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You will often hear tourism called the “world’s biggest industry”, a claim made on the basis of its contribution to world GDP, the number of people employed in tourism and the number of clients served.
Fortunately, responsible tourism is beginning to take a significant share of the global tourism market, with annual growth at around 30%, and travellers seem to be placing increasing priority on the footprint created by their choice of holiday. According to a recent report by The International Ecotourism Society:
- Nearly half of those surveyed in Britain said they would be more likely to go with a company that had a written code to guarantee good working conditions, protect the environment and support local charities in the tourist destination.
- In the UK, 87% said their holiday should not damage the environment, and 39% said they were prepared to pay 5% extra for ethical guarantees.
The rate at which tourism is growing presents both opportunities and threats to the biodiversity and conservation of the natural world and local cultures. Maintaining a diverse and healthy ecosystem is both one of the highest priorities and one of the biggest challenges we face in modern times.
Carefully planned and implemented tourism can be a sustainable economic opportunity for local communities as well as a successful conservation strategy and provide an accessible way for people to experience the incredible wealth of natural beauty there is to be seen, and through this encourage people to take an active interest in the preservation of these habitats for future generations.
There is a clear need for all of us working in the travel industry to ensure that the positive aspects of tourism are developed and that negative aspects are reduced or avoided by developing a responsible approach to tourism. In this way, tourism can make a real contribution to the long-term future of a country’s wildlife, people, culture and heritage.
We would welcome your comments and thoughts on this topic – what does “ecotourism” mean to you? How important a part does it play in your choice of holiday activity or destination? Tell us what you think!
Best regards
The Nature Travels team
Visit our website for more information on Nature Travels’ environmental policies. To read the full International Ecotourism Society report, see here.
Undoubtedly ABBA and IKEA will be high on the list, perhaps images of snow, elk and vast expanses of forest. All these Sweden is justly famous for – but it has so much more!
Did you know, for example, that just outside Stockholm lies an archipelago of 24,000 islands, many of which are completely uninhabited?
Did you know that bears and wolves still roam the forests, lynx and wolverines still hunt in the mountains, or that Sweden contains Europe’s largest area of wilderness? That summer temperatures can rise to the high twenties?
Many people think of the country as perfect for winter wonderland activities – and Sweden has many of these to offer, including dog sledding, reindeer sledding, ice fishing and snowshoeing.
But what about sea kayaking through the islets and skerries of an archipelago, building and piloting your own log raft, sailing a wooden Schooner along the Baltic coast, staying on a remote forest farm, horse riding in Lapland or hiking in the mountain wilderness with your very own husky pack dog?
Sweden is a fantastic destination for wildlife and outdoor holidays throughout the year. We would love to hear what springs to mind when you think of Sweden? Let us know!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Nature Travels is the UK specialist for wildlife and outdoor experiences in Sweden. Sweden has a great deal to offer all those interested in the outdoors. At www.naturetravels.co.uk you can view a wide range of affordable wilderness experiences in Sweden.
The Nature Travels weblog is new and it will be used to keep you informed of the latest news on ecotourism experiences in Sweden as well as inviting you to contribute your thoughts, memories, and images of wildlife and outdoor holidays in Sweden.
Please check back regularly for updates!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
