What is ecotourism?• Ecotourism is “responsible travel to

natural areas which conserves the environment and sustains the livelihood of local people”.

National Geographic Online• “travel that focuses on avoiding harm

to wilderness areas and wildlife and wherever possible, actively contributes to their preservation.”

GMBIS• Are we talking about the people as

well?

Sustainable Tourism• What is sustainable development?

– This is the ability to develop without damaging the environment.

• Sustainable tourism can be divided into two parts. – Community tourism - where you stay

with local people (The Gambia) .– Ecotourism - where you focus on plants

and animals in an ecosystem (Costa Rica).

What’s this got to do with him?

Starter

Ecotourism should:• Minimize impact • Build environmental and cultural awareness

and respect • Provide positive experiences for both visitors

and hosts • Provide direct financial benefits for

conservation • Provide financial benefits and empowerment

for local people • Raise sensitivity to host countries' political,

environmental, and social climate • Support international human rights and labor

agreements

The Characteristics• The holiday focuses on the natural

environment• It involves a level of education• It does not damage the environment • It keeps to small numbers • It is thus sustainable

Problems

• Eco-tourism has a very fast growth but:• There is confusion over the use of the

terms• Many trips that are called this, in order

to sell them, are not truly ‘eco-tourism’

Alta Floresta, Brazil

Nice location!

Kayaking – a typical ecotourist activity

Ecofriendly, traditional accommodation

Problems: soil erosion from cars

Conclusion

• How many people is too many?• When does a holiday site become

unsustainable?• What do we have to do to make an

impact on other cultures?• If the world’s population grows at

100 million each year, what is the future of tourism?

Sustainable tourism statistics