Passage III

Responsible Ecotourism

[1]

When ecotourism first became popular during the 1970s, people were excited by its goal touring natural habitats while affecting them as little as possible. Taking an ecotour, by definition, meaning minimizing the environmental impact of the trip. It was inevitable, therefore, that an increase in any sort of tourism in a natural environment would impact those in some way. [A] People throughout the world have had to confront unintended consequences of the growing popularity of ecotourism. Now, guides are striving to preserve the original goal, of low-impact tours, of the natural world.

[2]

[B] Ecotourism guides in heavily visited locales must take great care in monitoring their clients to minimize their effect on the natural environment. When leading hiking tours, for example, guides must be vigilant that groups don’t trample native plants or disturb wild animals. [C]

[3]

Equally important, you need to be wise advisors and diplomats for their clients. [D] For instance, when helping travelers make lodging arrangements, guides should recommend accommodations that comply with environmentally sustainable practices, such as conserving energy and water. Ecotourists have tended to seek out natural beauty in remote locations, where there may not have been an active tourist industry previously. Some areas have suddenly become burdened by the needs of travelers. It’s not uncommon for overeager ecotourists to trespass on private land, sometimes they build campfires using wood that’s integral to the local environment. (39) Responsible ecotourism guides know what areas and resources are available for tourists use and they advise their clients accordingly.

[4]

Teaching tourists how to minimize their impact on the environment, it is essential to responsible ecotourism. With redoubled commitment to this goal, ecotourism can continue to foster maximum enjoyment of nature with minimum disruption, even as the number of tourists grows.