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ECOTOURISM – WHO OWNS PARADISE?, Chapter 10 (Ecotourism in the United States)
1) THESIS: IYOW, post a single sentence that captures the thesis for EACH CHAPTER/ SECTION of our reading.
2) EVIDENCE: Post and number THREE specific observations from EACH CHAPTER/SECTION of our reading(s) that supports your thesis.
Use 2-3 sentences for each observation, and combine direct quotations from the text (AUTHOR's LAST NAME, 27), with IYOW analysis.
3) QUESTION: Include in your post a SINGLE SPECIFIC question you'd ask the class based on our readings.
Thesis: National parks throughout the United States have created a great deal of tourism for the country.
ReplyDeleteFact 1: “The United States is a tourism superpower: it is the number-one-country in the world in tourism receipts and the third-highest in international tourist arrivals (behind France and Spain)” (Honey, 397). Neither of these facts were surprising to me because I feel like the United States is really intriguing to international people who want to see what the fuss is all about. I do however think that there are more beautiful places in the world that tourists can take themselves to.
Fact 2: “Yellowstone, located mostly in modern day Wyoming, holds the mantle as the United States’ — and the world’s — first legally authorized national park” (Honey, 405). Even though I’ve never been to Yellowstone, I know that it is one of the best locations to go in the United States. I think if tourists are going to come to America, they should most definitely spend a solid amount of time out west.
Fact 3: “The U.S. National Parks System has become the country’s leading recreation attraction” (Honey, 407). This doesn’t shock me at all. I’ve been out to Utah to Arches National Park and it’s simply jaw dropping. There’s nothing else like it and to have it be preserved means a great deal. The national parks in the United States have done an incredible job maintaining their beauty.
Question: Even with the United States being a tourism superpower, will it be able to maintain its beauty in certain tourist destinations with the amount of tourism flowing through?
Thesis: Ecotourism in the United States is heavily driven by the “preserved wilderness space” that we have access to. However, in this case are ecotourism and adventure tourism being confused?
ReplyDelete1 . “…ecotourism in the United States can be most concretely traced back to the growth of the National Parks system” (395). This model is very similar to what spurred the new ecotourist prosperity in South Africa. The United States doesn’t use the same type of community wild space management that SA does though. I believe that this is where we make our gravest mistake. Trump is also running rampant, and trying to destroy our NPS one step at a time (i.e. Grand Escalante and Bears Ears).
2 . “The United States is a tourism super power: it is the number one country in the world in tourism receipts and third highest in international tourist arrivals” (397). Ah, this explains so much. Perhaps this is why we lead the world in resource consumption. Perhaps this is the reason why we have some of the highest levels of carbon output in the world. Perhaps this is why neoliberalism has spread at such an exponential rate. In all seriousness, this is truly disgusting. Turnstile tourism should not be considered a worthwhile resource. If these numbers were instead related to ecotourism, then perhaps it would solve some of our problems.
3 . “The largest is the US Forest Service, located in the Department of Agriculture, which manages 700 million acres of national forests and wilderness areas across all fifty states” (402). This is both good and bad in my mind. The USFS and the Department of Agriculture have done some good in the past. However, they still ultimately serve the US government’s interests, and were originally made as ways for the government to generate more revenue. They’re basically businesses in a sense. I feel like it would make more sense for the wilderness space to be managed by more local organizations.
Discussion Question: Do you think that community management of national parks is ever going to be possible for the US (similar to SA), or have we moved too far beyond that point?
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ReplyDeleteTHESIS: Although there are many nature-focused tourism options such as the national parks, the United States still has a ways to go in establishing ecotourism as a societal norm when it comes to leisure and tourism.
ReplyDelete1. National parks bring in a huge number of American and international tourists. “...nearly 40 percent of all U.S. adults had visited a national park at least once in the past five years, and that, in 2002 alone, 20 percent of of international visitors visited a national or state park while in the United States” (Honey 399). This shows how popular an attraction the national parks are in America, and how important they are in the tourism economy in the U.S..
2. The Green Hotel Association aims to make hotels in America “greener” and more sustainable. The association launched the campaign that gives hotel guests a choice on whether or not they would like their sheets and towels cleaned and changed on a daily basis. Although a start and a positive initiative, there is still much work to be done in reliable and truthful “greening” of hotels. “..GHA simply supplies information; it sets no criteria for membership and does no on-site inspections” (Honey 431). This allows misinformation and a form of “ecotourism-lite” to occur in the tourism industry.
3. Since the creation of national parks where indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their land, American tourism has exploited workers, locals, and democracy. Although there are efforts and initiatives in place to combat some of these human rights issues, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. “Proponents and practitioners of ecotourism in this country have not been organically situated within the popular struggles for human rights and democracy, either at home or abroad” (Honey 441).
QUESTION: Could privatization of our national parks have significant benefits as the Trump Administration suggests, or should lands be kept totally public (or somewhere inbetween)?
Thesis: National Parks and other protected land make up most of what we consider the ecotourism of the United States, but can we consider this truly ecotourism, as we define it.
ReplyDelete1. The national park model that the United States uses and created is that of a fortress. The government deems a wilderness area as a national park and then all those who inhabit it and use the land are kicked out. Many view that ecotourism is yet another way for Native communities to be exploited. The natural park system is green travel but not ecotourism as Honey defines it. This model does protect the natural environment and forster a respect for it. However, this does not benefit the local communities. The original native communities we expelled from their lands in order to create this, and currently there are not communities allowed to live in these parks. As the chapter puts it, “Ecotourism has still to demonstrate that it is not simply further exploitation under a new name, but rather that it can offer host communities opportunities for tangible financial benefits and empowerment, while respecting the culture.” (Honey, 396). Unfortunately, like many things, other countries are adopting this method of natural land preservation from the United States.
2. In the national park system like many other conservation efforts across the world, comes into question, “what are we preserving?”. There are many preservation efforts being made in national parks, but with little funding, the parks must choose what is the most of value. The main preservation debate is to preserve the important ecosystems and natural system or to preserve the picturesque natural beauty. The environmentalist are saying to preserve the systems because that it the entire purpose of having these preservation efforts. However, with the need for tourism funding these national parks, they must take into consideration the natural beauty aspect of conservation. “But despite such popularity, most experts agree that the National Parks System is troubled by a range of both external and internal pressures.” (Honey 408). If the environment is not put first then this cannot be defined as ecotourism.
3. A new environmental awareness has been spreading throughout the United States. People have been becoming more environmentally conscious and also a love of the outdoors is becoming a part of the American culture once again. National parks mark an important beginning in the colourist movement. This preserved land is essential to ecotourism and conservation. However, the need for eco-certification for hotels, lodges, and outdoor areas is crucial as well. The growth of these certifications is essential for true ecotourism to happen in the United States. Honey explains in this quote, “ ...monitoring will be needed to ensure that demand for nature tourism and other forms of of outdoor recreation does not degrade the resources and ecosystems on which they depend.” (Honey 439).
Question: Can we define preservation of land ecotourism as we do in the United States?
Thesis: Ecotourism in the United States is quite the mixed bag, the interest the American people have in it is quickly growing but conventional turnstile tourism is still by far the most prevalent form.
ReplyDelete1.While a lot of interest in the topic is being shown by the population most of it is directed at the citizens visiting locations outside the country rather then improving their own. When compared to other countries that are doing a good job in this field the United States does not get as large of a portion of income from ecotourism or even general tourism. "Ecotourism has developed only in pockets, at state or regional level, and while it has helped to minimize environmental impacts in some instances, the successes are relatively minor" (439). the system is just not on a large enough scale for it to be of great interest to the country as a whole causing it to fall behind.
2.The national parks act as the largest part of ecotourism in the United States being the main location of travail when it is done with environmental intent. "But despite such popularity, most experts agree that the National Park System is troubled by a range of both external and internal pressures" (408). These areas act as both the locations people want to travail to and where we want to protect. This makes it difficult to support one of them one hundred present as with our current systems as to do we would have to give up on the other.
3."In a 1997 study, direct spending on leisure activities (tourism, recreation, and business travail) in the United States was calculated between $436 billion and $512 billion" (397). The united states has the funds and GDP to truly improve their ecotourism field and could quickly become a leader. Unlike other locations it is not a lack of ability but rather one of drive. If it was some how possible to get the entire country behind this true progress could be seem.
Question: How might you go about getting policy makers to put more funds into ecotourism?
Thesis: The United States is progressing quickly in its ecotourism industry, but, as seen in most of the other countries, still has struggles trying to balance all of the principles.
ReplyDelete1. “[The US] is the number-one country in the world in tourism receipts and the third-highest in international tourist arrivals (behind France and Spain)” (397). However, the attack of 9/11 brought a decrease in tourists: “The United States has fallen from first to sixth among “dream destinations for international travelers,” and 77 percent of travelers believe “The US is more difficult to visit than other destinations” (398). As a nation, the United States is still trying to recover from this attack when it comes to international tourists.
2. With 12 major ecological regions, the US has the highest number of legally protected areas in the world. While the amount of land being protected is incredible, Natives were often forced off of this land when it become a park. Furthermore, visitor fees remain modest so the entrance fees only cover 10% of operating costs. Even so, “Tangible financial benefits are being recorded, particularly from various types of rural tourism” (440).
3. There are two most common forms of ecotourism: agrotourism and eco-ranching; Agrotourism is the fastest growing ecotourism sector, and consists of visiting somewhere agricultural. This is the most prevalent in Vermont, Hawaii, Montana, and California. These are quite distinctive when looking at the other countries discussed so far in the book, and it definitely has its own advantages.
Question: How can funds be properly put towards conservation efforts and the locals affected by the parks and industry? Will this require more governmental attention than ecotourism is currently receiving?
Thesis- Although tourism in the United States has been generally successful, it has neglected to meet the requirements necessary for genuine ecotourism in nearly every area of the philosophy.
ReplyDeleteEvidence #1- “One interesting survey, done in 2002, found that U.S. travelers are more likely to select hotels with a “responsible environmental attitude”; however, only 14% actually ask hotels if they have an environmental policy. What this indicates is that while there is broad interest in responsible travel - in ecotourism - U.S. consumers are fairly passive in carrying out their views” (Honey 399). Although it may seem that travellers in the United States are conscious and environmentally responsible, they are often not willing to put in the work and effort to backup the knowledge they gain, or speak with the organizations/businesses/hotels they are supporting to understand their policies on the matter. It seems more and more that any “nature tourism” or “ecotourism” in this country is usually a show, supported with little substance, support, or regulation.
Evidence #2- “From the beginning, the U.S. parks were formed, through purchase and conquest, with the twin goals of conserving “the last remnants of free land” for future generations and promoting enjoyment through tourism” (Honey 405). Although the U.S. parks were formed for future generations, throughout history the creation of parks meant the loss of a home (as in shelter) and a homeland for many Miwoks. My point is, the foundation of these parks for future generations were built literally on top of the site of pain, humiliation, and suffering of an entire population of local, native people.
Evidence #3- “Sound and robust ecotourism takes national planning and government leadership, and this does not yet exist in the United States…Ecotourism has developed only in pockets, at a state or regional level, and while it has helped to minimize environmental impacts in some instances, the successes are relatively minor” (Honey 439). It’s just sad to me that this book was written ten years ago and we’re still trying to answer the burning question of how to balance effective conservation and education with successful promoting and marketing of beautiful places around the world, and empowerment of local people/cultures within our borders.
Question: What is the significance of naming and honoring an area/thing for conservation and visitation? Do you think it gives us more motivation to care about/protect/visit the area or thing with a name? If so, why do we feel that we can only care about the Earth in some places but not others?
ECO goes VIRAL - fantastic work here!
ReplyDeleteAll posts below this line = C/LATE.
Dr. W
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JzmLmXZ4f9Iee9P_uy7bjTqZwaaKEeDp2RTmOCdKKek/edit#slide=id.p
ReplyDelete