History of ecotourism Began In The Eighties And Is Now The Fastest Growing Segment In Tourism
Ecotourism is tourism that appeals to people who are concerned about ecology as well as social consciousness, and in most instances, it focuses on local culture as well as adventures in the wilderness and personal growth and also learning to live in a new way that benefits the planet and its peoples. Ecotourism or responsible tourism is something that came into the consciousness of us humans during the latter part of the eighties, and so the history of ecotourism can safely be said to have begun during this period.
Aware Of The Need To Conserve Natural Resources
The history of ecotourism can also be said to have maybe have begun and been known to mankind for many centuries and one can trace the adventures of Charles Darwin as being a part of this history though it is not formally recognized as being so. Now, after the history of ecotourism has seen many changes, we are becoming aware of the need to conserve our natural resources and find means to prevent the ravages to nature that mass tourism is inflicting. As such, the present day history of ecotourism shows it as being the fastest growing tourism space in all of tourism as a whole.
This fast pace of growth in ecotourism can be attributed to the growing awareness on the planet of the need to not destroy the precious natural resources that are the target of certain uncaring people, and also because more and more people are now desirous of wanting to explore more natural environments rather than visit places served by mass tourism.
This growing history of ecotourism saw a major step being taken forward in promoting it with the announcement that the year 2002 was to be designated as the Year of Ecotourism by the United Nations. Furthermore, ecotourism has grown and added sophistication in the lives of peoples living in areas of ecotourism, and there is thus more disposable income with them and places such as the Amazon rainforests and also the Caribbean reef are good examples of the growing influence of ecotourism.
A look at the history of ecotourism in places such as Costa Rica shows how it has developed into an ideal ecotourism destination as is evident in what has been taking place here over the past three decades. This, in spite of the fact that Costa Rica is the leader in the world as far as deforestation rates and ransacking of forest resources is concerned having lost approximately half its forest areas between the fifties and nineties to much cutting down of trees. However, when faced with a cutting off of funds unless such a situation was not rectified, Costa Rica has turned into a good example of what ecotourism can do to a region and also country and to also positively impact the environment as well.
Ecotourism Game
What exists today is a sad travesty and a perversion of what the Delaware River once was.
If the present issues are taken properly and seriously into consideration and dealt with properly, then the problems surrounding ecotourism will at least lessen, allowing the positive remnants to be shown more clearly. The Prince Edward Island encourages ecotourism in general and is seeking to keep intact its natural heritage to ensure that its legacy will remain as it has for tens of thousands of years. Basically, ecotourism is making a trip to locations that are environmentally significant as well as sensitive and though it is now gaining in popularity, has in fact been known to us in one form or another for quite some time. Such ecotourism debates are centered on the position that there is a blue-green environmental spectrum in which even nature has a basic economic value.
Understanding the heart of ecotourism, or what the word really truly stands for is the best way to get to know the concept and to decide for yourself whether or not its something youre interested in participating in.
Another example of what is needed to transform nature tourism into ecotourism is seen in the case of Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. They wanted to see nature, live peacefully and visit places theyd never been. If there was no ecotourism, there would not be enough interest generated to preserve as much of the world as we do now. For those that know little about what ecotourism is, there is usually the question on whether or not people who say its a problem are right. One of the impacts of eco and mass tourism is that the wealth created it causes an increase in wage divides among the local population, and also between workers in the tourism industry itself who have access to foreign currency as opposed to those who work outside of tourism industry. Take for instance the Pacific Islands that are ideally suited for ecotourism and not for mass tourism.
Actually, it remains fact.
While there are a variety of different organizations that have been formed to promote environmental awareness, the fact is that many people do not choose to listen. Ideally, ecotourism policies would indicate that the entire fee go to the preservation of the environment. In any case, different case studies of ecotourism involving different destinations must highlight the potential of ecotourism as an activity that brings economic prosperity and which also will contribute towards a sustainable as well as social development of the host country, and which also promotes preservation of that countrys environmental as also cultural heritage, and at the same time ensures that local communities are also advantaged as a result of ecotourism. The Dark Continent abounds in national parks and reserves and the wildlife and natural beauty is ideal for the promotion of ecotourism. It also has a number of towns that are small in size, but are big in architecture and with tiled roof homes is harmony personified that is further enhanced by the friendliness of the local people. Actually, it remains fact. |
