Draft:Global Ecotourism Network

Global Ecotourism Network (GEN) – is an umbrella not for profit international non-governmental organization that brings together the regional and national ecotourism associations and networks, destinations, private operators, professionals and academics. It aims at providing advocacy, encouraging leadership and innovation in ecotourism and sustainable tourism. .

History
GEN is a USA-registered NGO and was founded in 2015. It operates based on a network of six regional groups: Asia and the Pacific (AEN - Asian Ecotourism Network), Latin America and Caribbean (LACEN - Latin American & Caribbean Ecotourism Network), Africa (AFEN - African Ecotourism Network), North America (NAEN - North American Ecotourism Network), Europe (EEN - European Ecotourism Network), and Middle East (MEEN - Middle Eastern Ecotourism Network). GEN is a network of global regional networks, which links regions and destinations, but also organizations and people with specific interests like community development, conservation and interpretation, interpretative guiding, ecolodges and good business practices

Organization focuses on current situations and trends in ecotourism, responsible tourism and promotes good practices in sustainable and regenerative tourism. It also works with partners outside the tourism industry who are aligned with ecotourism interests and the concept of sustainability. Examples are sustainable agriculture and permaculture, climate action, animal welfare, indigenous communities and eco-friendly planning and design.

GEN ecotourism definition
GEN promotes low-impact, social-justice and environment focused tourism. According to GEN "Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and creates knowledge and understanding through interpretation and education of all involved: visitors, staff and the visited".