What to Expect from an Ecotour
Greentips: May 2006
The Internet has given people an opportunity to learn more about exotic locales around the world, and many entrepreneurs are more than happy to help people visit these remote destinations. Unfortunately, adventure-seeking travelers can have a negative impact on local ecosystems and communities, in the form of natural resource depletion, soil erosion, air and water pollution, habitat loss, decreased biodiversity, and heightened vulnerability to forest fires.
A growing awareness of these problems has fueled a more sustainable approach to travel: ecotourism. Ecotours are typically geared toward destinations with abundant flora and fauna and a rich cultural heritage, but unlike typical sightseeing tours, these packages emphasize interaction with local peoples, volunteerism, personal growth, and education.
The International Ecotourism Society has outlined guiding principles that both trip organizers and participants should follow:
- Minimize impact.
- Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
- Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
- Raise sensitivity to the host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate.
- Support international human rights and labor agreements.
Buyer Beware
Don’t assume every travel package labeled an ecotour is truly good for the environment. Some tour organizers use the term as a marketing gimmick to promote traditional sightseeing packages in remote locations―even to large resorts built in sensitive areas, with few or no benefits for the local ecosystem and community. The International Ecotourism Society maintains an online directory of member organizations that follow the tenets of ecotourism (see Related Links). Before booking a trip with companies not listed in this directory, it’s important to read the fine print. Thoroughly research any organization with which you are considering traveling, and ask whether it follows the principles listed above.
