Top 10 Ecotourism Destinations for 2024
Ecotourism is a low-impact way to travel that minimizes the negative effects of tourism and exposes visitors to unique ecosystems, local communities, and educational opportunities. In other words, ecotourism isn’t solely focused on visiting dazzling destinations — it’s about traveling in a more responsible and sustainable way.
According to Allied Market Research, the global ecotourism market generated over $92 billion in 2019, and is on track to reach $103 billion by 2027. This is definitely an industry to keep an eye on, or better yet, get involved with for yourself. Keep reading for our list of the top 10 ecotourism destinations for 2024.
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What is ecotourism?
Ecotourism is a beautiful blend of travel and conservation. More specifically, ecotourism involves “responsible travel to natural areas” while conserving the environment and sustaining the wellbeing of the local population.
Most of the time, ecotourism takes place in exotic (or threatened) natural environments, and is rooted in 3 basic principles: conservation, community, and education.
1. Conservation: Ecotourism seeks to offer long-term, sustainable solutions for enhancing and protecting biodiversity around the world. Typically, conservation efforts are funded through tourists seeking nature-based experiences, but they can also be supported through research and direct donations.
2. Community: Ecotourism helps increase employment opportunities for local and indigenous communities. When well-executed, ecotourism can fight against global social issues (like poverty and inequality) and fund sustainable development projects.
3. Education: Ecotourism should always have an educational component that raises awareness for environmental issues and potential solutions. While it’s great to visit remote locations, it’s even better to understand these areas on a deeper level.
In short, ecotourism creates added value for tourists and raises funds to protect both local communities and native biodiversity.
Pros & cons of ecotourism
Anytime humans interact with wildlife (or even with the environment), there will always be potential risks involved. However, if these interactions prioritize respect and responsibility, it’s still possible to have a positive impact on the area you visit.
Below you’ll find some of the biggest pros and cons of the ecotourism industry.
Pros of ecotourism
Protects surrounding natural resources. When managed correctly, the money generated by ecotourism goes directly towards protecting natural areas.
Offers unique, one-of-a-kind travel experiences. Ecotourism offers unique travel experiences with an emphasis on nature, education, and sustainability.
Provides an educational element. Because ecotourism has an educational side, it’s a great way to encourage future generations of nature lovers and conservationists.
Improves the local economic situation. By providing employment for local communities, ecotourism can have a positive impact on the economy in that area.
Leads to further research. When more people experience nature up close, it’s likely some of them will discover a passion for studying and protecting our planet.
Cons of ecotourism
Possible harm to the environment. If too many people visit a certain ecosystem and/or disturb the organisms there, it could cause damage to their natural habitat.
Added pressure on local infrastructure. Inevitably, more crowds mean more construction, more pollution, and a higher chance of damaging the soil or plant quality.
Altered animal behaviors. If animals become stressed by human activity, it could trigger changes to their reproduction or migration patterns, or make them more vulnerable to predators.
Lack of acceptance from local people. Ecotourism can be a big problem if local communities aren't on board with the industry or if the activities aren’t locally managed.
Greater chance of human-wildlife conflict. Conflicts are interactions between humans and animals that lead to negative results, like damage to property or even loss of life.
Because ecotourism has its fair share of pros *and* cons, it’s super important to vet your potential travel partners. Take some time to research and confirm whether an ecotourism company is benefiting the community and environment rather than exploiting it (AKA greenwashing).
For ecotourism to truly be successful, it has to involve local communities in the planning, implementation, and management of whatever gets developed.
Top 10 ecotourism destinations for 2024
1. Best overall ecotourism destination: New Zealand
To date, 20% of New Zealand’s total land area is labeled as national park (or reserve), in an effort to protect the glaciers, fjords, plains, and mountains scattered throughout its interior. Even the country’s slogan — “100% Pure New Zealand” — demonstrates their commitment to preserving the natural environment and celebrating the rich landscape in this part of the world.
And that all goes without mentioning New Zealand’s diverse volcanic landscapes, like those found in Tongariro National Park. Not only is Tongariro the oldest national park in NZ, but it’s also a cultural heritage site for the indigenous Maori tribes who live in that region (making it the perfect combination of conservation, community, and education).
You don’t want to miss: The hiking and waterfall hunting in Tongariro National Park
2. Best affordable ecotourism destination: Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s natural reserves and protected parks are home to some of the most incredible biodiversity on earth, which is why sustainability is such a priority for this beautiful nation.
Each year, Costa Rica welcomes more than 1.7 million visitors, with a good percentage of folks coming to enjoy ecotourism activities. In fact, Costa Rica’s ecotourism industry has been so successful (read: profitable), the country was able to double its forest cover within the last 3 decades. Amazing, right?
Along with its affordable ecolodges and wellness retreats, Costa Rica also offers adventures like volcano trekking and jungle zip-lining — plus conservation programs working in harmony with the local plant life.
You don’t want to miss: The Cloud Forest Biological Reserve in Monteverde
3. Best warm weather ecotourism destination: India
India is an abundant source of flora and fauna, and is quickly becoming one of the most sought after, warm weather ecotourism spots in the world. This country’s highly diverse landscapes include the backwaters of Kerala, the salt marshes in the Great Rann of Kutch, and the high altitude wetlands of the Himalayas (where rhinos, tigers, and elephants can be found).
Perhaps lesser known, India also has natural cave systems that wind throughout the Khasi and Garo Hills. The Khasi Hills are actually their own little ecoregion, and are known for their unique biodiversity — as well as for being the wettest place on earth!
You don’t want to miss: A visit to Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Kerala
4. Best cold weather ecotourism destination: Iceland
Iceland’s tourism industry has been booming the last few years, with tourism now accounting for ~40% of the country’s total export revenue. It’s not hard to see why so many people are flocking to this Nordic nation, considering it's an outdoor enthusiast’s dream — Iceland has waterfalls, lagoons, mountain peaks, glaciers, and caves galore.
But the best part is, Iceland is largely focused on responsible tourism. Meaning, they allow visitors to witness all that beauty without damaging the delicate ecological balance. For example, Iceland is packed with ecotourism resorts and promotes the use of electric vehicles to reduce emissions. There’s also tons of opportunities to hike, bike, raft, and snorkel, so you can enjoy the incredible landscapes sans exploitation.
You don’t want to miss: An unforgettable ice cave tour in Vatnajokull Glacier
5. Best wildlife-spotting ecotourism destination: Tanzania
Tanzania is an exciting and beautiful country in East Africa, and has allotted over 25% of its total land area to wildlife national parks and similarly protected areas. For that reason, approximately 90% of tourists who visit Tanzania are seeking ecotourism experiences.
Ecotourism highlights in Tanzania include Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, and Zanzibar — an archipelago that’s raved about for its clear warm waters, coral reefs, and marine biodiversity. In addition, Tanzania is also known for its chimpanzee population. There are some terrific ecotourism activities in Gombe National Park, with proceeds helping to protect these chimpanzee’s natural habitats.
You don’t want to miss: A visit to Serengeti National Park with Green Tours Tanzania
6. Best hiking ecotourism destination: Norway
Thanks to Norway’s decades of progressive politics, this Scandinavian stunner is leading the way in regulating industries like oil, fishing, and hunting. More recently, Norway became one of 4 pilot destinations for the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) — meaning, they’ve been globally recognized for their sustainable travel initiatives. .
While there are countless places for nature lovers to check out, the Geirangerfjord region remains one of the most popular. Here, you’ll find Norway’s *promised land.* This is a UNESCO World Heritage area that boasts breathtaking blue fjords (backgrounded by mountains), as well as glacial waterfalls and wild flora just waiting for you to come and explore on foot.
You don’t want to miss: The sea to summit hikes with Norwegian Adventure Company
7. Best diving ecotourism destination: Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of more than 7,100 islands, though each island group is blessed with its own natural beauty. Better yet, the Philippines has all kinds of attractions that encourage tourists to connect with the environment in a peaceful and responsible way — so as not to cause any harm during their visit.
One of the biggest ecotourism draws in the Philippines is the Masungi Georeserve, a 1,600-hectare conservation area that protects rare (and endemic) plant and animal life. Another highlight is Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993. If you’re a diver, you’ll love the hundreds of species of fish, pristine coral reef, and magnificent diversity found at this underwater park.
You don’t want to miss: A day spent exploring the Puerto Princesa Underground River
8. Best boating ecotourism destination: Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are a remote archipelago off the west coast of Ecuador, and are home to some of the most unique (and fearless) animal populations anywhere in the world.
Charles Darwin famously visited the Galápagos Islands for 5 weeks back in 1835. Though his stay was brief, Darwin’s time in the Galápagos actually served as the inspiration for his Theory of Evolution. Today, these islands are one of the most in-demand ecotourism destinations on the planet, with an incredible 97% of the land area on the Galápagos declared national park.
Even better, all 127 of the islands, islets, and rocks are either: protected restoration areas, completely free of human impact, or reduced impact zones (adjacent to tourist-friendly areas).
You don’t want to miss: The 7-day island hopping expedition with Touring Galápagos
9. Best safari ecotourism destination: Kenya
Kenya is another example of how ecotourism is thriving in Africa. Similar to Tanzania, Kenya is known for its grassland safaris where giraffes, lions, and rhinos roam free. But in addition to these vast plains, Kenya is also known for its mountains, beaches, and offshore coral reefs — all of which have their own diverse ecology to explore.
To protect these gorgeous landscapes, the Kenyan government (along with international NGOs) has launched private and public initiatives to eliminate illegal poaching and boost ecotourism efforts. As a result, Kenya now has 24 national parks, 15 national reserves, 6 marine parks, and several more conservancies and sanctuaries to boot.
You don’t want to miss: The safari of a lifetime with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
10. Best under-the-radar ecotourism destination: Jordan
Jordan is located at the crossroads of the Middle East, and is best known for its ancient history, rich culture, and sprawling desert landscape. Despite being more under-the-radar than other destinations on our list, Jordan’s ecotourism industry is showing steady growth — thanks to its network of nature reserves overseen by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).
There are currently 10 protected areas throughout the country, though 4 of these zones have been added in just the last 5 years. Among the most popular sites are the Ajloun Forest Reserve in Jordan’s northern highlands, the Azraq Wetland Reserve with its ponds and lush greenery, and the desert of Wadi Rum with all its massive rock formations.
You don’t want to miss: A stop in Petra, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and Wonder of the World
Ecotourism FAQs
Learn more about ecotourism with the help of our FAQ section.
What is the purpose of ecotourism?
The purpose of ecotourism is to educate tourists about conservation while offering them a chance to explore nature up close. By merging conservation efforts with local communities and sustainable travel, ecotourism helps to reduce the negative environmental impact caused by the conventional travel industry.
What is an example of ecotourism?
Ecotourism can look a lot of different ways, though camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing are some of today’s most popular ecotourism activities. Specific examples of ecotourism include visiting a wildlife conservancy in Kenya or kayaking through the fjords in Norway.
Is ecotourism good or bad?
The reality is, ecotourism has its share of both pros and cons. That’s why it’s so important to research and confirm the validity of an ecotourism company before taking a trip with them. For ecotourism to truly be successful, it has to involve local communities in the planning, implementation, and management of whatever gets developed.