History of ecotourism

Many debate that ecotourism dates back centuries to early explorers, philosophers and educators. Others claim that it began sometime in the 1950′s when national parks and protected areas came into existence.
While there is little doubt that history has played a precursor to the development of social consciousness about the environment, natural resources, and surrounding cultures, the concept of modern ecotourism itself generally is accepted to have developed sometime in the mid to late 1980′s with a growing perception of environmental issues and concerns. This ecological awareness, combined with the attraction of exploring natural, pristine environments, led to the development of ecotourism.

What are the benefits of ecotourism?

Ecotourism benefits not only the traveler, but also the local people of the area, the environment itself, and even future generations. Because ecotourism is focused on developing tourism in primitive areas with a responsible approach that will not harm the surrounding environment, money is flushed into the community with little, if no, adverse effects on the natural habitat. Ecotourism creates awareness about the environment while providing education about ways of protecting and preserving it for future generations.

How does ecotourism help the environment?

Human beings are a part of the environment. It is therefore to be expected that humans will have some impact upon nature. It is an inescapable fact that human beings will, in some way, shape, or form, leave a “footprint” upon the environment on which they trod. By practicing responsibility in the ways we impact the environment, we are helping to conserve the eco-system of which we are a part. The funds collected from ecotourism businesses can be used to further conservation efforts and education. By educating more people about safe and responsible ways of tourism, and introducing them to the excitement and beauty the natural earth offers, we in turn are creating a greater desire in humans to explore and investigate these natural areas and their local cultures, thus stimulating the economy of these areas through tourism practiced in a responsible fashion, leaving minimal marks upon the surface. Ecotourism also promotes and offers an alternative means to local people and landowners of profiting from their land. By promoting ecotourism, they can avoid having to exploit the land for profit and help preserve and protect the natural resources upon it.

Here is another article on Ecotourism.

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.