With COVID-19 putting a pause or stop to tourism and travel globally, can ecotourism survive if not spring back stronger than before? Masaru Takayama, Chair and Founder of the Asian Ecotourism Network, shares with Mallika Naguran his thoughts on the positive and negative impacts of the coronavirus on tourism, and how ecotourism players should adapt to “the new normal”.

Launceston, Tasmania 14 July 2020. The ecotourism industry in Asia Pacific has a network that promotes sustainability at the very core of its operations. The Asian Ecotourism Network, or AEN in short, began in June 2015 out of unusual circumstances; today it represents various segments of the ecotourism industry and in many countries, with several partnerships with regional ecotourism and sustainable tourism organisations. 

Gaia Discovery catches up with the Chair and Founder Masaru Takayama, based in Kyoto, to get his insights on how ecotourism will be impacted further due to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and what can operators do to be ready for operations when travel picks up again.

We have crossed the first six months of COVID-19 related restrictions and lockdown in many parts of the world. What are your thoughts about COVID-19 impacts on ecotourism in Asia?

We’ve seen forced closures of tourism and travel operations, which severely impacted their contribution to the economy. However, the loss of economic returns is not limited to Asia, but may happen to the rest of the world as well, during the COVID-19. Many of us realised what we have lost—the movement of people, commodities and money that tourism depends on. It will take much more time for the tourism industry and travellers to get used to the new normal travel style. It is time to market the national ecotourism sites and activities for the domestic market until we see the lift of national boarder closures. 

Do you see any positive outcomes coming from the lack of tourism activity?

We do appreciate that nature is claiming its territory i.e. cleaner air, less noise, slower lifestyle, animals and birds coming back to urban areas, and the preference of who to spend time with: loved ones, families, and friends. In addition, people will better prepare for the next trip, to spend more time with family at less-crowded country sides. The cost per trip will be higher than before so value-added tourism products will gain popularity, in my opinion.

Will post-COVID-19 change the nature of tourism and travel? For instance, will tourists find ecotourism more attractive than mainstream tourism?

Ecotourism has always been an alternative to mainstream tourism. Ecotourism is not meant for a large number of people at one time, as the conservation of nature is placed more important over tourist utilisation, which can cause negative human-induced impacts. What we are worried about is the uncontrolled nature-based destinations where people may flock to practice social distancing. Ecotourism is not just sustainable nature-based tourism; it also involves improving the welfare of the local community and enhancing the understanding of nature through interpretation by the local guides. The projection is that more and more people appreciate and select the way we do business with ecotourism as mass tourism is no longer the business as usual. Imagine a pristine white sand beach with scattered people or another inundated with tourists littering plastic bottles and making loud music. The choice is clear. 

Is there going to be a new normal, you think, following the pandemic?

I think so. The new normal in our lifestyle including travel and tourism will be slower, taking more time to appreciate the nature and people, trying to give back to the host communities where people visit, all of which are forms of sustainability. It may be difficult at the moment as we still have the restrictions imposed, but once they are lifted, the community-based tourism in the rural areas where social distancing is easier to practice will have a good chance to revive or even surpass the previous tourism volume. It is important that the host needs to prepare for that with quality not aiming for quantity, especially now when things are dormant, but will sure to start moving after this 'hibernation'. 

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Let’s talk about Asian Ecotourism Network and how it has progressed since its formation five years ago.

AEN is growing steadily because it has the feel of a like-minded family where people come and talk to share their challenges and opportunities. I can also say we confirm our strong bonds that have been interwoven over time to surmount this difficult time. It is something we do best and we are sure to continue with promoting authentic ecotourism for years to come. 

What AEN events and activities are being planned?

A few. For a start, we had planned for the first ecotourism trade event in Asia called the International Ecotourism Travel Mart (IETM) and Seminars for this year. With the coronavirus pandemic still existing as a serious problem in many parts of the world that’s also restricting travel, we had to postpone it to 1-5 September 2021. We’d like operators and ecotourism destinations to register interest with us as early as possible if they’d like to participate in it. 

Since this year’s 50th Earth Day on April 22nd, AEN has been organising a series of on-line training and sharing sessions. We will try to feature more topics relevant to our ecotourism friends and families until we unite physically at our IETM. Check out our website for the latest on-line seminars and updates on AEN’s Facebook page.

AEN has delivered the Asian Ecotourism Standard for Accommodation (AESA), which has been recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. We are currently working with our European counterpart to make this standard a user-friendly on-line system to benchmark nature-based lodging facilities and improve sustainability compatible with the global standards. We plan to make AESA available this year including the training session.

Who typically joins the Asian Ecotourism Network and what does the network aspire towards?

Our membership typically comprises communities, governments of all sizes, ecotourism operators, guides, ecolodges and resorts, academia, media, and destinations that work in collaboration, aiming high to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This is so that all nature-based tourism becomes sustainable for the benefit of both hosts and visitors. Our natural assets have the top priority, as always, to be protected as every one of us is dependent on her: the air we breathe and water we drink, things we often think we get for free—they won't be available if we kept on with the way we live now. 

We are calling for drastic changes to respect nature and stop unsustainable lifestyles.