Every time we hear about ecotourism or Ecotourism more frequently as it is one of the fastest growing sectors of the entire tourism industry in recent years. Even so, this does not mean that everyone knows how to define what it is correctly, since in many cases the concept of ecotourism is confused with tourism that is somehow related to the natural environment, but the type of relationship is not detailed. that a tourist develops with the places he visits.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you what ecological tourism is, what its characteristics and benefits are for the natural environment.
What is ecological tourism
According to the International Ecotourism Association (TIES), ecotourism can be defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that protects the environment and improves the well-being of local residents«. In this way, to speak of ecotourism is to speak of responsible tourism and the environment and the local societies that live in said environment. In other words, contrary to what was originally thought, ecotourism is not just any form of tourism related to nature, but in addition to nature, this relationship must always be based on respect and from an ethical perspective.
In this way, if we take a trip to the mountains as an example, we can say ecological tourism because it is a natural environment. But what really defines whether our trip is an example of ecotourism will be the relationship we develop with the mountain, not only the chosen place.
In this way, if we make a route, our trip does not have a negative impact on the mountain (we do not throw garbage into the environment, we do not damage the flora and fauna of the environment, and we do not use the natural heritage in an unsustainable way, companies or residents local, etc.), can be seen as an example of ecotourism.
Whereas, on the contrary, if the same displacement is carried out in an unsustainable way, such as using facilities such as ski resorts (whose impact is very detrimental to the mountain environment), although it is a type of natural environment and can generate wealth for the local population, we cannot really talk about ecotourism, because the relationship that exists between tourists and the environment means a degradation in the performance of their tourist activities.
Principles of ecological tourism
The International Ecotourism Association defines the most authentic ecotourism as ecotourism that conforms to certain principles. These are the seven principles of ecotourism:
- Minimize negative impacts on the environment and communities.
- Generate respect and awareness, including the environment and culture.
- Develop positive experiences for tourists and local residents.
- Generate economic benefits which are directly used to protect the place.
- It guaranteed access to financial resources and encouraged participation in community decision-making.
- Increase sensitivity to the political, environmental and social climate of the sites visited.
- Support universal human rights and local labor laws and regulations.
These seven principles are the starting point for understanding the depth of ecotourism and its short- and long-term goals.
Meaning of current tourism in a consumer society
Nowadays, in the consumer society in which we live, there are many ways of "doing tourism", and as it happens with many daily activities typical of said society, its impact on the environment is disastrous. This type of "consumer tourism" implies the degradation of the natural environment and the development of local human resources to obtain maximum benefits without taking into account the impacts it produces.
This way of understanding tourism, both ethically and economically, constitutes a very serious error. From an ethical point of view, the degradation of the environment and the mistreatment of the local population are not justified. From an economic point of view, this type of tourism requires the disruption of the legacy that allows tourism to exist and be maintained, so it will ultimately assume that its disruption is a wealth generating sector.
In this way, consumer tourism is presented as a tourist version of the model of "use and throw away" that dominates most activities in today's society, and constitutes the most negative example of everything related to the environment.
On the contrary, ecotourism is a model of tourism in which carrying out one's own activities does not imply damage to the environment and tourist attractions that allow carrying out the activities. This also has moral and economic consequences. From an ethical point of view, It is a tourism model that allows a responsible relationship with nature and local communities. From an economic point of view, it guarantees that the tourist activity in question constitutes a lasting activity over time, which means that it will be able to generate wealth indefinitely and without an expiration date, as well as guarantee a sustainable economic future for the community. local.
Examples of ecological tourism
Some of the most iconic examples of ecological tourism can be found in the management of some natural parks and marine protected areas that have adapted their business models to prioritize environmental protection over consumer tourism. This is done through specific policies, some of the most common are the following:
Limit the number of visitors and private vehicles
It is a essential measure to reduce the impact of mass tourism. Tickets must be purchased in advance, allowing for better management of visitor traffic, never exceeding the number of visitors outside of the district director's control. Likewise, access by road is restricted, forcing tourists to access the protected environment in special transport for this purpose and avoid private transport.
Activities without disruptive effects
Naturally, the presence of tourists has an impact on the environment. Nevertheless, Those activities whose impact is not disruptive or irreparable will be prioritized. For example, daytime visits to natural parks are allowed, but camping at night is prohibited.
Create sustainable infrastructure
The best way to sustainably manage the tourist environment involves sustainably manage infrastructure for tourists. In this sense, simple gestures like placing a litter box in a parking lot help to work.
Create jobs and revitalize local economies
The creation of local jobs is favored because it requires the constant presence of workers. Such as rangers, veterinarians, tourism service personnel, local artisans, etc.
Environmental awareness
In the same way that the physical infrastructure is created, visitors can visit the environment in a responsible manner, they are also aware of the importance of their environment and the importance of their cooperation so that it can continue to be preserved in the same conditions.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about ecological tourism and its characteristics.