10
A. Lubowiecki-Vikuk et al.
of the eco-leisure concept. With the rise of environmental awareness and the inclusion
of environmental-oriented ideology in the leisure field, it is optimistic to expect an
increase in the importance of sustainable development and its implementation in
tourism, recreation and leisure activities (Ron et al. 2008).
The main objective of sustainable tourism is to enable tourists to enjoy and acquire
knowledge about the natural, historical and cultural features of the environment,
while preserving the integrity of the place and fostering the economic development
and well-being of the local community. Sustainable development must not stop the
development of tourism but allow for its development, so that tourists can see and
experience what they want but not destroy what attracted them. At the same time, the
social and cultural environment of tourist destinations cannot be destroyed or endangered. The tourism industry should communicate with and involve local communities
in development (Fennell and Butler 2003; Dietz et al. 2005).
Ecotourism refers, on the one hand, to a concept that encompasses a set of principles and, on the other, to a specific market segment. It is an environmentally responsible journey and visit to relatively untouched areas of nature to enjoy nature and
appreciate it (like all accompanying cultural features from the past and present),
which promotes conservation, has low visitor impact and provides beneficial active
socio-economic involvement of the local population (Drumm et al. 2004; Honey
2008).
In search of the best way to spend their leisure time, a new type of traveler has
emerged, who is a responsible traveler or ecotourist. Through this type of vacation, the ecotourist expects an untransformed or partially transformed environment,
thus experiencing a union with nature (Marques et al. 2017). An ecotourist during
his vacation should contribute to the preservation of the environment and directly
influence the reduction of the negative effects of mass tourism (Stojanovi´ c 2007).
The characteristics of outdoor destinations that meet the needs of ecotourists are
preserved natural features within a protected landscape, a low density of development where areas of nature predominate, and no dominance of built-up areas (Jegdi´ c
and Miloševi´ c 2012). They are also places for outdoor recreation designed to protect
sensitive resources and improve accommodation facilities, where friendly and motivated staff provide genuine hospitality, a variety of local festivals and events show the
pride of the local community in their natural environment and cultural heritage, and
small local businesses display food and craft stands (Røpke and Godskesen 2007).
In 1997, the Association for Ecological Tourism in Europe published recommendations for environmentally oriented travel planners. Developing guidance is
a valuable aid for local players on how to develop ecotourism in their communities, ecosystems or specific sectors of the industry, such as accommodation or tour
operators (Schütten and Räth 1997).
Travel planners also have a great responsibility. The TUI Group, a world-leading
leisure, travel and tourism company, is dedicated to reducing the external and
internal environmental impacts of its activities. The TUI Group hotel brands such
as Robinson, Grecotel, Iberotel, Dorfhotel, Nordotel and Riu are indicators of how
environmental quality standards can be put into practice (TUI Group 2020). Their
common goal is to collaborate on maintaining the quality of swimming water
A. Lubowiecki-Vikuk et al.
of the eco-leisure concept. With the rise of environmental awareness and the inclusion
of environmental-oriented ideology in the leisure field, it is optimistic to expect an
increase in the importance of sustainable development and its implementation in
tourism, recreation and leisure activities (Ron et al. 2008).
The main objective of sustainable tourism is to enable tourists to enjoy and acquire
knowledge about the natural, historical and cultural features of the environment,
while preserving the integrity of the place and fostering the economic development
and well-being of the local community. Sustainable development must not stop the
development of tourism but allow for its development, so that tourists can see and
experience what they want but not destroy what attracted them. At the same time, the
social and cultural environment of tourist destinations cannot be destroyed or endangered. The tourism industry should communicate with and involve local communities
in development (Fennell and Butler 2003; Dietz et al. 2005).
Ecotourism refers, on the one hand, to a concept that encompasses a set of principles and, on the other, to a specific market segment. It is an environmentally responsible journey and visit to relatively untouched areas of nature to enjoy nature and
appreciate it (like all accompanying cultural features from the past and present),
which promotes conservation, has low visitor impact and provides beneficial active
socio-economic involvement of the local population (Drumm et al. 2004; Honey
2008).
In search of the best way to spend their leisure time, a new type of traveler has
emerged, who is a responsible traveler or ecotourist. Through this type of vacation, the ecotourist expects an untransformed or partially transformed environment,
thus experiencing a union with nature (Marques et al. 2017). An ecotourist during
his vacation should contribute to the preservation of the environment and directly
influence the reduction of the negative effects of mass tourism (Stojanovi´ c 2007).
The characteristics of outdoor destinations that meet the needs of ecotourists are
preserved natural features within a protected landscape, a low density of development where areas of nature predominate, and no dominance of built-up areas (Jegdi´ c
and Miloševi´ c 2012). They are also places for outdoor recreation designed to protect
sensitive resources and improve accommodation facilities, where friendly and motivated staff provide genuine hospitality, a variety of local festivals and events show the
pride of the local community in their natural environment and cultural heritage, and
small local businesses display food and craft stands (Røpke and Godskesen 2007).
In 1997, the Association for Ecological Tourism in Europe published recommendations for environmentally oriented travel planners. Developing guidance is
a valuable aid for local players on how to develop ecotourism in their communities, ecosystems or specific sectors of the industry, such as accommodation or tour
operators (Schütten and Räth 1997).
Travel planners also have a great responsibility. The TUI Group, a world-leading
leisure, travel and tourism company, is dedicated to reducing the external and
internal environmental impacts of its activities. The TUI Group hotel brands such
as Robinson, Grecotel, Iberotel, Dorfhotel, Nordotel and Riu are indicators of how
environmental quality standards can be put into practice (TUI Group 2020). Their
common goal is to collaborate on maintaining the quality of swimming water