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The concept of "Ecotourism" has had enormous growth since the mid 1980's
But what do we mean when we refer to ecotourism? How do we define it? Since there is no central governing body or set of official guidelines for sustainable travel, as it is sometimes referred to, this can be difficult. The International Ecotourism Society defines it as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people." Additionally, the United Nations has set fourth some basic elements that comprise ecotourism. These elements can be found on our Elements of Ecotourism page.
Much of what calls itself ecotourism does not adhere to the above guidelines. Martha Honey, director of the Ecotourism and Sustainable Development Program at the Institute for Policy Studies has identified three general trends emerging as a result in the growth of ecotourism. First is greenwahing, nothing more than using the term "eco" while rejecting the core principals as outlined in the Elements of Ecotourism. Next up the scale is ecotourism "lite"; businesses that adopt one or two or the elements, but are primarily cosmetic and cost saving, such as not laundering sheets and towels every day. True ecotourism incorporates into its operation most, if not all, the Elements of Ecotourism. Two countries often mentioned as the most successful in implementing true ecotourism are Costa Rica and Australia, with honorable mentions going to Canada, Brazil, and Peru.
It is an unfortunate reality that much of what is called Ecotourism is mislabeled as such either through confusing the term with other forms of travel, such as "adventure travel"; or has been used in an attempt to greenwash the consumer and shows disregard to both the environment and the local culture.
While adventure travel generally involves being in nature, it is more oriented toward the activity, of achieving an adrenalin rush, and has little to do with the quiet contemplation and appreciation of nature or the understanding of local culture.
Greenwashing overtly degrades both the environment and the local culture, such as when "ecological hotels" around Lake Tticaca in Bolivia dump untreated waste water into the lake. Bolivia has no environmental standards for hotels, so the term "Eco-hotel" is entirely self-designated and means little. Another example of the negative effects of "greenwashing" is in Botswana;s Central Kalahari desert where "ecotourist" organizations have pushed out the last remnants of the San people from land they have occupied for centuries... a final indignity to a dying culture. These operations justify their actions by saying that (eco)tourists won't want to see "primitive" people. So the San are now exiles living in isolated and barren camps outside the parks, surviving on food aid.
As these few examples show, even what is called ecotourism can have harmful effects on the people and the land.
But even those that are skeptical of the concept of sustainable tourism and suspicious of the idea of ecotourism aren't eager for it to go away. In its place would come traditional tourism, which makes no attempt to adhere to the elements of sound ecotourism and sustainable travel. The International Year of Ecotourism is a time to take into account the reality of ecotourism and decide how to move on from here, diminishing the "greenwashing" and encouraging the development of sustainable ecotourism.
To that end, a more standardized method of assessing the various forms of ecotourism certification that exist in the world is an important part of what can be accomplished in the wake of the Ecotourism summit that took place in Quebec City this past May. For more information on certification programs go to our Ecotourism Certification page.
Some argue that any tourist related travel is ultimately bad. That we should stay home and contemplate the nature and culture out our back door. This is, perhaps, a valid point. But it also misses the point.
People will travel. Travel is a means for us to expand our own horizens and to better understand the rich natural and cultural heritage our world offers. In turn it hopefully will help us all to realize the importance in concern for other places and other people.
It's a small world after all.
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