Guatemala Impact Sustainable Travel

Guatemala Impact Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism. Sustainable tourism is the concept of visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy.

Tourism can involve primary transportation to the general location, local transportation, accommodations, entertainment, recreation, nourishment, and shopping. It can be related to travel for leisure, business, and what is called VFR (visiting friends and relatives)

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small-scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism. It means responsible travel to natural areas conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people.

Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and human rights.

Tourism in Guatemala has grown gradually, is an attractive destination because of the abundant and varied natural beauty and its long beaches of white sand and dark sand, coral reefs, abundant flora and fauna, and archaeological beauties, its colonial history, plus its entire culture expressed in their customs and traditional foods.

Guatemala Impact Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

There is a strong interest of the international community for archaeological sites like the city of Tikal was built and occupied in a period where the Mayan culture had its most literal and artistic expression, was ruled by a dynasty of 16 kings, the Mayas of Tikal built many temples, a ballpark, altars and steles in high and low relief.

Guatemala received about two million tourists annually. In recent years it has led to the visit of many cruise ships that touch important seaports in Guatemala, leading to more tourists visiting the country.

Guatemala Impact Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism Minimize environmental impact.

• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.

The growth of Travel to Guatemala has increased significantly over the last 10 years. 20 years ago the Guatemala civil war ended, the financial crash of the US stock market in 2008 impacted Pleasure travel to Guatemala. Today Guatemala enjoys continued growth and travel acceptance worldwide. Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan, and Tikal are the gems of Guatemala travel destinations.

The Guatemalan government has failed to manage this growth and as an example, Lake Atitlan is considered one of the most amazing Lakes in the World is seriously polluted due to the growth of new Hotels around the lake and the building of Homes along the Lake Shore. With few building codes to protect the environment of Lake Atitlan today the Government of Guatemala is in a position to attempt to reverse the environmental impact Travel growth has played on Lake Atitlan. Only time will tell if it is not too late for the Lake.

Guatemala Impact Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.

Guatemala is a safe and positive travel destination while many Governments post travel warnings for Guatemala on their websites, the fact is the people of Guatemala are a kind and generous culture. A few areas of Guatemala city are considered dangerous. Any traveler with common sense would recognize that being out late at night in Guatemala can be a hazard like any country in the world. Keep that in mind when traveling to Guatemala.

You will find your travel hosts in Guatemala to offer excellent services, shuttle services, hotels, restaurants, and tour operators who are aware of the need to provide a safe and secure place for travelers.

• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation and local people.

Guatemala at times lacks the ability to support the local people. Today every large Franchise, Tour Operators, Bus Service, and Hotel Chains can be found providing services for travelers to Guatemala. The problem in Guatemala for the local people is these large Corp types with business interests in Guatemala Travel, hire locals to do the jobs we in the US would not even consider.

The Guatemalan Locals in many cases find jobs as Cooks, House Keepers, Valets, and Cleaners. Few local Guatemalan’s have the opportunity to grow past these lower-income jobs. Few of these Chains in Guatemala look to be part of Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism. Lake Atitlan, Antigua, and Livingston Guatemala are the hotbeds of this form of travel today. You will find many small independent operators mostly locals that are involved with Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

• Raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates.

Guatemala has had ongoing political issues with the Guatemala Government elected officials. Recently the past President and Vice President were arrested and removed from Power for scams that stole millions from the People of Guatemala.

• Support international human rights and labor agreements.

Ethical Fashion Guatemala is one of the few websites that has taken the issue of human rights and labor agreements to the forefront of Guatemala and the Impact Of Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism. Those traveling to Guatemala do not understand that the small local shops they visit