ECOTOURISM
Definition
Ecotourism is a relatively new word which does not always have a clear definition.
Even though some industry bodies may have adopted a particular definition, it still means very different things to different people. The following is one way of defining it:
The Australian National Ecotourism Strategy (Commonwealth
Department of Tourism 1994) defines tourism as follows:
Ecotourism is nature-based tourism that involves education and interpretation
of the natural environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable.
This definition recognises that ‘natural environment’ includes cultural
components and that ‘ecologically sustainable’ involves an appropriate return
to the local community and long-term conservation of the resource.
ECOTOURISM is the combination of two words: ECOLOGY and TOURISM. Ecology relates to the study or understanding of complex relationships in the natural world. Flora, fauna, soils, air, water and even people are some of the factors included in understanding and describing these relationships.
The nature of these relationships may be positive, negative or a combination of these. In rare instances, the nature of the relationships may not be as important. Often the longer term effects of a change in a relationship is not readily obvious, and it is for this reason that management principles are so important in this developing industry. The direction ecotourism takes will be primarily up to the people who are involved at all levels of its implementation. Poor management will result in lost resources and ultimately a failed industry.
Mail Order Books on Ecotourism (click here)
- Distance Education Courses available through ACS Distance Education:
- Click on a course that interests you
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- Ecotour Management
- Tour Guide
- Bushcraft and Wilderness Skills
- Nature Park Management
- Adventure Tourism
- Ornithology
- Marine Studies
- Zoology
