Alyna Sigel
Traveling can be an influential life experience. There are many personal benefits of travel ranging from improved mental health to increased cultural understanding. Traveling fosters individual growth provides opportunities for memorable experiences, and allows for a deeper understanding of differences between people, countries, and cultures. This results in a common and understandable desire to be a tourist.
Though tourism benefits the individual traveler and can help local economies, it can also be detrimental to native environments and people. Tourism’s inimical consequences can be seen in the effects increased tourism has had on Hawaii. Nature, which is significant in Hawaiian culture, has been turned into resorts and shopping centers, catering to the tourist population. Additionally, this results in the exploitation of native land, such as burial grounds, to be used as tourist destinations and attract more visitors. Deforestation from tourist infrastructure construction leads to habitat loss which has resulted in 60% of Hawaiian plant and animal species becoming endangered. With native people and animals suffering from the impacts of tourism, and millions wanting to travel to the beautiful islands each year, there is a clear conflict.
Luckily, ecotourism helps to solve this problem. This method of travel is intended to be responsible and sustainable to conserve the environment, benefit local people, and increase the education of travelers. With a focus on conservation, ecotourism supports local communities, promotes sustainability, and provides educational opportunities.
Ecotourism has an abundance of benefits for both locals and travelers. Primarily, ecotourism promotes conservation. Travelers are encouraged to assist in resource conservation and cleaning of the environment. Additionally, the attraction of tourists to environmentally focused locations and activities increases the funding, maintains the employment of local community members, and improves local economies. Ecotourism also emphasizes learning about the location’s culture and traditions, providing a unique travel experience.
However, there are still a few issues to be aware of when considering ecotourism.
Depending on the company through which one travels, if it is not operated by the destination country, there may be exploitation of funding, products, and labor. This results in greater benefits to industrialized countries instead of to the developing world. Furthermore, depending on the popularity of the ecotourism site, there may be significantly increased traction that causes environmental damage, overuse of local resources, and provides economic incentives for migrants which results in further strains on resources and the environment.
Costa Rica’s ecotourism revolution exemplifies these complications. This relatively small nation holds 5% of the world’s biodiversity and has become a top destination for environmentally focused travel. Unfortunately, this increased popularity has resulted in habitat disruption and forest degradation while financially exploiting local communities. However, ecotourism in Costa Rica has allowed for substantial economic development improving the standard of living, infrastructure, and businesses. Implementing entrance fees for protected areas brings further funding to support conservation efforts while educating visitors. Additionally, destinations in Costa Rica encourage the use of renewable materials by locals and tourists alike.
When traveling, the negative impacts are, overall, unavoidable. However, the ability to experience various parts of the world, unique ecosystems, and native cultures is extremely beneficial to promote essential education. Therefore, it is important to find a method of travel that minimizes harm to both the environment and local communities, which is the goal of ecotourism. By understanding this in addition to the potential consequences of ecotourism, the importance of researching locations and travel companies is clear. Ensuring that sustainability, inclusion of local communities, collaboration with local governments, and benefits to local economies are priorities can assist in finding the best way to travel. Traveling will always leave an impact– consider what you want your impact to be.
Citations
Clayton, D. (2022). Trouble in Paradise: The Effects of Tourism on the Culture of the Hawaiian Islands. Pressbooks.library.upei.ca, XI(1). https://pressbooks.library.upei.ca/artsreview-xi/chapter/trouble-in-paradise/
Manzotti, M. (2021, November 2). Pros And Cons Of Ecotourism: What You Should Know. Ecobnb. https://ecobnb.com/blog/2021/11/pros-cons-ecotourism/
Maricar, M. (2023, April 13). Why Traveling is Important: 12 Inspiring Reasons. GoAbroad.com. https://www.goabroad.com/articles/why-traveling-is-important
Nash, J. (2001, April 1). Eco-Tourism: Encouraging Conservation or Adding to Exploitation? PRB. https://www.prb.org/resources/eco-tourism-encouraging-conservation-or-adding-to-exploitation/
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. (2024, February 29). February 2024: “Ecotourism” and How it Can Change the Way You Vacation. NH Department of Environmental Services. https://www.des.nh.gov/news-and-media/blog/february-2024-ecotourism-and-how-it-can-change-way-you-vacation
Nguyen, A. (2012). Damaging or Beneficial? | Forbes and Fifth | University of Pittsburgh. Pitt.edu. https://www.forbes5.pitt.edu/article/damaging-or-beneficial
The International Ecotourism Society. (2019). What is ecotourism? The International Ecotourism Society. https://ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism/