Who is an Eco ~ Tourist
Ecotourism is "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:
- Minimize impact
- Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
- Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
- Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
- Support international human rights and labor agreements
Do you care about your life? Do you care about your house, your town, your country, your planet? Would you wish your great grand child to find a beautiful world to live in? Does your conscience deny you permission to throw litter anywhere? Do you care about the people in the places you visit? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you are Eco-conscious. An ecotourist is an Eco-conscious tourist. It is a person who visits a place and spends time (usually more than 24hrs) and money for leisure, business, health etc leaving the place visited a better place and the people visited happier than he found them.
Are you an Ecotourist? Do you travel responsibly?
Environmental and social concerns are driving new concern for acting responsibly in our leisure time. In the age of responsible travel it is appropriate and timely to conserve natural resources and preserve life styles of the indigenous population. Ecotourism is predicated on these principles.
Where do you fit in?
The importance of the traveler in the eco-tourism industry cannot be underestimated. You, the traveler, have an enormous effect on the travel industry through the choices you make. Here are some tips to provide you with information that will help you to become a more responsible traveler. Acting responsibly increases your enjoyment and aids in the protection of the host country's natural and cultural environments.
Before you travel...
Educating yourself about your destination, prior to departure, is an extremely important side of good eco-tourism practice. Learning about the history, culture, language, and natural environment of your destination area aids both cultural interaction and appreciation of local ecosystems. People are more likely to socialize if you show a prior knowledge of their country and home. Prior knowledge of local ecosystems means you are more alert to different animals and plants to look for. Information is available from local libraries, your tour operator, national tourism organizations, and visitor centers on arrival.
While you travel...
The manner in which you conduct yourself on vacation determines the impact you personally will make on your chosen destination area. Essentially you can make a significant difference through maximizing your positive impact and minimizing your negative impact on the host natural and cultural environments. It is important to remember that travelers are guests in the host destination.
Travelers can help to conserve the environment by making sure that their economic impact directly benefits the local population. Question who will benefit from the choices you make. Ensuring that the money you spend goes to the local inhabitants means that they will want to conserve the natural environment that has attracted you to that destination.
After your trip...
If you observed management problems during your trip, you should inform the relevant government authorities and non-profit organizations. Be helpful. Suggest changes or areas for improvement. Acknowledge areas where you saw the successful application of ecotourism principles.Eco-tourist’s Code of Ethics.
Here are a few guidelines for responsible tourists/travelers to Kenya and Tanzania.
- Respect the frailty of the earth. Realize that unless all are willing to help in its preservation, unique and beautiful destinations may not be here for future generations to enjoy.
- Leave only footprints. Take only photographs. No graffiti! No litter! Do not take away souvenirs from historical sites and natural areas.
- To make your travels more meaningful, educate yourself about the geography, customs, manners and cultures of the region you visit. Take time to listen to the people. Encourage local conservation efforts.
- Respect the privacy and dignity of others. Inquire before photographing people.
- Do not buy products made from endangered plants or animals, such as ivory, tortoise shell, animal skins, and feathers.
- Always follow designated trails. Do not disturb animals, plants or their natural habitats.
- Learn about and support conservation-oriented programs and organizations working to preserve the environment.
- Whenever possible, walk or use environmentally sound methods of transportation. Encourage drivers of public vehicles to stop engines when parked.
- Patronize those (hotels, airlines, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators and suppliers) who advance energy and environmental conservation; water and air quality; recycling; safe management of waste and toxic materials; noise abatement, community involvement; and which provide experienced, well-trained staff dedicated to strong principles of conservation.
- Encourage organizations to subscribe to environmental guidelines.