Eco-Tourism, Non-Profit Information

Eco-Tourism

Links to non commercial information about eco-tourism.

Last updated 7/1/99

ECO-TOURISM is more than a catch phrase for out doors travel and recreation. It's true meaning bears a weight of responsibility for both tourists and service providers and many who use the word to promote their activities do not meet the criteria of it's definition in heart or in actuality.

* My brief description is that eco-tourism accommodates and entertains visitors in a way that is minimally intrusive or destructive to the environment and sustains and supports the native cultures in the locations it is operating in. *

Sounds pretty simple, but in fact it is sometimes hard to determine whether or not an accommodation or tour provider meets these guidelines. After being involved with eco-tourism, I am aware that one can never know what goes on behind the scenes of any given operation. Do they really recycle? Is the local community happy to have their presence? Are they supporting the continuance of culture or showcasing it like a side show? Are they involved with protecting the environment they operate in when visitors aren't present? Have they used every preservation means available that are practical for their venture or just those which are convenient? Are they competing with a local company and impacting their lively hood? The list of questions goes on and on.

* The ethics are ever changing. For example, some enthusiasts feel that activities such as deep sea fishing, even with a catch and release policy, is NOT eco-tourism. WHY? The gasoline used, the laminates and other oil based products that go into the manufacturing and maintenance of a vessel, the "cruelty" to the animals involved. All of these things are seen as factors which do not measure up with an inarguable activity, such as jumping into a wooden canoe and paddling out to a reef to snorkel and observe underwater life. There are others who stand firmly behind their belief that an activity such as deep-sea fishing can be eco-tourism if catch and release is practiced, the vessels recycle, don't dump off shore and use environmentally safe products to maintain their boat. * There are many activities which fall into this questionable zone. A few are: Sky diving, Para sailing & Hang gliding, Mountain Biking, Four wheeling, Swimming with dolphins and Helicopter & Plane Tours. But even a seemingly obvious activity such as camping may not be an eco-tour if the camp site disturbs the foliage and litter is left behind. Even horseback riding is suspect in some cases for the way the animals are treated, whether or not there is substancial destruction to the ground coverings from hooves and leaving behind of manure. A real hidden problem might be that locals who once freely used and roamed the land where the rides traverse on, may now be excluded due to a vendors insurance liabilities for using the poperty for their tours. So, you see , it's not so easy to tell what is a good eco-tourism provider and what isn't. Perhaps referring to some ventures as environmentally themed activities would be more accurate. But eco-tourism seems to be the word that every one likes to use to get your business if you are an environmentally concerned traveler. * Also from my experience, I know that the heart of a project and those involved may be pure and their means may be lacking but in cases where something worse most definitely could take it's place, it still serves in a positive way. Likewise, a project may seem 100% politically correct but at the heart of those involved is greed and eco-tourism is merely their means of achieving their self-serving goals. * So, you want to be a responsible eco-tourist? * Then your own heart must be in it. Here are a few tips: * _* Ask thorough questions about the obvious information you will be given up front. Tell providers what your specific concerns are. _* Realize that "taking nothing but pictures and leaving noting but footprints" is more than just a trendy saying, it is in fact the act of preservation. _* Stay on trails in the wilderness and off corals in the water. _* Learn about the native cultures before you travel and participate with them only as much as you are welcomed to. _* High profile companies are not always the best providers sometimes the truest cultural experience comes from the small personal server. _* Decide what activities or accommodations will suit what's right for you in spite of all the rhetoric. Like, will you learn a new appreciation of the environment you could not otherwise experience except by taking that helicopter ride? OR, do you have a health problem so that sleeping in a tent or other unairconditioned facility would prevent you from visiting or participating in activities at all? _* As with most things in eco-tourism, there are not clear cut pre-set guidelines, BUT by doing the best that you can to adhere as strictly as possible to the purest criteria, you will, by the trends you help to establish, motivate providers do the best they can to accommodate you. In other words, the better eco-tourist you are, the better the providers will become. _* Finally, if a provider has used the word "Eco-Tourism" in their advertisement and you feel they fall short of living up to that title with their services, let them know about it directly and report them for false advertising to the travel agency which recommended them or booked your participation, if any, and to what ever official tourist board they are accountable to. If you are not sure which agency this might be, no matter where they are located, you will probably be able to find this information from the Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory . * AS A RESPONSIBLE ECO-TOURIST YOU'LL HAVE LOTS OF FUN AND HELP SAVE YOUR PLANET WHILE YOUR'E DOING IT! * There are pictures of some of my eco-tourism activities linked from the Photo Index Page. There, you will find a short description of the contents of each photo. A brief narrative of the occasion appears on the same pages as the photos. If you would like to read more about my experiences in eco-tourism and what I am pursuing for my future in this area, check out my Resume For Eco-Tourism page. earth

LINKS to non-commercial information about eco-tourism. * HOME HOPES DREAMS MAGIC SECRETS JOIN EZINE SUENOS DREAM-PARTNERS PHOTOS ECO-TOURISM RESUME BACKWASH CONTESTS FUN-COOL-HELPFUL-LINKS SCHIPPERKE UAE FIBROID WEBMASTER ADS SHARE FORUM MAIL SITE-INDEX * PLEASE SIGN MY ALOHA GUESTBOOK! *

* LINKS BELOW ARE LINKS TO A VARIETY OF NON-COMMERCIAL INFORMATION ON ECO-TOURISM. SOME ARE WELL ESTABLISHED ORGANIZATIONS, OTHERS ARE A LITTLE OBSCURE. I HAVE CHOSEN TO SHARE THE GAMUT BECAUSE YOU WILL LEARN FROM EVERY SITE YOU VISIT, ALLOWING YOU TO DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS ABOUT ECO-TOURISM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SITES OUT THERE AND I WILL BE ADDING TO THIS LIST REGULARLY. IF YOU KNOW OF A GOOD ONE, JUST LET ME KNOW. * *Audubon Institute - Organization which advocates the appreciation and conservation of the world's diverse eco-systems, including swamps, grasslands, and the ocean.

*Adventure Travel Society - The Adventure Travel Society (ATS) is dedicated to promoting natural resource sustainability, economic viability, and cultural integrity through the development of tourism.

*Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism- Assn (AWRTA) PO Box 22827 Juneau, AK 99802 USA Contacts: Steve Behnke, Ellen Maling Tel: 907 463 3038 Fax: 907 463 3280 E-Mail: awrta@alaska.net Web: www.alaska.net/~awrta NGO/Non-Profit Organization - Tourism Organization Region of Work or Research: U6

*Bio-Parks Network-An initiative of The Portuguese Institute of Ecology (INPECO) this organization is looking at ways to conserve, preserve and foster sustainable economic growth in Portugal.Cetacean Society International. A U.S. based non-profit organization which serves worldwide to preserve all ...

*Coastal Ecosystems Research Foundation - Whale Research Eco-volunteer Trips in British Columbia, Canada. Be a biologist for a week! The CERF is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to fund ecological research through eco-tourism. Research is presently focused on the whales and dolphins of British Columbia.

*Eco-Tourism-Eco Tourism in its purest sense, is an industry which attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income, employment, and the conservation of local cultures.

*Eco Tourism Florida Keys- A brief overview of the Keys fragile eco-system, societies involved in it's preservation and articles by Christi Mathews.

*Eco Tourism Society- ECOTOURISM EXPLORER - Eco-Traveler Page-This page is designed to help tourists travel in a responsible manner. There are several very informative articles and links from this page which is why I include it here in spite of the fact that it links to some commercial interests.

*Ecotravel Center & Trade- Conservation International 's guide to ecotravel information to assist travellers self-design exciting travel experiences that benefit conservation and provide opportunities for local COmmunities.

*Eco Travels in Latin America - This website deals broadly with environmental travel. This page provides the specificlinks to materials on the EcoTravels site as well as other Internet resources that will be of great use to travelers, researchers and entrepreneurs.

*Environmental Careers: Choices- C A R E E R The Environmental Careers Organization a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of individuals' environmental careers Strategies for Pursuing a Career in Marine Mammal Science prepared by The Society for Marine...

*Environment Links on the Web- Environment Links on the Web. Includes energy, conservation,wildlife, oceanography, Sierra Club, EPA,newgroups and more!

*Friends of the Trees Society - promotes sustainable living, ecotourism, agraforestry, and ethical wild-crafting worldwide.

*Futuro Model Rain Forest Lodge - The Strategy: To build and operate a non-profit international eco-tourism training facility and provide sufficient cash flow to sustain the facility from eco-tourism profits earned by the Futuro Rain Forest Lodge.

*Indonesian Community Development Center - sponsors community development projects, including ones that involve eco-tourism, agriculture, and internet access. The geographic focus in on West Irian and Irian Jaya.

*Programme for Belize -The Issue The Government of Belize, along with international organizations and corporations, are attempting to preserve the country's natural resources through a program called the Programme For Belize (PFB).

*Research - Ecotourism - Net Links - Ecotourism Research resources, from your Mining Company Guide

*Sierra Club - Although membership is required for participating in many of the activities which are organized by this club, the dues are minimal and are primarily used for accomplishing their preservation goals.

*Suriname Opens Its Rain forest After a Civil War- Another Culture Bites The Dust: Suriname Opens Its Rain forest After a Civil War, But Leaves A Journalist Wondering, What Does Eco Tourism Really Mean, Anyway?

*Sustainable Development, Eco - Tourism and Globalization: Are They Compatible- Interdisciplinary Minor in Global Sustainability, University of California, Irvine Student papers, Spring 1998 Instructor: Peter A. Bowler Sustainable Development, Ecotourism, and Globalization: Are They Compatible? By Andrea Yoder

*Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory -The TOWD is a guide to official tourism information, an index listing only official government tourism offices, convention and visitors bureaus, and similar agencies. No travel agents, tour operators or hotels.

*VETA-Virginia EcoTourism Association- About VETA. Virginia Beach VATourism Development Resources Guide- This site provides a guide to tourism development resources particularly for ecotourism, adventure tourism, and other areas of specialty tourism. Tourism Development Resources Guide, Guides and Directories Associations & Societies of Official Tourism. Membership Information.

* HOME HOPES DREAMS MAGIC SECRETS JOIN EZINE SUENOS DREAM-PARTNERS PHOTOS ECO-TOURISM RESUME BACKWASH CONTESTS FUN-COOL-HELPFUL-LINKS SCHIPPERKE UAE FIBROID WEBMASTER ADS SHARE FORUM MAIL SITE-INDEX * earth

* PLEASE SIGN MY ALOHA GUESTBOOK! * This page copyrigted by Wanda Hope Carter 1999. All rights reserved. No duplication, copying or downloading of any materials in part or in whole without express written permission.