Big Volcano Ecotourism Resource Centre
http://www.bigvolcano.com.au/ercentre/ercpage.htm
This is an Australian based resource centre which provides many links and resources for responsible ecotourism. It is part of the CERRA World Heritage Information Network. The Big Volcano Ecotourism Resource Centre advertises itself as a comprehensive guide to ecotourism practice, ecologically sustainable development (ESD) and general tourism and travel best practice management sites worldwide. It provides information on ongoing projects, plus the latest articles. It lists guidelines and certification processes, as well as information on sustainable management and development.
More details
Convention on Biological Diversity : Biological Diversity and Tourism
http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/socio-eco/tourism/
This is a programme of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It supports the sustainable development of tourism activities in vulnerable ecosystems and habitats of major importance for biological diversity. The website contains the International Guidelines and information about their adoption, workshop documents and an ecotourism brochure. There are international case studies and links to related websites. Some documents are in PDF format, requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
More details
Developing Naturally : Enhancing Communities
http://www.strom.clemson.edu/publications/Potts/
This is a project of the Strom Thormond Institute of Government and Public Affairs at Clemson University of South Carolina to promote the principles of responsible and ecologically sound tourism alongside the sustainable development of local communities. It publishes leaflets in several languages (downloadable as PDF files, requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader software) on behalf of similar organisations around the world. Topics covered include nature based community development, bed and breakfast development and recycling in the hospitality industry. These and the project's own research findings provide practical advice to companies involved in ecotourism and environmentally responsible travel. The website includes a slide presentation on sustainable community development.
More details
Eco Travels in Asia and the Pacific
http://www.planeta.com/asia.html
This is part of the Planeta.com website which is described seperately in Intute. The resource guide contains comprehensive information on ecotourism in Asia and the Pacific and includes a discussion forum and bulletin board on this topic. The link to the World Travel Directory gives details of tour operators worldwide specialising in eco travel. Also includes links to tourism websites for several countries in this region as well as articles and a bibliography. Latest headlines from Asia are featured as well as details of upcoming events. An RSS feed is also available for embedding.
More details
Eco-Schools
http://www.eco-schools.org/
Eco-Schools is an international programme for environmental education and sustainability. The aim is to encourage schools to study projects that will help the environment while leading to a recognised award scheme. The site gives information on the eco-schools programme and the countries taking part. The schools section has news, bright ideas, 'green' tips and 'learn about' - a great learning resource. Some projects are listed but a user name and password is necessary to access one of the projects. Foreign languages, as well as English, are used on the siteand there are links to related sites some of which are listed separately in Intute.
More details
Ecoclub.com : International Ecotourism Club
http://ecoclub.com/
This is a worldwide cooperative network promoting ecotourism. Its website enables holiday makers to find and book eco lodges and there is a shop selling ecological products. For industry professionals, students and academics there is information on ecotourism events, publications, university courses and funding. The club publishes a monthly periodical with in depth articles and interviews with experts, and the library has a series of papers written by experts from industry and academia. The website also has several discussion forums and blogs. Some services are only available by subscription, including the ecotourism jobs section.
More details
ecofriendlytourist.com
http://ecofriendlytourist.com
This website is a user-friendly guide to green holidays. Aimed at the increasing number of holiday makers who are conscious about protecting the environment, the site has clear and practical information and ideas as well inspiration for places to go, how to get there and things to do whilst away. Links to related sites to obtain further information are included throughout.
More details
EcoTour Directory
http://www.ecotourdirectory.com
This online directory will be a useful resource for any traveller who is planning or interested in going on an ecotour, as well as students of ecotourism. Every application that is made to the directory is reviewed before it is accepted. The aim is to only include ecotour operators that demonstrate in some way their commitment to actively contributing to environmental, social and or economic issues relevant to their destinations. Information, with links to further resources about ecotourism, is also available from the website. A list of books on ecotourism and a discussion forum are also provided.
More details
Ecotourism : Principles, Practices and Policies for Sustainability
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/ecotourism.htm
This United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) publication reviews the current status and trends in ecotourism globally, the challenges ahead and the lessons learned in over 15 years of ecotourism development involving a broad range of stakeholders. Written by Megan Wood, the director of the International Ecotourism Society, it incorporates comments and suggestions from recognized academics, NGO representatives and inter governmental agencies such as WTO, IUCN and UNEP. Contents include a definition of ecotourism, tour operator responsibilities, eco lodges and case studies from a number of countries. The report is downloadable in two PDF documents.
More details
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development of the Maya Rain Forest in Central America
http://www.hotel-online.com/Trends/PanAmerProceedingsMay99/EcotourismMaya.h
This paper, from the First Pan-American Conference held in Panama City in May 1999, examines the benefits of ecotourism in the Maya Rain Forest of Central America, and lists recommendations to promote sustainable tourism development.
More details
Ecotourism as Mass Tourism : Contradiction or Reality?
http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/chr/pdf/showpdf/publications/hraq/featur
This full-text article, from the April 2001 issue of Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, discusses the idea that ecotourism is a form of mass tourism as opposed to being a niche market. It provides a working definition of ecotourism and considers the implications of the above contradiction for the tourism sector and ecotourism venues. You will need to click on New User to register and be able to download this article with Adobe Acrobat software. The Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly is described separately in Intute.
More details
Environmental effects of civil aircraft in flight, The : special report
http://www.aef.org.uk/uploads/RCEP_Env__Effects_of_Aircraft__in__Flight_1.p
Published by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, this special report from 2002 considers the environmental impact of both passenger and freight aeroplanes while in flight. Farsighted in predicting the future growth of the industry and its environmental impact, this report also considers possible technical and policy advances that may help protect the environment. Clearly written in short paragraphs, with an interesting use of graphics to aid explanation, this report should benefit a wider audience than first impressions would suggest. The 48 page is downloadable as a PDF file from the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) website.
More details
European Eco-Label for tourist accomodation service and camp site service, The
http://www.ecolabel-tourism.eu/
This website provides information about the Tourism Eco-flower scheme, which is supported by the European Union. The Eco-Flower logo scheme awards recognition to a range of providers of consumer products and services including environmentally friendly tourist accommodation - from bed and breakfast to mountain huts, hotels and camp sites.
Information on the site includes guidelines and procedures for those wishing to apply for the right to use the logo, news, brochures and leaflets, press releases, FAQs, and brief news articles on accommodation providers who have been awarded the label. The e-catalogue provides an accommodation guide for guests looking for environmentally friendly accommodation. Some of the documents are available in several languages - depending on the document this may include German, Greek, Italian, Spanish and French.
More details
Freshwater and Tourism in the Mediterranean
http://assets.panda.org/downloads/medpotourismreportfinal_ofnc.pdf
This paper by Lucia De Stefano was produced as part of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mediterranean Programme. It examines the impacts of tourism in the Mediterranean area on freshwater resources and the various causes for these. Sections discuss tourism activity and trends in water consumption; opportunities to reduce water consumption and its impact on the environment by the tourism industry, individuals and Governments. Case studies have also been included. This 35 page article is in PDF format; users will require Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view.
More details
Green Audit Kit
http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/CA%2025%20-%20Green%20Audit%20Kit1
This 60 page document was put together by the English Tourism Council and the Countryside Agency. It provides a self help guide for small tourism enterprises so that they can benefit from operating their business in a more environmentally sustainable way. The paper discusses marketing a tourism business and there is information available on making environmental improvements through energy, water purchasing and waste. Useful details of related contacts are provided. The Countryside Agency is described separately in Intute.
More details
Green Tourism Business Scheme
http://www.green-business.co.uk/
The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK, with over 1700 members. Members are assessed against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more. The GTBS website provides details and links to members, partners and destinations, searchable by UK area or type of business. The site also includes news, case studies, information about membership and assessment criteria, and background on the scheme.
More details
Green-Travel
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/green-travel/
This website acts as a message board with discussions on subjects such as ecotourism, adventure travel and ecotravel. Users may also join the mailing lists to discuss gap year travel, agritourism, social tourism, sustainable tourism, wilderness and wildlife tourism, volunteer vacations and working holidays. Links are provided to related websites.
More details
Guidelines for community based ecotourism development
http://assets.panda.org/downloads/guidelinesen.pdf
These 2001 guidelines from WWF International (World Wildlife Fund) were prepared by Dr Richard Denman from The Tourism Company, a UK based tourism consultancy. The document takes readers through considering the appropriateness of ecotourism, planning ecotourism with communities and other stakeholders, developing viable community based ecotourism projects, and strengthening benefits to the community and the environment. Examples are given from Malaysia, Namibia, Brazil, Romania and the Arctic. The 28 page document can be downloaded as a PDF file.
More details
Incredible India : Ecotourism
http://www.tourismofindia.com/hi/ecotourism.htm
This is part of the Incredible India website (described separately in Intute). This website gives an international overview and a general definition of ecotourism, as well list of do's and don'ts for ecotourism promoted in India. The site also includes information on a tourism development project in the hill resort of Wagamon.
More details
Intercontinental Hotels Group : Innovation Hotel 
http://www.ihgplc.com/innovation/
From the Intercontinental Hotel Group, this website deals firstly with its own commitment to responsible tourism and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It discusses the four key areas to which this will apply; energy conservation, recycling, water conservation and destination conservation. Click on the latest thinking section for ideas in each of these four areas and the opportunity to rate these ideas, as well as add your own comments and ideas. Going into the Innovation Hotel section presents the user with an interactive graphical representation of a hypothetical hotel. Navigate around the hotel using the menu on the left, or the arrow buttons on the graphic. The site is fun and informative; including information about everything from using recycling bins to low-emission paint.
More details
Island Directory
http://islands.unep.ch/isldir.htm
This site covers basic environmental and geographic information on islands of the world. You can search the database alphabetically, by size, ocean, altitude or geological type and by conservation criteria or human impact criteria. Each record gives an indication as to whether the islands are inhabited, the nearest neighbours, items of special interest and flora and fauna. Some of the records are incomplete because not all have been scientifically surveyed. This site is part of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Islands website, which is described separately in Intute.
More details
Journal of ecotourism (JOE)
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/14724049.asp
The Journal of Ecotourism examines the social, economic, and ecological aspects of ecotourism from different regions around the world. "While the focus of the journal rests on a type of tourism based principally on natural history", it often investigates "ecotourism as part of a broader, nature based tourism", and compares or contrasts ecotourism with other forms of tourism. Additional topics covered by the journal include community development, human ecology, ecotourism typologies, parks and protected areas, impacts, policy, accreditation and certification, risk management, marketing, ethics and philosophy, interpretation, and education.
Now published by Routledge, part of the Taylor and Francis group, full-text access is currently (Feb 2009) freely available.
More details
Latvian Country Holidays ; Green Holidays
http://www.eco.celotajs.lv/
The "Green Certificate" system is granted by the Latvian Country Tourism Association (Lauku Celotajs) in cooperation with the Latvian Ministry of Environment to providers of eco-friendly self-catering holiday accommodation in Latvia. This website, available in English and Latvian, explains the certification system, the indicators used in the assessments, environmental plans for tourism in Latvia, and the certification regulations. Information on the scheme is provided for both accommodation managers and tourists, with links to training materials and a directory of accredited accommodation.
More details
Nature on the edge? Marine ecotourism in peripheral coastal areas
http://soba.fortlewis.edu/mcgurr/econ370articles/artiicle12.pdf
This full-text article was originally published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Vol. 12 No. 2 (2004) and is available online as a 26 page PDF file. Written by Brian Garrod of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and Julie Wilson of the University of the West of England, Bristol, the article investigates the potential of marine ecotourism in the Shannon Estuary area of West Clare in Ireland. As a peripheral coastal community, the declining traditional tourism industry, catering to a mainly domestic market, is increasingly being bolstered by new forms of tourism, including dolphin watching.
The paper investigates the nature of peripheral coastal communities and their relationship to the tourism industry, and the impact that marine ecotourism can have on the local economy of such areas. This research was carried out as part of the EU Interreg IIc "Project on marine ecotourism for the Atlantic area" in 2004.
More details
Nature's best
http://www.naturensbasta.com
Natures Best is the first national quality label for ecotourism in the northern hemisphere. It was launched during the UN International Year of Ecotourism in 2002. Based in Sweden, Natures Best promote the best Swedish ecotourism operators and nature tours; further details about the company are available on their website. The site also provides information about ecotourism, a list of approved tour operators and a gallery of images.
More details
