The World Tourism Organization (WTO) says Ecotourism is the fastest growing
sector of the Tourism Industry. Some believe this is good news and others
are horrified at the potential environmental damage that Ecotourists and
Operators may unwittingly cause.
Ecotourism has often been touted as the cure for the enormous Tourism Industry
and the environmental and cultural damage that the industry often inflicts
on developing and even developed countries. Ecotourism can work, but the
problem is that there is not an agreed upon definition, nor international
standards that tourists and operators must follow.
In its simplest form, Ecotourism is nature travel. In its more advanced form,
Ecotourism encompasses all aspects of life: wildlife, plants, biodiversity,
sustainable economies, conservation, environment, culture, heritage, society,
and human beings. In this form, Ecotourism is a kinder, gentler form of environmentalism
that recognizes humans as being part of the ecosystem. This is a critical
difference; it affects how tour operators, environmentalists and conservationists,
and tourists interact with the host destination.
For eons, western thought has dictated that humans are the masters of the
earth, that we shape and control our world. Evidence of this is the constant
battle against weather; floods and levees; earthquakes and earthquake proof
buildings; sea shore homes and replenishing of beach sand. It's a continuing
battle against nature and one we will not win. One rule of nature is constant
change and we in the western world struggle to overcome this with increasingly
advanced technologies.
Smaller cultures and societies recognize that change is inevitable and their
lifestyle reflects this. While it may seem that these societies have stayed
constant over hundreds or even thousands of years, they have adapted to seasons
and the natural rise and fall of resources. However, with increasing contact
with tourists, these cultures want what is considered a better life; western
ways. A new culture is born, one Deborah McLaren calls the "Tourism Culture",
where the people in the host country become hustlers for tourists' dollars.
Because tourism is such a large industry, there is a vested interest in
exploiting resources, creating paradises and increasingly offering adventures
and destinations that have never been offered before. Is this the industry's
fault? Or is this the consumers' fault? It's more of a cause and effect
relationship. Most western nations have an increasing amount of disposable
income since the end of the second world war. Recreation, including tourism,
stepped in to accept monies with the promise of the good life that previously
was enjoyed by the very wealthy and privileged. The middle class was now
able to go places and see things that were never available before. The annual
vacation was now a fact and considered a right.
During the past 15 years, it has become apparent that the mass tourism industry
is failing, from both an environmental and cultural point of view. Degradation
of sea shores, coral reefs, forests, and other environments is evident from
pollution, overcrowding of humans, coral reef destruction through practices
such as souvenir collection and anchoring of pleasure boats. Paradise, while
not yet lost, is losing.
Ecotourism thought evolved about 10 to 15 years ago. It was partly in response
to consumer demand for something new and unusual and the realization that
the environment is facing permanent damage. It was becoming apparent that
mass tourism is not sustainable and consumers want something exotic, but
once something becomes more commonly available, it is no longer considered
exotic; the definition is being pushed further into the world's unexplored
places, where few westerners have gone before. The premise offers unspoiled
nature and cultures but there are reasons why few people have gone before;
they are fragile, inhospitable places that do not easily support human life.
There are many tour operators that offer Ecotourism as an alternative to
traditional packages. But, this is in name only. Where these operators are
failing is in the sustainable economy sector. The money tourists spend is
supposed to trickle down into the host community but very little does. In
a true ecotour, the money goes directly into the community. All aspects are
covered from lodging, food, guides, activities and nature viewing. The host
community benefits and the industry they provide is sustainable.
There is hope. Individuals such as Ron Mader, Marcus Endicott, Jan Moss and
Deborah McLaren, and institutions such as the Ecotourism Society, Charles
Stuart University, Tourism Concern and a host of others are working towards
Ecotourism definition and Ecotourism practice. Furthermore, the consumer is
becoming more aware of issues and problems and are demanding more intelligent
encounters with other cultures and nature. More are realizing that humans
the world over are humans and should not be providing entertainment at the
cost of their dignity and way of life.
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Part of Alberni Environmental
Coalition