Tur 114- EcotourismMr. Florendo E. Palattao, HRTM Instructor

SY 2010-2011

The nature of ecotourismBy: Florendo E. Palattao

Ecotourism (also known as ecological tourism) is responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale.

Its purpose is to educate the traveler; provide funds for conservation; directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local

communities; and foster respect for different cultures and for human rights.

Eco tourism is held as important by those who participate in it so that future generations may experience aspects of the environment relatively untouched by human intervention.

Ecotourism appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. It focuses on volunteering, personal growth and environmental responsibility. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.

One of the goals of ecotourism is to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.

Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities.

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves traveling to tranquil and unpolluted natural areas.

According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, Ecotourism is "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990).

Ecotourism is a kind of tourism that aims to reduce or eliminate any negative impact on the environment and at the same time directly or indirectly improves the well-being of local people.

Ecotourism was coined by Hector Ceballos-Lascurain in Mexico City in 1983. He defined it as “travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated areas with the specific object of studying,

Tur 114- EcotourismMr. Florendo E. Palattao, HRTM Instructor

SY 2010-2011

admiring, and enjoying the scenery, its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations found in these areas”. Ecotourism is also known as ecologically based tourism or nature based tourism. Ecotourism goes beyond sightseeing to enhancing visitors’ understanding of the scientific and ecological features of our natural attractions.

This means that ecotourism must:

• recognize the intrinsic value of nature and accept that National Parks are primarily for conservation of fauna, flora and landscapes

• promote and develop ecologically and culturally sustainable travel and tourism

• promote and foster the conservation of and investment in the natural and cultural resources used for tourism

• develop ethics and standards for ecotourism

• educate and inspire tourists through participation to enjoy and appreciate the importance of natural and cultural assets

Principles of Ecotourism:

Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:

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.

Seven characteristics of ecotourism

Involves travel to natural destinations. Minimizes impact and Builds environmental awareness. Provides direct financial benefits for conservation. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people. Respects local culture. Supports human rights and democratic movements.

Ideally, ecotourism should satisfy several criteria such as:

conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem protection

Tur 114- EcotourismMr. Florendo E. Palattao, HRTM Instructor

SY 2010-2011

promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local populations

sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous peoples by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises

Tourism to unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the environment being a primary concern.

minimization of tourism's own environmental impact affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury local culture, flora and fauna being the main attractions

Environmental tourism, ecotourism, or nature tourism provides an opportunity to visit undisturbed natural areas, scenic vistas, and observe plants and wildlife.  

Effects of Ecotourism

Although the effects of ecotourism should be good for the environment, most of the time, ecotourism leaves negative effects on the environment and local communities.

Since ecotourism has grown into a large industry of its own, there is not enough regulations on ecotourism to restrict people to do whatever it takes to profit for themselves. Some people genuinely do not know what ecotourism is whereas others know perfectly well but still do things that give ecotourism a bad name and leaving bad effects on ecotourism on local economies, residents or communities.

If you examine closely, all the disadvantages and negative effects of ecotourism can be avoided if everyone agrees on a common purpose. However it is difficult to get people to agree especially if agreeing means less profits and money into their pocket.

Negative effects of ecotourism

Education is the key and without proper education of ecotourism, actions taken to preserve nature could end up destroying natural resources and making things worse. Also, ecotourism relies heavily on research information and statistics. However, these researches are prone to errors and sometimes what we think is sustainable turns out not to be.

The negative effects of ecotourism include:

destruction of local resources to make room for ecotourism   exploitation of local tribes, local residents such as using them for cheap labor   hunting down and destroying rare species and natural resources to make souvenirs and

to use for tourist attractions   damaging the environment and destroying nature to make room for man made

establishments

Tur 114- EcotourismMr. Florendo E. Palattao, HRTM Instructor

SY 2010-2011

Using wildlife as tourist attractions and primarily to generate money for the economy, not to preserve them.

Advantages and Disadvantages for Ecotourism

There are many advantages and disadvantages of ecotourism. If done right, there are many more advantages of ecotourism than disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvanatges of ecotourism?

Ecotourism is an industry that stands to make a lot of money from tourists that are seeking environmentally friendly vacations or ecologically friendly activities. The money from ecotourism could be used to preserve nature, wildlife, species and earth's natural resources as well as help local people with access to civilization and education.

For example, if a country is prime for ecotourism, the money could be used to preserve the environment in that country so that the natural resources would last longer. Local residents could also benefit from the growth in their economy and no longer have to live poorly. This, however, usually does not happen in reality because the locals rarely benefit from the growth of their economy. The investors and foreign corporations do.

You Can Experience a New Way of Life

With ecotourism you are able to experience new culture and traditions. During vacations tourists experience being able to live outdoors and enjoy local customs. This helps them to gain an understanding and appreciation for other cultures.

You Learn How to Live Environmentally Friendly

As an ecotourist you will be able to learn how to balance daily life while supporting the environment. This is the basic idea of ecotourism. You can learn the fine line that exists between the two to become more environmentally balanced.

It Benefits the Local Economy

As ecotourism increases, communities involved in this industry will see a boost to the local economy. The money spent by tourists will help increase the overall profits of local businesses and spur demand for a variety of services, helping to provide jobs.

It Destroys Nature

When tourism increases anywhere it means that there will be an expansion of infrastructure to

Tur 114- EcotourismMr. Florendo E. Palattao, HRTM Instructor

SY 2010-2011

accommodate the increase in demand for different resources. This causes many parts of the natural environment to be destroyed to make room for hotels, restaurants and other structures.

You Are Destroying a Way of Life

While ecotourism is taking place the overall way of life within the communities is being destroyed. Many times native people will be exploited for cheap labor and they abandon their previous way of life because of the lure of the modern world.

Other Potential disadvantages of ecotourism

1. focusing on tourism to generate income or focusing on improving the environment2. commercialization of tourism schemes disguised as sustainable, nature based, and environmentally friendly ecotourism 3. negative impacts on local communities 4. physical displacement of persons, gross violation of fundamental rights, and environmental hazards 5. illegally keeping endangered species in captivity to attract visitors 6. money spent on public relation campaigns, rather than actual ecotourism 7. less money spent on other projects that help the environment more 8. damage to the environment 9. industrialization, urbanization, and unsustainable agriculture practices leaving negative impacts on the environment deforestation 10. disruption of ecological life systems 11. Various forms of pollution such as from more tour vehicles 12. less rare species as they are widely hunted down and kept for show 12. wildlife and rare species are turned into souvenirs and commodities 13. foreign investors and corporations benefit from ecotourism, not local communities 14. Locals are moved to make room for tourist parks, resorts, etc. 15. exploitation of local communities and tribes

FORMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOURISM

1. Alternative Tourism- can be defined as ‘forms of tourism that set out to be consistent with natural, social and community values and which allow both hosts and guests to enjoy positive and worthwhile interaction and shared experiences’. Therefore, ecotourism can be assumed to be one form of alternative tourism.

2. Sustainable Tourism- According to the WTO "sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present generation tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future.” It is expected to lead to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs are fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems.

3. Community based Tourism- "Community based tourism occurs when decisions

Tur 114- EcotourismMr. Florendo E. Palattao, HRTM Instructor

SY 2010-2011

about tourism activity and development are driven by the host community. It usually involves some form of cultural exchange where tourists meet with local communities and witness aspects of their lifestyle. Many such remote ethnic communities may be vulnerable to outside influences and decisions about the way tourists are hosted must be owned by the community for successful and sustainable tourism"

4. Responsible Tourism- refers to the type of tourism where tourism organizations take care of tourist destinations while providing visitor satisfaction. As a result, the resources and attractions—both natural and cultural—are not spoiled for local people or future visitors. Further, it denotes care for the environment and cultural resources, and opportunity for locals in terms of employment or other kinds of involvement, sufficient information regarding local resources for visitors, and implementation of the policy of Corporate Social Responsibility

5. Nature-based tourism. Leisure travel undertaken largely or solely for the purpose of enjoying natural attractions and engaging in a variety of outdoor activities. Bird watching, hiking, fishing, and beachcombing are all examples of nature-based tourism.

6. Soft and hard adventure tourismSoft and hard adventure tourism activities also comprise a subset of activities strongly associated with the natural environment and nature-based tourism. Related market segments include ‘adventure sports’ such as mountain biking.

Soft adventure activities commonly require a moderate level of physical involvement by participants and are less physically challenging than hard activities. They can include – hiking/bushwalking, mountain biking/bicycling, camping, horseback riding, orienteering, walking tours, wildlife spotting, whale watching, river and lake canoeing and fishing.

Hard adventure activities commonly involve a higher level of physical or rugged involvement or a potentially greater personal challenge for participants. The risk factor can also increase. Hard adventure activities with a nature basis or need include – caving, scuba diving, trekking, white water rafting, kayaking, rock and mountain climbing, cross-country skiing, safaris, surfing, windsurfing, ballooning and ocean sailing.

7. Wildlife tourism involves travel to observe wildlife in natural environments and preferably their native habitat. It is a further subset of nature tourism and one in which significantly high levels of domestic and international interests exist. Wildlife tourism involves wild and non domesticated animals and can encompass free-ranging and captive circumstances

8. Geotourism is concerned with sustaining or enhancing a destination’s geographic character – the entire combination of natural and human attributes that make one place distinct from another. Geotourism encompasses both cultural and environmental concerns regarding travel, as well as the local impact tourism has upon communities and their individual economies and lifestyles. Aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of residents are included as some of its concerns. Geotourism has also been summarized as restorative and reconstructive forms of

Tur 114- EcotourismMr. Florendo E. Palattao, HRTM Instructor

SY 2010-2011

tourism that enhance a destination’s natural and cultural distinctiveness, as well as provide a high quality visitor experience.