THE NEW VOGUE: ECO TOURISM
Connecting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. Eco friendly tourism. Or eco-tourism. It’s a trend which has taken agility in recent times because of the perilous impacts on nature. First let’s understand what it exactly is. It means that those who implement and participate in responsible tourism activities should follow the following 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, and raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate.
Although the tourism industry is constantly growing, this growth doesn’t always necessarily have positive implications for the destination and its resources. For one, a heightened influx of tourists can threaten the ecosystem of sensitive natural locations. More people equal more strain on the environment.
Another drawback of mass tourism is that, despite its trillion-dollar value, only 5% of the income is invested in the local community. Thus, travelers should be conscious of where their money goes. Thankfully, forms of tourism like ecotourism are reshaping the face of travel.
Ecotourism is not only conscious of its impact on the natural environment, it is also sensitive to the local economy. This means that a legit ecotour won’t be putting money in the hefty bank accounts of transnational companies. Instead, locals will be reaping the benefits of your visit.
Ecotourism is one way to educate the public about a certain location, and also about the importance of caring for the environment. Because of the damage of climate change, travelers are becoming increasingly aware of the urgency of action founded in education. What better classroom is there than nature itself? Ecotours aren’t just lectures, they are hands-on experiences that give visitors many opportunities to learn new skills and information.
It also helps build cultural awareness by fostering respect for the place you travel to and the community you visit. When tour operators aren’t commodifying a destination for the sake of making a buck, an authentic exchange can happen between the guide and the visitor. Not only do the visitors come away with an immersive, memorable experience, but the destination is able to share its culture to the outside world in an uninhibited way.
Unlike commercial tours, which are preoccupied with growing a private company’s bottom line, ecotourism operators are necessarily concerned about the welfare of the local community — including the economy. A truly eco-conscious tour will have been planned and managed locally, with the consent and involvement of the residents. This not only nurtures good relationships, but also helps create local jobs. Tour guides, homestay hosts, entertainers, translators, and more, are a result of the ecotourism industry.
Naturally, ecotourism is focused on the environment. Not only do ecotour operators cull experiences that have a low impact on nature, the revenue of legitimate eco-friendly experiences will go towards preserving resources and protecting the environment.
