E4 Travel

Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism, & Responsible Tourism

These three terms are often misunderstood, misinterpreted, and mistakenly used interchangeably when discussing ideas, issues, and theories related to tourism and international travel. To avoid confusion, we offer the following definitions and descriptions as they apply to products and services offered by E4 Travel and E4 Initiatives.

What exactly is Ecotourism?

According to The International Ecotourism Society:

Ecotourism is: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

Ecotourism is about connecting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in responsible tourism activities should adhere to 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

Sustainable travel is: "Tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future."

Responsible Tourism...

E4 Travel recognizes education, ecology, and the economy as key components to a model of responsible tourism. E4 is committed to developing programs that promote the socio economic development of small communities by supporting local schools, working to conserve rainforest and marine life, and creating job opportunities for local residents. E4 Travel takes on personal responsibility through donations of profits and earnings to local projects and programs that contribute to this model of responsible tourism. E4 donates 5% of all profits earned through travel sales and commissions to projects and initiatives outlined throughout this site. We make a donation of 7% for all sales involving luxury travel. In addition, we have designed products and services responsible travel initiatives built in or available as options.

Travel Initiatives provide opportunities for travelers to donate their time, effort, and resources to their hosts through volunteerism and donations with direction. This program allows people to effectively reduce any negative impact that may have been resulted from standard tourism practices. Something must be done to counter the impact of basic consumption of natural resources. If we continue to use, without replenishing or taking action to counter this impact, we will be left with nothing to enjoy in the future. This theory can be applied to the fresh water supply, rainforest canopy, and coastal beaches.

E4 Travel has adopted a Code of Responsible Tourism based on the World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics. The ten articles outlined, defined, and detailed by the World Tourism Organization are held in highest regard by E4 with respect to the quality and caliber of services we offer. If you have any questions as to how E4 products and services relate to and/or uphold the principles outlined in the articles below, please contact an E4 Representative today, and we would be more than happy to discuss them in greater detail with you. E4 is constantly seeking to align itself with local businesses and organizations that are based on the principles highlighted in this code of ethics in an effort to create a unified network of responsible tourism enterprises here in Costa Rica and beyond.

View a complete copy of the Global Code of Ethics here.

Article 1 - Tourism's contribution to mutual understanding respect between peoples and societies.

Article 2 - Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment.

Article 3 - Tourism, a factor of sustainable development.

Article 4 - Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its enhancement.

Article 5 - Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities

Article 6 - Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development.

Article 7 - Right to tourism

Article 8 - Liberty of tourist movements

Article 9 - Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry

Article 10 - Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

E4 Initiatives through E4 Travel is constantly striving to incorporate new, and expand on pre established methods for the incorporation of sustainability into our tourism and travel services.

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