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ECOTOURISM

ECOTOURISM. WHAT IS ECOTOURISM? . Ecotourism is the travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improve the well being of the local people This means that those that implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:. Minimise impact

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ECOTOURISM

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  1. ECOTOURISM

  2. WHAT IS ECOTOURISM? • Ecotourism is the travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improve the well being of the local people • This means that those that implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:

  3. Minimise 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 labour agreements

  4. CLAYOQUOT SOUND, Canada – an example of ecotourism

  5. Clayoquot Sound • Snuggled up against the shore of Quait Bay in world-renowned Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, the 16-room floating resort is an ultra-luxurious wilderness getaway. Embraced by vast tracts of old-growth in one of the world's only remaining temperate rainforests, this wilderness spa for the soul includes threeprivate lakes, a natural waterfall-fedpool, and two spectacular resort properties • Natural amenities include ancient forestcathedrals, magnificent stands of 1,000year-oldcedars, miles of walkingtrails, moss carpeted thickets, pristine lakes, miles of majestic coastline, abundantwildlife, and water so clean you can see tomorrow

  6. PROTECTED AREAS

  7. FACTS ABOUT CLAYOQUOT • Clayoquot Wilderness Resort was founded in 1997 • Location = West coast of Vancouver Island, Canada • Total area of reserve = 350,000 ha • Parks and protected areas within reserve = 110,000 ha • Land portion = 265,000 ha (8%) is Vancouver Island, remaining 92% consists of ocean – narrow inlets from the Pacific • There are 5 villages in Clayoquot Sound • Population = 7,848 • It is one of the best intact examples of a temperate rainforest left on earth • 9 of the reserve’s forested valleys, (1,000 ha) remain untouched by logging and other industrial development • Trees can live to 2,000 years old and can measure 18.3 metres in circumference

  8. MORE FACTS • Clayoquot is off the power grid and is nourished by the land and sea • 2/3 is logging, 1/3 is protected • No more logging in the area until a comprehensive ecological assessment has been completed – i.e. saving the area for tourism • The island occupies a straight line distance along the coast of 90km • “Clayoquot” comes from Tla-o-qui-aht, the name of one of the First Nations tribes who live there • The spectacular scenery attracts about one million tourists each year • Only 5,000 ecotourists go on the First Nations ‘all inclusive’ Package Tour and year

  9. BENFITS OF ECOTOURISM • Employment opportunities for locals e.g. tour guides around Clayoquot Sound • More environmental protection due to increased awareness of nature and organised routes → only small areas are affected • Increased community spirit due to cooperation • Better economy due to the income from wealthy tourists (if the tourists pay $200 a day, it would generate $2 million a year) • Ecotourism in the area totals 60% → good news for the environment

  10. PROBLEMS OF ECOTOURISM • No new resource management of planning bodies associated with the reserve so the diverse range of ecosystems (rainforest, lakes, alpine peaks, coasts, beaches, estuaries and mudflats) are being threatened • 36,287 kilograms of contaminated farmed salmon has reached markets in the US, China and Japan • Salmon and sablefish in open cages in the sea is extremely unsustainable • Past activities such as settlement, agriculture and dams have left the rainforest in desperate need of a helping hand • Species have been left threatened, other endangered, and some salmon runs on the verge of extinction

  11. SOLUTIONS BEFORE – stream filled with wood debris which blocks salmon from spawning. Flooding is also a problem. AFTER – stream is restored with banks stabilised, pools protected and gravel beds established. • Friends of Clayoquot Sound have done more than blockade logging roads in their efforts to save the ancient rainforest • Over the last 2 years, the local environmental group have mounted a forest watch programme • Promoting more environmentally friendly fish farming such as integrated aquaculture, polyculture and shellfish farming

  12. FUTURE/CURRENT PROJECTS • Salmon habitat restoration projects on the ‘Kennedy Flats’ area between Ucluelet and Tofino since 1994 • Watershed is 12,937 ha (129.4 km2) • At the beginning of restoration, the salmon returns for Kennedy flats were less than 10,000 adult salmon • $122,000 granted by the Pacific Salmon Commission • This plan is comprehensive, holistic and coordinated to restore both the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems • Now, 40-50,000 adult salmon return to spawn

  13. WHY IS IT ECOTOURISM? • Originally a fishing industry, Clayoquot now receives 750,000 tourists per year • It offers organised ecotourism guides for environmentally friendly activities such a kayaking, where the tourists are taught about different bird species • Mere Island’s main attraction is its rainforest • The ‘Big Cedar Trail’ is an educational tour teaching visitors about the history of the island and tree species • In order to make the forest sustainable, the 2 mile route is marked by yellow ribbons, wooden walkways (board walks and stairs) have been built to prevent footpath erosion and assist hikers • On Flores Island, an ambitious trail-building project in under way to complete the Heritage Trail (accessible by kayak, water taxi or floatplane)

  14. WHY IS IT ECOTOURISM? • All aspects of operations are low impact • Comprehensive recycling governs food and beverage service • Gravity-fed turbines generate fuel-less electricity & hot water • Toilets compost waste materials into organic matter • All marine and land adventures are non-intrusive and conservancy driven • Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts work hand-in-hand with the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation people as well as local, regional and federal governments in developing a sustainable and environmentally friendly program that benefits all

  15. RESORTSon Clayoquot Sound • 16 guests rooms • Views from private decks • Library lounge • Fireside bars • Fitness facilities

  16. WHAT’S ON OFFER AT THE RESORTS? • Guided marine adventures by sea kayak or canoe • Guided equestrian activities • Hot Springs Cove day treks • Fresh and salt water fishing • Whale and bear watching • Hiking the endless miles of the forest trails and abandoned roads • Conservancy activities: • Salmon habitat • Bear mapping • Raptor rehabilitation • Whale acoustics • Marine inventory

  17. TYPICAL RATES Eco Adventure Packages Quait Bay, Floating Resort • 1 week in April, May, October or November - $5,040 ea • 1 week in June July, August, September - $7,560 ea Combination getaway Package • I week in June, July, August, September - $8,500 ea

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