Benidorm, Spanish seaside resort; symbol of mass tourism. Flickr user: JosSoria.
With the approach of summer, many are starting to book their travel plans for the season. In this intense reflection period, here’s something that you might be interested in: sustainable tourism. Rather than choosing an all-inclusive travel package with golf and swimming pools where you will not leave your residence, discover a new travel concept: ecotourism or green tourism, a responsible leverage to link environmental, economic, cultural and social concerns.
Tourism has grown exponentially in the last forty years. Economic motivation has guided this development and gave birth to the tourism industry that we all know: energy consuming, emitting greenhouse gas emissions, waste, participating in the urbanization of natural areas and sometimes generating disorder in the society (expropriation, struggle for water access, etc…)
With the advent of globalization, world tourism exploded in the last 30 years. In 2010, nearly 935 million international tourists traveled the world. Even if the current economic crisis slows tourism development, growth of this sector is estimated at over 4% per year for the next ten years. The development of emerging countries and the mobility of their citizens could raise that number to 1.6 billion by the year 2020 according to data from the World Tourism Organization.
However, tourism effects are often perverse, particularly on the environment and on the local economy. For instance, a tourist in Spain consumes 440 liters of water per day, almost double the water volume consumed by local residents, according to a study published by UNESCO in 2006. Another instructive example is that 80% of expenditures made under the all-inclusive tours go to the airlines, hotel chains and other international businesses. In contrast, the smaller independent eco-lodges buy local products and redistribute up to 95% of tourist expenditures in the local economy according to a study entitled Economic Impacts of Tourism published by the United Nations Environment Program.
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” Indian Proverb
Today, environmental awareness, reinforced by the emergence of citizen movements and increased sensitivity to the state of the planet and to the inequality among peoples, entices territories to think differently about tourism development. In addition to the economic dimension, it is now necessary to integrate the environmental, social and ethical components.
Oregon, a legendary spot for outdoor lovers. Flickr user Rgtmum.
In 1983, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain described the concept of ecotourism as “a new travel concept of discovery in a preserved nature with an emphasis on education and community awareness.” This is a responsible form of travel that contributes to environmental protection and to the well being of local people. It aims to be economically viable with consideration to their natural areas, local culture, resources and local people.
Unlike nature tourism where practice of an activity has a core recreational purpose, sustainable tourism conceives the leisure activity as a vehicle for discovery and exchange with the entire territory. For example, scuba diving alone in a secluded cove is not ecotourism. Although this activity does not generate a negative impact on the environment, it does not take part in its protection. However, if you do the same activity with a native guide, it is considered ecotourism because it helps generate revenue that will be used to employ people locally and to preserve a protected area.
Ecotourism is developed on all continents
Now that you have been seduced by the ecotourism concept, you just have to find the ideal destination. Whether it’s at the other end of the world or right next to you, there is an ideal place that suits you. Sustainable tourism is now developing in all countries which leaves you with plenty of options. To help you in your research, here is an interactive site based on new online social networks, which provides detailed information on emblematic places or less-known gems which are under conservation measures: www.protectedplanet.com. This site will help you discover wonderful areas that are unfamiliar and perhaps close to home! It also offers visitors the ability to upload photos of their trips in protected areas, write travel stories later published on Wikipedia, recommend places of interest in nearby sites, and then share all of it via social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Flickr. The shared information may inspire other users to make the trip for the benefit of communities, which are often poor and remote areas from the rest of the world.
Another very good site if you are interested in sustainable tourism is the International Ecotourism Society where you can find a green travel guide with the best eco destinations and tips for travelers.
According to the weekly magazine “Travel,” sustainable tourism could be 25% of the global tourism market, or about $ 473 million per year as early as 2012.
“According to several estimates, tourism linked to over 150,000 protected areas represents 1 to 2 billion dollars in revenues annually. These national parks and protected areas represent an effective response to the conservation and management of fragile biodiversity and ecosystems on the planet, while generating income and livelihoods for local communities,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.
So what are you waiting for? Book your eco vacation now and share your experience!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post! Counterpart International has helped implement a similar initiative in Alta Verapaz, Northern Guatemala with the help of USAID. The project supports community-run, eco-tourism and has led to an economic turnaround for once-isolated villages in the region. The results and success stories are inspiring and definitely worth taking a look at!
http://www.counterpart.org/news/publications-websites/community-run-tourism-generates-jobs-preserves-natural-resources-in-the-jun
One project activity involved using empty plastic bottles and other inorganic trash to build trashcans and even classrooms.
http://www.counterpart.org/blog/reduce-reuse-recycle-efforts-recognized-in-northern-guatemala-at-awards-cer
I’ll immediately seize your rss feed as I can not to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me realize so that I could subscribe. Thanks.