What Is Ecotourism?
Answer:
There are a variety of definitions for ecotourism,
as there are many different groups that wish to brand the term for their own use. However, a couple of good general definitions cover the concept. The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.” The Australian Commission on Natural Ecotourism Strategy defines it as “nature based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable.”

Martha Honey’s book, “Ecotourism and Sustainable Development,” is quickly becoming the standard of accepted standards. Most college programs now accept her definition as the standard. Her definition has seven defining points of what ecotourism is, as follows:

1. Travel to Natural Destinations: Travel is usually to remote areas, regardless of whether they are inhabited or uninhabited, and the area is usually under environmental protection at the national, international, communal, or private level.

2. Minimizes Impact: Tourism has an environmental impact. Ecotourism tries to minimize the environmental impact of hotels, trails, and other infrastructure by using recycled materials or locally available building materials, recycling and safe disposal of waste, and environmentally and culturally sensitive design. Also, in order to minimize the impact, the numbers and behavior of tourists are regulated to minimize damage to the local ecosystem.

3. Builds Environmental Awareness: Ecotourism provides education both for the tourist and for the local population. Long before traveling, the tourist should gather information about the local population, the environment, and the country to which they will be traveling. It is essential to have well trained multilingual guides for the traveler.

4. Provide Direct Financial Benefits for Conservation: Ecotourism helps to raise money for environmental protection, research, and education through various fees, spending by the tourist, and taxes.

5. Provides Financial Benefits and Empowerment for Local People: It is important that the local community is involved with and receives benefits (potable water, roads, health clinics, etc) from the conservation area and tourist facilities. Local communities should be a partner with the tourist facilities. Additionally, control and economics should shift to the local community.

6. Respects Local Culture: Because ecotourism is more culturally intrusive into the local community, it must be culturally respectful and have a minimal impact on both the environment and the local human population and community. It is important to respect local dress codes, dietary norms, and local customs. It is important to learn these local customs before the trip.

7. Supports Human Rights and Democratic Movements: Ecotourism looks at a more holistic approach to travel, rather than the usual simple exchange of money. You should understand the political circumstances of the region. It is important to balance the host country’s political environment and social climate, which also considering international boycotts that are called for to support democratic reforms, majority rule, and human rights.

This gives you an overall view of what ecotourism is, as well as some things to keep in mind when considering whether of not something is in fact ecotourism. There is a lot more to ecotourism than simply “camping out in a strange place.”

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