Title: Eco-tourism
Course: Archive > Section: Eco-tourism

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The ecotourism approach

Tourism is an important contributor to many countries' economies but it can have negative impacts if it's not properly managed.

Rubbish clean-up

Ecotourism is a type of sustainable development, which tries to minimise the negative impacts of tourism.

Ecotourism encourages visitors to a country to leave a small carbon footprint, to the benefit of local communities and environments. It has become an increasingly popular option for many people.

The aim of ecotourism is to reduce the impact that tourism has on naturally beautiful environments. Any tourist destination can be harmed by increased levels of tourism. If areas are damaged or destroyed, they might not be available to future generations.

Guidelines for ecotourists

Ecotourism sets out guidelines for how tourists should behave when visiting fragile environments:

- Protect the environment - keep to footpaths, don't leave litter or start fires.

- Don't interfere with wildlife - don't scare or feed the animals.

- Protect resources - don't take too many showers or use air conditioning.

- Support local communities - stay in locally owned accommodation and buy produce from local people.

- Eat local food and drink - avoid products that have been imported from developed countries.

- Respect local customs and traditions - some communities are offended when tourists wear inappropriate clothes in religious places, strip off on the beach or behave in a rowdy manner. Locals appreciate tourists who try to learn the language and show an interest in their culture.