Ecotourism, Ecopreneurs, and Sustainability

Tourism is one of the most dynamic sectors in the worlds’ economy, being its entrepreneurial structure a critical factor. In modern societies, ecotourism and sustainability have become increasingly important, contributing to the local development of touristic eco-destinations and society and incorporating rural and cultural tourism elements that can be developed in sensitive natural and protected areas (Kasalak et al., 2016). In recent years, the importance of ecotourism for regional and national economies (e.g., The Business Research Company, 2023) led to the development of an increasing number of studies that have created many concepts to address and explain what happens around that type of tourism and the way to manage it. However, there is a gap related to the systematization of such concepts within a model that helps to develop local authorities’ policies and management in line with other stakeholders, namely the ecopreneurs.