www.eastandard.net Tourists have picked Kenya as their second best preferred eco-tourist destination in the world for the second consecutive year.
On-line poll participants choose Egypt as their first choice, while Tanzania took the third spot from a list of 20 eco-tourist destinations.
"The online travel agent monitored destination booking enquiries for last year and found that the trio were the most desirable destinations for people wanting to go back to nature on their holiday," said Rose Kwena, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Public Relations Manager.
The listing is a compliment to the Eco-tourism Society of Kenya (ESOK), which launched Kenya and Africa’s first national hotel eco-rating scheme in 2002.
The scheme’s rating is based on environmental, social and economic criteria.
The ESOK rating scheme was expected to increase the awareness of environmentally and financially sound business practices, conserve Kenya’s natural resources and cultural heritage, and improve the overall environmental and social standards of the industry.
"To assess compliance, socio-economic and cultural performance is evaluated. Issues such as waste management, water usage, alternative energy, community support, linkages with local economy, purchasing policy and tourist education are addressed."
It has been touted as the first step towards sustainable tourism in Kenya, uplifting tourism standards and assuring Kenya’s place as one of the world’s top eco-destinations. India, Peru, Morocco and Ecuador are in the top 20, while interest in South Africa, Nepal, Thailand, China and Vietnam is falling.
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