Ecoclub Member Blogs

Last October, Paths of Greece became 8 years old. When it all started, it seemed an impossible attempt. During the crisis years, the birth of a financially sustainable enterprise that would work on the development of hiking trails seemed irrational to many. Often, when I had to say what my work was, I used to be replied: “And what is your main job?”. Answering “this is my main job”, to hear again: “Well, and what do you live off? Who walks today? We have cars. Why don’t you get a serious job?” Yes, I live off that and I am happy every single day. This work fulfills me with experiences. It gives me the opportunity to meet people and places all over Greece. Together, through the trails, we develop opportunities for financial and social amelioration as well as environmental protection. Let aside that hiking is healthy. The first years passed, and...

It can be argued beyond any doubt that Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism are today part and parcel of the green movement, a diverse and colourful current ranging from liberal environmentalism to ecosocialism which has a far wider audience than the Green parties, although they also steadily widen and deepen their electoral base around the world. The green movement is not a temporary phenomenon. Greens are trying to meet the real needs of the 21st century as far as addressing and avoiding catastrophic climate change is concerned. Equally importantly, they are also indirectly attempting to create, in a gradual, voluntary, non-totalitarian and intelligent way, and even if some greens do not realise it, what 20th century radical movements totally botched: happy, free, healthy, classless societies. The 20th century failure of totalitarian recipes was no accident: the idea that a clique or a strongman could or would serve as a dictator curtailing all...

Creating Interpretive Experiences in Ecotourism In this post we look at How To Create An Interpretive Experience associated with an ecotourism experience within a Special Area of Conservation in Ireland. Ecotourism, as defined by the  Global Sustainable Tourism Council , typically incorporates a feature of conservation that may be ecological, cultural, historical, archaeological and/or spiritual. The experience should seek to simultaneously immerse visitors in this feature and it’s characteristics whilst preserving it, thus creating a ‘ sustainable experience ‘. Careful consideration need be taken to ensure the integrity of the site and features are not impacted by proposed use, nor the access to the features by local peoples affected. In essence, the conservation features should not be altered by the proposed activities, yet means for providing opportunities to immerse within the experience need to bring visitors into close contact with it for it to have any ‘ interpretive value ‘. Clearly then,...

“Don’t think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm” Malay proverb Victoria is often linked with afternoon teas and retirement condos for seniors but as I slipped into Oak Bay, a small community in the Victoria capital region, I discovered an unexpectedly eclectic destination; much of it was hidden in plain sight. Oak Bay has it’s own sea monster Although Oak Bay is only a ten minute drive from downtown Victoria this municipality of 18,000 boasts its own police force, a main street that closes for tea party races, two marinas, and its own sea monster. Popular with British settlers, hence the moniker “behind the tweed curtain”, Oak Bay streets are dotted with Faux Tudor architecture and manicured flowerbeds. I settled into a chair overlooking Haro Strait at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and sipped a pinot gris as I watched visitors enter The Snug pub. According to the...

Western Australia’s Rangelands cover around 87 per cent (2,266,000 sq. km) of the State’s land mass, and 75 per cent of its coastline (Figure 1). Land tenure within this area comprises pastoral leases, freehold, unallocated Crown Land, National Parks, Conservation Reserves, Special Purpose Leases and Aboriginal Reserves and mining leases. This area includes a diverse group of relatively undisturbed ecosystems such as tropical savannahs, woodlands, shrub lands and grasslands. Rangelands extend across low rainfall areas and variable climates, including arid, semi-arid, and some seasonally high rainfall areas and sub-tropic climates in the far north of the State. Many of the State’s iconic landscapes are located within these rangeland areas, and provide Western Australia with unique attractions for marketing and promotions that will attract visitors. While a number of tourism experiences including accommodation, tours and activities operate within this environment, the vast expanse, distances between destinations, and impact of seasonality presents challenges...

In this article, I share my vision of the meaning of sustainability in tourism, but also how to implement the concept to the ground. http://www.sustainabletourismworld.com/how-to-design-sustainable-tourism-in-italy/  

Croatia, where I live, is the well known Mediterranean tourist destination. According to the latest data from our Ministry of Tourism there where 17 Million Tourists Flock to Croatia in 2017. Istria was the most visited region, followed by Split-Dalmatia County, Kvarner, Zadar County and Dubrovnik-Neretva County. To distance itself as a mass tourism destination the Croatian tourism industry must seek new ways of furthering its development, which will enable it to gain the sustainable competitive advantages that it obviously needs. Clearly, one of the possible ways of achieving this is through ecotourism. Croatia even though is well known Mediterranean tourist destination has more to offer to tourists than just beautiful beaches. In Croatia, we are blessed with 8 National parks, 2 strict reserves and 11 Nature parks each offering something magical and beautiful. With a solid foundation of eco-conscious organizations, local experiences, and dedication to socio-cultural and environmental sustainability, ecotourism...

May 14, 2018 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  For the third consecutive year, the Adventure Angels , in partnership with the Adventure Travel Trade Association , are offering our “Abundance” scholarship to support a woman-owned business owner from an emerging destination. The scholarship enables the business owner to attend the Adventure Travel World Summit, the ATTA’s annual B2B professional development and networking event. The Adventure Angels are a group of 10 women who met and bonded at ATTA professional events.  We are a fun and adventurous group of women who are passionate travel professionals and entrepreneurs. The Adventure Angels include female travel agents, tour operators, media and consultants. We aim to cultivate meaningful relationships and mindful connections. Our mission is: “Leap. Discover. Inspire.” The scholarship was inspired by ATTA’s mission of empowering the global community to do good through travel.  “We created the scholarship in 2016 as a response to...

If  Ecotourism  Australia  were a state, it would have come second in Friday night’s 2017 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards tally in Perth, proving that ecotourism is more than just a niche industry in Australia. Read more  https://bit.ly/2IXyGhL

For the third year, the www.AdventureAngels.org are sponsoring a woman-owned business from an emerging tourism destination to attend the Adventure Travel World Summit. This year it will be held in Tuscany. Please join us in giving a hand up to a deserving woman. Every dollar counts!  https://www.gofundme.com/2018-adventure-angels-scholarship