Ecotourism

If you are interested in wildlife, conservation, or travel, you have likely come across the term “ecotourism.” Whether you encountered the word in an article on new conservation research or an advertisement for a trip to the rainforest – you may be wondering, what does ecotourism really mean? Why does it matter? And how is it impacting our global ecosystem? This article will answer your related questions and break down why some leaders believe ecotourism may be a key component to a sustainable future.

What is ecotourism?

The idea of tourism may conjure up images of a family visiting Disney World or taking pictures by the Eiffel Tower. While these may be accepted stereotypes for modern tourism, they have certainly not always been norms. Long before tourists packed crowded buses or over-priced amusement parks, people traveled around the world to appreciate the raw beauty of nature. Without any alterations or man-made gimmicks, the landscapes, wildlife, and flora of the Earth have been a subject of amazement. 

Today, this kind of nature-focused travel is characterized as ecotourism. This branch of tourism, while arguably the earliest form of leisure travel, was made popular in the late 1970s as a product of the widespread environmental movement. Ecotourism focuses on natural attractions and reinvesting profits back into the environment and surrounding local communities. It promotes the reduction of ecological damage caused by tourists and the sustainable management of the area so that these treasures can be enjoyed for generations to come. 

Where do you find ecotourism?

Ecotourism can be found all across the world at a variety of scales. From the famous Great Barrier Reef to a small, locally operated wildlife reserve, visitors travel from near and far to appreciate what nature has to offer. While international ecotourism destinations can be found around the globe, they are not spaced out evenly. 

In a world where economic prosperity has been linked to densely populated cities and often environmental degradation, it follows that many of the premier ecotourism destinations are found in lower-income countries or areas with a sparse population density. The map below shows the global distribution of leading ecotourism sites and visually highlights the concentration of destinations among developing countries.

Source: Atlas for the end of the world

While these locations only represent a small portion of global ecotourism, their distribution begins to tell the story of ecotourism’s significant role in the developing world. 

Why does ecotourism matter?

Now you know what ecotourism means and the areas it is most prevalent, but why does any of this matter? Well, to answer this, I have created a fictitious and simplified scenario that captures the importance of ecotourism in an environment, community, and economy.

The small island country of Ecotouria has one national park, a jungle habitat home to tigers, elephants, and many other indigenous species. Surrounding the park is a series of small villages and towns, who are looking for a new economic opportunity. Recently, the government has just learned the jungle is resting on top of a valuable copper site. Soon after, Copper Inc., a large international copper mining company, offered the Ecotourian government a large contract to clear the forest and begin local mining. At the same time, an international NGO reached out to the Ecotourian government offering to help organize the development of enhanced tourism infrastructure. 

At this point, the government of Ecotouria had a major decision to make – cash out on their natural resource opportunity or shift their attention toward investments in ecotourism. The two paths represent wildly different futures for Ecotouria and ultimately underscore the potential impact of ecotourism.

In the first simulation, Ecotouria elects to sell the rights for their copper mine and allows for the destruction of their one national park. At first, the people in power benefit tremendously. With the influx of foreign capital to build the copper mine, connected business leaders profit immensely. The mine is built, and for the following 18 months, although primarily benefiting the wealthiest on the island, the economy is uplifted by increased jobs and a new export. However, eventually, their luck runs out. The copper in the area is almost entirely removed and after a gradual decrease in productivity the mine shuts down. Copper Inc. exits the country and leaves behind a mine that is slowly leaking toxic waste into the local watershed. The surrounding villages are now facing an economic crisis paired with a public health concern of contaminated water sources. 

In the second simulation, the Ecotourian government decides against the copper mine and begins developing infrastructure for ecotourism. At first, the decision is unpopular. The government forked out significant resources to develop an industry that did not have immediate returns. However, after a year of transportation upgrades, hotel subsidies, and international advertisement, the country slowly sees the entrance of foreign hospitality services and an increase in locally-owned shops and hotels within the industry. Over the next year, international tourists begin visiting Ecotouria to enjoy their unique ecosystem. From tiger safaris to nature treks, the island has a variety of offerings within their national park. With more time, the surrounding economy begins to grow in cooperation with ecotourism. Restaurants spring up near the park entrance, a national airline expands their flight routes, and cell tower companies see a demand for better service around the park. Finally, with all of the increased tax revenue coming from the influx of international capital, the government is able to channel money directly into conservation projects protecting the wildlife and their habitat.

I would not blame you for thinking this scenario is too good to be true. Of course, this story has oversimplified the challenges of developing vital infrastructure and protecting local wildlife. However, the basic ideas here are far from fantasy. Many countries around the world have experienced success stories very similar to the example of Ecotouria. Some of the most famous examples are in sub-Saharan Africa, where safari-based ecotourism has been a huge economic and conservation success. In South Africa, ecotourism accounts for $8.4 billion in revenue every year and creates over 5,000 new jobs. 

The impacts of ecotourism can be considerable. While they may not come overnight, solutions associated with the development of tourism infrastructure lead to a much more sustainable long term economic plan than short-sighted resource extraction. 

What are the problems with ecotourism?

Despite the potential for ecotourism to become a tool for positive change, there are also problems that need to be addressed. The three primary issues with ecotourism today are impacts on the surrounding environment, connection to the local community, and barriers to entry. 

Negative environmental impact: As with most things in life, ecotourism is usually best in moderation. One of the defining characteristics of successful ecotourism is limiting the negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem. However, there are many cases of ecotourism destinations suffering from environmental degradation as a result of overwhelming visitation.

One example is the Maldivian island Thilafushi, often referred to as “rubbish island.” The man-made atoll was given this title as it is known as the most prominent trash dump in the Maldives. As a small island country in the center of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives do not have adequate space to dispose of their trash. At the same time, their beautiful variety of biologically vibrant coral reefs attracts around 10,000 eco-tourists per week. After years of unsustainable visitation, the country no longer had the capabilities to handle the excess waste. As a result, the government elected to construct an artificial island to handle the trash. Unsurprisingly, between the transportation and handling of this rubbish, the surrounding waters have suffered. A recent study has found an extremely high count of microplastics in Maldivian waters which disturb the spectacular reef ecosystems.

Source: Alison's Adventures/Caters News Agency

For ecotourism to have the intended effect on the nearby environment, it is crucial not to overload the area. 

Local community: Ecotourism is most effective and beneficial when the local community is actively involved. It is widely accepted that those who have lived on the land for generations are almost always the best suited to take care of it. Unfortunately, there are some examples of attempted ecotourism that do not account for the importance of local support, and instead, exploit natural beauty rather than cooperate with the community to protect it. 

Despite South Africa’s fame as a top wildlife safari destination in the world, the country has received widespread criticism over who benefits from its tourism industry. Investigative reporting has shown that a vast majority of the profits coming from safari lodges are being channeled toward predominantly white or international investors. In contrast, the regions of South Africa with the most popular natural attractions are almost entirely Black communities. Many of these safaris even unscrupulously market their experience as a method to uplift local villages. While they do offer significant employment opportunities, the pay is minimal and most of the earnings line Western pockets. For ecotourism to truly reach its full potential for positive impact, the local community must be active facilitators and direct beneficiaries of the work.

Barriers to entry: The third major issue of ecotourism is its inaccessibility and large barriers to entry for both vendors and consumers. In an industry where owning land, infrastructure development, and expensive transportation vehicles are a meaningful advantage, the upfront capital costs can be significant. Many do not have the resources to enter this market and for those who do, the steep costs are often passed through to the tourists. A result of this issue often circles back to the above topic of local community ownership. In the event those living on the land cannot afford the infrastructure, the door is left open for foreign hotel and tourism companies to take advantage of the limited competition. 

Source: Cruise Critic

Luxury cruises in the most remote regions of the world provide a clear illustration of the barriers to entry. If you are looking to visit Antarctica by boat, you will have very few options for vendors making this journey. The average price per person will come in above $10,000, with the most luxurious options nearing the $75,000 mark for each passenger. Of course, visiting the frozen continent is not a necessity for anyone, but the need for a specialized ship and experienced crew prevents a wide range of competition. While this is an extreme example, similar situations have arisen in areas like the Arctic and the South Pacific, two regions with Indigenous communities that are largely priced out of entering the market. 

Ecotourism is evolving to address the challenges of our dynamic world. We have already seen solutions being introduced to address concerns such as over-visitation and profit misallocation, but there is much work yet to be done. However, there is no doubt that moving forward, ecotourism is a key component to a sustainable future for our planet. 

How does ecotourism impact big cats?

Tourists travel across the globe for the chance to see big cats in the wild. From jungle safaris in central India to jeep rides across the plains of Africa, cats have always been a major driver of wildlife tourism. Long ago, before countries drafted protections for their most notable species, international tourism targeting cats in the wild was predominantly driven by big-game hunters. This led to a steep drop in many wildlife populations, and ultimately by the early 1970s, inspired a global movement to protect endangered species.

Source: Ranthambore Jeep Safari

Today, ecotourism has helped to reverse the impact travel has on big cats. Recently Valmik Thapar, a world-renowned tiger expert, noted that tourism was absolutely essential for the future of big cat conservation. When executed responsibly, ecotourism provides an economic reason to protect wildlife, as well as a method to pay for the needed actions. Additionally, one unexpected benefit of tourism is its role as a deterrent for poachers. When wildlife reserves have an established infrastructure for visitors, the constant monitoring and influx of people make it more difficult for illegal hunting. 

There is no question that ecotourism can be a vital tool for both conservation and sustainable development. It will be up to governments, NGOs, and consumers to hold the companies in this industry responsible, as we continue to push to protect wildlife.