ECOTOURISM

There are almost as many terms to describe types of travel as there are travel companies.  A couple of buzzwords that you often hear these days are "Eco-Tourism" and "Adventure Travel".  To further confuse the issue there is also "Sustainable Tourism", "Responsible Tourism", "Nature Based Travel", "Green Travel", "Multi-Sport Adventures" and "Cultural Tourism". 

Eco-tourism:   Perhaps the most over-used and mis-used word in the travel industry. But what does it mean?  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.  If true eco-tourism is important to you, ask plenty of questions to determine if your trip will help "conserve and improve" the places you visit.

Adventure Travel - Another term heavily used by marketing departments.  While travel to another country is often adventurous it is not necessarily "Adventure Travel".  Most dictionaries define adventure similarly: "an unusual experience including some level of risk and uncertainty".  "Adventure Travel" includes this idea of risk and oftentimes some unconventional means of transport.  A dugout canoe journey deep into the Amazon basin with it's attendant difficulties meets this definition.  While a city tour of Paris might have some level of uncertainty it is not by definition "Adventure Travel".  If you love true adventure you probably already know this and can see through the hype to find the real thing for yourself. 

There is sometimes a distinction made between "Soft" and  "Hard" adventures.  Soft adventures have a lower level of risk, greater comfort in accommodations and are less physically rigorous.  Hard adventures often have very basic facilities, higher risk factor and greater physical challenge (ie: mountain climbing, backpacking or river expeditions).

Sustainable Tourism: Any form of tourism that does not reduce the availability of resources and does not inhibit future travelers from enjoying the same experience.  If the presence of large numbers of tourists disturbs an animal's mating patterns so that there are fewer of that species in the future then that visit was not sustainable.  Kayaking school on a free flowing river is an example of sustainable tourism.  Big game hunting in Alaska is not.

Responsible Tourism: Tourism, which operates in such a way as to minimize negative impacts on the environment.  A wilderness camping trip using "Leave No Trace" ethics would be considered responsible tourism while dune buggy tours would not.

Nature-Based Tourism:  A more generic term for any activity or travel experience with a focus on nature.  Large jungle lodges fall into this category as do cruise ships to view penguins in Antarctica.  These types of trips may or may not be environmentally sustainable or responsible. -

Green Tourism: Often used inter-changeably with eco-tourism and sustainable tourism but more accurately described as "any activity or facility operating in an environmentally friendly fashion".  A lodge with composting toilets, gray water system, and solar powered lighting is probably "green".   There are varying degrees of "greenness"; an awareness of where resources are coming from and where wastes are going is at the heart of the idea.                                                                                

Multi-Sport Adventures: These trips have a focus on physical outdoor activities.  Rafting, mountain biking, climbing, surfing, diving, etc. all offered in the same package.  Not necessarily sustainable or eco but might be since many companies want to protect the areas where these activities take place.

Cultural Tourism: Interacting with and observing unique cultures is the focus of this style of trip.  The concept of learning from other cultures to broaden ones perspective is usually a core value.  An artisan showing you how to weave a tapestry and learning from them about their traditional dress would be a form of cultural tourism.  Buying crafts in the market with no more interaction than the exchange of money does not provide the insight into another culture that is the central theme of cultural tourism.

Clearly all of these definitions are debatable.  One person or company calls "eco" another calls "sustainable" and so on.  The main distinction between these terms is the motives and ethics behind them.  Is the environment being cared for?  Is there genuine effort to help the local economies?  Are resources being left intact for future generations?  Is the local culture being honored and valued and not just photographed?  These questions will cut through the semantics and allow you to see what is really being offered.

Source: http://www.untamedpath.com/Ecotourism/what_is_ecotourism.html

What is Sustainable Tourism?

As more regions and countries develop their tourism industry, it produces significant impacts on natural resources, consumption patterns, pollution and social systems. The need for sustainable/responsible planning and management is imperative for the industry to survive as a whole.

Sustainable tourism is probably the most important idea that has entered tourism management in the last 20 years, both as theory and as practice. A high number of definitions can be found in both the academic and professional literature. Authors may articulate their views slightly different, yet there is consensus that sustainable tourism is respectful of the destination's social, cultural and natural environments.

Sustainable tourism is often discussed as a value-ridden philosophical approach rather than a specific form of tourism. Eco-tourism (with focus on ecology) and community tourism (with focus on empowering and involving local communities) are then cited as the concrete expressions of the principles of sustainable tourism. Besides, sustainable tourismis usually presented in a presciptive way, stating what tourism should be, what it should and should not do. Unlike mass tourism, sustainable tourism should not degrade the environment and local cultures and societies, but should take into account the sustainable development of destinations. 

"Sustainable tourism is about re-focusing and adapting. A balance must be found between limits and usage so that continuous changing, monitoring and planning ensure that tourism can be managed. This requires thinking long-term (10, 20+ years) and realising that change is often cumulative, gradual and irreversible. Economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development must include the interests of all stakeholders including indigenous people, local communities, visitors, industry and government"... (http://www.sustainabletourism.net/).

"Sustainable tourism development requires the participation of all relevant stakeholders, as  as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures whenever necessary. Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them. " (World Tourism Organization, 2004 ).