Declaration of the 2nd European Ecotourism Conference
Following the deliberations and discussion of the participants of the 2nd European Ecotourism Conference…..
We, the participants, recognise these common needs:
- To bring sustainability and nature conservation to the destination region;
- To develop a common understanding of ecotourism in Europe as a conservation and development tool;
- To co-ordinate communications for ecotourism destinations in order to attract guests;
- And to communicate the benefits of ecotourism to policy and decision makers.
and,
We agree with the following ecotourism destination concept
Ecotourism destinations in Europe should have:
- A protected area associated with the destination;
- A critical mass of local ecotourism businesses;
- A sustainability plan under implementation, in developing ecotourism;
- Nature and local culture as the main ingredients in product development and marketing;
- Active participation of local communities, empowered through education and awareness raising, based on shared values.
We the participants, including ecotourism and sustainable tourism associations and networks, ecotourism businesses, education institutions, experts and consultants on ecotourism,
endorse the declaration and commit to use it as guidance for future actions.
We urge organisations involved in awarding ecotourism destinations and businesses to collaborate and establish a road map in order to meet the needs expressed in this declaration.
