What is Eco-Tourism?

In 1992, when I arrived in Hawaii spouting the benefits of Eco-tourism, there were very few heads nodding in understanding. I was lucky to find an opportunity to live out my dream of being involved first hand in the development and promotion of the concept. Ten years later, 2,002 was declared the international year of Eco-tourism by the United Nations and summit meetings abounded :) Then, searching for eco-tourism on the Internet located less than a dozen pages online that contained the word. Today, one can easily find a tremendous amount of information on the Internet and in publication. Local, State, National and International government bodies recognize and promote the concept as being good for the economy and the environment. Regardless of the degree of my personal involvement, I have vowed for the rest of my life to remain committed to educating the public about the importance of the subject as I believe a great deal of what our world and the people in it will evolve into can be changed for the better by the understanding, acceptance and promotion of the concept.

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ECO-TOURISM is more than a catch phrase for out doors travel and nature oriented recreation. It's true meaning bears a weight of responsibility for tourists and service providers. Many who use the word to promote their activities do not meet the criteria of it's definition in heart or in actuality.

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A brief description is that eco-tourism accommodates, educates and provides environmental and historical experiences for visitors in a way that preserves the environment while sustaining and supporting the native cultures in the local areas of operation.

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Sounds pretty simple, but in fact it is sometimes hard to determine whether or not an area, activity, accommodation or tour provider meets these guidelines. After being directly involved with eco-tourism for twelve years, I am aware that one can never really know what goes on behind the scenes of any given operation or within any particular boundaries. Do they really recycle? Is the local community happy to have their presence? Are they supporting the continuance of culture or showcasing it like a side show? Are they involved with protecting the environment they operate in when visitors aren't present? Have they used every preservation means available for their venture or just those which are convenient and easy to spot? Are they competing with a locally owned company and impacting their lively hood? The list of questions goes on and on.

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While committees around the world attempt to identify the essential ethics, they remain ever-changing. For example, some enthusiasts feel that activities such as deep sea fishing, even with a catch and release policy, is NOT eco-tourism. WHY NOT? The gasoline used, the laminates and other oil based products that go into the manufacturing and maintenance of a vessel, the "cruelty" to the animals involved are a few of the reasons. All of these things are seen as factors which do not measure up with an inarguable activity, such as jumping into a wooden canoe and paddling out to a reef to snorkel and observe underwater life. There are others who stand firmly behind their belief that an activity such as deep-sea fishing can be eco-tourism if catch and release is practiced, the vessels recycle, don't dump off shore and use environmentally safe products to maintain their boat.

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There are many activities promoted as eco-tourism that fall into this questionable zone. A few are: Sky diving, Para sailing & Hang gliding, Mountain Biking, Four wheeling, Swimming with dolphins and Helicopter & Plane Tours. But even a seemingly obvious activity such as camping may not be an eco-tour if the camp site disturbs the foliage and litter is left behind. Even horseback riding is suspect in some cases for the way the animals are treated, whether or not there is substantial destruction to the ground coverings from hooves and the leaving behind of manure. Another example of a hidden problem with eco-tourism promoted ventures is that locals who once freely used and roamed the land where the rides traverse on, may now be excluded due to a vendors insurance liabilities for using the property for their tours. (This, I have seen more than once. It is not as obscure as it might sound.) So, you see , it's not easy to tell who is a good eco-tourism provider and who isn't. Perhaps referring to some ventures as environmentally themed activities would be more accurate, but eco-tourism seems to be the word that every one likes to use to get your business if you are a nature enthusiast, outdoor adventurer or an environmentally and culturally appreciative and concerned traveler.

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I have also seen that the heart of a project and those involved may be pure and their means may be lacking. In cases where something worse could take it's place if it weren't there, it still serves in a positive way. Likewise, a project may seem 100% politically or environmentally correct but at the heart of those involved is greed and eco-tourism is merely their means of achieving self-serving goals that have nothing to do with preserving the environment or supporting local cultures.

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If you want to be a responsible Eco-tourist,

then your heart must be in it. Here are a few tips:

*Ask thorough questions about the information provided about a service or the property area. Tell providers what your specific concerns are.

*"Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints", is more than just a trendy saying, it is in fact the act of preservation. Clean your shoes and clothes between visits to various natural areas so as not to spread nonnative seeds and bacteria.

*Stay on trails in the wilderness and off corals in the water.

*Learn about the native cultures before you travel and participate with them only as much as you are welcomed to. Nobody wants to have their picture made while going about there daily business. Local communities that support eco-tourism do not exist wholly to do so and treating locals like they are all a part of the travel industry does not make for goodwill.

*High profile companies may or may not be the best providers for what you are looking for. They probably have the best brochures and relationships with large related associations such as cruise ships and hotel chains for referrals. But remember, just because a business has a large marketing department and budget doesn't mean they really have the best service. Sometimes the truest cultural experience and opportunities to see the most secret of sites comes from the small personal server. It is often more than worth the time to do research into who is offering services in any given area through publications, the Internet, travel agents and online phone books. If you are truly adventurous and decide to wait to see what is available when you get there, it is possible that you will find the otherwise unattainable local guide. However, you might also find the most desirable services or amenities booked, leaving you to fend for yourself. Regardless of how you explore, it is always best to be informed of the local customs and accessible natural areas before you travel.

*Decide what activities or accommodations will suit what's right for you in spite of all the rhetoric. For example, will you learn a new appreciation of the environment you could not otherwise experience except by taking a helicopter ride? One of my most memorable and almost sacred experiences in travel was a helicopter ride over the active volcano on the big island of Hawaii. Was that eco-tourism? In this case, I think so. the pilot avoided al but the most pristine of areas so as not to disturb residents or wildlife with helicopter noise. On the other hand a helicopter ride over Los Angeles would not be. OR, maybe you have a health problem that means sleeping in a tent or other un-air conditioned facility would prevent you from visiting or participating in certain nature activities at all. If you are interested in eco-tourism, the main thing is to get yourself out into nature the most sensitive way that you can in regards to your circumstances.

*As with most things, in eco-tourism, there are still no universal, "one size fits all" clear cut or preset guidelines, although there is much progress in determining the definitions. BUT by doing the best that you can to adhere as strictly as possible to the purest criteria, you will, by the trends you set, help to motivate providers to do the best they can to accommodate you. In other words, the better eco-tourist you are, the better the providers will become.

*Finally, if a provider has used the word "Eco-Tourism" in their advertisement and you feel they fall short of living up to that title with their services or land use, let them know about it directly and report them for false advertising to the publisher or travel agency that recommended them or booked your participation, (if any), as well as to what ever official local, state or country tourist board they are accountable to. If you are not sure which agency this might be, no matter where they are located, you will probably be able to find this information from the Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory.

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AS A RESPONSIBLE ECO-TOURIST YOU'LL HAVE LOTS OF FUN, learn about history and nature an experience in the healing properties of nature for the mind, body and spirit while helping to save your planet while you are doing it!

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This page and the Inspiration Motivation site is owned by Wanda Hope Carter, copyrights 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. Other Copyrights may also apply. No duplication, downloading, printing or any other copying methods of contents in part or in whole are permitted without expressed written permission.