Marketing assignment help: Ecotourism products
In order to have a healthy and sustainable development there are various products of ecotourism which help in promoting tourism in a sustainable and ecological manner. The main focus of ecotourism products is on promoting tourism in a country in an eco-friendly manner. It is very important that the eco-friendly products are designed in manner that they are able to help in sustainable development of tourism sector without making any impact on the environment (Weaver, 2001). In the following section of the paper there is discussion about two products related to ecotourism and whether they stick or depart from the laid ideals of ecotourism. The products that have been selected for the purpose of discussion include bicycle touring and scuba diving.
Bicycle Touring
Bicycle touring is a product of ecotourism. In this touring the main focus is using the cycles for the purpose of travelling long distances. The main focus of this approach is to prioritize pleasure and patience over speed. The touring is very eco friendly in nature as it helps in there is no smoke or pollution due to use of this medium for the purpose of transportation. The medium proves to be very helpful for the countries as they help in promotion of ecotourism (Stuhaug, 2006). The countries can promote tourism and make a major positive contribution in their GDP without making any harm to the ecological surroundings.
Bicycle touring has been able to gain importance in the last decade and has been going on an increasing rate since then. The infrastructure that is required for bicycle touring relates to the use of existing trials and roadways. There are many economic benefits of promoting bicycle touring though majorly relate to recreational usage. The government is able to generate high level of revenues with the use of innovative methods which help in attracting more and more tourists to the countries from all over the world. The main reason for promotion of bicycle touring is to promote the tourism in the country with the aid of environmental benefits at minimum costs (Stuhaug, 2006). The bicycle touring becomes very attractive for the tourist as it is innovative and creative method of promoting a healthy medium of tourism. The main motive of the participants in this type of tourism is not related to the destination that is to be toured rather they are more focused towards gaining the wonderful experience of touring on the bicycle.
There are several other factors associated with the bicycle tourism product which has led to the failure of the eco tourism in these areas. As tourists are not always fit in physical terms and so the bicycle travelling is not recommended to all travellers. This requires high stamina and physical strength to pursue this product related to eco tourism. This cannot be used by the children as parents might not allow them to travel by bicycles for long and thus have been failed to promote the ecotourism in several areas of the world.
There are several communities which lay special focus on using bicycles as the only medium which can be used for travelling. The communities help in promotion of bicycle touring and attract high number of tourist in the country. The bicycle communities are active and more environmental friendly in nature. There is high level of potential and energy in the bicycle which can be easily used for the promotion of ecotourism in a country (Stuhaug, 2006).
The bicycle touring promotes carrying fewer luggage’s at the time of travelling and staying in simpler hotels which are on their ways. As a result of this there are high chances that by staying in these hotels the tourist will be able to get a better understanding of the country, its culture and get an opportunity to interact with the local people. This will help in making travelling a peaceful experience as a result of which the tourist will like to visit the country on regular basis. This type of ecotourism will help in making an economic impact which is broader, stronger and more direct in nature. The success of bicycle touring should not be measured by reaching the final destination but rather than by amount of experience and happiness it provides to the users. Thus, it is clear that the bicycle touring is an effective product of ecotourism, which has helped in increasing the positive impact over the environment (Stuhaug, 2006).
Scuba Diving
Another product that has been helpful in promoting ecotourism is Scuba Diving and has been a growing market for coastal and marine tourist spots. The main purpose of sustainable ecotourism is to make a responsible use of natural resources for the purpose of entertainment and enjoyment. Scuba diving is an underwater activity that involves under water breathing. This is facilitated through the help provided by the diver who uses a scuba set for breathing under water (Graver, 2010). The diver moves inside the water with the aid of swinfins that are attached to his feets. Along with this, support can also be provided by a vehicle for propulsion. This activity helps in promoting ecotourism and enhances the pace of its growth in the country.
It promotes the interests of the tourists who come a long way for the purpose of recreation and tourism. The scuba diving has helped in the growth in the number of visitors that are taking place to the natural areas. Also there have been many economic developments in terms of financial and conservation related benefits. The main focus has been on improving the sustainability of the tourism sector especially in the natural areas. Ecotourism has been helpful unchanging the level of visitation and changed the goals of stakeholders. Scuba diving has affected ecotourism in the context of forest related activities. It has been beneficial for the forest areas as the tourists are attracted towards visiting the areas situated near the dive (Graver, 2010). The sites near the diving spots may be able to benefit the trips organisers in these areas. The data and trends represent that scuba diving has played an important contribution to ecotourism. It has helped in making a substantial contribution towards the economy of the various regions. The sector has seen dynamic growth in attracting the domestic as well as international visitors.
Scuba diving acts as a valuable mode of promoting ecotourism as it provides economic incentives for preserving the marine wildlife and habitats. It also makes a major contribution in restoring and protecting the health of marine wildlife and oceans. Local economies are also benefited by providing diving activities and vacationing near the dive sites to the tourists. The scuba divers are also benefited in monetary terms as they charge high price from the tourist for seeing a particular species underwater. Ecotourism is protected along with the promotion of the tourists and attracting towards the natural features of the country (Graver, 2010). They take the advantage of seeing rare species without making any harm to the species. This proves to be very helpful since it helps in promotion of tourism in sustainable manner.
Scuba diving also has several negative factors which acts as a drawback for the counties promoting it for the promotion of ecotourism. As this is the sport which can only be used in the water filled areas, and tourists from other countries who have never tried this product seems unable to try this due to the lack of knowledge.
Ecotourism has been effective in promoting recreational activities across the globe. A significant ecotourism development is the provision of scuba diving in fresh and salt water bodies. This gives scuba diver an immense knowledge and awareness about the delicate aquatic scenario and ecosystem. This awareness has been promoted through education and marketing to inspire people for practicing diving in a sustainable manner. This has also made an active contribution towards ecological up-gradation of the environment in the future (Graver, 2010). Scuba diving operators have been able to raise the level of awareness among the tourists who have shown towards Flores and help in promotion of sustainable and balanced ecotourism.
Thus, both the activities serve the purpose of promoting the ideals of ecotourism. They are well aligned with the help the ideals of ecotourism.
Role of ecotourism in sustainable development
There is a clear and definite relationship that exists between ecotourism and sustainable development. There are set guidelines, which have been proposed in the light of sustainable development and ecotourism. The major principles, which can be followed in helping ecotourism contribute in sustainable development, which includes using resource sustainably, reducing the level of consumption and waste, maintaining biodiversity, supporting local economies. Along with this, the other principles of sustainable tourism include integrating tourism in to planning, marketing tourism responsibly, consulting stakeholders and public, etc. (Hill & Gale, 2009)
The study of ecotourism focuses on reflecting the opportunities and also the importance of sustainability. There are many strategies that have been designed in order to face the challenges, which will help in ensuring sustainable development in the country. There are well intentioned policies that help the country in moving towards democratic participation in all aspects of functioning if the activities (Hill & Gale, 2009).
Thus, it is clear that ecotourism has an important role to play in sustainable development of the tourism sector. Sustainable development will prove to be very helpful for the companies to increase their profit levels and also protect their environmental surroundings. The sustainable development helps in the overall development of the country and also stocks essential resources for the future and upcoming generations of humans. The humans will be assured that right quantity of resources will be made available at the time of requirements (Hill & Gale, 2009). Thus, it is clear that ecotourism has a central role to play in sustainable and ecological development.
Conclusion
In the above paper the main focus has been on ecotourism. It is a developing term, which helps in promotion of tourism in the country with the help of its environmental resources. Along with this, the paper also includes a discussion about current and latest approaches, which are used for the purpose of promoting ecotourism development in a country. There are many different approaches that have been used by the countries for the purpose of promoting ecotourism. There is discussion about the ecotourism products, which are used for the purpose of promoting products and adherence and depart from the laid ideals of ecotourism.
