Ecotourism as a Tool for Conservation & Development

If ecotourism is handled with sensitivity and common sense, it can be a tool for conservation and development. Studies have shown, however, that sometimes ecotourism is so poorly done that the negative effects outweigh the benefits.

Control

Governments in these areas should be vigilant with conservation laws. Companies organizing ecotourism tours cannot be allowed to exploit an area or its local people.

Research

Money generated through tourism makes possible more research into identifying and correcting possible imbalances in the ecosystem.

Investment

While initial foreign investment might be necessary to start an ecotourism project, the country where the project is located should sustain the project. This will ensure that the money derived from tourism doesn't leave the country.

Education

Tourists as well as the local inhabitants of an ecotourism area should be well educated about the resource in their midst, and in how to protect and sustain it. This will enable everyone to enjoy the resource and help the local people in the form of jobs and other benefits.

Working Tourists

These tourists would help out in a specific ecotourism area by working on building or cleaning projects. They would not be paid.

References

• Direct Environmental Impacts
• Improving Sustainability
• Ecotourism Negative Impact