The International Ecotourism Society © 2019 / All rights reserved. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is a non-profit association committed to promoting responsible tourism practices that benefit conservation and communities. Already biodiversity has been reduced to the lowest levels in human history. For example, tourism accounts for just 1% of the world’s water consumption, but in some popular tourist destinations, the figure is 6+% of national water consumption. 7. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is the oldest and largest ecotourism society in the world. Take for instance, the environment. Over the last thirty years, there have been lessons learned and the market has grown into the fastest growing sector of tourism. The International Ecotourism Society Founded in 1990, Network NGO Dedicated to promoting ecotourism Members from around the world（over 90 countries): tour operators, lodge owners, affiliated businesses, universities, NGOs, associations, professionals, travelers. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) 12 PO Box 96503 #34145, Washington, DC 20090, USA | www.ecotourism.org t. +1 202.506.5033 | f. +1 202.789.7279 | e. info@ecotourism.org . Our research concludes that tourism accounts for 9% of the world’s GDP, 1 out of 12 jobs, and 29% of the services exports. Again, this is entirely the opposite of the fundamental tenet of ecotourism. Take for instance, the environment. We have lost 25% of all bird species, 24% of mammal species, 11% of plant species, and 24% of coral reefs. Now, there is no credible tourism professional who does not know the word “ecotourism”. More than half of the published statements defining ecotourism are derived directly from ours, often with attribution. Many recent media have given a figure of 1,000,000 lost species, a number derived partly from research by TIES partners such as the IUCN. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Our digital properties serve as the largest community of ecotravelers in the world, gathering engagement from over a hundred thousand active followers and over two million unique visitors. Conservationists often point to the benefits of engagement and create strong arguments for access with well regulated parameters, because political will and policy only work so well. And globally we continue to experience grave inequality. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is a non-profit association committed to promoting responsible tourism practices that benefit conservation and communities. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Take for instance, the environment. For a reputable eco-hotel accommodation option, you can also search for destinations, lodging options and tour operators online via the International Ecotourism Society's website. 2 Similar terms such as “green tourism”, “ecologi-cally responsible tourism”, “carbon-free tourism” or “carbon-neutral tourism” also mean the same thing as eco-tourism. The fourth annual Armenian] Ecotourism Conference was held on August 30-31. We received the largest number of responses from the USA, but we were heartened to receive responses from Sudan, Palestinian territories, Israel, Venezuela, Bhutan, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nepal, Cote D’Ivoire and Iran, along with 80 other nations. 0 + countries. Try our corporate solution for free! Despite the fact that tourism is a significant economic driver, it can also be quite damaging to the planet’s environment and peoples. Developing countries are particularly fragile to the effects of tourism in their natural, economic, and social environments. (212) 419-8286. hadley.ward@statista.com. consisting of professional, individuals & organizations. Yet tourism is also uniquely positioned because people are compelled to protect what they love. While these achievements are exemplary, there is still much work to do, especially as international tourists continue to increase by 3% each year, and governments seek to widely implement ecotourism. One hundred thirty six million people live in extreme poverty. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. We have lost 25% of all bird species, 24% of mammal species, 11% of plant species, and 24% of coral reefs. Ecotourism Awards in 16 different categories, Join us and hundreds of global tourism professionals for the premier international conference, 20th Anniversary: Innovation Leadership in Sustainable Tourism, Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Management, 5 Reasons Why Joining TIES is a Smart Choice, consisting of professional, individuals & organizations. actively participated in Ecotourism. The event was organized by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment. In 2015, TIES lost its 501(c)3 federal tax-exempt status after failing to file 990 forms, as required by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations, for three consecutive years. Ecotourism is a nature based form of specialty travel defined by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) as “responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people.” This definition has been widely accepted, but does not serve as a functional definition for gathering statistics. 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