in the sun or visiting historic sites and museums more travelers will be heading to underprivileged countries and volunteering their services to make a difference in the lives of the local inhabitants.
Safaris and Nature Reserves
Travel experts agree that this year’s most popular travel destination is going to be Africa. There, tourists can observe and learn how to help preserve the wildlife they encounter.
Avoiding Overcrowded Destinations
Rather than spend their vacations in overcrowded cities more travelers will be planning to choose more secluded and remote locations where they can forego the hustle and bustle of the big city and get the much needed down time they deserve.
How can I get into this ecotourism?
If you like to make environmentally friendly travel choices, have no problem roughing it and have a sense of appreciation for the environment then perhaps you should consider getting into the ecotourism field.
Where can I get the training I need?
Hocking College in Nelsonville, OH has a renowned Ecotourism and Adventure Leadership program that was voted to be one of the top five EcoTourism programs by BootsNAll in 2015.
Students who enroll in this program undergo two years of coursework and will graduate with an associate of Applied Science in Ecotourism and Adventure Leadership.
For more information on this program, contact Program Manager Jennifer Johnson by email: johnsonj10298@hocking.edu or by phone: (740) 753-627.
