The pressing need to redefine the tourism industry’s relationship with nature and local communities has never been more critical. Ecotourism, as a paradigm of sustainable travel, holds transformative potential—not only for preserving our planet’s fragile ecosystems but also for fostering local cultural and economic development. In this context, the integration of circular economy principles offers innovative pathways to enhance sustainability across the tourism sector. The application of circular economy frameworks in tourism not only reduces environmental impact but also enhances economic viability by creating closed-loop systems. My interest in this topic stems from a personal conviction: Tourism should leave a positive mark, one that enriches rather than diminishes the destinations we visit. This study delves into how the hotel industry can align itself with ecotourism principles by embracing innovative, sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact while delivering authentic, high-quality experiences for travelers. Through the lens of green energy, resource optimization, and cultural integration, the research demonstrates that sustainability is both an ethical responsibility and a pathway to long-term competitiveness in tourism. By supporting local economies and protecting natural heritage, the industry can shift from being a passive observer of environmental degradation to a proactive steward of change. This work serves as a call to action for stakeholders: Our choices today will define the landscapes and cultural legacies available to future generations.

Bakos, T., Szőke, B., Tóth, E., et al. (2024). Exploring financial culture and revenue planning in small and medium-sized enterprises and public sector entities. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(8), https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i8.5435

Das, M. C. (2015). Ecotourism: A panacea or a predicament? Tourism Management Perspectives. 3–16.

Haaland, H. (2010). Eco‐tourism Certification – Does it Make a Difference? A Comparison of Systems from Australia, Costa Rica and Sweden. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism. 375–385.

Honey, M. (2008). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?

Hussain, I. (2022). An Overview of Ecotourism. International Center for Research and Resources Development.

Jenei, S., Machova, R. (2024). Motivations of generations: The importance of leadership and communication styles at the workplace. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8(16), https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd9602

Jenei, S., Módosné Szalai, S., Kurucz, A. (2024). The role of sustainability in property renovation: Preferences, challenges, and market perspectives. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8(16), https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd10002

Jenei, S., Módosné Szalai, S., Leicht, F., et al. (2024). The workforce challenges of disabled people in Hungary and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alter, 18(3), 23–49. https://doi.org/10.4000/alter.6467

Jenei, S., Módosné Szalai, S., Patibandla, V. L., et al. (2024). Examining the economic and cultural impact of an Asian company’s presence in Hungary. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8(16), https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd10229

Kabil, M., Rahmat, A. F., Hegedűs, M., et al. (2024). Circular Economy and Tourism: A Bibliometric Journey through Scholarly Discourse. CIRCULAR ECONOMY (BERLIN), 2(1), Paper: HGWO7144, 21p. https://doi.org/10.55845/HGWO7144

Kálmán, B. G., Dávid, L., Malatyinszki, S. (2024). The Role of Geoparks in Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study Approach. Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites (GTG), 17(4spl)

Kálmán, B. G., Grotte, J., Lakshmi, V., et al. (2024). Sustainable city tourism—A systematic analysis of Budapest and Mumbai. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development (JIPD), 8(9). ID: 7933. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i9.7933

Kálmán, B. G., Malatyinszki, Sz., Bárczi, J., Zéman, Z. (2024). Corrupción e Inclusión Financiera en Hungría y México [Corruption and Financial Inclusion in Hungary and Mexico, in Spanish]. Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época // Mexican Journal of Economics and Finance (REMEF), 19(2). ID: e1015. https://doi.org/10.21919/remef.v19i2.1015

Kálmán, B. G., Malatyinszki, Sz., Zugor, Zs., Szőke, B. (2024). Perceived Corruption in Light of Green Transition Indicators. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental // Environmental and Social Management Journal (RGSA), 18(3). ID: e07855. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n3-166

Kálmán, B. G., Poyda-Nosyk, N., Bacho, R., et al. (2025). Some Correlations Between Interest and Willingness to Pay. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development (JIPD), 8(16). ID: JIPD-9483, (Special Issue on Digital Economy and Society).

Kálmán, B. G., Zéman, Z., Potháczky Rácz, I., et al. (2024). An Approach to Understanding Financial Behavior in Three Different Age Groups. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development (JIPD), 8(15). ID: JIPD-7942. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd7942

Kuczman, K., Jenei, S., Singh, D. P., et al. (2024). Strategic importance of corporate communication and leadership styles in the performance of Slovakian SMEs. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(8), 8155–8167. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i8.5432

Malatyinszki, S. (2009). Masurarea resurselor umane ale localitatilor, Studia Universitatis Vasile Goldis Arad - Seria Stiinte Economice, pp. 1–12.

Malatyinszki, S. (2010). A települések emberi erőforrásának mérése. - In: Földrajzi Közlemények,ISSN 0015-5411 , 2010. (134. évf.), 1. sz., 45–58.

Malatyinszki, S. (2015). A menedzsment és az értékek. Tudásmenedzsment. Management and values. Knowledge management. 16 (1). pp. 51–55. ISSN 1586-0698

Malatyinszki, S. (2020). Az új generáció, mint erőforrás = The New Generation As A Resource. Multidiszciplináris Kihívások Sokszínű Válaszok (1). pp. 90–101. ISSN 2630-886X

Malatyinszki, S., Módos-Szalai, S., Jenei, S., et al. (2024a). Impact of Material Consumption and Circular Economy on National Income in Europe – Chapter 1. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental // Environmental and Social Management Journal (RGSA), 18(11). ID: e09634. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n11-035

Malatyinszki, S., Módos-Szalai, S., Jenei, S., et al. (2024b). Impact of Material Consumption and Circular Economy on National Income in Europe – Chapter 2. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental // Environmental and Social Management Journal (RGSA), 18(11). ID: e09639. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n11-041

Mikházi, Z. (2018). Az ökoturizmus fogalmának egyedfejlődése: Alapkutatás a definíciótól a tervezésmódszertanig. Ph.D. dolgozat, Szent István Egyetem, Tájépítészeti és Tájökológiai Doktori Iskola.

Molnár, T., Jenei, S., Moreno, E., et al. (2024). The role of lifelong learning in labour market competitiveness. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(8), 7743–7761. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i8.5396

Németh, E., Kálmán, B. G., Malatyinszki, Sz. (2024). Pénzügyi biztonság Magyarországon: a 2023-as OECD-felmérés eredményeinek kettős nézőpontú elemzése [Financial security in Hungary: A dual perspective analysis of the 2023 OECD survey results, in Hungarian]. Statisztikai Szemle // Hungarian Statistical Review, 102(9), pp. 896–915. https://doi.org/10.20311/stat2024.09.hu0896

Poór, J., Módosné Szalai, S., Mura, L., et al. (2023). The impact of the pandemic on the central and regional areas of Hungary: During the economic recovery following the global virus epidemic. AD ALTA: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 13(2), 207–212. https://doi.org/10.33543/1302

Poór, J., Módosné Szalai, S., Singh, D. P., et al. (2024). Historical lessons for facilitating organizational recovery from crises. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8(16), https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd10023

Remsei, S., Módosné Szalai, S., Jenei, S. (2023). Hungarian battery production – Public opinion on sustainability, labor market, and environmental protection. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 107, 691–696. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET23107116

Samal Rajashree, D. M. (2003). Ecotourism, biodiversity conservation and livelihoods: Understanding the convergence and divergence. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 1–20.

Weaver, D. B. (2008). Ecotourism.

Zéman, Z., Kálmán, B. G., Malatyinszki, Sz. (2024a). Corruption as a Barrier to Sustainability. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development (JIPD), 8(15). ID: JIPD-7931. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd7931

Zéman, Z., Kálmán, B. G., Malatyinszki, Sz. (2024b). Application of Predictive Artificial Intelligence (AI) Models to Estimate the Success of Crowdfunding. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development (JIPD), 8(16). ID: JIPD-7934. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd7934

Zoltán, K. (2006). Ökoturizmus. Magosfa Alapítvány.