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The Future of Tourism and the Environment

Ecotourism and its impacts
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Written by Clara Lima 

Translated by  --

Photo by Austin Ban on Unsplash

Ecotourism, in addition to being increasingly profitable and having a clean production cycle, is an industry that allows local and international engagement with the natural world that can generate a sense of belonging between the local and regional history, culture, and environment, as each place holds their unique experiences and sceneries. 

 

Combining tourism with environmental preservation is an innovative and oftentimes a positive gain promoted by ecotourism, or ecological tourism, given that this modality uses the natural heritage from a region in a sustainable way, in order to encourage environmental awareness. 

In this sense, this awareness has the ability to generate the protection of ecosystems through education and environmental preservation, as the purpose of this practice is to enjoy natural sites for entertainment and leisure without degrading or harming the areas. Other positive contributions of ecotourism include: 

  • Investments in better city life for locals and tourists from adjacent cities (roads, medical and sanitary supplies, etc.) 

  • Stimulus for local economy and traditional culture

  • Employment and income generation

  • Decreased human impact on ecosystems and natural sites

  • Pollution and degradation control

  • Greater management and protection of land and local cities

  • Encourage environmental knowledge and awareness

 

In addition, many studies confirm that having constant contact with nature can provide multiple physical, emotional, and mental relief to humans. Some benefits can include recovery from mental fatigue caused by work, studying or tiring routines; symptom relief of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), anxiety, stress, and depression. In this regard, ecotourism can serve as an escape from urban lifestyles by providing a comforting environment as a place to take care of physical and mental health.

 

However, like any other economic activity, ecotourism has its negative aspects. Some of the adverse factors stemming from this activity include the increase in cost of living for cities near touristic landscapes; the impending pressure for the over-exploitation of such landscapes in means to gain higher profit; landscape deterioration due to garbage and erosion throughout trails; and displacement of local fauna due to human disturbances. 

 

Therefore, if well supported by the government, the ecotourism industry has the potential to create a virtuous cycle. This practice could increase the efforts of environmental preservation, while also protecting surrounding communities and other preservation units, mitigating the unavoidable damage caused by human beings, as well as promoting job and rental growth. Additionally, it is also a pathway to qualifying future guides as agents of conservation and awareness for visitors. 

 

Notwithstanding, with the amount of evident degradation in ecosystems and natural sites due to human action, transforming landscapes into a tourist visitation area is an important aspect that can combine income generation and, at the same time, promote the importance of the preservation of the environment, with the hope that society can leave a better and healthier planet for the next generation.

 

What are your thoughts on the ecotourism industry? Should the practice be encouraged more or should society keep a close eye on it? 

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