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Ecotourism Is Still Tourism |
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by EricSlarkowski
Ecotourism is a relatively new idea that has grown into a significant segment of the tourism industry. That simple statement, however, does not do justice to the holiday/travel concept that mixes enjoyment with social consciousness and environmental concern.
While ecotourism should certainly be separated from traditional mass tourism as a concept, supporters do not want to present ecotourism as a "cerebral activity" for those who want to work during their vacation. In fact, many proponents of ecotourism insist that the travel and activities in this tourism sector should be fun, first and foremost.
A considerable portion of the world's population is not familiar with ecotourism as an idea or as a functioning industry. Those who have some idea what it is often think that the tours and trips involve only study, research and science. This is far from the truth.
Misconceptions about ecotourism could be detrimental to the growth of the field, so supporters and project planners have made educating the public a primary task. Serious research and follow-up studies at ecotourism locations are critical to spreading the truth about this growing field. As more research and study is undertaken, those not familiar with ecotourism will gain a clearer understanding of the potential. When traveling recently, we found ecotourism pamphlets in our hotels in Benidorm.
Reducing the number of misconceptions about ecotourism must be one of the priorities for all those involved. As some ecotourism supporters have emphasized, a solid base of information must be developed, through intense research, in order to present the concept to the general public. Then, as a consequence, more travelers will choose ecotourism destinations, basing their decisions on good information. Dispelling myths and eliminating misconceptions has to be a primary task in the next few years.
Some of those among ecotourism's early supporters are concerned that the world population will see the field as politically motivated. While this is certainly not the case with true ecotourism enthusiasts, the myth persists. However, this significant portion of the tourism industry is not supposed to promote any individual or national political agenda. Those who grasp this idea as a reaction to ecotourism are doing so without sufficient thought and probably without adequate information. It would be impossible to eliminate all political ideologies from a field that has such potential. In fact, the environmentally conscious individuals who work in the ecotourism field must have some level of political sentiment. But those new to the concept should understand, from the beginning, that this new industry is not politically motivated. Even the most basic research in this area should show that the primary goal of ecotourism is to enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the globe while learning about conservation and preservation of those resources. It really is as simple as that.
The opportunities within ecotourism vary widely and there may be conflict among the proponents of the several types of activity that fall under the ecotourism umbrella. This can lead to some difficult choices as to which holiday destination would be best for an ecotourism experience. But the wise traveler will do a little research and ask a few questions in order to uncover the truth about this fascinating concept. Only then will the individual traveler be able to find an ecotourism vacation that fits both individual and natural-world needs.
About the Author: Eric Slarkowski works at large for http://www.alicante-spain.com , a web publication on benidorm 5 star hotels and finding cheap hotels around Benidorm. You can come across his articles on hotels in benidorm on his site. |
