Updated : May 27, 2025
Ecotourism is gaining more and more interest from travelers around the globe, prompting many short-term rental hosts to ask: What is ecotourism, and why is it important? If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon of responsible travel and eco-friendly accommodations as a short-term rental host, you’re already behind, leaving money on the table. With the growing number of eco-conscious travelers, understanding and embracing ecotourism could help you attract more guests, boost earnings, and operate more efficiently.
In this guide, we’ll define ecotourism in relation to the Airbnb business model, explain why it’s essential for vacation rental owners, and provide specific tips on how to embrace this global trend for more profit.
What Is Ecotourism? Definition & Key Principles
Ecotourism refers to responsible travel to nature destinations that preserve the environment and the well-being of local communities. There’s also an education aspect, where hosts and guests learn relevant ecotourism practices and teach others involved, such as property managers, housekeeping staff, and suppliers.
Ecotourism goes beyond green travel as it embeds sustainability into guests’ experience and STR hosts’ operations.
Core Principles
- Minimize environmental impact.
- Provide positive experiences for guests and hosts.
- Foster ecological and cultural understanding.
- Support conservation and local communities.
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Get Started NowWhy Travelers Care About Sustainable Tourism
According to a 2024 Booking.com report, 83% of travelers considered sustainable tourism important, and 75% desired to travel more sustainably in the upcoming year.
The reasons that drive ecotourists vary. Some believe this is the right thing to do, while others think it will enhance their travel experience. Others consider that ecotourism will provide them with a more authentic experience of the local culture and make their trip more fun.
Regardless of their motivation, guests are determined to contribute to more eco-conscious practices through the stays they book.
This shift reflects a growing demand for rentals that align with eco-conscious values. Savvy Airbnb owners cannot ignore this trend if they want to remain competitive in today’s market.
Why Is Ecotourism Important for STR Hosts?
Now that you know what ecotourism is, let’s move on to why this transition concerns STR investors. Hosts cannot remain indifferent to this trend, as sustainable tourism incorporates both transportation and accommodation.
The following are the main reasons why ecotourism matters to vacation rental hosts:
- Surging Guest Demand for Sustainability: Many travelers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, look for authentic, sustainable stays. Listings highlighting eco-friendly practices often rank higher in search results and receive stronger reviews, boosting your Airbnb occupancy rate.
- Competitive Advantage: Highlighting eco-friendly vacation rental features helps your listing stand out. Simple efforts like reducing single-use plastics or offering local organic products can improve guest satisfaction.
- Higher Revenue Opportunities: Ecotourists often book longer stays and are willing to pay more per night for eco-friendly short-term rentals. Listings with solar energy, EV chargers, or unique nature experiences usually get higher nightly rates and help maximize vacation rental revenue.
- Savings on Operating Expenses: Lower your utility bill and other Airbnb expenses. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a property owner can save $200/month on their electricity bill after installing a rooftop solar panel system, repaying the initial cost in less than 5 years.
- Enhanced Profit Potential: The combined effect of higher revenue and lower costs results in better ROI. That’s the ultimate goal of every STR host.
All these potential benefits of greener and more sustainable practices in your STR business highlight the need to adopt them. The only question that remains is how.
How to Embrace Ecotourism in Your Short-Term Rental
After learning what ecotourism is and why it is important, the next step is to find the best ways to apply this global trend to your portfolio.
1. Invest in a Natural Getaway
If you’re now purchasing a rental, search for a nature destination with strong rental income potential. Buy an Airbnb property already equipped with smart technology and energy-efficient amenities.
2. Implement Eco-Friendly Property Upgrades
Invest in LED lighting, smart thermostats, and low-flow water fixtures. Furnish your property with green brands. Supply your rental with eco-friendly cleaning products. In addition to attracting eco-conscious travelers, these changes can help you save money.
Use the Amenities section in the PriceLabs Market Dashboard to identify which features matter most to travelers in your area, so you can make smart, data-backed decisions when furnishing your property.
This section includes two powerful charts:
- Common Amenities shows the percentage of listings that offer each amenity
- Desired Amenities highlights features with the biggest gap between supply (listings offering them) and demand (bookings they generate)
This insight helps you avoid overspending on low-impact features and instead invest in amenities with strong vacation rental ROI. For example, if eco-friendly amenities like EV chargers or solar panels are underrepresented but linked to higher bookings, you can add them to attract eco-conscious travelers and price your listing more competitively.
3. Offer Local Guest Experiences
Organize trips to natural parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and cultural landmarks, as these Airbnb experiences can boost your ROI from eco-conscious travelers. Offer reusable items like cloth bags and refillable water bottles. Share your sustainability efforts in your Airbnb listing to attract interested guests and in your Airbnb welcome books to build connections for repeat guests.
4. Deploy Sustainable Operations
Use refillable toiletry dispensers, bulk supplies, and biodegradable cleaning solutions. Eliminate plastics. Encourage guests to recycle or compost. Offer linen reuse programs that help save water and energy without compromising guest comfort.
5. Focus Marketing on The Eco-Friendly Side of Your Rental
To optimize your Airbnb listing for ecotourists, list the eco-friendly amenities and use keywords like eco-friendly accommodation or green tourism getaway. Add photos of solar panels, nature trails, or local art to appeal to eco-conscious travelers.
You can use STRings – an AI-powered Airbnb Description Generator (built using ChatGPT) to create personalized, high-converting descriptions that showcase your property’s green credentials and attract eco-conscious travelers.
With these 5 simple steps, you can manage eco-friendly vacation rentals.
Leveraging PriceLabs Tools for Sustainable Hosting Success
If this is your first time venturing into ecotourism, there is nothing to worry about. PriceLabs can help you every step of the way.
Market Dashboards for Eco-Traveler Insights
Are you wondering where to invest in an optimized ecotourist vacation rental? PriceLabs Market Dashboards let you analyze local data across thousands of markets globally to find the most profitable Airbnb locations close to nature.
Once you own a property, you can boost your revenue strategy by leveraging data to supply your property with the most in-demand eco-friendly features in the area.
Dynamic Pricing for Ecotourism Demand
Dynamic Pricing helps you adapt to fluctuating demand. Ecotourism destinations often see seasonal spikes tied to natural events, such as wildflower blooms and migration seasons. With PriceLabs, you can optimize your daily rates per these trends.
Portfolio Analytics to Track Sustainability ROI
If you manage multiple properties, PriceLabs Portfolio Analytics helps you monitor how sustainable upgrades affect performance. Track average daily rates, occupancy, and guest reviews to adjust your strategy accordingly.
Jump on the Ecotourism Bandwagon for a Greener, More Profitable STR Business
Ecotourism is a movement that’s reshaping the travel industry, including short-term rentals. Whether upgrading to energy-efficient lighting or using data from PriceLabs to align with ecotourism demand, small changes can lead to significant returns for hosts.
Embracing ecotourism allows you to operate responsibly, stand out in the market, and appeal to a growing segment of mindful travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Ecotourism in Simple Words?
Ecotourism means traveling in a way that helps nature and local communities. It’s about enjoying the local environment without harming it and the people there.
What Is an Example of Ecotourism?
One example of ecotourism is staying in a solar-powered cabin in a forest and joining a local wildlife conservation tour. This supports environmental conservation and educates travelers.
What Is the Main Goal of Ecotourism?
Ecotourism aims to protect natural environments while empowering local communities. It encourages responsible travel and minimizes tourism’s negative impact.
