How ecotourism influences the environment

Tourism is an activity that moves thousands of people around the world and that brings great economic benefits to the country that receives them (and also to the global economy). Despite this, Tourist activity generates great impacts on the environment such as contributing to accelerating climate change, the loss of biodiversity and natural spaces, the excessive use of resources or producing waste that harms the environment. For example, it has been calculated that a tourist on vacation consumes up to 7% more water than a local resident. These environmental impacts are greater in the country that receives tourism, but they also generate impacts at a global level.

In this way, ecological tourism or ecotourism It emerges as an environmentally friendly option. Ecotourism offers a greener and healthier alternative to tourists and an improvement in local conditions.

Through the practice of ecotourism, tourists can help conserve the environment and local conditions, through a few simple rules. The influence of ecotourism on the environmentincludes:

• Promote natural ecosystems as a source of value and enjoyment for tourists.
• Help conserve the environment, landscapes and biodiversity, thanks to specific measures that help to achieve this goal.
• Promote the development of a tourist activity in accordance with the distinctive characteristics of a certain ecosystem.
• Awareness of tourists with regional conditions. Local populations may also join in. This allows their gradual growth and the reduction of the negative impacts they can produce.
• Participation of local populations in tourism businesses and encouraging the use of traditional local products and services by tourists.
• Promote respect for landscape and environmental quality by tourists.
• Promote the protection of local historical and archaeological resources.
• Promote the creation of protected natural areas and define their carrying capacities before the development of ecotourism activities.

When deciding on practice ecological tourismthere are a series of tips that can be given:

• Choose suppliers that guarantee quality and respect for the environment.
• Use natural resources such as water or energy, moderately, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
• Attempt reduce waste generationsince they are a source of environmental pollution.
• Get rid of the waste we generate, being respectful of the instructions that exist to do so.
• When we visit natural ecosystems such as coral reefs or jungles, find out how to do so without causing damage and respecting the instructions given to us.
• When buying gifts and souvenirs from the place, choose local productssince it benefits local producers.
• Do not buy or acquire flora or fauna that it is protected by the agreement on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) nor introduce it to other regions, since it could be dangerous for biodiversity.
• Be interested in local culture, customs and traditions.
• On a daily basis, consume local products.
• Reduce the use of private vehicles.

In this other Evidence Network article we explain in more detail How to do sustainable tourism.

One of the drawbacks that hinder the development of ecotourism It is the limited supply and higher cost of ecological products, lack of information and few alternatives to conventional tourism. On the other hand, the provider of these services also faces problems such as lack of demand, mistrust, ignorance, lack of regulation or abuse of the term “eco”.

It is recommended to be well informed before undertaking this type of trip, using the website or contacting directly with the providers of these services, NGOs or ecotourism associationsalthough information can also be found in some travel agencies.

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