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What is Ecotourism? . According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)" Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. “ http://www.ecotourism.org. Goals .
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What is Ecotourism? According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.“ http://www.ecotourism.org
Goals Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel
Principles of Ecotourism • 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.
Size of Global Tourism • Largest business sector in the world economy, the Travel & Tourism industry is responsible for over 230 million jobs and over 10% of the gross domestic product worldwide. • In 2006, Travel & Tourism (consumption, investment, government spending and exports) is expected to grow 4.6% and total US$6.5 trillion.
Importance of Ecotourism • Tool for economic development especially for developing countries.
Ecotourism impacts Benefits • Incentive to develop strong env policies • Local & national economic sustainability • Value of env conservation & protection • Promotes local env education • Preservation of culture Drawbacks • Increase strain on local resources food, water ect. • Damage to natural env from littering, trails ect. • Social tension between tour operators & non operators • Inequalities based on geographic location
Example of Ecotourism I visited Belize in 2008 for educational purposes, to experience the environment & culture and assess the ecotourism model in Belize
LANDSCAPE • The climate is subtropical with a well- marked dry season from February to May. • Numerous habitats Mountains, valleys, rainforest, pine forest, savanna, marsh, and mangrove • Second-longest barrier reef • Diverse animals and plants • Tourists visit Belize, mostly to view wildlife, visit archeological sites and snorkel and dive the reef