ECOTOURISMby NICOLE, JULIE, JUSTIN & TOMMY

AN ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles

Principles of EcotourismMinimize 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 host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

What is Ecotourism?World Conservation Union (IUCN):"Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples."

Ecotourism can provide to help to the Environment:

Can generate revenues for the protection of national parks and other natural areasCan enhance the level of education and activism among travelers and natives of the country.

Ecotourism DestinationsBrazilCosta RicaKenyaUS Virgin Islands

Do some research:The biggest tour operators all have rules about labor conditions, but it's hard to know what they do to ensure they are respected. Generally there is still loads to be done, which means that people wanting to go on holiday, and the types of holidays they choose, can have a really big impact.Ask questions:Ask your operator what they do with local communities. Find out how the locals are involved and the more questions you can ask the better. They might be questions that they don't know the answer to but will have to think about, and they are even better. Things like, "Will my shower water be coming from local wells?" Basic questions that might be uncomfortable and the tour operators should really shift gear.Be fair:Even where haggling is part of the shopping culture, Barnett suggests that the pursuit of rock-bottom prices is not the fairest option: "When you get to your destination you have to recognize that bargaining down to the last cent is not the most positive way of encouraging people to come out of poverty."Go independent:Independent travel can be brilliant. It can leave more money in the local community, you're more likely to stay locally and you're more likely to stay longer and get to know people. Often economies can benefit from the money in your pocket rather that the fee that you have pre-paid.Quick Rebuttal Points

From CNN.com- how to make sure where you go is ecotourism!

Responsible Travel MythsMyth: I have to sacrifice quality and luxury of accommodations. Reality: Many lodges, hotels, and B&Bs have very high standards for quality and luxury. They bring nature and culture within your reach, while still assuring your level of comfort.Myth: It's expensive! Reality: Responsible tours and accommodations come in a range of prices, depending on the level of comfort and convenience you desire.Myth: It's too difficult to be a responsible traveler. Reality: The internet makes it easy to plan and book responsible travel. When you arrive at your destination, there are simple steps you can take to make your trip environmentally and socially responsible (see "What You Can Do While Traveling" above).Myth: It means traveling to tropical jungles. Reality: Responsible travel often brings to mind images of exotic tropical locations, but the reality is that destinations, accommodations, and tour packages exist on every continent.Myth: It's for backpackers. Reality: People of all interests, ages, incomes, and backgrounds can travel responsibly, and there are plenty of family-friendly options

Flying Responsibly

Your flight can be the most polluting aspect of your travel. It is estimated that air traffic accounts for 10% of greenhouse gases worldwide. Opt formore environmentally friendly transport such as trains, buses, and passenger boats. Plan your trip so that you minimize air travel, and choose, whenever possible, to stay longer in a destination instead of making many short trips.You can help offset unavoidable footprint by contributing to credible carbon offsetting programs that support conservation, renewable energy, and other energy saving projects. Learn more about carbon offsetting programs and climate-friendly travel: Traveling with Climate in Mind

Referenceshttp://www.nature.org/greenliving/what-is-ecotourism.xmlhttp://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/travel/eco-travel/index.htmlhttp://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/the-worlds-best-ecotourism-destinations-52527.aspxhttp://www.eco-tropicalresorts.com/caribbean/usvirginislands.htmhttp://www.ecotourism.org/site/c.orLQKXPCLmF/b.5284981/k.CBDE/ecoDestinations_Caribbean__The_International_Ecotourism_Society.htm

Ecotourism is Sustainable and Low-impact alternativeJulie Richardson

UNEP, UNWTO, and The Rainforest Alliance partnered in 2008 to develop the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC)These criteria centered around what is considered the four major aspects of ecotourism:effective sustainability planningmaximizing social and economic benefits to the local community reduction of negative impacts to cultural heritagereduction of negative impacts on the environment.The GSTC are the minimum requirements for a tourism business to be considered eco or sustainable tourism

Ecotourism promotes sustainability Ecotourism strives to minimize the adverse affects of hotels, trails, and other infrastructure They use either recycled materials or plentyfully available local building materials, renewable sources of energy, recycling and safe disposal of waste and garbage, and environmentally and culturally sensitive architectural design. Minimization of impact also requires that the numbers and mode of behavior of tourists be regulated to ensure limited damage to the ecosystem.

Ecotourism vs. Mass Tourism

Atlantis ResortBahamasWater consumption per guest=300 gallons/dayDestroyed natural vegetation and used solely new building materials2,000 trees were planted in 34 different gardens (all non-native species)

Maho Bay St. John US Virgin Islands

Water:Consumption per guest=25 gallons/dayRain water catchments collect 345,000 gallons of rainwater/yearHeat water only when necessary with Solar energy

Other Green PracticesThey use 100% biodegradable laundry detergent and dish soapCut old sheets and towels to use as cleaning ragsUse spring action faucets and showersTrash to Treasure Art Center

Building MaterialsUse recycled materials creatively so most of materials used come from trashBuilt cabins and other buildings on raised platforms to minimize environmental damageConnected by raised walkways to prevent vegetation being trampled

Ecotourism CertificationGSTC allows tourists to differentiate between real ecotourism and tourist businesses that simply put eco in their name to attract customersMore than 170 US cities have adopted the criteria

Economic BenefitsEcotourismCreates incentives to protect environment rather than exploit itGenerates revenue from park entrance fees, concessions and revenuesCan be used to further support and manage the natural environment

Societal BenefitsEmployment opportunitiesTransition from poaching, logging and mining

Sustainable development and infrastructure for tourist locations

The prospering of local economies from tourist spending

The Case of Costa RicaSistema Nacional De Areas De Conservacion (SINAC)Part of MINAE

~25% of land set aside and converted into protected parks and reserves

20% of population works directly in ecotourism60% receive indirect economic benefits

Referenceshttp://www.untamedpath.com/Ecotourism/defining.htmlhttp://www1.american.edu/ted/costa-rica-tourism.htmhttp://lap.sagepub.com/content/36/3/93.full.pdfhttp://www.incae.edu/ES/clacds/publicaciones/pdf/cen653.pdf

Ecotourism andEnvironmental EducationPromotes:-Ecological awareness -Conservation of natural resources

Combination of recreation and education

Individual Involvement-Personal and Non-personal

Ecotourism andEnvironmental EducationEnhances attitudes and actions toward environment

Locals turn into guides/educators

Personal growth

Brochure

Sourceshttp://www.besteducationnetwork.org/ttviii/pdf/Arsenijevic%20Bohanec.pdf

http://www.american.edu/sis/gep/upload/Education-Ecotourism_SRP_Ben_Sander-2.pdf

http://www.onlinegraduateprograms.com/blog/2009/02/education-and-ecotourism/.

Rebuttal