20 Years of Ecotourism

The year 2010 marks the anniversary of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), founded with the purpose of uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel.  Together with our members, we have come a long way since 1990 as an active participant and leader in global efforts to utilize travel as a tool for conservation and sustainable development.

>> Read Full Letter from Dr. Kelly Bricker

Kelly Bricker 

 

Dr. Kelly Bricker
Chair, The International Ecotourism Society

Meet TIES members in your country and around the world who are leading the vital efforts to make tourism more sustainable.

Take the Ecotourism Pledge and make a travel choice that makes a difference! Pledge to travel responsibly and encourage others to join!

Help us spread the word about TIES 20th anniversary and celebrate this important milestone. Show the world that everyone can make a difference!
Ecotourism Explorer:
360° of Ecotourism		 Add to your resolution:
Travel Responsibly.

 

20 Years of Ecotourism Timeline

1990: Ecotourism Society Launched in 1990 to Assist Parks
1995: Journal of Sustainable Tourism - Interview with Megan Epler Wood
1999: Tourism Recreation Research - The Ecotourism Society: An International NGO Committed to Sustainable Development
2002: UNEP - Ecotourism: Principles, Practices and Policies for Sustainability

 


Pledge to Make a Travel Choice That Makes a Difference

This year, as we celebrate the accomplishments by the global ecotourism community in the past 20 years, please join us by pledging to make a responsible travel choice the next time you travel.


1. Pledge to practice one or more of the following in 2010:

I will -

Travel mindfully to minimize negative footprint of my travel.
Support local communities by hiring local guides and buying from locally-owned businesses.
Choose human-powered methods and public transportation options whenever possible.
Give back to host communities by participating in voluntourism projects.
Be an active supporter of ecotourism by joining TIES and following TIES Code of Conduct.
Spread the word about TIES initiatives to inspire others to travel responsibly.


2. Share your commitment with your friends and colleagues:

Place the Ecotourism Pledge banner on your website/blog
(link to: http://www.ecotourism.org/20th-anniversary).


 Download (.gif, 5kb)

Or Copy & Paste the following code:

<a href="http://www.ecotourism.org/20th-anniversary"><img src="http://www.ecotourism.org/atf/cf/%7B82a87c8d-0b56-4149-8b0a-c4aaced1cd38%7D/ECOTOURISM-PLEDGE.GIF" alt="Ecotourism Pledge" border="0" /></a>

          
3. Share your story:

Write a blog article about your pledge and share your experience, comments, suggestions and lessons learned.