Ecotourism is travel that is becoming popular across the globe. But what is ecotourism? Also referred to as ecological tourism, this is the travel that involves going to be pristine, fragile, undisturbed, or protected natural areas.
Unlike mass tourism, ecotourism is on a small scale with a low impact on the locals and the environment at large. It is tourism that focuses on protecting fragile ecosystems, funding conservation efforts, supporting personal growth, and ensuring a sustainable environment.
The Concept of Ecotourism
Although this is not a new concept, it is being embraced across the globe. Some are misusing it, while others misunderstand. Most people are used to mass or conventional tourism, but ecotourism gives alternative tourism to travelers.
It is a way of making sure that tourism does not lead to negative impacts on the community, economy, and the environment at large.
Types of Ecotourism
Ecotourism is wide and involves different travel. Facilities used, how resources are used, and how well nature and host communities are taken care of determine whether a destination supports eco-tourism.
Responsible Tourism: - It is ecotourism that focuses on reducing negative impacts on the environment.
Agro-tourism: This is a type of ecotourism that focuses on rural farming and encourages tourists to experience agricultural life in various destinations. It is about sustainable farming, volunteer opportunities, and specific cultivation. It is ideal in small communities.
Sustainable tourism: This is a type of ecotourism that does not over-consume resources and considers future travelers’ experiences.
Community-based tourism: It is a type of ecotourism that involves the community in development and operations. This allows them to enjoy tourism benefits.
Green tourism: This involves facilities such as eco-lodges and activities, such as eco-trekking. These facilities and activities operate in eco-friendly environments.
Pro-tourism: This type of ecotourism focuses on reducing poverty in the local communities, especially in developing countries. They make this possible when the community is involved in the development and operations.
Cultural tourism: In this type of tourism, tourists focus on not only observing unique cultures but also in interacting with them. The core value is to learn from other cultures and to broaden perspective.
Nature-based tourism: In this kind of ecotourism, tourists engage in activities and visit destinations, with the focus being nature.
Adventure tourism: This is for those that enjoy taking risks. It is not for the faint-hearted as it involves a lot of uncertainty.
What are the Benefits of Eco-tourism?
There are many benefits to ecotourism, including:
- It can help to protect the environment. Ecotourism can help to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable practices.
- It can benefit local communities. Ecotourism can provide income and jobs for local people, and it can also help to preserve traditional cultures.
- It can provide educational opportunities. Ecotourism can help people to learn about the environment and culture of different places.
- It can be a fun and rewarding experience. Ecotourism can be a great way to experience nature and learn about new cultures.
What are the Challenges of Ecotourism?
There are also some challenges associated with ecotourism, including:
- It’s difficult to define ecotourism. There is no one definition of ecotourism, and it’s difficult to distinguish between ecotourism and other types of tourism.
- It’s difficult to ensure that ecotourism is sustainable. Ecotourism can have a negative impact on the environment if they do not manage properly it.
- It’s difficult to ensure that ecotourism benefits local communities. Ecotourism can benefit local communities, but it is important to ensure that the benefits are evenly distributed.
