Start an ecotourism business
If you want to open a business, you like nature and you are in favour of ecology, setting up an ecotourism company is your business.
Ecotourism or ecological tourism has become a growing industry, more and more people prefer this alternative form of tourism and the governments of different countries are betting heavily on the development of projects in this sector.
A very complete list of tourism businesses you can see here
It is a tourism alternative where activities focused on sustainability, preservation, appreciation of the environment (natural and cultural) that welcomes and sensitizes travelers are a priority.
First steps for your ecotourism project
Starting a business like this involves detailed planning of everything that will be done. Starting with a market study to analyze the geographical area that will occupy our business. Later, in this same process, we must investigate possible competitors and know how they work, the rates they handle, the services they offer, strengths we can work on and weaknesses we can improve for our project.
Once you have determined the services that you are going to offer and other activities that your business will have, you can organize packages that are oriented to a specific type of public, either for families, groups of friends, couples, children, and even add categories of activities according to the age range. The key will always be to innovate in the market, to show a whole new side to attract the attention of those interested.
Don’t forget that customer service must be one of the pillars of your business, because nowadays, with the amount of competitors in the market, it is very easy to go from one business to another if we don’t receive the treatment we deserve. Attend to your clients’ complaints and offer quick answers to price or service queries so as not to lose them.
Finally, a good strategy would be to seek agreements with the local government and non-governmental organizations, so that they give you a hand with the development of specific plans for the management of your future visitors, which will help them to protect the environment, and especially the local population that resides there.
Running an ecotourism business
Let’s start with the most important thing; determine what ecotourism is. It is a tourism alternative where activities focused on sustainability, preservation, appreciation of the environment (natural and cultural) that welcomes and raises awareness among travelers.
Thus, ecotourism or ecological tourism has become a growing industry, more and more people prefer this alternative form of tourism and governments of different countries are betting heavily on the development of projects in this sector.
Requirements for ecotourism
Before applying for the permits and even doing the registrations and other legal procedures, it is necessary to identify the available regions to which we can take the tourists without any problem, as well as the place where they are going to stay. Determining the areas will allow us to specify the site on which we need the permit to operate without problems. This implies knowing the corresponding regulations.
However, taking care of the place and maintenance, implies not only an investment of money, but also a greater number of people who are aware of the needs of the place, from financial administration, to the arrangement of spaces and customer service. Make sure that, according to the activities that need to be done in your business, the staff you hire has the skills and experience to perform them without problem.
Tips for creating an ecotourism business
Here are some tips to make your ecotourism business profitable:
The first thing to know is about the available regions that tourists can visit. As well as a place for tourists to stay.
You need to know the rules and regulations at the local level regarding tourism. This is very important before venturing into this type of business.
Make sure that you can do the most common ecotourism activities, such as the rainforests that will be the tropical parks, where people can go hiking, whale watching tours, and much more.
Be aware of the benefits that encourage ecotourism such as water and energy conservation, recycling, and other activities that are not harmful to nature.
Seek agreements with the local government and non-governmental organizations to give you a hand in developing specific plans for the management of your future visitor that will help them protect the environment, and especially the local people who reside there Make sure you have real power
to be able to do the most common ecotourism activities, such as the rainforests that will be the tropical parks, where people can go hiking, whale watching excursions, and much more.
On the other hand, it is extremely important that you know the benefits that encourage ecotourism such as water and energy conservation, recycling and other activities that are not harmful to nature, so that you can make them known to your clients.
Weaknesses: there are several factors that could affect the area where you plan to operate, such as erosion of the parking area and soil. Establishing large, energy-intensive hotels in a splendid rainforest environment without an understanding of sustainable development or the correct provisions for waste and wastewater disposal.
Resort establishments that displace local people and illegally keep endangered animals in cages to attract visitors.
Pros: It is a business idea whose impact on the environment is minimal, which has become a requirement for the latest ventures in the market, while creating awareness and respect for local culture and the environment. It is a project that offers positive experiences for everyone, employs and benefits the communities, educates visitors about local political, social and environmental issues, and part of its profits go towards the conservation of the area in which it works.
Are you ready to offer your clients new experiences with the ecotourism business? The time is now, don’t wait for someone else to come up with the business idea you’ve been waiting for.
Advantages of starting an ecotourism business
It has a minimal impact on the environment.
Creates awareness and respect for local culture and the environment.
Provides positive experiences for all.
Employs and benefits communities.
Educates visitors about local political, social and environmental issues
Tourists’ money goes to the conservation of the area
Visitors take away new ideas that influence their own environment.
Disadvantages of setting up an ecotourism business
Overcrowding in buildings.
Habitat pollution.
Unlimited number of tourists.
The site becomes a “honey pot” area. Excess in the number of visits.
Erosion where cars are parked illegally.
Erosion and soil loss.
Greenwashing” arises, where the environment is used as bait to attract tourists.
Establishment of large, energy-intensive hotels in a splendid rainforest environment without an understanding of sustainable development or the correct provisions for waste and wastewater disposal.
Resort establishments that displace local people and illegally keep endangered animals in cages to attract visitors.
Benefits of ecotourismÂ
One benefit of ecotourism is that it increases the monetary value of biological systems and therefore encourages the preservation of biological diversity. The problem is that some types of ecotourism do not contribute much to the local economy, which means that they can enrich a few people, leaving the others who remain outside the circuit.
Another benefit of ecotourism is that it is supposed to bring people closer to nature and thus instill a greater desire to protect it. However, it is very difficult to define ecotourism, so not all its activities do equally well.