Environmental Responsibility and Ethics in Adventure Tourism in the Colorado River Basin

1. Environmental Responsibility and Ethics in Adventure Tourism in the Colorado River Basin American Adventure Expeditions EAST HIGHWAYS 24 / 285 Buena Vista, Colorado12844 (719) 395-2409

2. As demand for exploring remote and thrill-inducing places grows, tourism activities also go with the tide. Adventure travel is increasingly becoming popular in that even the most hostile environments are now accessible to different types of travelers. Now that there are ways to reduce limitations in exploring exotic environments, organizations keep a watchful eye on the environmental impact of these tours. Adventure travel can be two of the following three components, according to the U.S. based Adventure Travel Trade Association: a cultural exchange, a physical activity or engagement with nature. It requires significant effort and involves some degree of risk or physical danger. A few examples of adventure tourism activities are trekking, white water rafting, zip-lining, and mountaineering and rock climbing. In the U.S., adventure trips that fall into the hard adventure category hold a sizable market, even with only a 2% population trend. Soft adventures make up 25% of international trips taken from North America, Latin America, and Europe. Although the numbers may seem small, soft and hard adventure trips can also pose major threat to these environments without proper regulation. In the U.S., one of the most popular destinations for adventure trips is the Colorado River, one of the principal rivers of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. In a study conducted by Benjamin N. Taber in 2012, key findings suggest that tourism activity in the area poses threat to wildlife.

3. “Soft” adventures offered in the national park such as fishing and hunting contribute to the fragmentation of exotic species of fish in the river basin. Global warming is the main culprit, but man-made structures also affect the hydrology of the basin. But, there are also recreational activities such as hiking and camping that foster values to preserve the environment. The Bureau of Land Management also implements resource management, especially during the winter when adventure tourism, such as skiing, is at its peak. Camping in the wintertime also draws tourists in. But during this time, only “catch and release” fishing is allowed, and no one is permitted to swim or boat in the canal. The Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation District also makes use of biological control methods such as introducing carp to the canals for moss control. In the context of climate change, adds Taber, the Colorado River and its tributaries are under threat. There are, however, several other factors that contribute to this issue, such as excessive consumption of water in Las Vegas and the increased reliance of water from the basin for household, agricultural and industrial use.

4. In a way, adventure tourism in the Colorado River can be a good thing, if ethically and responsibly managed. Tourism activities, be it recreational or hard adventure in the natural park and wilder habitats, remind people of the sanctity of nature. There should always be a balance between meeting people’s desire to experience the wild and preserving the environment. Adventure tourism is different from extractive tourism activities because its aim is to offer an authentic experience, which is why minimal effort is exerted in infrastructure. Instead, the focus is on improving facilities for sports and activities that will push tourists to go out of their comfort zones. Allowing people to experience the wilderness can help them see and know first-hand the impact of industrialization to our natural environments. RESOURCES: http://americanadventure.com/ https://www.coloradocollege.edu/dotAsset/c1d0b548-4350-4be7-b0a5- 8de6692b973b.pdf