Ecotourism Philosophy

The purpose of this philosophy is to orient you to the goals of ecotourism and make you aware of the issues surrounding global tourism in general. We will cover the goals of ecotourism and why it is better than other forms of tourism and also touch on its downfalls and what needs to happen to make it truly successful.

What Defines Eco-tourism

• Gain an Impressionable experience
• Contribute to protection and management of the local environment
• Respect and strengthen cultural standards
• Directly benefit the local economy

Purpose of Eco-tourism

• Develop a thoughtful and informed relationship with the creation
• Learn good stewardship and management of the creation
• Respond to become an ethical traveler in the creation

How to be an Ethical Traveler

"Prejudices about a country or people can best be removed by visiting the place"
- Margaret Mead

"We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams."
- Jimmy Carter

• Journey with an open mind
• Accept with grace and gratitude the diversity I encounter
• Revere and protect the natural creation which sustains all life
• Respect and thank my hosts for their welcome
• Travel as a 'guest' and not a 'customer' whose demands should be met
• Offer my hand of friendship to everyone I meet
• Support the locally owned infrastructure that is environmentally sound
• hotels, restaurants, retail equipment, grocery stores, etc.
• Appreciate all cultures I discover and respect local norms, dress, language, music and family values
• Be sensitive to the impacts of my travels on the local environment: wildlife, firewood, fuel, litter, water, garbage
• Be sensitive to the impacts of my travels on local traditions: hunting, fishing, dance, local rituals
• Encourage others to travel the world in peace with a servants attitude

Avoiding Cultural Damage

Threat to local cultural norms and values

• Dress
• Language
• Religious Practices
• Music
• Smoking, Alcohol, Prostitution, Drugs

Loss of Cultural Integrity and traditions

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Dance
• Local rituals
• Political policy
• Local infrastructure
• Dependency on tourism dollars
• Leakage
• Locally owned businesses
• Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Retail Equipment, Hotel
• Local environment
• Wildlife, Firewood, Fuel, Litter, Water, Garbage

What should we reasonably expect in our travels?

• Good drinking water
• Safe environment from crime and wildlife dangers
• Healthy and reliable foods
• Protection from the elements (screens, water proof roofs)
• Clean living conditions
• Mutual respect for our own culture

Varieties of Eco-tourism

• Educational
• Natural Experience
• Adventure
• Service opportunities
• Historical
• Cultural
• Low impact
• Advertisement

What Eco-tourism is NOT

• Based outside the Local economy
• Rely on skills or resources of anyone but natives
• Purely Wilderness or High-adventure travel
• Specialized trekking, climbing or rafting excursions

Economics of Ecotourism

Eco Tourism at the National Level

Benefits

• Economic justification to protect areas
• National economy
• Foreign currency
• Add-on feature
• Improve Infrastructure

Drawbacks

• Unstable source of income
• Political instability
• Weather (seasonally)
• Exchange rates fluctuate
• Tourism destroys tourism
• Leakage

Eco-tourism at the Local Level

Benefits

• Economic sources for nonproductive soils
• Employment
• Conservation ethics and values
• Local businesses and infrastructure

Drawbacks

• Drain on local infrastructure: roads, sanitation, garbage
• Drain on local environment: wildlife, foliage, firewood, fuel, vegetation, litter water quality
• Cultural damage

Eco-tourism at the Park Level

Benefits

• Revenue for programs
• Volunteer efforts
• Attract donations from special interest groups
• Career opportunities

Drawbacks

• Ecological stress
• Carrying capacity
• Damage to park in vandalism litter, fires, noise, feeding of animals, souvenir collection, sewage, animal behavior

Eco Tourism as Education

Learning Styles as described from the multiple intelligence approach to active learning

• Analytic
• Kinesthetic
• Musical
• Linguistic
• Intrapersonal
• Interpersonal
• Natural
• Visual