Ecotourism is increasing in popularity across the world, but has significant practical value in developing countries where the needs of impoverished communities may conflict directly with the need to capitalise on the growing tourism industry

Ecotourism is a move to counter this. It aims to create viable and sustainable tourism opportunities, and limit the impact that all related activities will have on the environment, while improving the lives of the local people living in the area. According to Ecotourism.org, the concept consists of a number of core principles, including:

• Minimising industrial impact on the environment

• Building environmental and cultural awareness

• Empowering local communities

• Raising awareness of the political, environmental and social issues of the country concerned, and

• Ensuring that the experience is positive for all parties, including visitors and hosts

The aim is to achieve sustainable and responsible tourism practices to the benefit of all and the detriment of none. One of the most important factors in the success of any ecotourism venture is knowledge. Those proposing the project must gain intimate knowledge of the area, the fauna, the flora and the communities living there. They must understand how they impact on each other and how a change in one will affect the rest. They must understand the culture governing the people’s relationship with the environment, and how they view concepts such as territory, hunting, farming and gathering materials for personal use.

It’s vital to include the local communities in the project, not merely as grateful beneficiaries of charity, but as empowered and informed team members. Their input is to be valued, as chances are that they understand the area and complex ecosystems better than anyone else involved in the project.

The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable resource that protects both the people and the nature involved. Over 20 years ago, in 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development stated that sustained development implied, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This sentiment is just as applicable now as it was then.

Nature will be the major beneficiary as ecotourism grows as an industry, because those who take an ecotourism holiday will be helping to preserve the environment as they enjoy themselves. In fact, proponents of this relatively new field know that ecotourism education focuses on how travelers can conserve rather than exploit during their vacation trips. The idea of environmentally friendly travel has been around for years, but the industry itself is quite new. Over the past 20 or 30 years, ecotourism’s role in elevating social and ecological issues has increased. To put it simply, ecotourism is catching on, with printed information more widely available and organizations forming around the globe. This is true whether you’re visiting Anchorage Alaska or Javea, Spain or anywhere in between.

Early information has focused on plant life and animal life in regions of the world where travelers pursue ecotourism. While much of this information has remained in the hands of a small sector of the population, the ecotourism philosophy is catching on in the general population as well. As more and more people come to understand the importance of conserving nature rather than exploiting it, the damages to the environment are being avoided and repaired. A large percentage of the general population is now aware of the global warming issue as well as the animal and plant extinction problems worldwide. In addition, the public is exposed to an increasing amount of information as ecotourism is marketed as an industry. Advertisements and travel seminars spread the word about remote regions of the world that are becoming ecotourism destinations. While these locations will not offer luxury accommodations, golf courses or amusement rides for the children, they will provide relaxation and education, along with the chance to make a difference with this important social issue.

Of course, the local populations of these areas will benefit economically, instead of suffering exploitation of the natural resources. In addition, the unique cultural aspects of local populations will be celebrated instead of marketed as a tourist spectacle. For example, the way Africa’s natural beauty is enjoyed will alter, to become an ideal focus for ecotourism. Such environmentally and socially friendly holidays will take travelers to an area of the world where the natural world is quite different from any other place. But the emphasis will be on living and moving in this world, leaving it undisturbed, rather than taking pieces of it home or changing it. As many socially conscious travelers know, it is best to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints.