Writing Assignment help on : Eco-Tourism

In literal term, eco -tourism could be understood as making as little impact as possible to the environment while visiting a place (Infotech, 2010). Eco tourism aims at encouraging wild life and habitats while touring. The prime focus of it is on local cultures, wild life, volunteering and learning new ways of living on our vulnerable planet.  It is about uniting conservation, societies and ecological travel.As per (TIES, 1990), eco tourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people”. For and increasing bio-cultural diversity, eco-tourism provides effective economic incentives, and it helps in saving the natural and cultural heritage of our planet. The concept of eco-tourism came in to picture in 1970s as a result of various environment movements, which has now became a crucial sector of tourism industry(Sanders, 2012). The tourists planning for eco-vacation not only enjoy visiting beautiful landscapes and also get educated on the roles of protecting biological environment and supporting cultures and economies. It is an opportunity for the tourists in contributing towards the conservation of protected habitats, wildlife parks and refuges. According to a U.S. Agency for International Development, many countries and their government do not have sufficient funds to protect the areas which are officially reserved for natural conservation, so it’s the tourists who visit these places help in generating funds by spending for their vacations for protecting these areas for future generations (Sanders, 2012). As noted by(Critchley, 2010), ecotourism is the purposeful travel to natural regions in order to understand the natural and cultural history of that particular environment, but need to careful while making opportunities beneficial to local people that it should not alter the integrity of the ecosystem. According to Critchley, ecotourism contributes to the conservation of the areas visited and also helpful in sustainable development of the adjacent areas and communities. The prime criteria of it is the local community involvement and income generation for them without affecting the ecosystem, Kenya wild life in Africa is an example for one of the prime ecotourism destination.

Eco tourism is also an effective means to achieve sustainable development of local economies, by establishment of tourism- related industries such as, hotels, restaurants, craft markets, tourist agencies, guides, etc. The purpose of eco tourism is to expose the realities of an area to the tourists rather than hiding them, so that they would be aware of the social condition surrounding the travel destinations. As per the International Ecotourism Society, the prime principle of ecotourism is developing cultural awareness and respect for local people and their customs and religions.

As such there is no clear definition of eco-tourism and according to Patterson (2007) in (Urias & Russo, 2009) mentioned that the definition depends on whom so ever you talk to. Some felt that nature tourism, adventure tourism, historical tourism etc are all part of ecotourism while some felt it is a separate category. What is crucial about ecotourism is that is committed and concerned towards the environment, culture, nature and education. As per many experts in the field expressed that it has a two fold developmental goal that is environmental conservation and local people benefits. The main aim of ecotourism is to boost tourist’s attentiontowards environment. It is considered to be one of the major contributions of ecotourism that it has exposed people to understand the need to value and protect their natural and cultural environment.  It could result in to a responsible travel and tourism culture for tomorrow. Some of the key features of any ecotourism program could be as pointed out by (Urias & Russo, 2009)as follows:

• Investigating history, biography, ecology and related cultural and social context in a region.
• Appreciating and understanding culture of the region
• Investigation the human impacts on the natural system, and their responses towards those changes.
• Maintaining relationship between societies and their natural environment
• Assisting in the preservation of rare landscape, wild life, habitats and species of a region (Urias & Russo, 2009).

Ecotourism originated in late 1960’s and due to the impacts of mass tourism, conservation and protection of nature became the topic of discussion(Lanza, 2008). In the beginning of this millennium, the tourism industry became the world’s fastest growing in the world. It has been found that entertainment and nature tourism had carried tourists to ecosystem which could be negatively impacted due to influx of visitors. Heavy visitor’s traffic would be threatening for any destination. According to UNEP, United Nations Environment Program, the heavy tourism is having its impact on ozone depletion. With rise in tourism, the increase in the use of transport, refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol propellants contribute in ozone depletion (Lanza, 2008). Tourism is considered to be the crucial contributor of green house gases in the atmosphere, thus adversely affecting the environment. Ecotourism is at present the recent trend in touring, and tourists are being told that they going for nature friendly environment tour which is considered to be                                                                                                                  green and environment friendly. But many a time the promotions or the trips are found to be deceptive. Eco tourism is no doubt good for any region, but it has certain disadvantages also which are being listed below:

• Threatening to local culture: Ecotourism in the name of environmental friendly is entering in to tribal areas, and the tour managers appoint tribal people for gun and entertainment which could threaten local tribal cultures (Admin, 2010).
• Little infusion in local economies: As per tourists they benefit the country and the region they visit by paying the local people, but actually they use the country’s resources and infuse very little economically(Admin, 2010).
• Environmental damage: excessive increase in tourism causes huge damage to the environment by releasing large amount of green house gases and thus adversely affecting environment(Admin, 2010).
• Saftey: the tourists in the name of ecotourismwant to experience authentic tribal and wild life experiences. To avail this experience they avoid large players like Disney and go for small gents who do not care much for the safety issue, and reduce costs from every corners. This would result in to unsafe and unpleasant ecotourism experience (Admin, 2010).
• Lack of rules and regulation: there is no rules and regulation for eco tourism, the tourists do not have any overseeing board or company, where they can complain about the unsatisfactory trip

Even though there are many drawbacks of ecotourism, it has varied advantages too which are as follows according to (Grouch, 2012):

• Conservation: ecotourism bring together the local and global awareness to the threatened regions in the world. The funds generated from this kind tourism are being used for protecting and conserving neglected regions or the parks (Grouch, 2012).
• Protection: Ecotourism helps in protecting wildlife and extinct animals. The organisations involved in ecotourism helps local business people in building properties that will not harm the native fauna. The hotels and restaurants also use funds in protecting endangered and threatened wildlife (Grouch, 2012)
• Economic advantages: It is generally being found in economically depressed regions of the world. The organisations like TIES ensures economic stabilization by developing hotels and lodges in such a way and employing local people. The organisation also gives training to local people in hospitality and tourism industry and other aspects of tourism which would help them to operate better and maximize profits (Grouch, 2012).
• Cultural Advantage: Respecting local customs and religions is the prime aim of ecotourism. By maintaining relations between local leaders, communities and organisations could resolve cultural issues (Grouch, 2012).
• Awareness: Ecotourism is popping up all around the world, and it makes people aware of various environmental and wildlife issues (Grouch, 2012).

For a successful eco tourism project partnership is must between local communities, tourism industry, NGO’s, government agencies, funders, eco tourists, this will result in a successful ecotourism plan.

Promotion of ecotourism

The prime objective behind the development of any ecotourism product could be sustainable development objectives. In almost all cases the principles behind the successful product development and marketing are same (Denman, n.d.). As per Dr. Denman key challenges and priorities behind successful ecotourism product are:

• Various ecotourism products have failed mainly because they lacked proper business planning, poor feasibility assessment and lack of market response.
• Isolation, size, scale and lack of resources are challenges for the cost effective promotion plan for ecotourism.
• Inconsistency in environmental performance and the quality of the visitor’s experience.
• No doubt there is demand for nature based tourism but only few search for sustainable ecotourism products.

These issues are not so major and could be sorted out by creating correct structures through working together with stakeholders. It us required to have a proper understanding of the market and and how to have proper reach.Dr. Denman also mentioned that for promoting ecotourism the focus should be product design and its management to meet market requirement and sustainability objectives. The providers should also pay attention on the quality of the product. And the promotions are required both locally and globally to have maximum reach to customers.

For marketing of ecotourism and its promotion, (Stevens & Jansen, 2002) mentioned SWOT analysis for ecotourism for its better understanding. Though (Stevens & Jansen, 2002), did this SWOT analysis for Botswana ecotourism, but it goes correct with almost for all ecotourism areas.

In eco tourism, government, local communities, organisations, international agencies all have a distinct role to play in promoting it. The experts investigated that it is necessary for ecotourism especially; all bodies acting in this sectors must address the needs of local community. For developing a sound marketing strategy for promotion it requires meeting the combination of social, commercial and environmental objectives and requires strengthening link between small enterprises and projects. And eco-tourism product development and marketing, the support from both national and international government is required (Denman, n.d.).For understanding the eco tourism market it requires extensive market research and understanding various segments such as school groups, general tours, domestic tourists and then try to develop the marketing plan to create awareness amongst the selected segment. It is also necessary to understand the patterns of visitor flows and performance for developing future strategies (Denman, n.d.).

Conclusion

Thus, eco tourism is an effective means to achieve sustainable development of local economies, by establishment of tourism- related industries such as, hotels, restaurants, craft markets, tourist agencies, guides, etc. The purpose of eco tourism is to expose the realities of an area to the tourists rather than hiding them, so that they would be aware of the social condition surrounding the travel destinations. As per the International Ecotourism Society, the prime principle of ecotourism is developing cultural awareness and respect for local people and their customs and religions. It is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people”. For and increasing bio-cultural diversity, eco-tourism provides effective economic incentives, and it helps in saving the natural and cultural heritage of our planet. Eco tourism has both its advantages and disadvantages, but there’s no doubt it is growing, but it requires proper education to tourists and also to tourism agency so that the quality is not compromised. It requires equal support from local and national organisations and from different organisation working in this sector for its proper development.

As per (Stevens & Jansen, 2002), the prime objectives of ecotourism are:

• Minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
• Maximizing involvement of local communities for generating economic benefits for them and their development.
• Revenue generation for conservation
• Educating visitor and local people the importance of conservation and protection of natural environment.

Delivering good experience to tourists.

If you want Writing Assignment Help study samples to help you write professional custom essay’s and essay writing help.

Receive assured help from our talented and expert writers! Did you buy assignment and assignment writing services from our experts in a very affordable price.

To get more information, please contact us or visit www.myassignmenthelp.Com