Sunday, September 16, 2007

A Popular Question: What Are the Components in Ecotourism?

You are a person that is very much interested in how the environment is fairing. Recent changes in the global environment, especially in the form of global warming, are really starting to make people take notice of their environment. You have decided that your next vacation will have to do with educating yourself about the environment, so you would like to know the answer to the question: “What are the components in ecotourism?”

What Are the Components in Ecotourism? Is There a Definitive Answer?

To figure out the answer to the question “What are the components in ecotourism?” you first have to figure out what ecotourism really is. Ecotourism is a relatively new concept, in which people can take retreats to natural places, such as parks or wildlife reserves, and there they can experience nature through various means.

When referring to the answer “What are the components in ecotourism?” the components can actually be a variety of different things. For example, if you are a person that is interested in wildlife conservation, you might decide to take an informational nature hike, where a guide will show where various forms of wildlife live, as well as what you can do to protect endangered species.

However, it is important to mention that although you might get an answer to your question “What are the components in ecotourism?” from one source, another source might give you a completely different answer. This is because various forms of ecotourism are managed by various different companies, groups, or organizations.

Thus, if you have many different questions about ecotourism, in addition to the main question of “What are the components in ecotourism?” you have a variety of different options as to how you can get more information. First of all, if you would prefer to participate in an ecotourism event locally, check your phone book for various advertisements. You can also look in your local newspaper to see if there are any applicable events.

Want to go somewhere far away for an ecotourism vacation? All you have to so is search the internet or visit your local travel agency. However, be aware that some events are more expensive than others, so be sure that you have an idea of what your budget will be beforehand. Also, be aware that some websites might not provide the most accurate information. However, you are sure to find the right ecotourism event for you with the proper research.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

A Review on the Different Types of Ecotourism

There are actually many different types of ecotourism that exist, one in particular being agro-tourism. This is one of the types of ecotourism which encourages visitors to experience the agricultural life at first hand, and this type is gathering strong support from smaller communities as well as rural communities, as rural people have come to realize the benefits of sustainable development brought about by similar forms of green tourism.

Another of the types of ecotourism is the type for which the aims are to enable participation from the local community, particularly in terms of the development and operations of tourism. One of the most important features of this type is that a reasonable share of all the revenues gained is enjoyed by the community. As well this is one of the types of ecotourism which truly maintains and respects the local culture and heritage.

More Types of Ecotourism

Another type of ecotourism is pro-poor tourism, which is a type that is set up in developing countries as a means to basically improve the local economy and assist people as best as possible. In this way it is able to enhance the linkages between tourism businesses and poor people, so that as a result poverty is reduced and as well poor people are able to participate more effectively in tourism development.

Although each different types of ecotourism is separate from the others in its own way, they all do have the same basic principles and goals, including: to minimize impact, to build environmental and cultural awareness and respect, to provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts, to provide direct financial benefits for conservation, to provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people, to raise sensitivity to host countries’ political and social climate, and to support international human rights and labor agreements.

Overall there are both positive and negative issues having to do with ecotourism, however if the situation is looked at seriously and properly and the problems are taken care of, then there will really only be positive results and aftermath from ecotourism, as there should be. The only way for this to happen however is for all of us to come together as a whole and work towards ensuring that ecotourism acts as positive as possible and that the benefits serve us all.

Whether called nature tourism or ecotourism, it offers countries new opportunities for small-enterprise investment and employment and as well increases the national stake in terms of protecting their biological resources. However, making ecotourism a positive economic and environmental tool will require policies that foster truly responsible nature tourism development, as well as broad-based and active local participation.

The Importance of the International Ecotourism Society

When people hear the name of a governing body or organization, they may be somewhat put off by the mere mention of the name. This would betray the fact that there is a certain level of cynicism on people’s part towards any organization that oversees the activities of a particular movement or ideology.

In the case of the International Ecotourism Society, such cynicism is not well founded. The International Ecotourism Society has done a great deal of good in the world for the ecotourism movement having raised public awareness on the subject of ecotourism to a high level and, in addition to the tremendous benefit to the environment that such awareness has brought, it has also brought a great deal of fun an joy to people’s live by providing them with an educational hobby and activity that people of all ages can enjoy and take part in.

What is the International Ecotourism Society?

Paraphrasing the motto of the International Ecotourism Society, the purpose of the organization is to promote travel to areas in the world in a manner that conserves the environment and respects the local indigenous people. To some, this may not sound impressive because the notion that one would travel somewhere to harm the environment sounds like pure fiction.

Actually, it remains fact. Consider the following: there are tours to Africa where irresponsibly hunting expeditions occur in severe violation of local hunting and conservation laws. The International Ecotourism Society provides excellent balance to this absurd irresponsibility that others take part in.

The International Ecotourism Society offers a tremendous service that is priceless and the world in general owes it a great many thanks for all the work it has done in raising public awareness of the important issues it deals with. Perhaps you should send them an email and than them. Here is the contact info:

Contacting the International Ecotourism Society

If one wishes to contact the International Ecotourism Society, all one needs to do it visit their website at http://www.ecotourism.org/. In addition to contact information, the website provides a tremendous amount of information in regards to the ecotourism movement and what it entails and what it is about.

In fact, this site is so comprehensive some of the information presented on the site can prove to be very, very eye opening. Perhaps you may wish to send over an environmentalist doubting Thomas to the site so that perhaps they may be converted to the cause! Who knows, it may be worth a shot!

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Learning About What the Problems are With EcoTourism

Ecotourism is a term which refers to a form of nature-based tourism. In the field, it has proven to be one of the most effective tools for long-term conservation of biodiversity when the right circumstances are present, and it is of special interest for its relationship with conservation, sustainability, and biological diversity.

As a development tool, ecotourism is able to advance the three basic goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which are as follows: to conserve biological diversity by strengthening protected area management systems, to promote the sustainable use of biodiversity, and to share the benefits of ecotourism developments equitably with local communities and indigenous people by obtaining their informed consent and full participation in the planning and management of ecotourism businesses.

What the Problems are With Ecotourism

When it comes to the issue of what the problems are with ecotourism, there are actually quite a few. It is believed that there are still some major negative issues having to do with ecotourism, namely corrupt governments that pay lip service to the concept while looking the other way as poachers or illegal loggers, for instance, continue to peck away at some precious resources.

For the issue of what the problems are with ecotourism, even in the developed world with reasonably honest governments and court systems, precious resources are often endangered by perfectly legal threats.

As well in regards to the matter of what the problems are with ecotourism, as it stands now, ecotourism presents problems of its own and really cannot be seen as being a panacea for all the problems of the past. In some areas problems such as trail erosion and increased trash have actually been noted, and other problems are expected to arise from the increased use of land in question.

However overall, even after a thorough consideration of what the problems are with ecotourism, it is still one of the best ideas to emerge in global travel in a long time, and basically, as long as people are willing to pay to see where they live, and need food, guides and accommodations to do so, then locals will have every incentive necessary to protect and nurture their resources.

If the present issues are taken properly and seriously into consideration and dealt with properly, then the problems surrounding ecotourism will at least lessen, allowing the positive remnants to be shown more clearly. The goal is to have ecotourism be as positive as possible overall.

Understanding Why Is Ecotourism Important

It was once a beautiful river that was loaded with incredibly diverse animal life. People would travel from all over the country to rest on the bans of the river and bask in the sun, fish or spend a little time swimming. Boats were a common site on the river and they glistened in the sun that reflected off the blue/green water.

This was a wonderful sight…50 years ago. What has just been described is the Delaware River of many years ago. What exists today is a sad travesty and a perversion of what the Delaware River once was. In recent decades, massive pollution destroyed the Delaware River killing all the animal life and destroying the tourism that once provided important revenue to the local economy.

Additionally, the pollution that killed the ecosystem of the Delaware River later spread to the various creeks connected to the river. The Delaware River is but one example as this sad tale of a destroyed environment is sadly commonplace. Why is ecotourism important? It can stop such madness.

Why is ecotourism important? It creates awareness.

A major reason for the destruction of the Delaware River was not public apathy. In fact, when the total effects of the damage were finally revealed, the public was outraged. Of course, there was nothing they could do other than stop further pollution. When this occurred, however, it was too late as the major damage had already been done. The public had simply not been educated towards understanding the severity of the situation.

Why is ecotourism important? It provides for the impetus of awareness that educates the public on the importance of environmental issues and explains the consequences before they occur. Ecotourism is far more than a mere trendy vacation concept; it is a vital part of keeping the planet safe and pristine.

Why is ecotourism important? It protects conservation.

Why is ecotourism important? Because of the fact that from the awareness that it creates there comes a movement for conservation. Without awareness, there will be no way to mount an effective conservation movement. It is not a ‘stretch’ to point out that the ecotourism movement has proven to be critically important in keeping the environmental movement alive in the world. Supporting the ecotourism movement is not just a leisure activity; it is a vital part of the safety of out society and the natural world. Because of this, those who sponsor ecotourism need your support and patronage. Please provide it to them.

A Tourism No-No: Why Ecotourism is Bad

If you love the environment, perhaps an idea of yours is to spend a vacation in the wilderness, or a place with natural wonders, such as the Grand Canyon. You are not alone in this, because more and more people like the idea of spending time in an environment free from cars, traffic, and tall buildings. However, while ecotourism was initially invented to help preserve the environment, there are actually a number of reasons why ecotourism is bad.

Reason #1 Why Ecotourism is Bad

The first reason why ecotourism is bad, specifically in woodland areas and areas where animals live, is the element of surprise to the animals. Animals that have lived their entire lives in the forest are not tame, and pose a problem to humans, especially if those humans are carrying food. The presence of humans alternately causes stress to wild animals.

Reason #2 Why Ecotourism is Bad

If you have ever visited a National Park, no doubt you have seen at least a few pieces of litter in different places. No matter how diligent the park rangers can be, sometimes the forest is too big to find every single piece of litter. Not only does litter make the environment look messy, but it also can be hazardous to the animals in the environment. Remember, plastic especially is very hard to destroy and is not biodegradable. It really all has to do with how diligent the tourists themselves are about not littering.

Reason #3 Why Ecotourism is Bad

One of the most prevalent reasons why ecotourism is bad has to do with the structures that are built for various ecotourism events. For example, if a park decides to have a nature walk aspect to it, paths will be cleared and some trees cut down to make way for the paths. Also, in parks, lookout towers are sometimes built in trees. While these structures have a purpose, they cannot help but damage the delicate environment.

For More Information

There are a variety of different ways in which ecotourism can be bad for the environment, and if you want more information there are a variety of different options. First of all, if you have environmentalist groups in your area that are know to oppose ecotourism, be sure to talk to them and see what information they can offer. You can also search the internet for more information, just be aware that opinions differ on this subject. You are sure to find interesting information with the proper research.