Ecotourism Definitions and Criteria

Ecotourism essentially means ecological ecotravel, where ecological has both environmental and social connotations. It is defined both as a concept-tourism movement and as a tourism sector.

Born in its current form in the late 1980s, Ecotourism came of age in 2002, when the United Nations celebrated the "International Year of Ecotourism".

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The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people". However, this is a vibrant, new movement and there are various definitions.

Sustainable eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.

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Responsible ecotourism (being the responsible ecotourist) includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency, water re-use, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities are an integral part of ecotourism.

Many global environmental organizations and aid agencies favour ecotourism as a vehicle to sustainable development.

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Definitions of Ecotourism on the Web

some ecotourism youtube video clips (pick out the ecotourism ones !)

Travel undertaken to witness sites or regions of unique natural or ecologic quality, or the provision of services to facilitate such travel.
www.edu.gov.nf.ca/curriculum/teched/resources/glos-biodiversity.html

A tourism market based on an area's natural resources that attempts to minimize the ecological impact of the tourism.
research.amnh.org/biodiversity/symposia/archives/seascapes/glossary.html

Responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and sustains the livelihood of local people.
www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/ecotour-terms.html

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The practice of touring natural habitats in a manner meant to minimize ecological impact.
investigate.conservation.org/expeditions/guyana/glossary.htm

A combination of adventure travel, cultural exploration, and nature appreciation in wild settings.
highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070294267/student_view0/glossary_e-l.html

nature-based tourism which is ecologically sustainable.
www.forest.nsw.gov.au/education/glossary/default.asp

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The act of traveling with attention to nature¹s wonders and leaving them as they were found.
www.caltia.com/education/terms.html

Economic revenue generated by tourists who travel to a particular region to visit areas abundant in wildlife within beautiful geographic settings.
www.tigerhomes.org/animal/curriculums/film-vocabulary-pc.cfm

Tourism supported by natural ecological attributes of an area, for example bird-watching.
www.wetmaap.org/References/glossary.html

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Ecotourism criteria

Ideally, true ecotourism should satisfy several criteria, such as :

Conservation (and justification for conservation) of biological diversity and cultural diversity, through ecosystems protection

Promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local populations

Sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous people by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises.

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Increase of environmental & cultural knowledge

Minimisation of tourism's own environmental impact

Affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury

Local culture, flora and fauna being the main attractions

The wider picture

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For many countries, ecotourism is not so much seen as a marginal activity intended to finance protection of the environment than as a major sector of national economy and as a means of getting currencies. For example, in countries such as Kenya, Ecuador, Nepal, Costa Rica and Madagascar, ecotourism represents a significant chunk of foreign revenue.

The concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood and, in practice, is often simply used as a marketing tool to promote tourism that is related to nature. Critics claim that ecotourism as practiced and abused often consists in placing a hotel in a splendid landscape, to the detriment of the ecosystem. According to them, ecotourism must above all sensitize people with the beauty and the fragility of nature. They condemn some operators as "green-washing" their operations — that is, using the labels "ecotourism" and "green-friendly", while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways.

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Although academics argue about who can be classified as an ecotourist, and there is precious little statistical data, some estimate that more than five million ecotourists — the majority of the worldwide population — come from the United States, with other ecotourists coming from Europe, Canada and Australia.

Currently there are various moves to create national and international ecotourism certification programs, although the process is causing controversy.

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The problem with Ecotourism

One criticism against ecotourism is that the air travel to often remote places is not included in the "environmental impact calculation". A journey to a place 10,000 km away and home consumes about 700 litres of fuel per person.

Another problem is that some of the destinations visited by ecotourists are extremely sensitive to environmental impact from human use (e.g. Antarctica, bird breeding colonies) and can be damaged even by careful travellers.

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The responsible ecotourist - example mission statement

Economic issues - put as much back into the local communities that you visit as possible :

1. Buy locally made crafts and support local skills. Do not simply buy on price but on value to you: bargaining for a lower price for both souvenirs and services is often the accepted and expected custom, but don't drive a hard bargain just for the sake of it.

2. Try the local food and specialities. Many rural areas around the world are under threat from a reduction in their agricultural base and by eating locally produced goods you will help the local farmers as well as the local economy.

Local standards of living are usually very different to our own, so we need to realise that our economic power is great and we should not be abuse it.

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Environmental issues
1. Please never buy products that exploit wildlife or aid the destruction of species or habitats. Do not buy souvenirs made from endangered species, like ivory; doing so will only encourage the trade.

2. Consider what you really need to take with you. Waste disposal systems in many countries are ill equipped to deal with the increased pressures that tourism brings, and a few simple measures can make an enormous difference to the effect you have on your destination. Where possible remove the wrapping of packaged goods before you leave: unwrap soaps and take bottles out of boxes.

3. Pick up your litter as you would at home: bottles, cans, plastic, cigarette butts, apart from being unsightly, can be deadly to wild animals.

4. Environmentally friendly detergents and shampoos for hand and hair washing are widely available please take these, and use as little as possible. This will help to keep valuable fresh water supplies, rivers, streams and the sea free from pollution. Make sure you prevent soap polluting someone else's drinking water.

5. Remember that in many places fresh water is a very precious commodity and should not be wasted, so use a minimum for showering and washing.

6. Where any toilet facilities exist, however unsavoury, they should be used. Where they do not, always bury your waste and make sure it is never near, (at least 30m) from a water source. Your leader will give you appropriate advice on this issue.

7. Although most guides maintain suitable distances from wildlife, allowing the animal a suitable escape distance, there is always a temptation to get closer. For this reason please don't encourage your guide or driver to get closer to the animals than is acceptable and to take the most powerful lens for your camera you can get. Never feed wild animals or attempt to touch them.

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Social issues
You should try to travel with a genuine desire to enhance their holiday by learning more about the people of the host community.

1. It's quite easy in a small community to appear an arrogant rich foreigner, so be aware of the feelings of other people, and try to avoid giving offence. Learning a little of the local language and customs plus taking note of the dress codes can help reduce these barriers.

2. Please always ask permission before taking pictures of people, ritual events or special places like shrines. If people seem reluctant or look away then please do not take a picture. Be careful not to cause offence through your thoughtlessness.

3. If you are not sure please ask your guide or leader for advice on how to respond to begging and about appropriate gifts. It is usually better, for example, to give school materials or local food treats as a group, through the leader, to the school head or village head. Just handing out sweets encourages children to be a nuisance by begging, and may well ruin their teeth in a place where there is no dental service.

4. Extravagant displays of wealth such as ostentatious jewellery and technological gadgetry can be an incitement to robbery, as well as accentuating the gap between rich and poor, so please think about this when deciding what to take with you.

Responsible tourism is an issue that is important for the tourist, host communities and the environment. It is important that the local communities play a fair role in all operations and that provision is made to the long-term investment in these destinations. It is also important that you contribute to the conservation of the natural environment that is so often the reason for your presence in the destinations.

Above all, responsible tourism is about appreciating that it is the economic, environmental, cultural, social issues of an area that are paramount. It must be remembered that it is important for all of us to work towards providing a responsible future that benefits everyone.

Ecotourism covers vacations and responsible travel.The International Ecotourism Society discusses responsible tourism, sustainable tourism, adventure holidays, gap holidays, global ecological tourism and has access to the Ecotourism club.

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