Criticisms of Ecotourism
The World Tourism Organization (WTO) says Ecotourism is the fastest growing sector of the Tourism Industry. Some believe this is good news and others are horrified at the potential environmental damage that Ecotourists and Operators may unwittingly cause.
Ecotourism has often been touted as the cure for the enormous Tourism Industry and the environmental and cultural damage that the industry often inflicts on developing and even developed countries. Ecotourism can work, but the problem is that there is not an agreed upon definition, nor international standards that tourists and operators must follow.
In its simplest form, Ecotourism is nature travel. In its more advanced form, Ecotourism encompasses all aspects of life: wildlife, plants, biodiversity, sustainable economies, conservation, environment, culture, heritage, society, and human beings. In this form, Ecotourism is a kinder, gentler form of environmentalism that recognizes humans as being part of the ecosystem. This is a critical difference; it affects how tour operators, environmentalists and conservationists, and tourists interact with the host destination.
For eons, western thought has dictated that humans are the masters of the earththat we shape and control our world. Evidence of this is the constant battle against weather; floods and levees; earthquakes and earthquake proof buildings; sea shore homes and replenishing of beach sand. It's a continuing battle against nature and one we will not win. One rule of nature is constant change and we in the western world struggle to overcome this with increasingly advanced technologies.
Smaller cultures and societies recognize that change is inevitable and their lifestyle reflects this. While it may seem that these societies have stayed constant over hundreds or even thousands of years, they have adapted to seasons and the natural rise and fall of resources. However, with increasing contact with tourists, these cultures want what is considered a better life; western ways. A new culture is born, one Deborah McLaren calls the "Tourism Culture", where the people in the host country become hustlers for tourists' dollars.
Because tourism is such a large industry, there is a vested interest in exploiting resources, creating paradises and increasingly offering adventures and destinations that have never been offered before. Is this the industry's fault? Or is this the consumers' fault? It's more of a cause and effect relationship. Most western nations have an increasing amount of disposable income since the end of the second world war. Recreation, including tourism, stepped in to accept monies with the promise of the good life that previously was enjoyed by the very wealthy and privileged. The middle class was now able to go places and see things that were never available before. The annual vacation was now a fact and considered a right.
During the past 15 years, it has become apparent that the mass tourism industry is failing, from both an environmental and cultural point of view. Degradation of sea shores, coral reefs, forests, and other environments is evident from pollution, overcrowding of humans, coral reef destruction through practices such as souvenir collection and anchoring of pleasure boats. Paradise, while not yet lost, is losing.
Ecotourism thought evolved about 10 to 15 years ago. It was partly in response to consumer demand for something new and unusual and the realization that the environment is facing permanent damage. It was becoming apparent that mass tourism is not sustainable and consumers want something exotic, but once something becomes more commonly available, it is no longer considered exotic; the definition is being pushed further into the world's unexplored places, where few westerners have gone before. The premise offers unspoiled nature and cultures but there are reasons why few people have gone before; they are fragile, inhospitable places that do not easily support human life.
There are many, many tour operators that offer Ecotourism as an alternative to traditional packages. But, this is in name only. Where these operators are failing is in the sustainable economy sector. The money tourists spend is supposed to trickle down into the host community but very little does. In a true ecotour, the money goes directly into the community. All aspects are covered from lodging, food, guides, activities and nature viewing. The host community benefits and the industry they provide is sustainable.
There is hope. Individuals such as Ron Mader, Marcus Endicott, Jan Moss and Deborah McLaren, and institutions such as the Ecotourism Society, Charles Stuart University, Tourism Concern and a host of others are working towards Ecotourism definition and Ecotourism practice. Furthermore, the consumer is becoming more aware of issues and problems and are demanding more intelligent encounters with other cultures and nature. More are realizing that humans the world over are humans and should not be providing entertainment at the cost of their dignity and way of life.