In ecotourism, trotting the globe to help protect it

On the edge of Sumatra’s Leuser National Park, Tanganan village offers days spent hiking to see wild tigers, rhinos, elephants and orangutans; cooling off in waterfalls; and dining on home-cooked meals shared with local families while soaking in panoramic views. On the flip side, the villagers get to benefit from a number of revenue streams – homestays, guide services, food, transportation – that not only help them keep their forest areas lush and verdant, but also depend on it.

Tanganan is one of Indonesia’s – and, for that matter, the world’s – growing number of ecotourism efforts done well. Drawn to personalized, cultural and nature-oriented adventures, travelers are increasingly favoring ‘green’ escapades when it comes to planning their next vacation.

During the “Ecotourism and Conservation of Biodiversity” panel at the 2018 Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit, actors from tourism and conservation highlighted the reciprocal nature of community and ecological benefits that make this budding travel industry a success. Read the full story on Forests News.