Ecotourism 

If you are interested in wildlife, conservation, or travel, you have likely come across the term “ecotourism.” Whether you came across 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 why has this phrase been at the forefront of wildlife media? This article will answer all 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 in Time Square. While these may be accepted stereotypes for modern tourism, these have certainly not always been norms. Long before tourists packed crowded buses or low-budget 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 might be 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 is characterized by a focus on natural attractions, the reduction of ecological damage caused by tourists, and often an emphasis on supporting the local community and environment.

Where is 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 near you, visitors travel from near and far to appreciate what nature has to offer. However, in a more modern sense, 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 amongst developing countries.

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. Immediately, Copper Inc., a large international copper mining company offers 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 has 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 benefitting 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 decided 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 saw the entrance of foreign hospitality services and an increase in locally owned shops and hotels within the industry. Over the next year, international tourists began visiting Ecotouria to enjoy their unique ecosystem. From tiger safaris to nature treks, the island had a variety of offerings within their national park. With more time, the surrounding economy began to grow in cooperation with ecotourism. Restaurants sprang up near the park entrance, a national airline expanded their flight routes, and cell tower company saw 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 was able to channel money directly into conservation projects protecting the wildlife and their habitat.

At this point 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 experiences 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 5000 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 surrounding environment, connection to local community, and barriers to entry.

Surrounding environment: 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 increased 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 increased 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 micro plastics in Maldivian waters which disturb the spectacular reef ecosystems.

In order for ecotourism to have the intended effect on the nearby environment, it is crucial not to overload the area. Whether this be an issue of pollution,

Local community:

Barriers to entry: