Ecotourism

Ecotourism

1.0 Introduction

1.1 What is the Definition of ecotourism?

Ecotourism is the environmental and socioeconomic responsible travel to untouched natural parts of the world. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) created an official definition of Ecotourism in 1990 "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." The culture of the people, the plants, animals are all the focus when traveling. It is the relating to the specific aspects of being "Green", or environmentally conscious. It describes the tourist activity as having a small footprint and putting minimal stress on the environment. The typical "ecotourist" yearns for knowledge of the area as it is the polar alternative to the urban setting. The direct meaning of ecotourism includes a whole array of benefits to the local communities that this activity is attracted to. However, all these statements can be up for debate.

1.2 What type of activity is promoted in ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a rugged experience. In the purest sense activities include living like the locals without infringing upon any cultural boundries. Most common activities are found from or involving the environment. Living off the land, being   absorbed into the environment is the pure essence of ecotourism. Experiencing how fragile nature is and creating the awareness of how the natural earth works. By definition activities while ecotouring would not consist of staying in a big fancy hotel that harms the environment and could most likely detract from the development of the local communities.

2.0 Discussion

2.1 What are the positive and negative consequences of ecotourism?

Ecotourism supports the local and national communities of certain areas of the world. However it is important to note that as long as the influence comes from the locals themselves rather than profit-seekers from foreign interests then the results will be positive. The entire...