Ecotourism is defined as tourism of exotic, endangered environments usually to support conservation efforts and research developments.
Usually, the ecosystems of these places have had little to no interaction with human society. This provides scientists with valuable biological information and tourists with breathtaking experiences.
However, some critics of ecotourism consider it to be unethical and more detrimental to these natural environments than regular tourism and advise against disturbing these ecosystems.
Before you book your next adventure, check out the following pros and cons to understand ecotourism's full impact on the environment and local communities.
Ecotourism provides the opportunity for not only environmentalists and biologists, but also tourists to learn more about the ecosystems and the biology and geology of a specific location.
Understanding the components of an ecosystem can lead to a better appreciation for different species and natural formations. Ecotourism also provides an impactful firsthand experience about sustainable living and eco-friendly practices and the impacts of conservation in nature.
In some cases, ecotourism provides more sustainable economic growth for countries than other forms of tourism.
Places like Ecuador, Nepal, Madagascar, and Costa Rica rely on tourists to support their economies. While regular travel and tourism usually return only about 20% of revenue back to local communities, ecotourism can return as much as 95%.
Ecotourism isn’t only about conserving environments; it’s also about sustaining communities. For example, Madagascar’s government has started promoting its tourism as an economic strategy to shrink its 81% poverty rate. Although it’s still in the idea phase, it’s possible that ecotourism could be the answer to their unemployment crisis.
Not only can ecotourism create jobs for locals, but it can also promote and preserve traditional practices. Locally grown food and crafted goods create a direct economic and cultural connection between the tourist and citizen.
Ecotourism promotes these cultural traditions rather than altering native customs to fit specific international norms. Some consider ecotourism to be a means to end cultural ignorance, stereotyping, and fear in the world through its ability to educate travelers.
Most ecotourism programs include educational components about environment preservation. The tourists can help spread environmental awareness by taking the information they’ve learned and apply it to their daily lives.
When people spend money on ecotourism, some of the investment goes toward conservation efforts like reforestation and endangered species repopulation projects. Essentially, the more money spent on ecotourism, the easier it will be to finance conservation projects.
In a global economy where many businesses exploit natural resources for personal gain, ecotourism introduces the idea of natural resource management. Rather than depleting resources to meet high demand, ecotourism suggests adapting a conscientious mindset to extract natural resources in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.
The growing number of tourists in many regions puts a strain on the freedom of cultural expression for many native groups. Natives are seen as a backdrop or prop during tour guides, objectifying cultural groups and encouraging stereotyping.
Sometimes local groups of people are displaced from their homes in order to make way for hotels, ecotourism expansions, and natural resource excavations. For example, in East Africa, about 70% of all national parks and game reserves are occupying land that was illegally taken away from a group of people called the Maasai.
What’s worse is that the Maasai did not receive any financial compensation for their loss. Not to mention, the new employment opportunities exclusively benefited educated professionals rather than the native people of East Africa.
Although ecotourism is specifically designed to counter environmental degradation, it can sometimes be its cause. Ecotourism specifically takes tourists to ecosystems relatively untouched by humans.
Introducing a foreign element to these delicate systems can disrupt in a number of ways:
In order to visit some of these exotic places, you have to travel long distances. Planes generate a huge amount of global pollution which can indirectly affect the local ecosystems of your travel destination.
Cars and boats used for local transportation could have more localized negative effects, which can also lead to environmental degradation.
Read more about how cars, trucks, and busses negatively impact the environment.
Ecotourism grows in global demand by about 25% each year. Many organizations are jumping on this trend, claiming their parks and programs are “ecotouristic” despite their negligence to adhere to eco-friendly policies.
Unfortunately, ecotourism has turned into a marketing ploy to entice tourists to spend their money on the organization's services.
So, is ecotourism worth it? In reality, it all boils down to who you’re working through, where you go, how you get there, and what you do while traveling to reduce your negative impacts on the environment.
If you’re looking to green-up your travel habits, follow these practical tips: