Tourism and the Environment - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 386

ECOTOURISM: COMMON TERMS USED

Ecotourism, geotourism, nature tourism, green tourism, low-impact tourism, adventure travel,
alternative tourism, environmental preservation, symbiotic development, responsible tourism, soft
tourism, appropriate tourism, quality tourism, new tourism, sustainable development, and sustainable
tourism all are monikers for similar types of tourist activities and developments. Of all the terms,
ecotourism and sustainability are most frequently used. The principle of both is to sustain or even
enhance the quality and attractiveness of the natural environment.
De nitions of ecotourism abound. Conservation International states, Ecotourism is responsible

travel that promotes conservation of nature and sustains the well-being of local people.

''

8
Dianne Brouse de nes ecotourism as responsible travel in which the visitor is aware of and takes
into account the effects of his or her actions on both the host culture and the environment. 9
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) ( www.ecotourism.org )de nes ecotourism as

''

respon-
sible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local
people.

''

This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should adhere
to the following principles:

''

& Minimize impact.
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Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.

Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.

&

Provide direct financial bene ts for conservation.

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Provide financial bene ts and empowerment for local people.

&

Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

&

Support international human rights and labor agreements.

&

The Travel Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) ( www.tiac-aitc.ca ) adapted a nationally accepted
de nition of ecotourism to assist and protect the reputation of Canadian tourism. This led to its nal
de nition:

Ecotourism is a segment of sustainable tourism that offers experiences that enable visitors
to discover natural areas while preserving their integrity, and to understand, through
interpretation and education, the natural and cultural sense of place. It fosters respect
toward the environment, re ects sustainable business practices, creates socioeconomic
bene ts for communities/regions, and recognizes and respects local and indigenous
cultures, traditions, and values.

This is a powerful de nition and the authors ' favorite because it is succinct, yet covers the

environmental, the economic, and the social — the three pillars required for sustainability. We

encourage everyone to use it.
The de nition of ecotourism adopted by Ecotourism Australia ( www.ecotourism.org.au ) is:

'' Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas

that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation, and conservation. ''

Other de nitions also reported in the Travel Industry Association of America ' s study, Tourism and

the Environment, are as follows:

Ecotourism is environmentally friendly travel that emphasizes seeing and saving natural habitat
and archaeological treasures.

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Ecotourism is a tool for conservation.

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Broadly de ned, ecotourism involves more than conservation. It is a form of travel that responds to
a region

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' s ecological, social, and economic needs. It also provides an alternative to mass tourism.