The phrase ecotourism seems to be on the lips of many travel agents and corporations looking for new ideas in executive or "yuppie" getaways. But many "civilians" are wondering what ecotourism is and what is expected of them if they do go on a so-called ecotour. Ecotourism is defined in different ways, by different groups of people with different agendas. Many tourists are attracted to the adventure that is associated with many remote, natural areas. Others wish to encourage conservation practices in environmentally sensitive areas, using profits to restore habitat, change public perception through education, and develop community. However, local people also want the opportunity for new jobs and capitalist ventures. No matter how one chooses to look at ecotourism, it is a new element shaping the use of rainforests and other natural settings. Likewise, ecotourism appears to be altering the lifestyles of indigenous peoples and causing certain changes in local animal behaviors.

Ecotourism is generally used when describing any manner of recreation or vacationing in a natural setting. This definition could refer to anything from just staying in a remote area that is seemingly untouched to complete environmental awareness and sensitivity. Ron Mader has developed a rating system for ecotourist involvement and activities. Mader’s level 0 indicates minimal exposure to the delicate ecosystems that they are vacationing in. Level 1 includes monetary support for keeping the area as natural as possible, while level 2 requires some level of personal involvement with the landscape and its care. Mader denotes that all activities in a level 3 ecotourists’ vacation be harmless to the area itself, while level 4 requires that the vacationer take active measures to ensure that they leave the area in better environmental condition than they found it. The entire trip, including advertisements, travel, upkeep of the site, souvenirs, food, and all accommodations need to be provided for in a completely sustainable manner for it to attain level 5 status in Mader’s opinion. While this system may appear rigorous in its entirety, it seems that many more people are looking for more than just a few photo opportunities when they vacation. Some are looking for a way to give back to the earth for all that it has provided them. People want to get back to nature in a very real and positive way. Peter Bowler has written many papers on the effects of habitat restoration on the human psyche. Ecotourism is quickly becoming a new way for people to enjoy nature, hands-on, during their hard-earned free time.

Many critics and analysts of ecotourism have written about whether or not the activities involved are helping or actually harming rainforests and other popular sites of respite. Mathieson and Wall have extensively examined what many scholars and critics believe to be flaws in this method of travel. Environmental changes are seen to be caused simply by the building of hotels and accommodations, airports and roads in environmentally sensitive areas (wetlands, indigenous agricultural areas, wildlife habitat). The problems associated with a booming tourism industry have taken many small areas in different countries by storm. Towns have experienced many problems due to the poor planning in sewage system size, dumping of sewage effluent into the ocean, and the lack of water, all of which have lead to serious health problems for native peoples and tourists alike. Problems with effects from tourist activities and generally over-crowded conditions have also led to serious health and welfare concerns in these areas. Many countries that offer ecotourism opportunities are developing programs and activities that will help to limit and control the impact that tourism is having on the local landscape. Belize is an example of a country that has established a set of ethics and guidelines for its tourists to use to ensure a more sustainable tourism experience. Belize has recommended things from how to conserve electricity and water to protection of local ecosystems of interest (coral reefs, marine ecosystems, land species, and native artifacts). Natural areas that may be of interest to an ecotourist will benefit from ecotourist activities only if the tourist can contribute money to the maintenance of natural areas, for changing the patterns of use by local people or those who destroy rainforests and other highly productive areas. Additionally, these areas will benefit if tourists are willing to take an active role in the maintenance and restoration processes.

Ecotourism has been argued as a negative force of social change in these remote, yet once isolated areas of the world. According to Sachs, Ecotourists may in fact be traveling to remote areas in order to experience the customs and rituals of native cultures; however, they may not come equipped with a certain cultural sensitivity. In some cases, native peoples are forced to stage reenactments of history or rituals and customs that may not be a regular pattern of existence for them. Many times indigenous peoples are made to perform their customs, but during a time that is better for tourism, rather than during the appropriate season or day. Ecotourists paying for an "authentic" experience of native rituals are thus exposed to false images and beliefs, which perpetuates misunderstanding between these native peoples and western ecotourists. In addition, tourist money and behaviors are affecting the way in which native people wish to live. Westerners spending lots of money for luxury items on their vacation pumps more wealth into the local economy. As a result, local people have been seen to acquire the western desire for expensive things, leading to major changes in the lifestyles of these people who have lived simple, more traditional lifestyles for centuries. Also, tourism tends to change the local landscape, no matter the pains taken to counterbalance tourist affects, and may change the way in which local peoples are able to feed and house themselves, do commerce, and live. Likewise animal behavior has been seen to change when tourists travel in relatively large numbers through their habitat.

With all of the problems involved in ecotourism, even with all of the work involved with tourist contribution and local education, what can be done to ensure a more sustainable natural experience? Educate yourself on the history and cultural practices of the area that you want to visit to enable real interaction with the local people on an informed basis. Make sure that you follow the host country’s rules on water and resource conservation, try an active approach to local conservation activities, and find a method of travel and vacationing that will offer the local population some benefit for hosting you. Guidelines for evaluating ecotourism operators and agents is also available on the internet.

References

Ron Mader: http://www.peg.apc.org/~tasol/ecoforum.html

Bowler, Peter A. (1997) "Restoration As Cultural Myth"

Bowler, Peter A. (1997) "Toward a Transpersonal Restoration"

Mathieson, A. and Wall, G. (1982) Tourism: Economic, Physical and Social Impacts

Belize: http://www.belize.com/eco.html

Sachs, J. (1993) "The Display of Culture: A Comparative Study of Eastern and Western Tourist Brochures"

Animal behavior: http://www.wideopen.igc.apc.org/ran/info_center/ecotourism.html

What can be done…..:http://www.podi.com/ecosource/ecotour.htm

Evaluating ecotourism operators and agents (Deborah McLaren)

http://www.txinfinet.com/mader/planeta/1196/1196agents.html

Other Sources:

Baines, G.B.K. (1987) "Manipulation of Islands and Men."

Britton, S. and Clark, W.C. (1987) Ambiguous Alternative: Tourism in Small Developing Countries, London, Economist Intelligence Unit.

Budowski, G. (1976) "Tourism and Environmental Conservation: conflict, coexistence or symbiosis?"

Eber, S. ed. (1992) "Beyond the Green Horizon, Principles for sustainable tourism."

Greenwood, D. (1982) "Cultural Authenticity", Cultural Survival 6.2.

Jacobson, S.K. and Robles, R. (1992) "Ecotourism, Sustainable Development, and Conservation Education: Development of a Tour Guide Training Program in Tortuguero, Costa Rica", Environmental Management, 16.6.

El Planeta Platica: Eco Travels in Latin America

http://www.planeta.com/

Panos Home Page. "Ecotourism: Paradise Gained or Lost."

http://www.oneworld.org/panos/panos_eco2.html.1995.

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