SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable tourism encompasses the responsible use of natural resources for recreation. This includes boating, scuba-diving, sailing and tourism.

Ecotourism is defined as leisure travel that provides tourists with an educational and adventurous experience visiting complex ecosystems and their associated cultures and traditions. Ecotourism should have a minimal impact on both the environment and the culture. Ecotourism should inform tourists about what's needed to sustain the environment they're visiting, and should also help local populations understand the importance and value of their home. Ecotourism can also help foster a sense of environmental stewardship by encouraging travelers to be mindful of wasting resources and polluting the environment. Ecotourism can also help local economies by generating revenue and jobs, which further encourages the local population to preserve its environment.

Good ecotourism should ideally support criteria such as:

- Conservation of biological and cultural diversity
- Sustainable use of ecological resources
- Support for local economies and use of local supplies and services
- Empowerment by sharing in the management of local ecotourism activities
- Increased environmental and cultural awareness
- Minimal environmental tourist industry impact on local resources

Ocean's Edge supports these criteria and makes every effort to assure our alliances are ecotourism aware.