Your detailed and thorough post due by Wednesday@MIDNIGHT for full credit (A). Partial credit (C) can be earned by posting late, which is better than a ZERO.
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Be sure to communicate with Dr. W as needed - rob.williams@madriver.com.
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ECOTOURISM – WHO OWNS PARADISE?, Conclusion (The Road Less Traveled)
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: Ecotourism has seen its number of shams and poor planning, but the growing industry has high potential in bringing about an accessible travel experience that is more environmentally and socially responsible.
ReplyDelete1. “Ecotourism has become one of the most rapidly growing and most dynamic sector of the tourism market” (443); however quickly it is growing, it still remains the road less traveled. “Hundreds of millions of tourists still go on conventional cruises, sun-and-sea beach holidays, or mass tourism vacations” (443). Ecotourism and ecotourism lite options are available, but it does not get the numbers that turnstile tourism does.
2. “Ecotourism is part of the demand and part of the solution” (444). In the Galapagos, well-run ecotourism is the only real option. For most countries, especially developing ones, it can be clearly more profitable than alternative economic activities - often better than hunting/agriculture - and creates more jobs. However, focus has to be placed in giving money from ecotourism to the locals as well as incorporating and educating them.
3. “It will take much stronger grassroots movements, combines with alliances among activists, experts, and NGOs and carefully planned and implemented national ecotourism strategies, to curb the power of the conventional tourism industry” (447). Even though there have been shams such as greenwashing, money leakage, poor treatment of locals, etc, there is hope for the industry if we can bring together people to push for progression of ecotourism.
Question: Are there ways to convince people who are huge fans of conventional tourism to switch over to ecotourism? Would people be willing to give up Disney World?
Thesis: Although there are many ecotourism opportunities, there is so much more that needs to be done in order for it to really blossom.
ReplyDeleteFact 1: “Much of what is marketed as ecotourism amounts to only ecotourism lite, which offers tidbits of nature or minor environmental reforms such as not changing the sheets daily” (Honey, 443). This makes me think what can we do to change this and make sure that people are really getting an ecotourist experience. Just because they don’t wash the sheets daily doesn’t mean that the rest of the hotel is eco-friendly.
Fact 2: “At the local level, ecotourism principles have become part of many rural struggles over control of land, resources, and tourism profits” (Honey, 444). We’ve seen this in different locations all over the world. It’s upsetting to know that when the land that so many people go to visit is actually taken from people who had lived there. It’s even worse when those people are made to leave or stay and don’t reap the profits from the tourists that go through.
Fact 3: “Although alliances with NGO’s and experts can provide skills, funds, and political clout, it is difficult for community-based ecotourism to take hold and expand without strong government support” (Honey, 445). It’s interesting to me that even though ecotourism locations bring in a certain form of revenue for each location of them, the government doesn’t see it as much of a profit as it could be with its support.
Question: What can we do to create a broader campaign for ecotourism trips without having green-washing occur or ecotourism lite?
Thesis: Ecotourism has the potential to shift paradigms and create a more sustainable tourist infrastructure if more tourists demand it.
ReplyDelete1 . “Even more significant than the increased numbers of ecotourists is the shift over the last three decades in the paradigm and in the discourse on both protected area management and on nature tourism” (443). I think that this point from the conclusion is off the mark a bit. Rather than being mutually exclusive, more ecotourists is what’s causing the paradigm shift. Countries are recognizing that people are interested in ecotourism, and this is causing them to conserve more land and build ecotourism infrastructure.
2 . “In the old Bophuthatswana homeland in South Africa, cattle farming could generate only 80 jobs, whereas six new luxury lodges planned for a game reserve were projected to create 1,200 jobs, and ecotourism was estimated to be sixty times more profitable than cattle ranching” (444). This insight really shows the extent to which ecotourism can benefit a community. Countries are realizing that mining and fossil fuel extraction aren’t sustainable long term industries. If tourists keep demanding sustainable infrastructure, then perhaps more countries will demand it.
3 . “At the local or village level, there is a wide range of models for involvement of communities in ecotourism” (444). Management of nature reserves or parks potentially should be decentralized away from the government. Community management offers a more holistic way for the local people to create an ecotourism system. The government doesn’t have as good a sense of local paradigms, and thus management by government isn’t as efficient as that of the local people.
Discussion Question: How can you transition management of a nature reserve away from centralized government?
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1L_cGnhcNE_gPlpQfaXQ7RbOwc7BMZO9hF508MY4qRXU/edit?usp=sharing
ReplyDeleteThesis: In spite of the many issues that ecotourism has run into it is still a rowing industry that can do a great deal of good for the world if use properly.
ReplyDelete1. Tourism in general is a very large part of our global society and is often a leading economic division in country that have less to offer in terms of production. “Ecotourism has become one of the most rapidly growing and most dynamic sector of the tourism market” (443). This is a great thing as it means these country that already intend to use traditional tourism might put for more in improving the environment.
2.It is very impotent that we keep in mind how these things are run. If a poor job is done in managing Ecotourism it could end up doing more harm then good. However this mindset has its own dangers of making people put of doing things to help the environment until it is to late.
3. Over all I would say that Ecotourism is on the u and up. as I mentioned before we can see that it is a growing industry and that means more people are caring about it. Even if part of the Ecotourism industry does not do a good job it calls attention to the problems we face.
Q: how much is education on the subject of conservation worth?
THESIS: Despite the growing popularity of ecotourism, it is still considered “the road less travelled” because of the vast number of tourists that continue to choose turnstile tourism over ecotourism.
ReplyDelete1. One of the most important aspects of conservation is not only benefitting, but involving the local people in initiatives. Conserving an area works best when the people closest to that area are directly involved, consulted, and considered in doing so. “Effective conservation now includes involving and benefiting the people living nearest to the protected areas-finding harmony between people and parks…” (Honey 443). Without this harmony, conservation is nearly impossible, especially in the long term.
2. While it is important to involve and provide ownership to local people in ecotourism businesses and initiatives, it is also import to provide these local people with external allies. “Frequently, local communities strengthen their skills and political influence through through alliances with national and international environment, development, and human rights organizations, scientists, journalists, and academics, who help them build a counterweight to the power of outside corporations or negotiate terms with the national government” (Honey 445). These external influences allow the ecotourism to be supplemented by professionals outside the area, and bring in more ideas, funding, and support to the local community.
3. Ultimately, it is up to travelers to choose ecotourism as their preferred method of travel. “It will take much stronger grass-roots movements, combines with alliances among activists, experts, and NGOs and carefully planned and implemented national ecotourism strategies, to curb the power of the conventional tourism industry” (Honey 447). Conventional tourism is often the first image that comes to mind when we think of tourism, and it is easy to book a low-cost cruise and not think of the impact that the company may have on the planet of the people involved. However, we must work to change the paradigm around travel so that ecotourism becomes a primary method of travel, and conventional travel is no longer seen as the only way to travel and vacation.
QUESTION: When is it appropriate to be an advocate for ecotourism in a real-world and talk about some of the drawbacks of conventional tourism without making someone feel that you are attacking their personal choices?
Thesis: Although ecotourism has faced many challenges and in some cases caused more trouble that it may have been worth, in the long run it can effectively provide viable options for community empowerment and environmental awareness through education when done well.
ReplyDeleteEvidence #1: “Effective conservation now includes involving and benefiting the people living nearest the protected areas - finding harmony between people and parks - and nature tourism has come to mean not just wilderness experiences, but also activities that minimize visitor impact and benefit both protected areas and surrounding human populations” (Honey 443). Without nature-based and eco-tourism, people may not have the chance to be exposed to natural environments or experience things outside of their cultural comfort zones. Not only would this negatively impact the increasing amount of environmental awareness and appreciation globally and nationally, the lives of countless individuals and communities would remain unchanged by the powers of experiential learning and service.
Evidence #2: “Well-run ecotourism is the only option, the only foreign exchange-earning activity that, if done with care and controls, does not lead to irreparable damage to the environment. In other instances, ecotourism is clearly more profitable than the alternative economic activities” (Honey 444). Without a clear, enforced, and accessible plan and structure for ecotourism-based activities and organizations, specialized to location or community.
Evidence #3: “In reality, many community-based tourism and conservation programs are “relational” rather than participatory: they seek to improve relationships between the community and either the state or the private enterprise through trade-offs, rather than to devore ownership and management through trade-offs, rather than to devolve ownership and management of the protected area or tourism project to the local community” (Honey 445). Without making the changes necessary to cultivate genuine ecotourism, nature-based tourism, and conservation programs, the success and well-being of these industries and the communities involved cannot be secured.
Question: How can we effectively promote genuine ecotourism and nature-based activities?
Boom! Fine work here, ECO posse!
ReplyDeleteAll posts below this line = C/LATE.
Dr. W
Thesis: This world is changing, for better or for worse, we are seeing people moving all across the globe, we are seeing trades from nations a hemisphere away. Ideas are being shared with a greater density than ever before. As we move this forward we need to look at the paths that we have passed by, or never noticed. Ecotourism may be a key aspect in building international cooperation and collaboration: it not only help people get a better idea of the country the are visiting, fostering better understanding, it also benefits those living in the country and their ecosystem services. This may be one of the few methods for achieving some semblance of world-peace.
ReplyDelete1) “Hundreds of millions of tourists still go on conventional cruises, sun-and-sea beach holidays, or mass tourism vacations where nature is viewed at palm-fringed poolsides,” (Honey, 443) Look I absolutely agree that turnstile and traditional tourism are killing our earth. It’s a fact. But can we really blame those hundreds of millions of people? It is in human nature to want to adventure and to explore, and often these non-ecotourist trips are cheaper and more accessible. Furthermore they are a more ‘solid’ economic source for a nation. I like ecotourism, but it’s inherent exclusivity -only so many places can truly be ecotourist- and expense alienate large swaths of the population. And until that changes, while I’m not happy with these people and I disagree with them, I really can’t blame them like Honey seems quick to do.
2) “…In reality, many community-based tourism and conservation programs are ‘relational’ rather than participatory,” (Honey 445) I can imagine that this is where ecotourism is going to involve the most, as at its core to learn about the culture and environment of an area, who is better equipped than the locals? I think that the potential for educational expansion as well as economic development starts with conservation education and then bleeds into paid positions within ecotourist organizations. This will allow unique, interesting and personal touches to ecotourist exploration. Furthermore it will increase both the minds and pockets of the locals. Giving locals management seats will help create self-sufficient nations and conservation programs, which in my opinion, are the only way we can get back on track.
3) “With the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, foreign investment and free trade have become the mantras for economic development and the private sector vigorously agrees for self-regulation, low or no taxation and a bevy of government incentives to stimulate investment,” (Honey 446-447) this reliance on international trade and globalization is a huge double-edged sword. We cannot always agree on policies or whats fair, in fact we rarely do. However, creating international standards for tourism, specifically in regards to ecotourism may be the only way that we see pertinent development of ecotourism. Maybe we could actually come up with policies similar to what happened with the Kyoto Protocol, where we have a global goal and mission, but we allow states (nations) to form their own bonds or policies towards reaching that goal. So we want to be ecotourist, but each nation may meet that role is their own unique way as the geography and culture demands. This allows some flexibility while forcing the action of member nations.
Questions: What about countries such as China and India? We are not talking about some of the worst developing nations in terms of their environment. Can we allow industrialization and pollution expansion to exist and still have ecotourist programs in place?