To quote CREST founder Dr. Martha Honey, we earnestly believe that ecotourism is “simply a better way to travel.” Here’s a look at how this transformational approach to travel benefits conservation, increases cross-cultural understanding, and ultimately turns travelers into environmental advocates:
[I] . Ivory from Elephant tusks is worth $1500 a pound on the black market, which has led to a dramatic increase in poaching. But Elephants are worth 76 times more alive than dead.[II] When you consider the revenue from wildlife photography tours, luxury safari camps, and other ecotourism offerings, a single Elephant is worth $1.3 million over the course of its lifetime![III] Ecotourism offers a long-term alternative to exploitation, generating sustainable revenue and ensuring better overall health of the ecosystem. [IV]
Nature reserves and national parks help prevent deforestation and pollution, while also protecting the habitat of endemic species. The revenue that ecotourism provides can help replace profits from exploitative practices such as mining or slash burn agriculture. It can also help ensure the long-term financial viability of the area. Naturalist guides also help travelers understand the value of a pristine ecosystem, and teach them about the importance of conservation. This ultimately help to create a more mindful and conscious legion of travelers.
When managed properly, ecotourism can offer locals alternative revenue streams. In wildlife-rich countries such as Rwanda, former poachers are often employed as guides or trackers, capitalizing on their knowledge of the animals and their habitat. In Costa Rica, unemployment has fallen to less than 10% since the country started building its ecotourism infrastructure in the 1970s. Involving local communities in tourism management empowers them by ensuring that more revenue is reinvested locally. Ecotourism also offers indigenous peoples an opportunity to remain on ancestral land, conserve it, and preserve traditional culture.
Sure, being a responsible traveler takes a greater level of commitment to being conscious and mindful of the impact we have on the destinations we visit. But ecotourism also offers us incredible, transformative experiences, allowing us to develop closer personal relationships to the nature, wildlife, and local people we encounter during our adventures. Learning about ecotourism can permanently change your understanding of mankind’s role in our planetary ecosystem. And once you’ve had that sort of travel experience, you’ll never want to travel the traditional way again.
(Adapted from https://www.ith.org.za/what-is-eco-tourism/)