GEN WILL
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GEN Mission
The Global Ecotourism Network (GEN) brings together the world’s regional and national ecotourism associations, networks and destinations, together with indigenous and rural peoples, global operators, professionals and academicians, to grow the industry, provide advocacy, encourage thought leadership and innovation, and add greater authenticity to ecotourism.
GEN Definition of Ecotourism
“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people and involves education and interpretation”
GEN Principles of Ecotourism
Authentic Ecotourism involves conservation, indigenous or local communities, and responsible travel experiences which provide interpretation and education. This means that those who implement, participate in and market ecotourism activities should abide by the following authentic ecotourism principles:
- Produce direct financial benefits for conservation.
- Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
- Build environmental and cultural awareness, and respect.
- Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
- Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities.
- Minimize physical, social, behavioral and psychological impacts on fauna and flora.
- Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of indigenous and local peoples and work in partnership to create empowerment
GEN Ecotourism Ethics
Authentic Ecotourism:
- holds eco & socio-centric values and ETHICS
- creates an ecological and social CONSCIENCE
- is NON-CONSUMPTIVE in relation to nature
Non-Consumptive Ethics:
GEN considers non-consumptive use of resources and minimized impact to the environment and people as major characteristics of authentic ecotourism. The below consumptive/extractive activities are NOT to be labeled as Ecotourism activities:
1 Plant Extraction
2 Logging
3 Mining
4 Culling
5 Recreational Hunting (includes Fishing)
