Ecotourism In Action - Essay Example

Ecotourism is a relatively new concept. As persons started to become more aware of their environment and planet the mushrooming of environmental groups prompted the growth of this industry which began in the late 1970s. One of the reasons for its growth is due to the disenchantment with ‘conventional forms of tourism which have, in a general sense, ignored social and ecological elements (Fennel, 2003: 18). The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Travelling has always been a way of life of man. Throughout history people has always been travelling for one reason or another. As persons began to travel for leisure the development of tourism became an important aspect especially for countries and regions that were scarce of other types of natural resources. Ecotourism which started as a type of niche market now has a strong foothold in the tourist industry in many countries across the globe. With tourism now a major industry in many countries of the world, especially in developing countries, ecotourism has taken a major step in the way many of these locations present themselves and advertise to travelers. For the whole society to benefit it is important for the developers and leaders to adhere to a number of principles. According to TIES these principles should be: 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. Creating opportunities for the growth of ecotourism should not be a political aim if serious concerns are not given to the preservation and conservation of the natural environment. Since the last century successive governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as several pressure groups have been agitating for policy changes which would impact the environment with relation to global warming among other concerns. Lindberg (in Fennel, 2003: 35) categorized eco-tourists into four basic groups. The first group includes hard-core nature tourists. This group mostly comprises scientists, researchers whose travel is mainly for educational purposes and carrying out some environmental activities like removing garbage and litter from beaches. The second group is described as the dedicated nature tourists. Their specific reason for traveling is to visit protected areas and understand local natural and cultural history. Then, there is the mainstream nature tourists. These persons will sometimes take unusual trips to places like the Amazon rainforest, games reserves and parks in Africa among other destinations. The fourth group is known as the casual nature tourists. Their trips to eco-friendly environments are purely incidental as it is part of the activities of a larger tourist activity. There are other terms used to describe tourism that reflects the activities and principles of ecotourism. These are nature-based tourism, adventure tourism, and responsible or sustainable tourism. The difference between these different terminologies lies in the ethics or the motivation of the traveler (Patterson, 2007: 1). In some cases, however, it is not very easy to distinguish between the different brands. One finds that these many distinctions are often blurred (Weaver, in Buckley, 2009: 1). Sustainable tourism is more hinged on the economic gain of the society. It is measured according to the financial benefits that this brand of tourism brings to the community. With regards to the environment tourism can be described as sustainable if it ‘generates more positive net benefits’ (The Dimensions of Ecotourism n.d.). This aspect, nevertheless is not easily measured so there is always a thin line between the different descriptions. A 2005 report by The Worldwatch Institute has divided tourism into eight categories. The categories were adventure tourism; ecotourism; geotourism; mass tourism; nature-based tourism; pro-poor tourism; responsible tourism; and sustainable tourism. According to the report the difference between ecotourism, geotourism and sustainable tourism lies in the definition and intent. Geotourism is described as tourism that enhances the geographical character of a place-its environment, heritage, culture, aesthetics and well-being of the people. Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas resulting in the conservation of the environment and the improvement of the welfare of the local people. Sustainable tourism which is sometimes equated with ecotourism by some sources is described in the report as tourism that meets the needs of present tourist and host regions and enhancing opportunities for the future. Based on these definitions it would appear that ecotourism is more explicit in its definition in the direction that should be taken with respect to the treatment of the environment and the inhabitants. Ecotourism continues to be a growing trend. Many communities and villages across the globe have developed an interest in this branch of tourism. Since the 1990s ecotourism has been growing at a rate of 20% to 34% per year and by the beginning of the century its growth has surpasses that of the tourism industry as a whole (What is Ecotourism n.d.). As the industry grew it began to involve a number of different stake holders (The Dimensions of Ecotourism n.d.). These major participants include: Tourists; Managers of Natural Environment (public as well as private areas); Communities; Businesses, including tour operators, food and catering services, hotel operators among other players in the industry; Government; Non-governmental organizations. One section of the society that is playing a major role in the ecotourism industry is indigenous people. This is more evident in New Zealand, Australia, and parts of Canada (Weaver, 2001: 284). It has also been developing in the Pacific and parts of the Americas. Ecotourism is now a major part of the tourist industry in many developing countries. While tourism is the major source of development for the world’s 40 poorest countries (TIES) plans and policies have been put in place to cater to eco-tourists. According to the WTO, ecotourism accounts for a large share of international tourism. In Africa alone countries such as South Africa, Madagascar, Zambia and Kenya have invested heavily in ecotourism (Lane, 2010). Kenya has a well developed industry with seven different areas. These include forests, coral reefs, deserts and even snow-capped mountains. Other countries that have a thriving ecotourism industry include Costa Rica, India, and Belize. Brazil, Ecuador, Antarctica, Australia, Canada, United States, and Dominica. Known for its rainforests and numerous rivers Costa Rica is also home to some endangered species of animals and plants. In the Central American region Costa Rica is the primary ecotourism destination. The country is also recognized for its tourism product with other land uses therefore giving rise to sustainability (Fennel, 2003: 10). Another Central American country that is fast becoming an ecotourism destination is Belize. Weaver (179) list eight factors that can account for this rapid development. These include: having the world’s second longest barrier reef; forest covering about 85% of the country’s land area; a low population density; a well established protected area system; complementary cultural assets; its proximity to the North American; having English as its official language. Other neighboring countries are also showing interest in this area of tourism. Panama, Nicaragua, and Guatemala have taken some steps in establishing themselves as some prime destinations. Brazil has always been a prime destination for ecotourism visitors. Its Amazon Rainforests have always been a constant attraction for many visitors over the years. They have incorporated the industry in the country’s major undertaking with the launching of a US$200 million dollar program in 1997 to develop ecotourism in the country. Using the Amazon as its main feature and in their efforts to save the deforestation of the region, the country used ecotourism to help in the conservation process. Although the initial program was funded by the Inter American Development Bank the Brazilian government also invested US$ billion in the effort. Although this was seen as a major step it still did not match the investment done in countries such as Costa Rica and Ecuador (Weaver, 2001: 68). India is one of those countries that has many different resources and amenities that can easily promote ecotourism. Its geography and mix of cultures helps in the development of the tourism product to such an extent that someone proposed the touring of the country by rail (Fennel, 169). Many visitors also go to India to experience that country’s rich religious and spiritual heritage. This can be easily woven into the ecotourism experience. The many natural resources and attractions in Kerala have led it to be one of the top ecotourism destinations in the world. In the South American region Ecuador is also a keen developer of the tourism product. Its climatic conditions have made it a haven for a number of different eco systems. The Podocarpus National Park which is located in the southern part of the country has five different major ecosystems ranging from rainforests to grasslands (Buckley, Adventure Tourism, 2006: 288). A number of ecotourism accreditation and certification programs have been established with the aim of providing guidelines for the industry. Kenya has a local certification program that is available to hotels, reserves and other stakeholders in the ecotourism industry. The certification program is a part of the membership organization of the country. Ecotourism Kenya has the mission of upholding all the principles of ecotourism. Ecotourism has brought a significant amount of economic returns. It provides employment for many persons in countries that would otherwise offer few employment opportunities. More than 50,000 persons are employed in the wildlife tourism industry in Kenya (The Benefits and Problems of Ecotourism n. d.). On the other hand although tourism brings many economic benefits to many countries and even though ecotourism has conservation of the environment and improvement of the people as its principles there are still some disadvantages that should not be overlooked. One disadvantage is that in many cases the money spent by tourists does not necessarily find its way into the pockets of the people who deserve it. Another downturn is that too much traffic can sometimes do more harm than good especially in sensitive areas such as coral reefs. It sometimes happens that when too many persons visit an area it may spoil the beauty and the uniqueness of the location. Sometimes in a rush to benefit from the wealth and the materiality that tourism brings persons may lose focus and pay little attention to the conservation of the environment. There has to be a concerted effort among all stake holders in order to avoid this problem. The tourists themselves can be a part of the problem. The alpine forests in the Himalayas have been partially destroyed by tourists as they search for fuel to heat their food and bath water (The Benefits and Problems of Ecotourism). Another potential problem has to do with cruise ships and other means of transportation. Coral reefs can become damaged by ships and other marine vessels. Visitors in their enthusiasm may over run certain areas causing more harm than good. Nevertheless ecotourism is expanding as the awareness to take care of the planet is highlighted and various environmental groups have been advocating for the promotion of environment-friendly policies. As new policies and plans become a reality and as the different definitions and terminologies become more pronounced ecotourism is poised to become an even bigger industry. References 1. 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