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Ecotourism Myths

Posted on 26. Jun, 2009 by Abhishek Daga in Eco Tourism, Social responsibility

If you are the kind who is looking to combine some environment social consciousness along with fun and leisure, eco tourism is what you might be looking for.

Eco-tourism is a term coined to remind human minds of the importance and gratitude one should feel towards nature while one is traveling. The objective of eco tourists (if there exists such a term) is to contribute towards making a difference by helping conserve the same.

For the ones who stand for the concept of eco-touring, the opportunities are plenty. There large number of organization seriously dedicated in promoting environmental friendliness.

There are many travel agencies whose soul aim is to give you the real taste of eco-tourism. Having said that there are quiet a few loop holes which one needs to consider while planning a responsible travel trip.

Eco-tourism is more a fashionable term often associated with status and style. Travel agencies lure people promising them real eco-tour experiences. What you need to be aware of is that you might end up visiting the same crowded mall roads or seeing the same waterfall under the pretext of being on an eco-friendly tour.

All eco-travelers are expected to be well aware of their duties towards mother earth and even if they are not they would be adept at it at the end of the trip. Even the travel operators who promote their tours as eco-tours are liable to device tours in such a way so that they do justice to the essence of it.

Beware of operators who mint money at the expense of natural resources and local populations. Also of agencies who promise food in their tour packages to be organic and other stuff such as paper, food boxes etc ready to recycle. Don’t take their word to be final, rather research before finalizing your trip with them.

What travel agencies over look are that their packages include quiet a bit that is not eco-friendly. You might come across three-star and five-star hotels being included in eco-tour packages. Luxury is a misfit right from the food to the hotels one puts in to the places one visits.

Sadly these days, it is a common phenomenon for every travel operator to call himself an eco-tour organizer. Moreover tourism whichever it is includes cars, trains and planes as part of the travel. Air planes cause carbon emissions which are partly responsible for raising the green house effect. Forget the emissions and other things that cause hassles, you will even find believers who say that our very presence in these places causes more harm than we can possibly repair. This leaves most of us perplexed as we strive to know what really eco-tourism means.

To that there is a precise answer which comes from an international organization whose sole mission has been to save the earth and conserve it spiritually, culturally and economically.

According to them ecotourism is ‘responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.’

Backing the same thought process, lonely planet goes further and breaks it into three parts; 1) it minimizes environmental impact and when possible, serves as a positive force for conservation; 2) it respects all cultures and traditions and spurs understanding; 3) it operates in keeping with fair trade principles and has financial benefits for host communities.

For all the ones who want to pay back to the nature, eco-tourism is a step ahead.

Happy eco-touring…

Tags: ecotourism, environment, nature