The report detailed the state of eco-certification within the world travel market
at this point in time and the numbers and statistics of the principal tourism
parameters, for example; The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates
that the industry will double within the next decade with international tourism
arrivals increasing to approximately 1.8 billion travelers. Growth rates on this
scale means that more of the world’s pristine environments, such as those in
Botswana, will be exposed to significant environmental and social impacts as
visitor volumes increase.
As a consequence, improving the environmental management systems within
tourism establishments will help to mitigate their environmental impact. Ecocertification
should therefore encourage the operators of tourism facilities to
improve their environmental management through a system of rewards, benefits
and competitive impulses.