Now more than ever, when the tourism industry has been widely affected by the COVID pandemic, it is important to use tourism in a way that can build both cultural and environmental awareness. Economically speaking, local communities can benefit largely from ecotourism since it implies using the natural assets and resources sustainably and productively. When you take a vacation in a developed country, ironically your money may end up outside of the same country in which you spend your money.
How is that possible? Think of all the international hotel chains you stayed in, worldwide tour operators you booked excursions with and the imported food you consumed and you might get a clearer picture of how much of the money you spent stays in that country.
If you opt for community operations promoting ecotourism, you are significantly increasing the amount of profit that stays in your desired destination, which that country or community can then use to invest in education, health, infrastructure and other important sectors.
Many cultures are very proud to help you discover their local customs and natural beauties, however what they expect in return is for you to respect these same customs and traditions. Many times, due to technological advances, traditions and customs are overlooked or disregarded to the extent where their uniqueness is drowned out. By turning to ecotourism and eco-practices, you are respecting the local communities and their way of life, as well as educating yourself and getting involved in unique, authentic customs.
It would not be an understatement to conclude that eco-travelling can encourage positive experiences for visitors and local people. You will have unique stories that will help raise awareness in others. Mass tourism offers to every one of its visitors the same food, accommodation and experiences.
This might include high altitude sickness while mountain climbing, decompression sickness while scuba diving, as well as motor vehicle accidents in regions with poor infrastructure. Ecotourism helps in community development by providing the alternate source of livelihood to local community which is more sustainable. Many view ecotourism as a viable way to protect the natural environment and create social and economic benefits for local communities.
Ecotourism a leading way for developing countries to generate revenue by preserving their rainforests. Similarly, ecotourism can reduce the need for poaching and hunting of forest animals for income. Just like ecotourism adds value to ecosystems and the environment, ecotourism also adds value to cultural traditions and practices.
As the world becomes westernized, traditional dances, festivals, methods for preparing food, or storing water may become obsolete. Natural Feature, Park. Dong Nai, Vietnam. Visit Website. Atmosphere: Family Friendly. Natural Feature. Hoa Binh, Vietnam. Ha Giang province borders China in northern Vietnam. Trekking tours through Ha Giang range from five to 13 days and itineraries include touring rice terraces, limestone karsts and visiting minority villages.
The view from the Ma Pi Leng Pass is surreal. You can book a range of tour packages with Culture Trip — from two-day hikes to off-road motorcycling adventures. Sa Pa Lao Cai, Vietnam. Lai Chau, Vietnam. These recommendations were updated on September 6, to keep your travel plans fresh. Ecolodges might not have all the amenities of a standard hotel but they have become the definition of eco-luxury — beautifully designed, comfortable and unique. Read More: 10 of the Best Ecolodges in the World.
It can also help inspire real change. All it takes is for someone to spread the word about ecotourism and conservation efforts for more people to get informed, make changes from home and encourage policymakers to make a real difference. Earth is already beautiful but some of its corners are far from pristine.
Ecotourism ensures that the world stays beautiful long term. It protects and preserves some of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. Ecotourism puts money into the hands of small enterprises and local communities rather than large corporations that cut corners to save money.
By supporting ecotourism holidays, you financially give back to the places you visit and help sustain the livelihoods of the local communities. Travel should be about enriching experiences and ecotourism does just that.
You get a much deeper cultural understanding of a destination and the chance to really appreciate its natural beauty. Ecotourism is not just good for the environment. Our own personal development and mental health reap the rewards of it too. It allows us to connect with nature in an interactive and respectful way which brings a multitude of benefits to our well-being.
Studies have also shown that exposure to natural environments is crucial to our psychological health. In other words, ecotourism makes us feel good. Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash. The answer is yes and no. Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash. Ecotourism and sustainable travel are often thought to be interchangeable, but do they really mean the same thing?
Sustainable travel and ecotourism are very similar. They both come from the idea that travel should have a positive impact on the community and the environment. For both terms, it comes down to making conscious decisions about travelling in a more eco-friendly, impactful and ethical way. Still, despite their similarities, sustainable travel and ecotourism do differ slightly. A suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long term sustainability.
Sustainable travel is a broader term than ecotourism because it refers to a set of guidelines rather than a form of travel. These guidelines are aimed more towards businesses and travel providers rather than the consumer. It essentially brings the overall principles of sustainability into the travel industry. In a nutshell, these principles are known as the three pillars of sustainability: economic impact, socio-cultural impact and environmental impact.
The focus of these principles is to make sure that the consumer has the opportunity to make environmentally sustainable choices in all aspects of their travel, including where they stay and what they do. The principles of ecotourism refer to a specific type of travel that focuses on conservation and the preservation of communities and ecologies. Photo by Adli Wahid on Unsplash. The easiest way to be an ecotourist is to visit a destination that is known for its ecotourism initiatives.
Ecotourism is usually associated with somewhere particularly biodiverse and tropical but you can actually find evidence of it all over the world. Ecotourism has seen a rise in popularity but so has greenwashing.
The term describes organisations that market their products as ethical and eco-friendly to appeal to consumers who want to make a positive impact on the planet. To avoid falling victim to greenwashing, make sure that the organisation is transparent about their operations. Volunteering abroad is a popular trend among travellers wanting to make a real difference in the world.
Despite appearances, volunteer tourism, otherwise known as voluntourism, is an unregulated industry. Some volunteer programmes can actually do more harm than good.
Think about how your skills can benefit the programme rather than turning up as an unskilled volunteer. Book activities with small-scale businesses that employ local staff as guides.
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