Ecotourism
Ecotourism has been developed following the environmental movement which appeared at the beginning of the seventies. The growing interest of people for environment and trips oriented towards fresh air, in addition to the growing dissatisfaction towards mass tourism, highlighted to the tourism industry a need for ecotourism. Besides, the understanding and the agreement with the principles of nature preservation and durability for a growing portion of the population took part in the evolution of the term "ecotourism".
Budowski (1976) is usually cited as the pioneer for the ecotourism concept. In his article Tourism and Environmental Conservation: Conflict, Coexistance or Symbiosis?, Budowski admits that the relation between tourism and natural environment tends to be in conflict, but believes that there exists a possibility for a relation based upon mutual benefits. His description of the possible symbiotic relation that could follow from this corresponds to our contemporary idea of ecotourism.
Definitions for ecotourism
Ecotourism is often considered as a form of tourism with "a strong motivation". There is no universal definition for ecotourism. It is usually considered as a "tourism favourable to the environment", which is, on a practical level, variously interpreted according to the country.
In the absence of a clear and recognized definition, the definition for the International Society for Eco-Tourism (1991) is: "... a responsible tourism in natural environment which preserves it and participates to the well-being of local populations".
According to the World Conservation Union (1996), it can be defined as "... the visit of natural environments remained relatively intact... with a low negative impact... including a socio-economical implication for the local populations which is at the same time active and beneficial".
Characteristics of ecotourism
Although it is difficult to define ecotourism, it presents several characteristics:
- the destination is generally a natural environment which is not polluted;
- its attractions are its flora and its wildlife, and more generally it bio-diversity;
- ecotourism must support the local economy and the specificity of the place;
- it must contribute to the preservation of the environment, and more generally, promote the preservation of nature;
- eco-tourist stays often include an educational aspect.
Lasting tourism or ecotourism?
Ecotourism should not be confounded with lasting tourism. The former is a type of tourism (such as sport, cultural, leisure, or adventure tourism), whereas the latter refers to the way tourism must be applied to all of these types of tourism. If the principles of lasting tourism are applied, all of theses types of tourism may be defined as lasting.
Whereas the first definitions of ecotourism stressed the proximity with nature that tourists looked for, more recent definitions aimed at placing the accent on a variety of principles associated to the concept of lasting tourism. Nowadays, we commonly admit that ecotourism includes the principles of lasting tourism regarding the impact of such an activity on economy, society, and environment, and additionally, it includes the following specific principles which distinguish it from the broader concept of lasting tourism:
- ecotourism actively contributes to the natural and cultural heritage protection;
- ecotourism includes local and native populations in its planning, development, and exploitation, and it contributes to their well-being;
- ecotourism offers to visitors an interpretation of the natural and cultural heritage;
- ecotourism lends itself better to individual travelling and travelling organized for small groups.
To summarize, an analysis of definitions brings us to consider three dimensions which characterize the essence of ecotourism:
- a tourism axed on nature;
- an educational aspect;
- a need for durability.
Pictures gallery
Your opinion ?
Dico-dico