Ecuador is blessed with an unrivaled diversity of nature, culture and scenery. From the legendary biodiversity of the Galapagos, to the seaside traditions of the Coast, cultures of the Andes and adventure of the Amazon rainforest, Ecuador has a vast treasure of riches that merit preservation. We have partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to encourage sustainable tourism that will preserve this natural bounty while offering the adventure traveler deeply authentic experiences that will resonate for a lifetime.

Sustainable tourism seeks to reduce the negative environmental impacts of tourism and improve conservation and sustainable development, by setting guidelines and measurable benchmarks for all segments of the tourism industry. Sustainable tourism takes a holistic approach, dealing not only with ecological issues, but also areas such as economic viability and socio-cultural sensitivity.

The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit conservation organization, working in over 50 countries around the globe with tourism entrepreneurs, local governments, farmers, foresters, and community based organizations. By providing tools and training for environmentally and socially sound management they encourage the production of goods and services that meet the global marketplace’s growing demand for sustainability.

In Ecuador, the Rainforest Alliance is working with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ecuadorian Ecotourism Association, and the private sector to establish management practices for tourism that protect our fragile ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them. Training manuals and workshops will help tourism businesses promote responsible travel that protects the environment as well as local culture and communities.

Click here to view a list of the businesses in Ecuador that are participaing in the Rainforest Alliance's Best Management Practices program.