Tourism is a multibillion-dollar industry that plays a vital role in stimulating local economies and employing millions of people every year. However, traditional ways of travel can have detrimental effects on the area’s environment and residents.
Ecotourism allows people to enjoy the same positive experiences of traditional travel without the negative consequences. This form of tourism aims to uplift local people and bring awareness to wildlife. Learn more about ecotourism and why it is important to the future of travel.
Ecotourism refers to environmentally conscious and socially responsible travel. It involves tourism to natural areas that is sustainable and benefits the wildlife and local people.
Ecotourists look for environmentally-friendly accommodations in the area that prioritize low or no emissions and are conscientious about their carbon footprint. From reusing bath towels to turning off the air conditioning, these travelers take initiatives to minimize the negative impacts on the region they visit.
This style of travel helps marry conservation efforts and tourism. It inspires stewardship of natural resources while helping protect wild habitats. The money generated through ecotourism helps fund local preservation endeavors and encourages the use of tourism to strengthen environmental conservation.
Ecotourism can also enhance community development by fostering respect and appreciation for the local culture of the place they are visiting. These travelers want to spend their time and money at local establishments that implement sustainability efforts. This offers the local people alternative sources of income and rewards environmentally conscious businesses.
Traditional tourism refers to travel to a location outside a person’s usual setting. It is a vital source of income for millions of people, and it fuels various industries such as transportation and hospitality. Here are a few of the multiple drivers for traditional tourism:
However, tourism can have damaging effects on the environment and local people. Ecotourism prioritizes environmental conservation and education about the local culture. Its purpose is more deliberate than regular travel.
Traditional tourism does not concern itself with its impacts on the environment. Instead, it prioritizes the traveler’s experience above all else. Ecotourism revolves around minimizing negative effects on wildlife and local communities while supporting conservation efforts.
Because ecotourism serves a different purpose than traditional tourism, the destinations also tend to differ. While other travelers may visit urban areas or commercialized attractions, ecotourists typically visit areas with natural attractions such as:
After the Industrial Revolution, traveling became accessible to millions more people. New and improved transportation systems such as railroads and airplanes made it easier to engage in tourism, whether driving to a beach an hour away or flying across the country to visit a different city.
The influx in travel came with many exciting opportunities but also various problems, including:
The rise in tourism also had negative social implications in addition to environmental costs. Traditional travel can wreak havoc on the culture and authenticity of a location because it often leads to standardization and the loss of cultural diversity.
And while tourists have enjoyed visiting natural areas for centuries, the concept of ecotourism was not popularized until the early 1980s. It was initially intended to allow travelers to visit exotic natural destinations without causing social or environmental harm.
Ecotourism continued gaining momentum throughout the 1990s and 2000s. People began to understand the planet as an exhaustible resource that requires environmental preservation efforts to maintain and support it. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) began in 1990 and continues to lead in ecotourism education worldwide.
Today, ecotourism is more prevalent than ever before. In 2019, the industry generated more than $181 billion, and experts project that its popularity will only keep growing in the coming years.
The long-term goal of ecotourism is to create travel experiences that are mutually beneficial for tourists and the destination. Ideally, this form of travel will offset some environmental harm created by tourism and offer financial and ecological benefits to the areas travelers visit. It is a movement for social and environmental justice and equality.
Sustainability doesn’t happen on its own. Ecotourists must keep a few different considerations in mind when planning a trip. The following are the foundational principles of ecotourism:
To consider a trip part of ecotourism, it must follow these principles and aim to minimize travel’s negative environmental and social implications.
Traditional tourism can be damaging to a place’s culture and natural ecosystems. Consider the following negative implications of travel:
Ecotourism can make travel beneficial to conservation and sustainability efforts. It can shed light on important natural spaces while stimulating the local economy and improving well-being.
While traditional travel can boost local economies, it can have damaging effects in other areas. Ecotourism aims to have financial benefits for the communities they are visiting while simultaneously benefitting the local environment and people. The money made from sustainable travel can create jobs and support regional conservation.
Ecotourism enhances conservation and shows the significance of protecting the integrity of our local ecosystems and cultures. Overall, it makes traveling mutually beneficial for visitors and the places they visit.
There are many advantages when it comes to ecotourism, including the following:
This style of traveling can be highly educational. It enhances awareness about climate change and its impacts on local communities. Travelers can learn about endangered species and how things like pollution or litter can further threaten wildlife. Plus, researching ecotourism accommodations and visiting new regions mindfully is education in and of itself.
Ecotourism aids in the protection of natural habitats. This is especially important in poorer regions with economies that rely on their natural resources. With ecotourism, communities can create a more profitable economy while projecting their environmental resources. Many businesses might have information regarding their environmental efforts published on their websites.
Sustainable travel can boost awareness about various environments and the importance of choosing accommodations that minimize their harm to the immediate area and the planet.
There are also financial advantages associated with ecotourism, including the following:
Another benefit of ecotourism is improving local communities and gaining a deeper understanding of their way of life. This style of tourism is more sensitive toward cultures and the impact that local travel has on people’s lifestyles.
There are multiple ways to approach an ecotourism trip:
If you are interested in participating in ecotourism, you may be wondering how to get involved. The following are ways you can incorporate sustainability into your travel plans:
Understanding ecotourism’s key principles and its significance in social and environmental conservation efforts allows you to make more informed decisions on your next ecotourism trip.
There are many exciting and diverse ecotourism destinations throughout New Jersey. From thousands of hiking trails to miles of shoreline, there are tons of sustainable travel opportunities to pick from. Any naturalist looking to embark on a new ecotourism adventure is sure to enjoy all that the Garden State has to offer. You can go bird watching or grab your GPS and a bike and hit as many geocaches as you can!
Looking to book an ecotourism trip to Ocean City, New Jersey? There are many accommodations and local businesses to make your stay sustainable and fun. Bring your binoculars — you’ll want to see all that Ocean City has to offer.
From wetlands to wildlife refuges, there are many sights to take in. An ecotourism trip can help you find a new appreciation for our local landscape and the many people who work and live here.
Are you interested in learning more or have any questions? Contact the Regional Chamber of Commerce today!
