Actionable Tips and Strategies

Image 22 freepik.es

To effectively lead ecotourism initiatives that engage communities and promote sustainability, one can implement the actionable tips and best practices that are listed below.

1. Set clear sustainability goals

Establish realistic and measurable sustainability goals to guide your ecotourism project / sustainable tourism initiative from the beginning. Here you have three steps you may follow for this purpose:

Assess community and environmental needs

Begin by understanding the specific community and environmental needs. Gather local experts’ input on sustainability priorities.

Define SMART goals

Ensure your goals are SMART = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (e.g. reduce water consumption by 10% within one year).

Integrate goals into project planning & implementation

Make your goals a core part of the project, and communicate them clearly to all involved parties.

Over 100 certifications worldwide assess sustainability in tourism, from hotels and resorts to restaurants and tour operators. One of the most popular, Green Globe, has promoted sustainable tourism for over 30 years, evaluating organisations against 44 sustainability criteria and 380 compliance indicators.

Image 23  https://www.greenglobe.com/certification-levels/

Similarly, Travelife assesses 163 criteria and, as of 2023, requires operators to track emissions from energy use, water and waste, while also ensuring worker rights and respect for local cultural heritage.

Image 24 https://news.gtp.gr/2017/05/19/travelife-hotel-seminars-take-place-crete/ 

Ensuring the credibility of these certifications, independent accreditation bodies, like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), founded by the UN World Tourism Organisation and UNDP, evaluate certification standards and have recently also begun issuing certifications.

2. Engage stakeholders in decision-making

Foster a sense of ownership and ensure the project reflects community values by involving local stakeholders in planning and decision-making. These are the steps to follow to engage third parties:

Hold stakeholder meetings

Organise regular meetings with community members, local business owners and representatives from local authorities and NGOs.

Use participatory decision-making mechanisms

Use decision-making tools like brainstorming sessions or workshops to actively involve all stakeholders.

Collect ongoing feedback

Create feedback channels (e.g. surveys or follow-up meetings) to ensure community voices are continually heard and considered.

A key aspect of sustainable tourism development is engaging local communities, as their involvement is essential for long-term success. Community-based tourism offers travellers meaningful connections with locals, fostering strong, resilient communities eager to share their culture with visitors.

3. Implement green project management practices

Use sustainable project management techniques to ensure that every phase of the project aligns with green tourism principles, for instance:

Plan for minimal impact

When planning infrastructure or activities, prioritise minimal impact approaches. Choose eco-friendly materials, reduce energy use and plan activities that respect local wildlife.

Monitor environmental impact

Use tools like carbon footprint calculators or waste tracking software to monitor the project’s impact. Regularly review and adjust practices based on these assessments.

Train and empower teams

Provide training sessions for team members on green practices, such as waste reduction, water conservation and respectful wildlife interaction.

A good example of implementing such green practices is Tinos Eco Lodge on the Greek island of Tinos.

This eco-friendly accommodation establishment is part of the HYDROUSA Horizon 2020 project and operates sustainably by running completely on solar power, using locally sourced stone, collecting rainwater and treating wastewater for irrigation. On-site vegetable gardens, waste reduction and recycling further reduce its environmental impact.

Tinos Eco Lodge also promotes and participates in activities that connect visitors with the natural environment. Guests experience firsthand how eco-friendly solutions can reduce environmental impact, ensuring a minimal footprint during their stay.

Learn more about Tinos Eco Lodge and its sustainable practices in the video below:

“HYDROUSA HYDRO 6 | Tinos Island” video,  https://youtu.be/BEnEbmKpSYY

4. Develop community education and engagement programs

Educate both visitors and community members on sustainability to encourage responsible tourism and build long-term support for ecotourism initiatives.

Create educational materials

Develop materials like brochures, videos or signage on respecting local culture, reducing waste and conserving natural resources.

Organise workshops and events

Hold community workshops on topics like sustainable farming, green entrepreneurship, or waste reduction that can benefit locals and strengthen community participation.

Highlight local traditions

Facilitate storytelling, cultural demonstrations and interactions between visitors and local professionals. This allows visitors to experience the authentic tradition while increasing local pride in the community’s heritage.