Lecture 1 - Ecotourism PDF

# Ecotourism ## ECO + TOURISM - Linked to the ecological concept in allusion to ecologically sustainable - Also has an economic development dimension, a dimension of special interest for the private sector (Higham, 2007) ## Ecotourism- Definition - Ecotourism is now defined as "responsible travel t...

# Ecotourism ## ECO + TOURISM - Linked to the ecological concept in allusion to ecologically sustainable - Also has an economic development dimension, a dimension of special interest for the private sector (Higham, 2007) ## Ecotourism- Definition - Ecotourism is now defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education" (TIES, 2015). Education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests. ## Principles of Ecotourism - Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. - This means that those who implement, participate in and market ecotourism activities should adopt the following ecotourism principles: - Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts. - Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect. - Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts. - Provide direct financial benefits for conservation. - Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry. - Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climates. - Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities. - Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment ## Conservation - Offering market-linked long-term solutions, ecotourism provides effective economic incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural heritage of our beautiful planet. ## Communities - By increasing local capacity building and employment opportunities, ecotourism is an effective vehicle for empowering local communities around the world to fight against poverty and to achieve sustainable development. ## Interpretation - With an emphasis on enriching personal experiences and environmental awareness through interpretation, ecotourism promotes greater understanding and appreciation for nature, local society, and culture. ## Segments of Ecotourism - Ecotourism in wildlife - Eco Adventure travels - Sustainable tourism - Responsible tourism - Nature base travels - Green travels - Cultural tourism ## Ecotourism in wildlife - Wildlife tourism can be an eco and animal-friendly tourism, usually showing animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife tourism, in its simplest sense, is watching wild animals in their natural habitat. ## Eco Adventure travels - Eco adventure is the combination of adventurous activity with environmentally responsible awareness. - floating a raging river - soaring through the tree canopy ## Sustainable tourism - Any form of tourism that does not reduce the availability of resources and does not inhibit future travelers from enjoying the same experience. - If the presence of large numbers of tourists disturbs an animal's mating patterns so that there are fewer of that species in the future then that visit was not sustainable. ## Responsible tourism - Tourism which operates in such a way as to minimize negative impacts on the environment. - A wilderness camping trip using "leave no trace" ethics would be considered responsible tourism while dune buggy tours would not. ## Nature based tourism - A more generic term for any activity or travel experience with a focus on nature. - Remote jungle lodges fall into this category as do cruise ships to view penguins in Antarctica. - These types of trips may or may not be environmentally sustainable or responsible. ## Green tourism - Often used interchangeably with eco-tourism and sustainable tourism but more accurately described as "any activity or facility operating in an environmentally friendly fashion". - A lodge with composting toilets, gray water system, and solar-powered lighting is probably "green". ## Cultural tourism - Interacting with, understanding and learning about unique cultures is the focus of this style of trip. - The concept of learning from other cultures to broaden ones' perspective is usually a core value.