Share on Facebook. Although scuba divers try to be careful, any tourist scuba business is going to have a negative impact on fragile coral marine environments. So, is ecotourism worth it? In fact, if you ask these children where our food comes from, they will often respond: “From the grocery store” . Ecotourism helps people to explore such places that haven’t been touched by human hands. Introduction Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that protect the environment and improve the welfare of local people (International Ecotourism Society (TIES), 2005). Cons of ecotourism Too many people may come into a particular ecosystem, disturb the organisms that live there, and cause destruction to their habitat In some cases, habitat can be “loved to death,” where ecotourists may unsustainably harvest things for souvenirs, disturb wildlife and other organisms, and trample on plants, and compact the soil during their tourist activities. The preservation of our ecosystems is also not for free and the additional money that can be earned through ecotourism can also be used to preserve natural habitats or for reforestation projects so that the overall quality of our natural habitats can be improved. Medical Informatics: An inventive approach for optimal healthcare! The domestication of animals is an unnatural process and we should try to keep animals wild instead of turning them into pets since this is their original nature. It provides sustainable income for local communities. Ecotourism might be something of a double-edged sword. However, some critics consider ecotourism to be unethical and more detrimental than regular tourism. Is the organization supporting basic rights of locals while enhancing the well-being of communities? In terms of ecotourism pros and cons, there are several key points which should be considered before embracing this form of economic growth. By. After all, ecotourism is the fastest growing kind of tourism in the world. Consequently, before you book a trip, make sure that the activities that you will take part in will actually be eco-friendly and not only an advertising promise that will not be kept at all. Even though this might be great for tourists, especially for children since they will be able to get in touch with those animals and can also feed them, it will be rather bad for our environment. For instance, on many trips related to ecotourism, organizers of those trips take great care that tourists don’t consume too many natural resources. Although humans may take great care to respect nature and to minimize their adverse impact on local ecosystems through ecotourism, chances are that this kind of tourism may still lead to some ecological imbalance in the long run. 1. In many countries, this term is not protected and many travel agencies use this term as bait in order to lure tourists into their activities, even though those activities may have nothing to do with eco-tourism at all. “We’re trying to find a tourism model that allows communities to thrive while business prospers.”. It is felt by some environmentalists that there should be some parts of the world that are ‘off bounds’ for any tourists as any human activity will damage the eco system and disrupt the routine of the animals. Crystal Lombardo - January 31, 2015. Many children, especially if they grow up in big cities, will have no connection at all to nature. Curious about budget travel? PROS of Ecotourism. As we have seen before, there are many advantages and disadvantages of ecotourism. Another problem of ecotourism is that wild animals may get used to humans over time. If there are possible discrepancies, like with the Maasai, use your discretion to discern whether or not the organization is ethical. But developing economies can be put at risk when industrialized countries influence their growth and decision-making. Therefore, ecotourism can also help to preserve ancient knowledge that had been handed on for many thousands of years. Ecotourism Pros Ecotourism Cons; Ecotourism can help to protect our planet: Wild animals may get used to humans: Can raise our awareness on ecological problems: Ecotourism is not entirely green: Can protect animals and plants: You still have to fly long distances: Ecotourism can help to educate our kids “Ecotourism” is subject to significant discretion In turn, this can greatly benefit the local population since higher investments in infrastructure can also lead to higher overall education levels, which is crucial to overcome poverty in the long run. In turn, our ecosystems can continue to develop in an almost entirely natural manner. However, in order to make those souvenirs, many animals have to lose their lives. In order to solve our environmental problems, it is not only crucial to improve the awareness of adults, it is also quite important that we educate our children about those problems and how we can solve them. Hence, ecotourism can be regarded as an eco-friendly way to spend your vacation. Apr 14, 2015. Take what you need. A member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. Another upside of ecotourism is that people will not only learn about our environmental problems and how to solve them, they will also learn how they can improve their ecological footprint in various parts of their daily life. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_2',141,'0','0']));In order to solve our environmental problems, it is also crucial that we raise the awareness of the general public on those important topics. Promote local culture: Ecotourism not only provide job opportunities but also contribute to the preservations of traditional practices. Pros and cons of ecotourism for local communities Pros and cons of ecotourism for local communities . eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-4','ezslot_11',175,'0','0']));After finishing university, I traveled around the world. Obey the regulations of the ecotourism organization exactly. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet. Some people still dispose of their trash in nature, which can lead to excessive littering in the long run. Does it educate or objectify? Many people are still not yet aware of how important it really is that we solve our global problems in the near future in order to ensure the livelihood of many future generations. Ecotourism refers to a sustainable solution to preserve ecosystems around the world while offering a good source of income for locals living in that area. In fact, it can be quite fascinating to experience those cultures since many indigenous people still live pretty original lifestyles which are quite different from how we live in our rich Western world. To explore the world, just as in any other form of tourism, but to do so without damaging the world as it is. At our current age, it is quite easy to share information over social media and places that had been secret for a long time will now become subject to the awareness of the general public. Usually, the ecosystems of these places have little to no interaction with human society, providing scientists with valuable biological information and tourists with breathtaking experiences.