ECOTOURISM

Ecotourism

Ecotourism

Ecotourism, often confused with extreme sports, consists of visits to geographic areas relatively undisturbed, in order to enjoy and appreciate the natural and cultural attractions, through a process that promotes conservation, has low environmental impact and promotes active participation of local people in planning processes and the distribution of its benefits. The man is here a reason to reflect on the value of its abundant resources and the need for a responsible policy in this area. According to the World Tourism Organization, the revenue generated in developing countries from tourism reached 42 percent of total services and have a forecast of explosive growth in the coming years, especially tourism in natural areas or cultural (Bramwell, 2009, 1-19).

Our country has a clear comparative advantage to become one of the most attractive in the world in terms of diversity of landscapes and areas of natural or cultural interest. This situation becomes a key tool for sustainable development much effort must be invested in training, planning, and conservation of our heritage with the fundamental objective of preserving its true essence, its authenticity. Ecotourism is not only an important role in the fight against poverty, as has been recognized at the recent Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg, South Africa. It also provides ideal characteristics for the development of small and medium enterprises and provides an opportunity for rural communities in remote areas where investments are limited and access to public funds, but has an unforgettable landscape, an important biodiversity, or a particular culture (Bailey, 2008, 10-9).

Ecotourism as a concept

Ecotourism is a sub-field of sustainable development is a form of nature-based tourism which is characterized by a strong orientation towards sustainable development and therefore compliance is based on seven components:

Contributes to the conservation of biodiversity.

Maintains the welfare of the local population.

Includes learning experiences and interpretation

Involves responsible action on the part of tourists and the tourism industry.

Offered primarily to small groups by small businesses.

Requires the least possible consumption of non-renewable resources.

Stresses local participation, ownership and business opportunities for the rural population (Bramwell, 2009, 1-19).

Differences from Other Types of Eco-Tourism

In practice there is a problem to establish what ecotourism is and what is not. Moreover, some governments and the tourism industry by economic expediency try ecotourism as equivalent to any kind of nature-based tourism. Adventure tourism, sun and beach, camping, fishing and tourism in harmony with nature is not necessarily eco-tourism, in most cases is just the nature tourism or green tourism. However, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has issued several publications that also provide their definition of ecotourism, raise public policy recommendations and good practices ensure its continuity. Recognize that the term ecotourism has a double meaning, first refers to a concept developed in a set of principles, and on the other hand, refers to a segment of the market (Bailey, 2008, 10-9).

Ecotourism: Categories

Ecotourism can be classified into at least three major categories could be established that only relates to the conservation of nature, we are dealing ...