Is ecotourism compatible with mass tourism? Can one exist simultaneously with the other?
In order to answer such questions, we should first clearly define both “ecotourism” and “mass tourism.” Ecotourism can be defined as travel and tourism at relatively “unspoiled” locations that additionally places emphasis on making as little ecological impact as possible. The term “unspoiled” here refers to areas with little development, where nature is pristine. Such areas may be conserved or protected by law.
Mass tourism, on the other hand, refers to a very high volume of visitors to a specific location. Mass tourism is made possible by modern advances in transportation.
Seemingly, ecotourism and mass tourism would contradict one another. Large numbers of tourists visiting a fragile ecosystem would seem likely to have a great negative impact. However, in many situations, mass tourism can work as an ecotourism solution.
For example, many areas defined as suitable for ecotourism often suffer from low economic development. It is the lack of infrastructure and the low human population that contributes to the preservation of the natural ecosystem. But, because of the poor economic opportunity in some of these areas some local populations often turn to destructive behaviors just to make ends meet.
Such behavior can include activities like excessive or illegal cutting of forests to sell timber; overfishing, cyanide fishing and dynamite fishing; destructive mining practices; and so on. Such activity can quickly degrade the environment. Cyanide and dynamite fishing, for example, lead to the destruction of the world’s coral reefs. These reefs can take generations to recover.
Clear-cutting trees from hills can lead to landslides, flooding and loss of topsoil. Again, in extreme situations it can take many decades for the ecosystem to regenerate. Bad mining practices can have the same impact and often also lead to toxic contamination of the environment.
By encouraging ecotourism in such places, opportunities for employment of local people are created. The new jobs and development can be used to lure people away from illegal and environmentally destructive ways of earning a living. In some cases, high volumes of tourists may be necessary to sufficiently handle the local need for jobs and capital.
Now it may seem like attracting so many visitors would certainly lead to degradation of the natural environment and this would be the case with conventional tourism, much less luxury tourism.
However, ecotourists are a different breed altogether. For example, ecotourists are often perfectly willing to accept accommodations without electricity. Their rooms may be lit only by candles or lanterns using local, sustainable products. The cottages, lodges and other buildings will likely be manufactured as much as possible with locally produced, renewable timber or other building material.
Transportation to ecotourism sites may be accomplished using only paddled canoes, donkeys or by foot.
Under such circumstances, mass tourism may actually help to protect the local environment in a sustainable and cost-effective way.
Tags: Adventure travel, Ecotourism, Ecotourism expeditions, Is ecotourism the answer, What is ecotourism
