Ecotourism in South American Countries

Ecotourism in South American Countries

Synopsis:

We are living in a world that tends to put developed nations against indigenous peoples. Foreign developers seeking cheap labor and natural resources on untouched lands are exploiting cultures that have survived for centuries on their own.

South America is a continent that possesses rich indigenous culture that is still relatively untouched by outsiders. Americans have the ability to preserve that heritage through organized efforts to encourage certain types of visitors to indigenous areas to create an economy that will take the place of potential mining, logging, and ranching enterprises. That economy is ecotourism.

The following paper displays some of the pros and cons of ecotourism and the

possibilities for establishing ecotourism economies in indigenous environments. Themes I will address include:

• History of ecotourism/ why it should be supported

• Moving tourism toward “ethnotourism” as a way of focusing on native culture

• Landscapes and lures for the ecotourist

• Ethical questions in ecotourism

• Effects of ecotourism on indigenous populations

• Country specific ecotourism developments

Ecotourism is defined by the International Ecotourism Society as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people.” Ecotourism splits from traditional tourism by creating the intent to experience the people of that culture. It also encourages protection of endangered environments that are home to rare species of plants and animals.

Tours in these areas encourage natural means of transportation (on foot, donkey and llama travel), native-style sleeping accommodations (traditional mud or grass huts), and ...

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