Why Eco-tourism

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. According to a source at Conservation International , the numbers of international travelers has increased thirtyfold during last half century. As the human society gets prosperous, tour takes the top priority of people's choice to fulfill their desire to learn more about culture. However, flourishing tourism has caused many problems like destroying natural environment and damaging local culture due to indiscreet development of tour sites and mismanagement of programs.

According to the definition of Eco-tourism from Wikipedia, "Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals." Ecotourism provides good chance to experience of travelling to remote places in which mostly plants and animals or cultural heritage should be sustained. In other words, the concept of the Eco-Tourism comes from the idea to minimize destrcution environment and maximize tourists' satisfaction toward the natural surroundings.

Nevertheless, Tricia Barnett, chief executive of Tourism Concern, a UK charity that campaigns against exploitation in tourism criticizes eco-tourism stating that there's an extraordinary amount of evidence to show that eco-tourism, like all forms of tourism, is not necessarily sustainable, and the name alone doesn't make it sustainable. It can be as abusive as any other form of tourism, maybe sometimes more abusive because it wants to go to areas where indigenous people live.and It's always been a marketing ploy and no more than that." According to ecologist, Vivanco, L. insists in his article, 'Ecotourism, Paradise lost-A Thai case astudy' that, although ecotourism is intended for small groups, even a modest increase in polulation, however temporary, puts extra pressure on the local environment and necessitates the development of additional infrastructure and amentities. The construction of water treatment plants, sanitation facilities, and lodges come with the exploitation of non-renewable energy sources and the utilization of already limited local resources. As an example, ecologist, Isaacs, J.C. in his article 'The limited potential of ecotourism to contribute to wildlife conservation' said that the conversion of natural land to such tourist infrastructure is implicated in deforestation and habitat deterioration of butterflies in Mexico and squirrel monkeys in Costa Rica.

But, we cannot ignore the advantage of eco-tourism in various fields if only we keep in mind what to do in order to protect ecosystems. Mindy Pennybacker offers these benefits of ecotourism by suggesting some principles ;

*Minimize impact upon natural resources, wildlife and habitat
*Build environmental awareness through education
*Invest in conservation efforts
*Provide direct financial benefits for conservation to local communities
*Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
*Respect local culture
*Be sensitive to the host country's political environment and social climate
* Support human rights and international labor agreements

Actually, they are not only the rules we should follow to keep a true green meaning of eco-tourism but also the cons themselves we can enjoy from the eco-tourism. According to Alyster Doyle, the environment correspondent from Reuter, there is increased more sites that tighten their grean criteria to protect eco-system like Australia and Costa Rica, and there are more and more corrections and adjustment to make eco-tourism stick to its strict principle to protect natural environemnt and more sustainable as much as possible. This kind of movement will eventually lead to find the best answer to the question of using eco-tourism as an appropriate way to keep our planet green and sustainable.



(How Consumers and Eco-Tourists Can Protect Ecosystems)
by Mindy Pennybacker
(What is Eco-Tourism)
Haste Makes Waste: Learning to Travel
by P.W. McRandle
From this site, you can find various and distinctive organizations which are supplying many types of eco-tour and information you are looking for.