Eco Resorts Are Becoming More Popular

Almost a third of all travellers choose a destination because it is eco-friendly.

Destinations therefore should look at low-impact rather than high-value tourism, according to Martha Honey, co-founder of the Center for Responsible Travel, quoting figures from travel site TripAdvisor.

Companies that began implementing responsible travel policies in the 1990s, she noted, have outperformed those that did not. In 2010, for example, 51 per cent of meeting planners held meetings only in sustainable venues. New senior positions were also being created on a corporate-wide basis as the concept swept the industry, which is built on the idea that there is a need to protect the resource base on which tourism is built.

Targeting socially and environmentally-aware consumers both in the United States and Europe and centering on local assets rather than foreign imports, getting away from all-inclusive concepts, providing incentives for green innovation and incorporating industry best practices were crucial, she said.

Ms Honey was speaking at a special panel during the Sustainable Tourism Conference. Also speaking was Trudi Pearce of responsibletravel.com.

Ms Pearce noted that changes had occurred within the travel industry. A shift of power has been experienced from the provider to the client, a new generation wanted to know the product provenance, authenticity was now being demanded and during the financial crisis people wanted to reconnect with destinations.
She said that it was important for destinations or providers to now ask themselves whether they were in the service industry or in the business of orchestrating memorable events.

“If you are not the cheapest,” she said, “Reposition the destination with higher value, authentic tourism ... learn from other destinations that are already marketing responsible tourism successfully such as Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands.”

This comes as no surprise to CrownWorld who are due to launch their Eco-Village Resorts on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman in the coming weeks.

With all building materials responsibly sourced and construction conforming to LEED green building standards, CrownWorld are cornering the market in Eco-Tourism on the Sister Islands.

To learn more about Eco Resorts simply call +44 (0) 203 318 0605 or e-mail invest@crownworld.com