Nov 05 2009
What is an Ecotourist and Who Can Be One?
Mushroom - photo by Nastia
We have recently started to see an influx of ecotravel guides and beautiful coffee table books on how to travel to exotic places without at the same time forcing them to turn into malls in response to our demands. At first you wonder whether an ecotourist is a new species of a “viator vulgaris” (common traveler) and whether they are somehow more privileged than someone who is just escaping on a family vacation.
It is becoming common to think that ecotourists are the people who are aware of obscure or endangered destinations and can afford to go there. But what really distinguishes ecotourists from the rest?
A Wikipedia article on ecotourism states that “According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism is ‘Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.’” (TIES, 1990).
If you are not going to visit an exotic locale, you still have a chance to try an eco-trip. By definition, ecotourism involves traveling to natural destinations. How about a national park? It’s affordable, and it can be truly fascinating. US national parks can be a good example of dynamic ecosystems that in many ways depend on positive human impact. Take Yellowstone National Park. In 1995 gray Canadian wolves, previously hunted near to extinction, were reintroduced to the environment. That triggered an astonishing change for the better in the entire ecosystem of the park. The growing elk population is shrinking and the cottonwoods, willows, and aspen trees are coming back along with many species of songbirds.
We drive cars, we eat food, we use soaps and detergents, and we depend on electricity. What we can do though, is cut down and try to make our impact more positive. Consider including some volunteering in your trip, or research your destination to try to find a way to offer help. Or maybe you would just like to support a wolf or cut down on buying Coca-Cola to donate to a wildlife conservation group. Turns out that ecotourism is about giving and having a good time and a clear conscience as a result.
What else makes a tourist an ecotourist? If you respect the nature of the place you are going to, if you have a genuine interest and are driven by curiosity, if you feel like connecting with a place, the atmosphere, and the people, you can proudly call yourself an ecotourist. Even if you are just going to Niagara Falls with the kids, and chose to follow the hotel’s advice to sort and reuse your towels so they don’t have to flush the soap down some river, you are already supporting the environment. No need to spend thousands, just be conscious, and have a great time!
Read more: Eco-tourism, TravelNastia was born in Russia, and probably that's the reason why she is so inexplicably attracted to the coldest parts of the world, such as Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Alaska and Canada. The more it snows out there - the better. Although would she be even thinking about all that cold if she hadn't first enjoyed Turkey, Bulgaria and Ukraine?
