ECOTOURISM by NICOLE, JULIE, JUSTIN & TOMMY

1. ECOTOURISMby NICOLE, JULIE, JUSTIN & TOMMY AN ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

10. We can change This Outcome! • Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles

11. Principles of Ecotourism • Minimize impact. • Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect. • Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts. • Provide direct financial benefits for conservation. • Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people. • Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

12. What is Ecotourism? • World Conservation Union (IUCN): • "Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples."

13. Ecotourism can provide to help to the Environment: • Can generate revenues for the protection of national parks and other natural areas • Can enhance the level of education and activism among travelers and natives of the country.

14. Ecotourism Destinations • Brazil • Costa Rica • Kenya • US Virgin Islands

15. Quick Rebuttal Points From CNN.com- how to make sure where you go is ecotourism! Do some research: The biggest tour operators all have rules about labor conditions, but it's hard to know what they do to ensure they are respected. Generally there is still loads to be done, which means that people wanting to go on holiday, and the types of holidays they choose, can have a really big impact. Ask questions: Ask your operator what they do with local communities. Find out how the locals are involved and the more questions you can ask the better. They might be questions that they don't know the answer to but will have to think about, and they are even better. Things like, "Will my shower water be coming from local wells?" Basic questions that might be uncomfortable and the tour operators should really shift gear. Be fair: Even where haggling is part of the shopping culture, Barnett suggests that the pursuit of rock-bottom prices is not the fairest option: "When you get to your destination you have to recognize that bargaining down to the last cent is not the most positive way of encouraging people to come out of poverty." Go independent: Independent travel can be brilliant. It can leave more money in the local community, you're more likely to stay locally and you're more likely to stay longer and get to know people. Often economies can benefit from the money in your pocket rather that the fee that you have pre-paid.

16. Responsible Travel Myths • Myth: I have to sacrifice quality and luxury of accommodations.Reality: Many lodges, hotels, and B&Bs have very high standards for quality and luxury. They bring nature and culture within your reach, while still assuring your level of comfort. • Myth: It's expensive!Reality: Responsible tours and accommodations come in a range of prices, depending on the level of comfort and convenience you desire. • Myth: It's too difficult to be a responsible traveler.Reality: The internet makes it easy to plan and book responsible travel.  When you arrive at your destination, there are simple steps you can take to make your trip environmentally and socially responsible (see "What You Can Do While Traveling" above). • Myth: It means traveling to tropical jungles.Reality: Responsible travel often brings to mind images of exotic tropical locations, but the reality is that destinations, accommodations, and tour packages exist on every continent. • Myth: It's for backpackers.Reality: People of all interests, ages, incomes, and backgrounds can travel responsibly, and there are plenty of family-friendly options

17. Flying Responsibly • Your flight can be the most polluting aspect of your travel. It is estimated that air traffic accounts for 10% of greenhouse gases worldwide. • Opt for more environmentally friendly transport such as trains, buses, and passenger boats. Plan your trip so that you minimize air travel, and choose, whenever possible, to stay longer in a destination instead of making many short trips. • You can help offset unavoidable footprint by contributing to credible carbon offsetting programs that support conservation, renewable energy, and other energy saving projects. Learn more about carbon offsetting programs and climate-friendly travel: Traveling with Climate in Mind

18. References • http://www.nature.org/greenliving/what-is-ecotourism.xml • http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/travel/eco-travel/index.html • http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/the-worlds-best-ecotourism-destinations-52527.aspx • http://www.eco-tropicalresorts.com/caribbean/usvirginislands.htm • http://www.ecotourism.org/site/c.orLQKXPCLmF/b.5284981/k.CBDE/ecoDestinations_Caribbean__The_International_Ecotourism_Society.htm

19. Ecotourism is Sustainable and Low-impact alternative • Julie Richardson

20. UNEP, UNWTO, and The Rainforest Alliance partnered in 2008 to develop the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) • These criteria centered around what is considered the four major aspects of ecotourism: • effective sustainability planning • maximizing social and economic benefits to the local community • reduction of negative impacts to cultural heritage • reduction of negative impacts on the environment. • The GSTC are the minimum requirements for a tourism business to be considered eco or sustainable tourism

21. Ecotourism promotes sustainability • Ecotourism strives to minimize the adverse affects of hotels, trails, and other infrastructure • They use either recycled materials or plentyfully available local building materials, renewable sources of energy, recycling and safe disposal of waste and garbage, and environmentally and culturally sensitive architectural design.  • Minimization of impact also requires that the numbers and mode of behavior of tourists be regulated to ensure limited damage to the ecosystem.

22. Ecotourism vs. Mass Tourism

23. Atlantis ResortBahamas • Water consumption per guest=300 gallons/day • Destroyed natural vegetation and used solely new building materials • 2,000 trees were planted in 34 different gardens (all non-native species)

24. Maho Bay St. John US Virgin Islands • Water: • Consumption per guest=25 gallons/day • Rain water catchments collect 345,000 gallons of rainwater/year • Heat water only when necessary with Solar energy

25. Other Green Practices • They use 100% biodegradable laundry detergent and dish soap • Cut old sheets and towels to use as cleaning rags • Use spring action faucets and showers • Trash to Treasure Art Center

26. Building Materials • Use recycled materials creatively so most of materials used come from trash • Built cabins and other buildings on raised platforms to minimize environmental damage • Connected by raised walkways to prevent vegetation being trampled

27. Ecotourism Certification • GSTC allows tourists to differentiate between real ecotourism and tourist businesses that simply put “eco” in their name to attract customers • More than 170 US cities have adopted the criteria

28. Ecotourism… Creates incentives to protect environment rather than exploit it Generates revenue from park entrance fees, concessions and revenues Can be used to further support and manage the natural environment Economic Benefits

29. Employment opportunities Transition from poaching, logging and mining Sustainable development and infrastructure for tourist locations The prospering of local economies from tourist spending Societal Benefits

30. SistemaNacional De Areas De Conservacion (SINAC) Part of MINAE ~25% of land set aside and converted into protected parks and reserves 20% of population works directly in ecotourism 60% receive indirect economic benefits The Case of Costa Rica

31. http://www.untamedpath.com/Ecotourism/defining.html http://www1.american.edu/ted/costa-rica-tourism.htm http://lap.sagepub.com/content/36/3/93.full.pdf http://www.incae.edu/ES/clacds/publicaciones/pdf/cen653.pdf References

32. Ecotourism andEnvironmental Education • Promotes: • -Ecological awareness • -Conservation of natural resources • Combination of recreation and education • Individual Involvement • -Personal and Non-personal

33. Ecotourism andEnvironmental Education • Enhances attitudes and actions toward environment • Locals turn into guides/educators • Personal growth

34. Brochure

35. Sources • http://www.besteducationnetwork.org/ttviii/pdf/Arsenijevic%20Bohanec.pdf • http://www.american.edu/sis/gep/upload/Education-Ecotourism_SRP_Ben_Sander-2.pdf • http://www.onlinegraduateprograms.com/blog/2009/02/education-and-ecotourism/.

36. Rebuttal