The word ecotourism is something that has only recently become a mainstay in the English language. Tours to rainforest, gamer reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries are growing in every region of the world.
They go in tent camps, on safaris, to jungle lodges, and to rainforest resorts. Inspired by zoos and the throngs of animal themed television shows, people are taking to the jungles and savannas to see the earth's most fascinating creatures in the wild before it is too late.At the going rate, some say the Sundarbans will disappear within the next few decades unless drastic measures are taken. Other forests and regions are in danger too.
Although in some places tourism growth has threatened wildlife, in most cases it inspires many to conserve it. Ecotourism is travelling to natural places that are vulnerable and the tourists are required to act responsibly in order to minimize the negative aspects of tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of the local people.Apart from evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an important function of ecotourism is to promote recycling, energy conservation, energy efficiency, and creation of economic opportunity for local community. The Ecotourism Society defines it as "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people". A walk through the rainforest is not eco-tourism unless that particular walk somehow benefits that environment and the people who live there.A rafting trip is only eco-tourism if it raises awareness and funds to help protect the watershed.
A loose interpretation of this definition allows many companies to promote themselves as something that they are not. Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these reasons, ecotourism often appeals to environmental and social responsibility advocates.
Ecotourism is a growing segment of the global tourism industry that is making significant positive contributions to the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of destinations and local communities around the world.Offering market-linked long-term solutions, ecotourism provides effective economic incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural heritage of our beautiful planet. By increasing capacity building opportunities, ecotourism is also an effective vehicle for empowering local communities around the world to fight against poverty and to achieve sustainable development. Furthermore, ecotourism has provided an impetus to assist in greening the tourism industry on many fronts.Besides, ecotourism is a tool that provides opportunities - a financially viable tool that provides sustainable solutions to economic challenges and conservation needs of local people; an alternative means of supporting rural economies to help revitalize and sustain local heritage; and a market-linked force connecting and empowering stakeholders.
Equally importantly, ecotourism also provides you, the traveler with unique opportunities to gain authentic experiences, discover new places, make new friends, and have a fun, memorable time.Eco-traveling can be much more than just taking only pictures and leaving only footprints; it’s an opportunity for one to make a difference and to make a lasting impact on communities and destinations he / she visits. Ecotourism promotes: Ecotourism promotes the preservation and conservation of the followings: * Climate: Working to secure a stable global climate. * Fresh water: Understanding and protecting the sources and flows of fresh water. * Food: Ensuring nature's ability to provide food for human needs.* Health: Minimizing environmental pressures on human health.
Cultural services: Valuing the role of nature in human cultures. * Biodiversity: Safeguarding the unknown and as-yet undiscovered benefits that nature provides. Mass tourism is when a large number of people visit a place at same time, and the effect that all these people have on that place, due to being visited repeatedly. Mass tourism emphasizes on high volume sales whereas ecotourism is a nature based experience.
Mass tourists go in large numbers to visit developed places where ecotourism means people visiting in small number, to create a small impact.Mass tourism includes holiday packages at an all inclusive price where ecotourism promotes a conservation ethic and provide support for local community. Mass tourism induces production of large accommodation, transport system, and facilities whereas ecotourism helps to maintain the natural and cultural integrity of certain places. Mass tourism has a commercial goal and uses marketing techniques but ecotourism utilizes environmentally friendly techniques.
Adventure tourism is about exploring or travelling to remote areas where travelling is only allowed to expect the unexpected.Adventure tourism varies from person to person, depending on their perception. Some people may simply think adventure tourism as camping outside in a tent, for some it maybe a dangerous sport. Example includes snorkeling, diving, or surfing a coastal area. The economic benefits of adventure tourism include local and foreign land investment that supports an economy. Employment opportunity for people who can become the guides of adventure travel tour and employment rate increase induces increase in education interest.
Opportunity for new project and community image is also created. Developing adventure tourism market creates opportunity for building independent local business. The difference between ecotourism and adventure tourism is that while ecotourism wants to preserve the environment of activity, adventure tourism may not occur in sustainable manner nor provide educational opportunity. Ecotourism is not yet popular in Bangladesh. So it will require some effort to inform and promote it in our country.
The best way is to establish a good communication by motivating everyone who can contribute towards ecotourism. This can be done by strengthening national and regional fair tourism and fair trade networks by improving the participants knowledge of each other, in particular the representatives of grassroots organizations, and by allowing for the exchange of experience. Access to financing and support services can be facilitated. Additionally, marketing and promotions can be reinforced. The factors affecting tourism should also be monitored, evaluated and capitalized.
