The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and Sustainable Travel International (STI) are two organizations that promote ecotourism and sustainable tourism. TIES defines ecotourism as responsible travel that conserves the environment and improves livelihoods. It creates an international network and educates tourists about ecotourism principles like minimizing environmental impacts. STI is a global leader in sustainable tourism that provides certification, carbon management, and education programs to help destinations and businesses incorporate sustainability. Both organizations aim to unite environmental conservation and local community benefit through responsible travel practices.

1. Organizations that
Promote Ecotourism,
For Environmental
and Cultural
Sustainability
Ed Mayer
Earth Matters
Ednsue74@earthlink.net

2. Blue Ridge Parkway Vista

3. Tarahumara Ceremony, Mexico

4. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
www.ecotourism.org
Mission
TIES promotes ecotourism, which is defined as "responsible travel to
natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being
of local people," by:
 Creating an international network of individuals, institutions and the
tourism industry;
 Educating tourists and tourism professionals; and
 Influencing the tourism industry, public institutions and donors to
integrate the principles of ecotourism into their operations and policies.
TIES Vision
As the world's oldest and largest international ecotourism association,
TIES seeks to be the global source of knowledge and advocacy uniting
communities, conservation, and sustainable travel.

5. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
www.ecotourism.org
Principles of Ecotourism:
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable
travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism
activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
 Minimize impact.
 Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
 Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
 Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
 Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
 Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social
climate.

6. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
www.ecotourism.org
TIES Offers
 Members Ecotourism Network
 Listings of Eco Destinations
 Certification and Sustainable Tourism Management with
George Washington Univ.
 Publications
 Annual Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference
 Travel Green Guide

7. Eco Lodge

8. New Guinea Vista

9. Sustainable Travel International (STI)
www.sustainabletravelinternational.org
Promoting responsible travel and ecotourism, supporting sustainable
development, and helping travelers and travel providers protect the
cultures and environments they visit.
Mission:
 Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a global leader in sustainable
tourism development. The organization’s mission is to promote
sustainable development through responsible travel by providing
programs that help travelers, businesses and destinations protect the
environment, preserve cultural heritage and promote economic
development.
 STI is dedicated to taking a holistic approach to addressing sustainable
development within the travel and tourism industries by providing
solutions-oriented programs that generate tangible results and affect
long-lasting change.

10. Sustainable Travel International (STI)
www.sustainabletravelinternational.org
STI Programs
 Advisory Services
 Eco-Certification
 Carbon Management
 Eco-Directory
 Education and Training
 Traveler’s Philanthropy

11. Sustainable Travel International (STI)
www.sustainabletravelinternational.org
Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP)
 STEP is STI’s flagship program and is the gold standard for
accommodations, attractions, tour operators and transportation
services
 STEP features an online Sustainability Management Framework
and Self-assessment Tool
 Standards are aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria
and have been developed transparently in collaboration with the
travel and tourism industry.
Carbon Management
 Reduce Carbon Emissions and Invest in Carbon Offsets
 STI provides comprehensive carbon management and reduction
services to help individuals and businesses easily and affordably
balance their environmental impact.

12. World Tourism Organization
www.unwto.org
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
 The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism sets a frame of
reference for the responsible and sustainable development of
world tourism.
 With international tourism forecast to reach 1.6 billion arrivals
by 2020, WTO believe that the Global Code of Ethics for
Tourism will help minimize the negative impacts of tourism on
the environment and on cultural heritage while maximizing the
benefits for tourism destinations.
Green Lodging News www.greenlodgingnews.com
 The lodging industry’s leading environmental news source

13. Eco Tour, New Guinea

14. Trekking in Papua New Guinea

15. Moving Forward
Establish a WNC Ecotourism Network
 Advise members on certifications standards and
assist with meeting standards and criteria.
 Explore possibilities for group certification to reduce
costs for individual operations.
 Join International Ecotourism organizations as a
business association.
 Establish WNC as an ecotourism destination and
advertise on behalf of certified members.
 Other ideas??

16. Earth Matters
Collaborative Approach to Project Design and Implementation
Conservation, Ecotourism, Forest Carbon
Ed Mayer and Susan Brown
ednsue74@earthlink.net
828-505-1080