Unit+Seven+-+Ecotourism

**The Purpose of this Unit:**
The aim of this unit to use Ecotourism as the context for developing a greater understanding of the natural environment and our impact on that environment. The Extended Response Task is to design an Ecotourism venture with special attention being placed on educating your clients about the particulars of your environ and about the sustainable practices you employ.

**What is Ecotourism?**
"Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation". http://www.ecotourism.org.au/

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**What are the five principles of Ecotourism?**


Sustainability http://www.ciria.org/complianceplus/images/sustainability2.gif
 * Key Concepts:**

**Examples of Ecotourism in SE Queensland**:
Kingfisher Bay Resort (Fraser Island) http://www.kingfisherbay.com/ http://www.kingfisherbayresort.net.au/?source=AdwordB_@Kingfisher2&gclid=CLag5P6RyowCFRF6YAod-FefVQ Podcast of 2007 Class on Fraser Island: media type="custom" key="4206837"

2009 Green Awards: 1. Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort - [|www.ladyelliot.com.au] 2. Green Island - [|www.greenislandresort.com.au] and [|www.bigcat-cruises.com.au] 3. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - [|www.skyrail.com.au] 4. Voyages Heron Island - [|www.heronisland.com] 5. Hidden Valley Cabins - [|www.hiddenvalleycabins.com.au] 6. Thala Beach Lodge - [|www.thala.com] 7. Kingfisher Bay Resort - [|www.kingfisherbay.com] 8. Couran Cove Island Resort - [|www.couran.com]


 * Cania Gorge Species List**


 * Cania Gorge National Park**
 * [|National Parks and Wildlife site]**


 * Ecotourism Certification**

Eco-Award Winning: http://www.tq.com.au/special-interests/ecotourism/news/news_home.cfm?col2Includes=infopieces.dsp_story_full&obj_uuid=31D0C4E1-F42F-AD89-6778-E9ABD0ECF804 Coonarr Beach Coastal Eco-community - http://www.coonarrbeach.com.au/home.asp

You Tube Videos of Ecotourism and Maybe Ecotourism that does not meet the definition
Costa Rica Ecotourism media type="youtube" key="MeynzQz4SXk" height="344" width="425" Ecotourism in Madagascar media type="youtube" key="dJet3ZkVnHk" height="344" width="425"

Ecotourism in Fraser Island - Kingfisher Bay Ecotourism Resort http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkdfMpUyL-M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uXJh0wL1Io media type="youtube" key="yB9qWjFRzMg" height="344" width="425"



**Key Links**:
Ecotourism Australia - http://www.ecotourism.org.au/ Tourism Queensland - http://www.tq.com.au/special-interests/ecotourism/ecotourism_home.cfm Australian Government Link - Dept. of the Environment - http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/series/paper5/index.html Ecotourism Activity Guide - http://www.ecotourism-activityguide.com/index.htm

Criteria and Resource Sheets:




Defining "Ecotourism" a has proven to be a difficult task given all the different players attempting to define it. People tend to define things in terms that are beneficial to themselves, hence the variety of definitions. There are however several workable definitions currently in wide use. The International Ecotourism Society defines Ecotourism as: "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people". The Australian Commission on National Ecotourism Strategy calls it: "nature-based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable". Since the publication of her excellent book "Ecotourism and Sustainable Development" Martha Honey's definition is quickly becoming the standard. Most serious studies of ecotourism including several University programs now use this as the working definition. Here then are her 7 defining points:
 * Components of an Ecotourism Facility**:
 * 1)** **Involves travel to natural destinations.** These destinations are often remote areas, whether inhabited or uninhabited, and are usually under some kind of environmental protection at the national, international, communal or private level.
 * 2)** **Minimizes Impact.** Tourism causes damage. Ecotourism strives to minimize the adverse affects of hotels, trails, and other infrastructure by using either recycled materials or plentyfully available local building materials, renewable sources of energy, recycling and safe disposal of waste and garbage, and environmentally and culturally sensitive architectural design. Minimization of impact also requires that the numbers and mode of behavior of tourists be regulated to ensure limited damage to the ecosystem.
 * 3)** **Builds environmental awareness.** Ecotourism means education, for both tourists and residents of nearby communities. Well before departure tour operators should supply travelers with reading material about the country, environment and local people, as well as a code of conduct for both the traveler and the industry itself. This information helps prepare the tourist as The Ecotourism Societies guidelines state"to learn about the places and peoples visited" and "to minimize their negative impacts while visiting sensitive environments and cultures". Essential to good ecotourism are well-trained, multilingual naturalist guides with skills in natural and cultural history, environmental interpretation, ethical principles and effective communication. Ecotourism projects should also help educate members of the surrounding community, schoolchildren and the broader public in the host country. To do so they must offer greatly reduced entrance and lodge fees for nationals and free educational trips for local students and those living near thetourist attraction.
 * 4) Provides direct financial benefits for consevation:** Ecotourism helps raise funds for environmental protection, research and education through a variety of mechanisms, including park entrance fees, tour company, hotel, airline and airport taxes and voluntary contributions.
 * 5) Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people:** National Parks and other conservation areas will only survive if there are "happy people" around their perimeters. The local community must be involved with and receive income and other tangible benefits(potable water, roads, health clinics, etc.) from the conservation area and it's tourist facilities. Campsites, lodges, guide services, restaurants and other concessions should be run by or in partnership with communities surrounding a park or other tourist destination. More importantly, if Ecotourism is to be viewed as a tool for rural development, it must also help shift economic and political control to the local community, village, cooperative, or entrepreneur. This is the most difficult and time-consuming principle in the economic equation and the one that foreign opeators and "partners" most often let fall through the cracks or that they follow only partially or formally.
 * 6) Respects local culture:** Ecotourism is not only "greener" but also less culturally intrusive and exploitative than conventional tourism. Whereas prostitution, black markets and drugs often are by-products of mass tourism, ecotourism stives to be culturally respectful and have a minimal effect on both the natural environment and the human population of a host country. This is not easy, especially since ecotourism often involves travel to remote areas where small and isolate communities have had little experience interacting with foreigners. And like conventional tourism, ecotourism involves an unequal relationship of power between the visitor and the host and a commodification of the relationship through exchange of money. Part of being a responsible ecotourist is learning beforehand about the local customs, respecting dress codes and other social norms and not intruding on the community unless either invited or as part of a well organized tour.
 * 7) Supports human rights and democratic movements:** Although tourism often is glibly hailed as a tool for building international understanding and world peace, this does not happen automatically; frequently in fact tourism bolsters the economies of repressive and undemocratic states. Mass tourism pays scant attention to the political system of the host country or struggles within it, unless civil unrest spills over into attacks on tourists. Ecotourism demands a more holistic approach to travel, one in which participants strive to respect, learn about and benefit both the local environment and local communities. Although not part of The Ecotourism Societies definition, giving economic benefits and showing cultural sensitivities to local communities cannot be seperated from understanding their political circumstances. In many developing countries, rural populations living around national parks and other ecotourism attractions are locked in contests with the national government and multinational corporations for control of the assets and their benfits. Ecotourist therefore need to be sensitive to the host country's political environment and social climate and need to consider the merits of international boycotts called for by those supporting democratic reforms, majority rule, and human rights. For example the campaign by the African National Congress(ANC) to isolate South Africa through a boycott of investment, trade, sports and tourism helped bring down apartheid. Determining whether to boycott or visit a country is not always easy. Among the questions to ask are: Does the economic growth fueled by tourism really improve the chances of human rights being respected? Will boycotting a country harm already impoverished workers more than it will corporate or government titans? Or are the short term economic penalties more than offset by the ultimate benefits of change? If one visits a repressive state like China, Indonesia, Peru or Syria, it is possible to make the trip rewarding both personally and politically by consciously learning about the country beforehand, meeting with dissidents and average folks, as well as government officials while there, and speaking about the political climate, not just the weather after returning home.

Facilities:
Greenwashing or genuine eco-lodge? 10 ways to tell the difference http://www.responsibletravel.com/Copy/Copy101994.htm

Water Management

Light and Energy Management

Noise Management

Code of Practice:

1994 Code of Practice for Ecotourism Operators - Australia

 * Strengthen [|the conservation effort] for, and enhance the natural integrity of the places visited.
 * Respect the sensitivities of [|other cultures].
 * Be efficient in the use of [|natural resources] (water, energy).
 * Ensure [|waste disposal] has minimal environmental and aesthetic impact
 * Develop a recycling program.
 * Support principals (i.e. hotels, carriers etc.) who have a conservation ethic.
 * Keep abreast of current [|political and environmental issues], particularly of [|the local area].
 * Network with [|other stakeholders] (particularly those in the local area) to keep each other informed of developments and encourage the use of this Code of Practice.
 * Endeavour to use [|distribution networks] (e.g. catalogues) and retail outlets to raise [|environmental awareness] by distributing guidelines to consumers.
 * Support [|ecotourism education/training] for guides and managers.
 * Employ tour guides well versed and respectful of local cultures and environments.
 * Give clients appropriate verbal and written education (interpretation) and guidance with respect to [|the natural] and [|cultural history] of the areas visited.
 * Use [|locally produced goods] that benefit [|the local community], but do not buy goods made from threatened or endangered species.
 * [|Never intentionally disturb] or encourage the disturbance of wildlife or wildlife habitats.
 * Keep vehicles to designated roads and tracks.
 * Abide by the [|rules and regulations] of natural areas.
 * Commit to the principle of [|best practice].
 * Comply with Australian Safety Standards.
 * Ensure truth in advertising.
 * Maximise the quality of experience for hosts and guests.