Ecotourism is a huge catchword these days - but the benefits of ecotourism aren't obvious to everyone. Lets start with a definition of ecotourism, if there is such a thing. For some people, it means travel that is environmentally friendly. For others, it is a synonym for ethical or responsible travel. It's a new field and definitions are still evolving. Mine falls somewhere in-between: ecotourism tourism that has as little impact on the environment as possible, that respects local culture and that helps promote livelihoods. Ecotourism is possible anywhere: travel across Africa, and you can't help but be an ecotourist. You're surrounded by a breathtaking environment, and the rural nature of much of the continent means you'll rarely be far from village traditions. It's then up to you to delve into your surroundings. I crossed more than a dozen countries overland in Africa and nature, or the environment, was the greatest attraction in every single one, whether the national parks in South Africa, the coastal marine life in Eritrea, the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia, or the shores of Lake Malawi. Along the way, I stopped in villages and often stayed in local homes rather than hotels or hostels, providing some income for villagers and living close to the land. I would like to think that my carbon footprint on that trip was minimal.
So how can you, as a backpacker, reap the benefits of ecotourism?Here are just a few examples of activities that would involve nature in some way, not endanger the environment, and help respect local cultures:
Sound like fun? It can be even more than that. The benefits of ecotourism activities can:
The idea is to reduce your impact as much as you can, even if you can't eliminate it altogether. By simply getting to our destination, we damage the environment. Flying is not the most environmentally friendly way to travel, but for long distances most of us have little choice. What to do? We can offset our carbon footprint, as it's called, by buying carbon credits. In other words, we can pay for the damage we do, and that money goes to projects that repair the environment. First, we calculate how much carbon we've emitted and second, we pay for those emissions. The money is then spent on environmental projects that promote energy renewal, forest conservation and similar environmental activities. As for the benefits of ecotourism for everyone else...As we travel ecotourism offers us ways to see places we'd never see, in ways we'd never think. But what about the host communities themselves? If your dollars are spent wisely, here are some of the benefits of ecotourism they will reap:
Benefits of ecotourism: make sure business plays by the rulesEcotourism is travel's fastest growing sector and it's no wonder, with environmental awareness climbing and climate change finally on the world agenda. Of course business is trying to cash in on the bonanza. There are plenty of valid ecotourism businesses, but to qualify, they have to provide long-term benefits to a community and fulfil the following conditions, at the very least. They should:
Beware, though, the benefits of ecotourism are touted by plenty of commercial firms that have no business using the word: plunk a hotel near an animal watering hole and you have an ecotourism lodge. Forget it that the animals are being pushed out of their habitat by excessive tourism. That's just a detail. These 'less honest' businesses, by claiming to be involved in ecotourism, would be guilty of 'greenwashing', pretending to practice ecotourism but focused only on profits. When the benefits of ecotourism become liabilities, here's what can happen:
The more businesses apply honest ecotourism principles, the better the chances that the benefits of ecotourism will be shared by all - backpacker, local people, the environment. Ultimately, market forces will ensure businesses give us what we ask for. If we refuse to pay for environmentally destructive tours or energy-wasting hotels or facilities, we'll be voting with our wallets, and business will listen. Meantime, our money will be better spent on local people, offering us everyday pleasures, in surroundings that haven't yet been despoiled by excessive development. It's your call. Ecotourism resourcesNature Conservancy
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