ECO - TOUR
Ecotour is a form of
tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed
natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to
standard commercial (mass) tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler,
to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic
development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster
respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s ecotourism
has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists, so that future
generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human
intervention. Several university programs use this description as the working
definition of ecotourism.
Generally, ecotour deals with living parts of the natural environments.Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. Ecotour typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotour is intended to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.
Responsible ecotourism programs include those that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these reasons, ecotour often appeals to advocates of environmental and social responsibility.
The term 'ecotourism', like 'sustainable tourism', is considered by many to be an oxymoron.Tourism in general depends upon and increases air transportation, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions from combustion placed high into the stratosphere where they immediately contribute to the heat trapping phenomenon behind global warming and climate change. Additionally, "the overall effect of sustainable tourism is negative, where, like ecotourism, philanthropic aspirations mask hard-nosed immediate self-interest."
Generally, ecotour deals with living parts of the natural environments.Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. Ecotour typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotour is intended to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.
Responsible ecotourism programs include those that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these reasons, ecotour often appeals to advocates of environmental and social responsibility.
The term 'ecotourism', like 'sustainable tourism', is considered by many to be an oxymoron.Tourism in general depends upon and increases air transportation, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions from combustion placed high into the stratosphere where they immediately contribute to the heat trapping phenomenon behind global warming and climate change. Additionally, "the overall effect of sustainable tourism is negative, where, like ecotourism, philanthropic aspirations mask hard-nosed immediate self-interest."
