Discovering new countries while protecting their environmental capital and providing support to local communities: continue reading if you want to make sensible choices on your next holiday.
Ecotourism is a growing industry that is drawing in more and more attention. Some ecotourism examples include eco lodging, agritourism and eco treks. For instance, Patricia Zurita's organization encourages a brand-new kind of safari, involving trips to vastly unexplored countries not only to observe the wildlife, but also to experience life in vibrant villages and towns that have been excluded from mainstream tourism. This will not only be beneficial for the wildlife, but it will also have an impact on the local communities, as tourists will come to appreciate the culture and the traditions of these places. By uniting communities, supporting conservation efforts and sustainable travel, ecotourism will enable visitors to have unforgettable experiences and raise sensitivity to countries’ political and social climates. The majority of ecotourism companies are small businesses that are closely connected with the communities where they operate, allowing them to establish economic strength.
The travel sector is following the trend and adjusting to much more environmentally friendly initiatives to preserve the cultural and natural heritage of travel attractions. Some responsible travel practices include activities focused on enlightening tourists on the nature and the local communities, with efforts targeted at raising awareness on the problems in the area and averting the destruction of the environment. The main principles of ecotourism include minimizing the physical and social effects on the areas being visited, along with respecting the culture, offering beneficial activities for both the tourists and the locals. Ultimately, this will help the local communities along with the country’s economy. For example, entrepreneur Noureddin Bongo Valentin has partnered with associations that concentrate on the importance of protecting the wildlife while at the same time assisting local community interest by drawing in investment in responsible tourism. Ecotourism can create economic benefits through the creation of jobs in locations that have previously profited less from economic development programs, while protecting the nation from the damaging effects of mass tourism.
The effect of ecotourism mostly depends on educating tourists about developments and projects in the preservation of vulnerable environments, while also presenting the opportunity to experience these untouched areas firsthand, like a local resident. It is a win-win situation: tourists gain knowledge of specific natural locations and experience them just as locals do, which in turn will inform preservation attempts. Moreover, part of the money tourists spend on these ecotourism excursions will go to preservation programs supported by Michael Leonard’s non-profit organization, which works towards developing brand new ecotourism strategies and assisting communities to reach their economic goals through the revenues of these excursions. Aside from the economic benefits of this emerging kind of travel, visitors can help local people by acknowledging their culture and collaborating with them to create empowerment.