Eco-Tourism as a Pathway to Conservation and Community Prosperity

As part of the Scientists for Nature Class of 2025, Dr. Santiago Saavedra presented his innovative research on eco-tourism as a catalyst for economic development and environmental conservation at Scientists for Nature during the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. His work addresses a global challenge: tropical deforestation, which generates more emissions than the entire European Union.

Dr. Saavedra’s initiative is built on a large randomized controlled trial in Colombia, conducted in collaboration with Awake, a sustainable travel company connecting visitors with hundreds of local hosts. The project promoted eco-tourism across 38 municipalities, aiming to evaluate its real impact on communities and ecosystems.

The results were transformative. Municipalities exposed to eco-tourism promotion saw a 47% increase in tourist visits, a 15% rise in local employment, and, most significantly, a 54% reduction in deforestation near eco-tourism sites. These findings reveal eco-tourism not only as a development strategy but also as a strikingly cost-effective climate solution.

Encouraged by the success in Colombia, Dr. Saavedra is now working to scale this model globally, with early partnerships in India and Mexico and plans to expand across Latin America, Asia, and Africa. His vision is to empower local communities, restore natural ecosystems, and create sustainable tourism pathways that both protect biodiversity and support long-term prosperity.

Through his research and practical roadmap for expansion, Dr. Saavedra demonstrates that eco-tourism - when thoughtfully promoted - can generate lasting environmental and economic impact. By linking travelers with nature and the communities safeguarding it, eco-tourism becomes a powerful force for a healthier planet.

Please find his presentation below.