Ecotourism

Question 1

What is ecotourism?

Answer 1

‘An economic process by which rare/beautiful ecosystems and cultural attractions are internationally marketed to attract tourists’,
Form of sustainable tourism.

Question 2

What is the contradiction of ecotourism?

Answer 2

Increased tourism flow - damage harder to manage.

Environmental/sociocultural interests have to be balanced against economic aims.

Question 3

What are the positive ways of ecotourism? 3

Answer 3

1. Aims to build responsible tourism by developing tourism with dignity/managing capacity.
2. Encourages conservation - local/tourist education.
3. Environmental focus - solves environmental problems/global ecotourism ideas.

Question 4

How is ecotourism’s claim to sustainability questioned?

Answer 4

Travel companies quick to pick up public enthusiasm for exotic environments.
Costly small-group tours in luxury-based remote areas - regarded as ecologically sound.
‘Egotourism’ - ordinary tourists dressed up as politically correct.

Question 5

What conditions does sustainable ecotourism have to meet? 2

Answer 5

1. Visitor numbers must be limited to a level that the environment can sustain.
2. It must be set up/run in cooperation with the locals.

Question 6

How big is ecotourism?

Answer 6

Fastest growing tourism sector.
:Largely developed by small tour companies.
BUT only 5% market - doesn’t sit well with large dominating multinational companies.

Question 7

How are multinational companies seeking to become more environmentally aware?
What are the critics chatting?

Answer 7

Waste, water and energy management.
Green audits carried out.
Reward green initiatives.
Critics claim these strategies are for good public relations images.