Ecotourism is one of the fastest-growing forms of sustainable tourism. Modern tourism is now difficult to imagine without a sustainable approach to travel, and ecotourism is considered one of the best ways to promote sustainable regional development. The development of ecological tourism can be beneficial for the local economy and societal development, as well as for environmental protection. To develop this type of tourism, an integrated stakeholder approach is needed, covering economic, environmental, and ethical processes.
In recent years, interest in ecotourism has grown significantly. Travelers are looking for ways to travel more sustainably, searching for places untouched by the tourism industry and seeking unique experiences. One especially popular trend is the desire among tourists to "live like a local": to engage in the activities that local residents do, visit places favored by locals, and eat the food that locals enjoy. This type of tourism has minimal impact on the local environment and way of life, while also positively contributing to the nurturing of local communities and the preservation of regional vitality.
Ecotourists consciously avoid overconsumption, mass tourism destinations, and instead seek nature-friendly and authentic places for active and educational recreation. Therefore, tourism service providers who choose the path of ecotourism should reconsider and evaluate their activities — whether they meet the expectations of ecotourists and align with ecotourism service criteria.
In implementing the European Green Belt project “Ecotourism Solutions for Small Rural Entrepreneurs in the European Green Belt in Lithuania,” one of our main goals is to introduce rural tourism entrepreneurs to the concept of ecological tourism and to help take the first steps toward offering more sustainable services. Another goal is to educate the public and encourage travelers to choose more sustainable travel options. As a result, together with external experts, we have developed two methodologies — the first is intended for small entrepreneurs and serves as a guide to help them assess and develop ecotourism services using sustainable natural resources and ecosystem-based approaches. The second methodology is for tourists who want to start traveling more sustainably.
We have also compiled a database of service providers, natural and cultural sites in the European Green Belt territory that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. We would like to point out that ecotourism service providers should not be expected to be 100 percent sustainable. Many are just taking their first steps, and this should be encouraged. Would you like to be included in this database? Contact info@atostogoskaime.lt.
Finally, we are sharing a few simple yet engaging travel checklists with tips for travelers on what to do before planning a trip, during the trip, and how to travel with family or pets. All the information and the service provider database are freely available in this section.
This project is implemented with the financial support from the BESTbelt project of the European Union. The contents of this project are the sole responsibility of Lithuanian countryside tourism association and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
