Case studies of ecotourism Help In Understanding And Bettering Ecotourism In Different Parts Of The World
There has been a lot of interest evinced on the subject of ecotourism and many case studies of ecotourism have been undertaken in different parts of the world for different locations and widely varying conditions in a bid to better understand what ecotourism is all about, and how best to improve it so that it can survive under any conditions.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Is A Case In Point
A case in point is the case study of ecotourism that concerns the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Western Uganda, which is a good attempt at investigating how important and also how relevant is ecotourism and also to understand the awareness and understanding of ecotourism amongst local peoples of the area. Such a case study of ecotourism has a number of different purposes that include assessing the awareness as well as understanding of local peoples regarding ecotourism, assessing how has ecotourism contributed to the local population and finding out if the locals are indeed sensitized on ecotourism as well as the environment. In addition, such a case study of tourism must also delve into finding out whether people that are more educated have better understanding of ecotourism.
After making such case studies of ecotourism, it has been found that even though not many respondents were employed in tourism there was widespread support for ecotourism and conservation of wildlife. There was near unanimity that the idea of ecotourism was good and was well supported by the respondents and that ecotourism would generate income through selling of goods and services to tourists. However, there is a need to put an end to illegal activities that continues to exist even in spite of international interventions.
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.
Another good example of ecotourism is Belize, on which subject too there have been conducted many case studies of ecotourism, and this was among the pioneering countries to have embraced ecotourism which focused on attracting tourists to its own rich natural environment, which offered many attractions including diving for which divers came in great numbers regardless of any particular season of the year.
Ecotourism Australia
Ecotourism examples abound and can be seen in the instance of places such as the Lamanai area situated in the north of Belize, and in this regard much effort is being expended in not destroying the many attractions that such a destination has for its eco-tourists.
They too have a definition of ecotourism in mind, though another definition of ecotourism is the one set forth by Ceballos-Lascurain who was the first to make such a definition which goes like this Tourism that evolves traveling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated areas with the specific objective of studying, admiring, and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in those areas. There may be need to hold meetings as well as conduct conferences with those that are interested in ecotourism development, especially in protected areas, and also recruiting as well as training teachers who can then act as guides for ecotourism tours and who will be able to incorporate the various ecotourism environmental education programmes. The public had simply not been educated towards understanding the severity of the situation. The fact that there is great ecotourism potential is seen in the fact that today ecotourism is the biggest industry in the world with, it is believed, by the time the twenty-first century closes, there should have been approximately six hundred thirty million tourist arrivals with income accrued from ecotourism touching five hundred fifteen billion dollars. There are many businesses too that are engaging them in construction of camps and lodges as also trails and tours that facilitate the eco-tourist, and a continent that is particularly engaged in ecotourism is Africa mainly because of the many numbers of game parks and reserves that are ideally suited for ecotourism.
This makes performing research on the subject of ecotourism prior to forming an opinion on the subject.
As part of this statement, current issues in ecotourism as well as priorities for action to be taken are mentioned as also all of the matters that were discussed at the conference. It can stop such madness. Otherwise, the impacts of eco and mass tourism can lead to devastation of natural habitats and a great culture shock that can put the lives and survival of the local people in danger. Alarmism never works and will more than likely backfire if employed. There has been a lot of interest evinced on the subject of ecotourism and many case studies of ecotourism have been undertaken in different parts of the world for different locations and widely varying conditions in a bid to better understand what ecotourism is all about, and how best to improve it so that it can survive under any conditions. The goal is to have ecotourism be as positive as possible overall.
You can also search the internet for more information, just be aware that opinions differ on this subject.
There are many scary scenarios of the future that one can think up when man will have callously thrown caution to the winds and depleted all of the worlds natural resources and created cities that can best be described as jungles made from concrete and where the lakes and rivers as well as oceans have been polluted and animals have become or are going to become extinct, and carbon dioxide levels have risen alarmingly. To undo and even prevent ecotourism damage, there are even airlines that have been formed such as Nature Air that is based in Costa Rica which claims to be a zero net emitter of carbon dioxide thanks to investments that it made in reforestation projects that are going a long way in keeping the air clean. This ecotourism grant is available for individuals and also small groups, and the general duration of the project should be about a year, and applications from the developing world countries are greatly encouraged. Recent changes in the global environment, especially in the form of global warming, are really starting to make people take notice of their environment. |