Ecotourism

834 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: What means ecotourism essay

A true nature-lover’s dream, ecotourism allows the average traveller to enjoy pristine nature in its original form. Ecotourism, also known as jungle tourism, responsible tourism, and sustainable development, is one of the fastest growing trends in the tourism industry. Defined as responsible travel that benefits environmental conservation and improves the well being of local people, it acts as an alternative to conventional tourism, aiming to educate the traveller, provide funds for ecological conservation, foster respect and increase awareness of different cultures. It is a truly unique experience, where one has the opportunity to visit a corner of the earth that has evaded the touch of human hands.
Ecotourism was the product of the union of mass tourism and environmental awareness. The term first originated in 1983, allegedly coined by Hector Ceballos-Lascurain, when he was lobbying for the preservation of wetlands in northern Yucatán. Now a major source of income for the long-term conservation and care of over 33,000 protected areas worldwide, ecotourism is based on the combination of environmental preservation, local communities, and sustainable travel. The industry, unlike conventional tourism, does not focus on attracting tourists to locations, such as the Galapagos Islands and Madagascar. Instead, ecotourism ensures travel responsibility, the protection of wildlife and contribution to the well being of local communities. However, it only works when it generates economic benefits to the local people, while reducing the human impact of travel. Thus, ecotourism thrives on the active and educated participation of the travel industry and the tourists. Thanks to the involvement of everyone from the traveller himself to the tour ...

... middle of paper ...

...d to local communities. These advantages of the industry have inspired major international hotel chains, tour operators and other parts of the tourism industry to adopt environmentally responsible practices, such as recycling, using renewably resources and water-conservations schemes.
Ecotourism represents “green tourism”: a pioneering idea that has inspired innovative actions and technologies, which are hopefully paving the way for a more sustainable future for the entire tourism industry. Additionally, ecotourism is the response to the demands of an increasingly environmentally aware international community. Ecotourism is undoubtedly a flourishing industry and is exemplar of ecologically sustainable development. Ecotourism has what it takes to lead not only the tourism industry, but also governments and communities in its quest for sustainable development.

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Costa Rica And Boniers

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    Would you prefer vacationing in a dense jungle or a scorching hot desert? Thankfully, I have had the privilege to do both. Over the past year, I have traveled to the beautiful rainforests of Costa Rica and the barren wilderness of Bonaire. By studying the parallels and differences of both destinations, one has the ability to understand the travel expectations, habitats, and activities of Costa Rica and Bonaire.

    Read More

  • Planet Without Apes Analysis

    2380 Words  | 5 Pages

    This aspect is “The Double-edged Sword of Ecotourism.” In this chapter, Stanford expresses the positives and negatives of ecotourism. Ecotourism is a form of tourism which involves visiting fragile and undisturbed natural areas and in this case, the main reason is to see gorillas. Ecotourism has its good and bad. It is good because those poor communities that live close to the habitats of the apes can have a source of revenue. Those areas are really poor, and with ecotourism, they can earn about $9000 dollars a month. However, those areas may not exactly be the safest. Stanford cites a 1999 cross border attack by rebel groups in Rwanda in which 8 ecotourists were murdered and this attack deterred tourist from going there for many months. Another negative aspect of ecotourism is how it affects the apes. Although, many apes who do live in these areas of habituation and have tourists coming in and out, the apes develop really high stress levels. When humans move too quickly or make loud noises, the apes are stressed out and can flee. Not only that, but increased stress levels lowers their immune systems making them more susceptible to disease. Stanford ends this chapter saying that ecotourism is bound to happen if the countries are too poor to provide for their people and that “the apes will have to live with the results” (190). In

    Read More

  • Comparing Colombia and Ecuador

    921 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nature Tourism and Enterprise Development in Ecuador. (1988, November). World Leisure & Recreation, 29(1), 22-27. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10261133.1988.10558980#.UtrAZ9jTksY

    Read More

  • Tonga Case Study

    875 Words  | 2 Pages

    ecotourism. All visitors experience the same lifestyle at the eco-lodges as a local would, in their

    Read More

  • The Economic Effects Tourism Has on New Zealand

    1406 Words  | 3 Pages

    New Zealand tourism is largely reliant on 'Eco-tourism' so to maintain the tourism industry it is imperative that our environment is conserved. However tourism itself can have negative effects on the environment. The tourism sector must act responsibly in its use of the environment and any use must be sustainable.

    Read More

  • Pros and Cons of International Tourism

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tourism is the fastest growing industry and the fastest growing of it is ecotourism. According to the world travel and tourism council, tourism is the world’s largest industry generating 12% of the global gross domestic product. It has been trying to determine tourism due to amorphous nature of the activity and because some business travelers and convection goers can join conferences and tourism class activities.

    Read More

  • Malaysia Tourism Essay

    1435 Words  | 3 Pages

    The National Ecotourism Plan was prepared by MOCAT in 1997, consisting of 25 guidelines among other matters. It covers the aspects of categorizing sites and activities, carrying capacity and limits of acceptable change, marine parks and islands, national parks and reserves, use of local accomodation, accreditation of ecotourism products, and visitors’ roles and responsibilities among many others.

    Read More

  • Understanding Tourist Motivation, Attitude and Intention to Visit

    1177 Words  | 3 Pages

    Vincent, V. C., & Thompson, W. (2002). Assessing community support and sustainability for ecotourism development. Journal of Travel Research, 41(2), 153-160.

    Read More

  • Eco-tourism Causes Damage to the Environment

    1301 Words  | 3 Pages

    Eco-tourism causes damage to the environment instead of conserving it. Eco-tourism is considered by most if not all as traveling to natural areas with responsibility in mind which the environment is conserved and the well being of the local people are taken care of as well as being sustainable on an ecological scale with a sole purpose of experiencing natural areas that builds environmental and cultural understanding, positive reception and upkeep (Brown 2011). However, tourism in natural areas cannot be considered and be defined as sustainable ecotourism unless it possesses the basic qualities. First of all, a sustainable ecotourism area must be able create thoughtful and attentiveness towards local environments and cultures. Conservation initiatives must be supported financially as well as empowerment and contribution of locals as a concerted project (Davis 2007). Simply put it, both the environment and the local community benefits from this simple concept. Protection and conservation of the natural landscape is the main goal of ecotourism as well as attracting tourists. It also represents the flow of tourism and economy status of a community (Tory 2010).

    Read More

  • Essay On Impact Of Tourism

    809 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nowadays in the rea of globalization, according to the World Tourism Organization, “seven hundred million people travelled abroad in 2003”, and the number is estimated to increase to 1.6 billion by 2020. (International Labour Organization, 2005). Tourism is spreading in unusual places. A lot of people want to be in the midst of adventure. It is a vital source of revenues for the GDP of many countries. I partially agree that tourism hugely benefits the local community. This essay will discuss some of the economic, social and environment effect of tourism on the host community.

    Read More

  • Ecotourism

    3048 Words  | 7 Pages

    Ecotourism in the world has been quite big over the years, but has grown in population in the more recent years. There are many different definitions to what ecotourism really is and even if it should be hyphenated because of the history behind it. With or without the use of the hyphen in the word ecotourism, has often resulted in use of the term being little more than a marketing tactic to give businesses and apparent green edge on the competition (Ross, 1999). Ecotourism has been defined in several ways. First, ecotourism, according to The Ecotourism Society, is a purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and the natural history of the environment; taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem; producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of the natural resources beneficial to the local people (Ross, 1999). A second definition by The World Conservation Union’s Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas, defines ecotourism as an environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations (Ross, 1999).

    Read More

  • The Disadvantages Of Ecotourism

    798 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ecotourism adds significant positive contributions in the way people are informed/ educated about the environmental they are vacationing at. This may deal with learning about the wildlife or experiencing the local culture. On top of that individuals are able to appropriate the culture correctly or being able to experience the wildlife in a safely manner. People that take these tours are going into areas that can be considered endangered or unsafe, due to pervious perceptions. However, with these tours these stereotypes/ views of the geographic location and customs of the land. These tours also protect the environment, because money goes into the land to keep the infrastructure safe and nice. Another advantage is that eco-tourism

    Read More

  • Tourism

    828 Words  | 2 Pages

    In general, the political situation of a country is recognized as an important factor that influences tourism development. A stable political condition is a significant requirement that enables a tourist to visit and travel within the destination country (Hall & O’Sullivan, 1996). When the political situation is instable, tourists will perceive negative image that directly effects the tourism industry. As Neumayer (2004) said tourists are sensitive to the negative image of a tourist destination, events of violence can affect tourist destination long after the event has passed and stabilized. Cook (1990) noted political instability is a condition of a country where a government has been toppled, or is controlled by factions following a coup, or where basic functional pre-requisites for social order control and maintenance are unstable and periodically disputed. Hall and O’Sullivan (1996) said perception of political stability and safety are prerequisites for a touristic in nature vacation. They also listed violence protest, social unrest, civil war, terrorist actions and the perceived violations of human rights can be a cause to make tourists alter their travel behavior. The tourist behavior has a significant effect from the potential risk and also has an impact on the decision making process. Tourism is vulnerable to the sinister power of political instability (Seddighi et al. 2001). Tourists are only willing to travel to foreign places in mass numbers if their journey and their stay are confirmed safe and shielded from events that threaten a joyous holiday experience. Faced with violent events in a coutry, potential tourists might fear for their lives or physical integrity, might simply anticipate becoming involved in stressful s...

    Read More

  • Tourism

    2833 Words  | 6 Pages

    In the more economically developed countries (MEDCs), synonymous mainly with the industrialised countries of the northern hemisphere there, has been an explosion in the growth of leisure and tourism industry, which is now believed to be the worlds second largest industry in terms of money generated. In order to differentiate between leisure and tourism it should be recognised that leisure often involves activities enjoyed during an individual’s free time, whereas tourism commonly refers to organised touring undertaken on a commercial basis. Development in the two areas could be attributed to changing patterns in working lives within the last four decades. Generally, people now have more disposable wealth, work shorter hours, receive longer, paid annual leave, retire earlier and have greater personal mobility. In addition, according to Marshall & Wood (1995), the growth of the tourist industry per se can be associated, in part, with the concentration of capital; the emergence of diversified leisure based companies, sometimes within wider corporate conglomerates and often associated with particular airlines. Furthermore, the development of tourism can generate employment both directly, in jobs created in the hotels, restaurants etc, and indirectly, through expenditure on goods and services in the local area. Nevertheless, although the tourist industry is competitive, which essentially keeps down the cost of foreign travel, the success of tourism in any one area can be ‘influenced by weather, changing consumer tastes, demographics, economic cycles, government policy, not to mention international terrorism and other forms of conflict.’(1) Although such factors may have a detrimental affect on the economy of a popular tourist destination (or even tourism in general, in light of September 11th 2001), the consequence of tourism in general is often three fold: environmental, social and cultural, which in turn has prompted a search for new ‘friendly’ approaches that are less destructive.

    Read More

  • Essay On Impact Of Tourism On The Environment

    1116 Words  | 3 Pages

    The negative impacts that tourism creates can destroy the environment and all of its resources which it depends of for survival. Tourism has the prospective to create and bring useful effects on to the environment by donation the environmental protection conservation.

    Read More

More about Ecotourism

Open Document