Ecotourism and sustainable development concepts became prevalent in the 1980′s and has been the tourism industry’s area of fastest growth.  This popularity represents a change in tourist’s perceptions, increased environmental awareness and a desire to explore natural environments.

Seemingly, this growth and popularity of responsible tourism appears to be a statement of affirming one’s social identity, educational sophistication and disposable income as much as it is about preserving the Amazon rainforest or the Caribbean reef for posterity, for example.

Ecotourism, according to The International Ecotoursim Society (TIES) is “Responsible travel to natural areas that conservess the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”  Travel to natural, pristine and often protected areas while making minimal impact and often offers education for the traveller has been an impressive area of growth to the travel industry in the last several years.

TIES describes ecotourism with seven characteristics:

• Involves travel to natural destinations
• Minimizes impact
• Builds environmental awareness
• Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• Respects local culture
• Supports human rights and democratic movements

Ideally, ecotourism should satisfy several criteria:

• Conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through protection of the ecosystem
• Promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to the local people
• Sharing of sociao-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous peoples by haing their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises
• Tourism to unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the environment being a primary concern
• Minimization of tourisms own environmental impact
• Affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury
• Local culture, flora and fauna being the main attractions

 For many countries, ecotourism represents their national economy rather than a means to finance protection of the environment. Ecotourism, for many countries, represents their national economy instead of a means to finance environmental protection.    As one would expect, reliance on an industry for economy creates political conflicts.

Viewed as a process rather than a product, tourism succeeds when it fosters mutually beneficial relationships among local citizens and travelers.  Understanding ecotourism certification is difficult when it comes to defining what constitutes ecotourism, sustainable tourism or responsible travel because there is little concensus. When it comes to developing global accreditation, there is a growing demand to ‘stop the machine’

None the less, ecotourism contributes to the world wide economy as well as our environment.  In an attempt to support the environment, the traveler will be attentive to environmental awards to resorts and excursions in spite of the political conflicts as we move forward to encourage ecotourism, in the true meaning of the term.

Thankfully  , the world is paying attention to the environment, sustainable resources and the drive to reduce our carbon footprint, the task of “saving the planet” is, literally everyone’s responsibility.  With 13 high-end all-inclusive properties located throughout Cancún, the Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Riviera Nayarit, and Punta Cana, Palace Resorts, the company that set the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations, is making the move to also be environmentally friendly, as well as give back to the community.

Below are some steps Palace Resorts is taking to make their resorts more environmentally friendly:

• Palace Resorts Environmental Committee – based on the success of this program, Xph-Ha Palace has already been awarded the Certificado de Calidad Ambiental Turistica(certificate for environmental quality in tourism) from Mexicos protection environmental agency – PROFEPA for complying with the environmental regulations.  The goal is to achieve the same for all of the Palace Resorts.
• Paperless Technology – invested in electronic technology and posted electronic schedule boards throughout all of the resorts, thus eliminating the use of printed schedules. 
• Saving Energy – designated as a priority, not only in public spaces but also in the rooms.  Installing state of the art light switches that are triggered by inserting your room key, thus when you leave the room and take the key, everything is turned off to reduce the expenditure of electricity.
• Reuse and Renew – A linen reuse program reduces the use of natural resources, yet is still controlled by the guest.
• Giving Back – The unused food at Palace Resorts restaurants is donated to local food banks and shelters throughout the regions where they operate.  Not only has this reduced waste but also has helped feed the less fortunate in its communities.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – State of the art water filtration systems at each of its properties that nont only reduce dependancy on bottled water but also help the resort irrigate the grounds.  Bottled water remains available but in 1.5 liter bottles.
• Saving Indigenous Wildlife – supports the sea turtle protection program that is working to establish protection efforts along the 7 miles of beach on the coast of Quintana Roo state.  In three camp sites located at the Cancun Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort, Cancun Palace, Beach Palace and Sun Palace that have been specifically authorized by the Mexico’s Environmental and Natural Resources Agency, SEMARNAT.  Palace Resorts have protected well over 125,000 sea turtle eggs since 2005.  The purpose of the program is to not only preserve and protect the eggs that sea turtles come to shore to lay, but also to provide environmental education, training, investigation and continuously evaluate this majestic creature so that they may thrive for years to come.
• Palace Resorts ‘Green Thumb’- established several years ago, environmentally friendly nurseries at the Centro de Distribusion Palace with approximately 200,000 indigenous plants that represent a cross section of species collected from the jungle, wetlands, mangroves and coastal dunes.    This distribution center serves several purposes, including a temporary home to local plants that are relocated during construction or renovation, a cultivation center used to nurture replacement plants to those that have becomed damaged or unhealthy and to offer a base operation for the Palace gardeners to repair and foster healthy natural vegetation, coastal thickets, mangroves and dunes that serve as natural barriers in the event of storms or hurricanes.

Palace Resorts is committed to restoring and preserving our environment.  Xpu Ha Palace Eco Resort Is one of our best examples for ecotourism.