Road less traveled fastest-growing tourism market
Ecotourism is growing at an annual rate of 5%, or about three times better than the industry as a whole, reports the World Tourism Organization.
“It’s one of the fastest-growing parts of tourism,” said Dave Sollet, executive director of the International Ecotourism Society, based in Washington, D.C. told the Pittsburgh Business Times. “There is a consumer demand.”
That’s particularly good news for some US areas that traditionally have not been on visitor’s maps such as Appalachia in Virginia, where tourism is among the fastest growing industries.
“The Heart of Appalachia” region of Virginia comes with first-class credentials for ecotourism. That include thousands of acres of the Jefferson National Forest, the 4,500-acre Breaks Interstate Park (which includes the “Grand Canyon of the South”), and the 850-acre Natural Tunnel State Park, among others. The Appalachian Trail, the Trans-America Bike Route, and the new Heart of Appalachia Bike Route and Scenic Drive also weave their way through the region.
Jane Seekings, a senior consultant at Atlas Travel Service in Pittsburgh said the eco-trips usually skew young — meaning the 25-to-35 set.
“They like the adventure of going to places that aren’t well traveled,” she said. “As we get older, though, we want our creature comforts.”
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements