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The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

 

TIES Organizational Description
 

Founded in 1990, TIES is the largest and oldest ecotourism organization in the world dedicated to

promoting and disseminating information about ecotourism and sustainable tourism. TIES currently

has members in over 90 countries including tour operators, lodge owners and managers, academics,

consultants, conservation professionals, governments, architects, development experts, NGO’s, the

media, and travelers. As a non-governmental organization, TIES is unique in its efforts to provide

guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, research and publications to foster sound

ecotourism development.
 

Ecotourism Definition and Principles
 

TIES defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and

improves the well-being of local people." This means that those who implement and participate in

ecotourism activities should follow the following 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.

 

TIES Mission & Vision
 

TIES promotes 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.
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.

 

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
1333 H Street NW, Suite 300, East Tower, Washington, DC 20005, USA Tel: +1202-347-9203 Fax: +1 202-789-7279
info@ecotourism.org www.ecotourism.org