| Nature will be the major beneficiary as ecotourism | | | | relaxation and education, along with the chance to |
| grows as an industry, because those who take an | | | | make a difference with this important social issue. |
| ecotourism holiday will be helping to preserve the | | | | Of course, the local populations of these areas will |
| environment as they enjoy themselves. In fact, | | | | benefit economically, instead of suffering |
| proponents of this relatively new field know that | | | | exploitation of the natural resources. In addition, |
| ecotourism education focuses on how travelers | | | | the unique cultural aspects of local populations will |
| can conserve rather than exploit during their | | | | be celebrated instead of marketed as a tourist |
| vacation trips. | | | | spectacle. For example, the way Africa's natural |
| The idea of environmentally friendly travel has | | | | beauty is enjoyed will alter, to become an ideal |
| been around for years, but the industry itself is | | | | focus for ecotourism. |
| quite new. Over the past 20 or 30 years, | | | | Such environmentally and socially friendly holidays |
| ecotourism's role in elevating social and ecological | | | | will take travelers to an area of the world where |
| issues has increased. To put it simply, ecotourism | | | | the natural world is quite different from any other |
| is catching on, with printed information more | | | | place. But the emphasis will be on living and |
| widely available and organizations forming around | | | | moving in this world, leaving it undisturbed, rather |
| the globe. This is true whether you're visiting | | | | than taking pieces of it home or changing it. As |
| Anchorage Alaska or Javea, Spain or anywhere in | | | | many socially conscious travelers know, it is best |
| between. | | | | to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but |
| Early information has focused on plant life and | | | | footprints. |
| animal life in regions of the world where travelers | | | | One of the key factors in making ecotourism |
| pursue ecotourism. While much of this information | | | | work is the reduction in number of man-made |
| has remained in the hands of a small sector of | | | | structures found in these remote and beautiful |
| the population, the ecotourism philosophy is | | | | locations. Fewer buildings and more undisturbed |
| catching on in the general population as well. | | | | plant and animal life are two goals of ecotourism. |
| As more and more people come to understand | | | | Proponents of this philosophy firmly believe that |
| the importance of conserving nature rather than | | | | these goals can be reached while providing the |
| exploiting it, the damages to the environment are | | | | local population sufficient revenue for their needs. |
| being avoided and repaired. A large percentage of | | | | As more people learn about the possibilities of |
| the general population is now aware of the global | | | | ecotourism, these wonderful parts of the world |
| warming issue as well as the animal and plant | | | | will become more popular as holiday destinations. |
| extinction problems worldwide. | | | | If pursued sincerely, as a new type of vacation |
| In addition, the public is exposed to an increasing | | | | travel, ecotourism can be beneficial to all involved. |
| amount of information as ecotourism is marketed | | | | The local population can thrive while traditions and |
| as an industry. Advertisements and travel | | | | customs survive. Travelers can relax and enjoy, |
| seminars spread the word about remote regions | | | | while learning about, rather than exploiting, the |
| of the world that are becoming ecotourism | | | | local resources. Most important of all, the |
| destinations. While these locations will not offer | | | | environment remains intact, preserved for future |
| luxury accommodations, golf courses or | | | | generations. |
| amusement rides for the children, they will provide | | | | |