In the autumn of 2003, the Ministry of the Environment held the first Ecotourism Promotion Conference, commencing efforts to establish and popularize ecotourism in earnest. Subsequently, the Ecotourism Promotion Act was passed in 2007.
At this milestone, exactly 20 years since the government first began concerted action to promote ecotourism, we elucidate the course of government policy, the role of legislation, and the actual conditions in promotion areas, while we explore the importance of ecotourism efforts, examine future challenges, and attempt suggestions for further expansion.