Ecotourism is a form of responsible travel that emphasises environmental conservation, cultural respect, and community engagement. For young people, it offers a unique avenue to explore the world while making a positive impact.

In recent years, there has been a significant shift in travel preferences, with a growing emphasis on sustainability. 

Ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and supports local communities, incorporating interpretation and education”. This form of tourism aligns with current travel trends by offering immersive experiences in nature and local cultures while adhering to the principles of sustainable tourism from social, economic, and environmental perspectives. 

Youth play a critical role in shaping the future of ecotourism by bringing fresh perspectives, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability.

Youth travellers increasingly:

✅ Choose shorter but more frequent trips (2-4 days) focused on outdoor, wellness, and cultural experiences.

✅ Show a strong interest in ecotourism accommodations and sustainable leisure activities.

✅ Utilize digital platforms to access information, book sustainable travel options, and share their experiences online.

✅ Seek safe and hospitable destinations in remote, eco-friendly areas, away from crowded urban environments.

To enhance the role of youth in ecotourism, and to inquire about the impact that youth work has on ecotourism, and how ecotourism venues deal with youth travellers, YouthTrails has been developed as a platform of discussion for ecotourism and youth education, especially as a project to foster the joint activities of youth organisations and tourism venues toward practices of ecotourism.

The main reflection that has made YouthTrails getting activated is – there are many ways for youth to travel within the European Union through Erasmus plus or DiscoverEU. What we want to do is to create supporting materials and travelling guides to make youth travel in a meaningful way, as well as to discover remote areas of EU that are most of the time isolated in terms of international mobilities.

As YouthTrails is conceived, we are currently developing three main tools:

1. a youth-friendly eco-certification for hostels, eco-lodges, tour operators, and ecotourism projects that meet our youth-friendly and sustainable tourism criteria.

2. A Training Programme for Youth Workers & Ecotourism Professionals to equip youth workers and tourism professionals with the skills and tools to develop, promote, and facilitate youth-centered ecotourism

3. A Platform for Youth-Led Ecotourism Experiences together with ecotourism maps for young travellers to explore remote areas of European Union!