ECOTOURISM/SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

                    Ecotourism/Sustainable Tourism



Ecotourism is a niche form of sustainable tourism that focuses on responsible travel to natural areas to conserve the environment and improve the well-being of local people. While all ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism, not all sustainable tourism is ecotourism. Sustainable tourism is a broader concept encompassing the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts of all forms of tourism.

Ecotourism is a specific type of sustainable tourism that involves travel to natural areas with a focus on conservation, wildlife, and local culture, while sustainable tourism is the broader principle of minimizing the negative impacts of all forms of tourism on the environment and local economies. In essence, ecotourism is a niche segment within the larger goal of sustainable tourism, emphasizing responsible nature-based travel and the education of visitors.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is defined by three core pillars: conservation, communities, and interpretation.

Ecotourism is a form of nature-oriented tourism intended to contribute to the conservation of the natural environment, generally defined as being minimally impactful, and including providing both contributions to conservation and environmental education. The definition sometimes also includes being financially beneficial to the host community or making conservation financially possible. There are a range of different definitions, and the correct definition of the term was an active subject of debate as of 2009. The term is also used more widely by many organizations offering nature tourism, which do not focus on being beneficial to the environment.

Since the 1980s, ecotourism has been considered an important endeavor by environmentalists for conservation reasons. Organizations focusing on ecotourism often make direct or indirect contributions to conservation or employ practices or technology that reduce impacts on the environment. However (according to Buckley), very few organizations make a net-positive impact on the environment overall. Ecotourism has also been criticized for often using the same infrastructure and practices of regular tourism under a different name. Like most long-distance travel, ecotourism often depends on air transportation, which contributes to climate change.

Generally, ecotourism deals with interaction with living parts of natural environments, in contrast to geotourism, which is associated with geology. In contrast to nature tourism and sustainable tourism in general, ecotourism also usually intended to foster a greater appreciation in tourists of natural habitats and threats they experience, as well as local culture. Responsible ecotourism programs include those that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities.

• Focus: Primarily on experiencing and learning about natural environments and wildlife, fostering appreciation for nature and local culture.

• Activities: Includes guided tours, workshops, and interactions with natural habitats.

• Goals: To minimize environmental damage, promote conservation efforts, and provide economic benefits to local communities through alternative livelihoods.

• Ethical Management: Involves ethically managed, low-impact, and locally-oriented approaches to tourism.

Key Differences Summarized

• Scope: Sustainable tourism is a broad philosophy for all travel, while ecotourism is a specific, narrow segment focused on nature-based experiences.

• Goal: Ecotourism's primary goal is nature conservation and education, whereas sustainable tourism's goal is to ensure the long-term viability of tourism in all its forms.

• Relationship: Ecotourism is a form of responsible travel that aligns with the principles of sustainable tourism.

Principles of ecotourism:

• Minimal impact: Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts on the environment.

• Conservation funding: Provide direct financial benefits for conservation efforts in the destination.

• Local economic benefits: Generate financial benefits for local people and private industries, providing an economic incentive for them to protect their natural resources.

• Education and awareness: Offer interpretive experiences to visitors that build environmental and cultural awareness.

• Community empowerment: Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of Indigenous and local people and work in partnership with them.

• Low-impact facilities: Require the design, construction, and operation of low-impact facilities.

Examples of ecotourism activities:

• Taking guided tours in a rainforest to learn about the unique flora and fauna.

• Snorkeling or diving in a marine reserve without damaging coral reefs.

• Staying in an eco-lodge that uses renewable energy and manages waste sustainably.

• Participating in community projects, such as reforestation efforts.

Sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism applies to all forms of tourism and involves striking a balance between economic viability, social equity, and environmental protection.

Sustainable tourism is a concept that covers the complete tourism experience, including concern for economic, social, and environmental issues as well as attention to improving tourists' experiences and addressing the needs of host communities. Sustainable tourism should embrace concerns for environmental protection, social equity, and the quality of life, cultural diversity, and a dynamic, viable economy delivering jobs and prosperity for all. It has its roots in sustainable development and there can be some confusion as to what "sustainable tourism" means. There is now broad consensus that tourism should be sustainable. In fact, all forms of tourism have the potential to be sustainable if planned, developed and managed properly. Tourist development organizations are promoting sustainable tourism practices in order to mitigate negative effects caused by the growing impact of tourism, for example its environmental impacts. 

The United Nations World Tourism Organization emphasized these practices by promoting sustainable tourism as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, through programs like the International Year for Sustainable Tourism for Development in 2017. There is a direct link between sustainable tourism and several of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   Tourism for SDGs focuses on how SDG 8 ("decent work and economic growth"), SDG 12 ("responsible consumption and production") and SDG 14 ("life below water") implicate tourism in creating a sustainable economy. According to the World Travel & Tourism Travel, tourism constituted "10.3 percent to the global gross domestic product, with international tourist arrivals hitting 1.5 billion marks (a growth of 3.5 percent) in 2019" and generated $1.7 trillion export earnings yet, improvements are expected to be gained from suitable management aspects and including sustainable tourism as part of a broader sustainable development strategy.

              

• Focus: A holistic approach that aims to make all forms of tourism sustainable for future generations.

• Scope: Encompasses the entire travel industry, not just nature-based tourism.

• Goals: To balance environmental protection, economic viability, and social well-being of local communities.

• Practices: Includes measures like reducing waste, using renewable energy, conserving water, supporting local economies, and preserving cultural heritage.

Principles of sustainable tourism:

• Maximizing benefits and minimizing impacts: Manage all tourism activities to maximize positive economic, social, and cultural impacts while minimizing the negative ones.

• Resource efficiency: Make optimal use of natural resources and conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

• Socio-cultural authenticity: Respect the social and cultural authenticity of host communities and their traditional values.

• Stakeholder involvement: Ensure that stakeholders, including local communities, are involved in planning and decision-making.

• Visitor fulfillment: Provide satisfying and safe experiences for visitors.

Examples of sustainable tourism practices:

• Supporting locally owned businesses and buying local products.

• Using energy-efficient and water-conserving practices in accommodations.

• Choosing transportation that reduces carbon footprint, such as public transit or non-motorized options.

• Adhering to codes of conduct at culturally or ecologically sensitive sites.