According to UNWTO, annual ecotourism revenues worldwide are estimated to grow from approximately $800 billion to one trillion in 2025. About 11 million people are employed in the tourism sector and related activities. The current growth of ecotourism is 10% to 12% per year and is the fastest-growing sector. The average age of travellers has become lower, and more and more young people are now interested in environmentally friendly forms of tourism. Ecotourism travellers cost less in infrastructure per income unit than any other type of tourist. In the last 30 years, no other type of tourism has generated such growth and popularity and become fundamentally important in the tourism sector and the world economy. Last year, nearly 9.5 billion tourists visited ecotourism destinations and raised awareness of the ecotourism concept and invested heavily to gain a sustainable travel experience. Currently, ecotourism is preferred by 71% of people under 30.
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According to Bruno (2021), annual ecotourism revenues worldwide are estimated to grow from approximately $800 billion to one trillion in 2025.The current growth of ecotourism is 10% (TIES) to 12% (UNWTO, 2021) per year and is the fastest-growing tourism industry sector. The average age of travellers has become lower, and more and more young people are now interested in environmentally friendly forms of tourism. Ecotourism travellers cost less in infrastructure per income unit than any other type of tourist. More than 90 nations are currently promoting places and events for sustainable tourism at the national or regional level. In the last 30 years, no other type of tourism has generated such growth and popularity and become fundamentally important in the tourism sector and the world economy. Last year, nearly 9.5 billion tourists visited ecotourism destinations and raised awareness of the ecotourism concept and invested heavily to gain a sustainable travel experience. Currently, ecotourism is preferred by 71% of people under 30 (Bruno, 2021).
Nowadays, following the world trends, Bulgaria develops and renews the opportunities for the successful development of ecotourism. Representative of sustainable tourism, ecotourism is a form of environmentally safe nature exploration, and its goal is to preserve nature and at the same time promote this form of tourism. It offers consumers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, eco-tours, climbing, cave visits, animal exploration, cultural and local customs. Bulgaria is a unique country, offering tourists incredible nature - forests, large and small rivers, lakes, beaches, caves, and thermal springs. Every tourist passionate about the beauty of nature and outdoor activities is more than welcome to come and visit this paradise. (Kitt,2020)
Statement by the Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova (2020) considers the current development of ecotourism in Bulgaria as a potential opportunity to present the country on the world tourism market as “The jewel of ecotourism destinations in the Balkans.” The government is currently focusing its efforts on promoting, developing, and recreating Bulgaria as an ecotourism destination and this will lead the country to annual growth in the tourism market and make it a popular representative of sustainable tourism. (The ministry of Tourism, Bulgaria, 2020)
Resources for Eco-Tourism Development in Botevgrad
Botevgrad area is in a valley with 507 sq.m, 46 km from the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. Its strategic location is rounded out by the Vitinya pass, which connects Bulgaria's southern and northern parts. This area is famous and rich in natural resources, and the relief is known for its incredible biological diversity. The municipality includes the following features: Botevgrad valley, the foothills of Botevgrad, part of the mountain - Ryazana Golyamata mountain, ridge and peak Murgash. There is a fillet between the Great Mountain and the Northern Balkans. The bottom of the valley is a river terrace on the river Bebresh. Murgash Peak is 1687 m and is the highest part of the mountain, located in the country's southwestern region. (Botevgrad Guide, 2019).