Each year, Mexico hosts millions of tourists attracted by the country's extensive and unique natural and cultural wealth--especially its famous beaches and luxurious seaside resorts. However, in recent years, the numbers of tourists heading to Mexico looking for small-scale, responsible tourism are growing.

To support the carefully planned development and growth of ecotourism businesses and activities in the country, the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico (SEMARNAT) created the Mexican Standards for Ecotourism, a third-party certification program. We talked with César Rafael Chávez, Director General of Environmental, Urban and Tourism Development for SEMARNAT, who explains more about this certification program and what travelers can do to enjoy and support ecotourism in Mexico.

Question: What explains the recent ecotourism boom in Mexico?

Chávez: A trend toward mass tourism has dominated since the late 1940s, when Acapulco was created and was later solidified in the 70s, when Cancún, Los Cabo san Lucas, and Ixtapa emerged, also offering many large-scale tourist developments. The trend toward ecotourism began in the late 90s, led by groups concerned about the environment and by communities living in or near protected natural areas that had to find other means of earning a living when government decrees prevented their direct use of natural resources. At the same time, interest in taking advantage of Mexico's enormous potential for ecotourism development continued to grow. After the Year of Ecotourism in 2003, this interest became widespread and concrete actions began to take form.

Q: What gave rise to the Mexican Standards for Ecotourism?

Chávez: The Standards are a direct consequence of the Year of Ecotourism and were created to establish the criteria necessary for an activity or business to truly be considered "ecotourism." Through this tool, the guidelines and standards for sustainable ecotourism were developed. Similarly, SEMARNAT's certification program and the certification logo were designed to help promote ecotourism.

Q: What are some of Mexico's important sustainable tourism destinations?

Chávez: Baja California is a sustainable destination that has been developed to accommodate tourists interested in whale watching. There, we have certified businesses around San Ignacio Lagoon and in Guerrero Negro. The Lacandon forest is another region that is considered an ecotourism pioneer, but it is not as popular as the beaches or archeological sites. With that in mind, we are educating tourists about Mexico's sustainable destinations and are promoting sustainable activities available at mass tourism destinations so that visitors can also enjoy eco-destinations. For example, in Cancún, tourists can take tours of the north-south tourism circuits to that after a few days of sun and sand tourism, they can see the country's other treasures and also support ecotourism businesses.

Q: What kind of tourism businesses does your program certify?

Chávez: Community, indigenous, and rural ecotourism businesses as well as private ecotourism businesses can participate. The important thing is that they fall under the context of ecotourism.

Q: What kinds of businesses make up the majority of those that have been certified?

Chávez: We currently have 40 certified businesses - 38 of them are small-scale, rural, indigenous, or farmer-owned businesses, and most are in or near protected areas. There are two large companies certified in the Baja California area.

Q: Do you find that large and small hotels have different levels of interest in becoming certified?

Chávez: Large companies have discovered that certification gives them access to the most discerning international markets and allows them to be included on the itineraries of major tour operators in Europe, North America, and Asia. Small businesses, those located mainly in protected areas, are closer to the environment and are more focused on the importance of their rich natural and cultural heritage; they understand that sustainable tourism is essential for the conservation of the natural resources on which they directly depend.

Q: What aspects of sustainable tourism do the standards evaluate?

Chávez: First we evaluate the project plans, the business plan, the environmental impact assessment, and the planning of all the stages of development. Then we evaluate the tourism facilities, for example, water and energy use, waste treatment, relationship with wildlife, design features, construction materials, use of cleaning products , and vendors and purchasing, among others. There are also specific requirements for addressing the relationship between the business and the tourists, nature trails, signage for the facilities and natural areas that are visited, interactions with wildlife and aquatic ecosystems, community relations, and any conservation and environmental education initiatives they promote or support.

Q: What are the main challenges in becoming certified?

Chávez: The large companies usually have no problems. The smaller businesses and marginalized groups often have less capacity to make the changes they must make to become certified and they need training and financial support throughout the certification process, as well as after they have become certified so that they can maintain their certification.

Q: What recommendations do you have for tourists who want to travel responsibly in Mexico?

Chávez: When planning their trip, they should use websites like SustainableTrip.org for information about sustainable tourism businesses, activities, and key destinations. Our program also has launched a website called Ecoturismo Certificado (in Spanish), where tourists can find a list of our certified businesses, a description of several eco-destinations in the country, and a series of recommendations for planning their eco-trip in Mexico. In addition, there is an official website about sustainable tourism in Mexico.

AMTAVE.org (in Spanish), The Mexican Association for Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism's (AMTAVE) website, also has more information about environmentally-friendly vacation choices. Another tool that every tourist should know is the World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Finally, it is important to remember that as tourists, we should not leave any environmental footprints but we should take away cultural footprints. That's the best thing about traveling!

Check out businesses certified to the Mexican Standards for Ecotourism available in the SustainableTrip.org directory.

This entry was posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:16 PM and has received 768 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

How does tropical beaches washed by turquoise waters, towering mountains draped with dense forest, colonial cities and Mayan architecture sound? If the answer is "good!", look no further than Honduras.

Thanks to its diverse geography and considerable size – it's the second largest country in Central America – Honduras holds a patchwork of varied microclimates, ecosystems, peoples and landscapes; enough variety to please any traveler. It is Central America's most mountainous country (although the only one that lacks volcanoes) and about 40% of it is covered with tropical rainforest. Its long Caribbean coastline has white sand beaches, whereas its Pacific corner has black sand beaches.

The Honduran Caribbean is known for the Bay Islands, which include the idyllic destination of Roatan. The islands are surrounded by the southern end of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second longest coral reef in the world. In addition to Roatan, the islands of Utila, Guanaja and the Cayos Cochinos are world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destinations, since their crystal clear waters are home to a wealth of marine biodiversity. They are also great places for people who just want to relax on a sunny beach, stroll through a tranquil coastal village, or listen to the tales of pirates that the locals like to tell.

The country's shorter Pacific coast has important historic sites, though few tourists venture there. Those who do will discover hidden gems such as San Lorenzo, Choluteca, and the Amapala beaches on Isla de Tigre.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Honduras has 15 national parks, 2 biosphere reserves, and 10 biological reserves that together protect a treasure trove of tropical nature. Its vast and varied wilderness areas hold opportunities for climbing mountains, paddling down white water rivers, experiencing the adrenaline rush of a canopy tour, or hiking through exuberant forests that hold amazingly varied flora and fauna.

The small city of La Ceiba, on the Caribbean coast, lies near such a wealth of natural and cultural attractions that it has been dubbed an "ecotourism capital." The verdant mountains that tower to the south of it are protected within Pico Bonito National Park, which holds lush cloud forest, rocky peaks, about 46 rivers, and countless gorgeous waterfalls. It offers perfect conditions for climbing, rafting, kayaking, hiking and horseback riding. La Ceiba also has some lovely beaches nearby, such as Corozal and Sambo Creek, where the local communities preserve the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture and language. Each year in late May, these towns overflow with celebration during the Gran Carnaval de la Amistad.

National parks such as La Tigra, Celaque and Cusuco, among others, provide comparably spectacular settings for various ecotourism activities. And in Honduras, you have the option of enjoying nature while learning about an ancient civilization, at the Mayan city of Copán.

Those sprawling ruins, located near the country's border with Guatemala, consist of more than 1,400 sites and 4,500 buildings that retain remnants of impressive Mayan architecture. Copán's sculpted monoliths, called "stelae," exhibit such detail and craftsmanship that it is considered one of the best places in the region to experience Mayan art. In recognition of this, UNESCO designated Copán a World Heritage Site. Among its most impressive attractions are the Archaeological Park, the sites of Las Sepulturas and Los Sapos, the Museum of Mayan Archaeology and the Museum of Mayan Sculpture.

The Spanish colonial era also left important heritage for travelers to enjoy. Comayagua, Yuscarán, Santa Rosa de Copán, Danlí and Trujillo (where Columbus landed in 1504) are among the dozens of Honduran cities with significant colonial architecture. Their cobbled streets are lined with distinctive Spanish balconies, as well as splendid churches, cathedrals, town halls and central squares.

The colonial cities also provide glimpses of the country's history as a mining center, since the Spanish priority was to exploit its mineral wealth. The churches of villages such as Yuscarán hold beautiful altars adorned with gold and silver that were extracted from abandoned nearby mines.

Yet one of the most enjoyable things about visiting Honduras is experiencing the friendliness and culture of its people – a mix of indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Mestizo races with their varied traditions, crafts, music, and food. In each of the country's regions, you can discover different rituals, folk dances, music, and celebrations, as well as handicrafts made of wood, leather, seeds, cloth, and other natural materials.

Honduran cuisine also varies by region, though nearly every meal includes the national staples of beans and corn tortillas. Visitors can also enjoy local meats and seafood, fried plantains, or Honduran tamales – corn dough stuffed with meat and vegetables, wrapped in a banana leaf, and boiled. You can also choose from various international cuisines in most destinations.

Honduras also has large cities, where much of its population are based. The capital, Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba and Choluteca all have international hotel and restaurant chains, shopping malls, contemporary cultural centers, modern medical services, and other facilities.

Recently, the Honduran government, entrepreneurs, and local and international organizations have started working together to develop a sustainable tourism model that helps conserve Honduras's rich biodiversity, architecture, culture and history while also supporting local communities. Last year, the already established Smart Voyager program began certifying hotels in the country. Casa del Árbol Centro and Casa del Árbol Galerías, located in San Pedro Sula, are two of the first hotels recognized with this international seal and we're excited to have them featured in SustainableTrip.org.

It should come as no surprise that the slogan chosen to promote tourism in the country is: "Honduras, everything is here." Dare to discover it for yourself!

This entry was posted on February 9, 2012 at 2:01 PM and has received 893 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.