"To be seen to be green" is a marketing tool that tour operators use to lure in clients....true ecologically sustainable tours are far and few between. At best most tours are only nature appreciation tours and no more.
The expression "eco-tour" was used by us back in 1981 when the need for
ecol logically sustainable industries of all kinds was being widely recognised
and discussed. In its infancy, the eco-tour combined the common sense
practises of numerous tour operators, scientific field researchers, campers
and the like who had long been aware of the potential damage their presence
in sensitive areas could cause.
However, the expression has also been used loosely in some
instances to describe operations whose focus was simply upon exposing
tourists to natural and undisturbed habitats. The principles of the eco-tour
extend well beyond heightening our appreciation of natural beauty!
Tourism in natural areas can never be zero-impact. By our very
presence we disturb the plants and animals we come to see, but we can
aim to have as little impact as possible when visiting these places. Major
advances are being made in our ability to achieve this. The behaviour of
legitimate eco-tour operators today is certainly a far cry from the Rambos
of yesteryear.
Hand in glove with this new direction in low impact sightseeing,
camping and trekking has come the new breed of traveller- eager to
experience areas of genuine ecological integrity, ready to meet the physical
challenge this may entail, and mindful of the duty of care they bear in these
often delicate habitats.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your constructive feedback is valued.