Zachary Newman Ecotourism top 10

"Although the travel industry did not originate the concept of ecotourism, it quickly adopted it,
popularized it, mainstreamed it - and watered it down" (Honey 25). We often overlook how a
concept is use beyond its original intent. This results in people misunderstanding the point of
things like Ecotourism. If people were to look at this watered down version of it they would think
that ecotourism just means environmentally themed tourism. Clearing up these misconceptions
is critical if we want to improve the Ecotourism experience.  

“Ecotourism lite is propelled by travel agents, tour operators, airlines, and cruise lines, large hotel
and resort chains, and international tourism organizations which promote quick, superficially “green”
visits within conventional packages” (Honey, 68). While it is true that these light programs do not
actually fit with the spirit of Ecotourism they are not all bad. They at least are doing something to
promote the environment. While we can wish all day that they would be perfectly how we want that
can’t happen. We have to learn to make dew with what we have.

“These displaced people have created a new class of ‘conservation refugees’ found on every
continent but Antartica” (Honey, 98). Everything has an impact even protecting the world. We can
try to do our best for everyone but that runs the risk of not doing enough.This becomes an interesting
question of how much are we willing to risk for the world to become a better place. Doing nothing is
just as much a choice as doing something.

“Ecotourism has also precipitated immigration, increased pressures on the ecosystem and civic
infrastructures, and raised the risk introduced alien species” (Honey 122). Just because we think
something is good does not make it infauable. It is important to take into account the dangers involved
in any action or program. If we do not do this then we run the risk of doing more harm than good.
Once we have looked at a problem it its entirety we can act.

“While ecotourism has brought more income and opportunities, it has also increased social and
economic inequality” (Honey 190). Ecotourism is a double edged sword, it provides great benefits
but at a risk. While as I mentioned before we must look at everything sometimes we have to risk the
bad things for improvement. If we move to slow more problems can occur. What matters is the
people who make the decision are aware.

"By 1987, tourism had become Kenya's number-one foreign exchange earner, surpassing both tea
and coffee" (Honey 296).  Ecotourism can be an incredibly profitable industry if it is done correctly.
This industry can bring in wealth to locations that normally could not get it without industrializing.
This means that economics success is no longer directly tied to industrial power. If we are able to
ring this more into everyday life we will be able to protect our world and still grow.

“It was only with the advent of colonial game reserves that indigenous Africans began to view
wildlife with hostility" (Honey 350). This is a prime example of what will happen if we addressed
this problem incorrectly. Actions without thought will lead to pain and people resisting ecological
improvements in the future. Honestly I did not go into this thinking about how native culture plays
a part in Ecotourism. The consideration of natives is something that is very important as they are
just as much people as anyone else.

“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” (Honey 443). For large amounts of change a shift in how we see the world is very important.
This is because of leaver points and a shift in paradigm is the highest of them. Also large amounts
of people is not necessarily a good thing as they can do more harm to an area then good. It is more
important that people know how to treat the environment then simply enjoy it.

“There is frequently a blurring of the boundaries between nature tourism and the more
multidimensional concept of ecotourism” (Honey 76). Clearing up misconceptions is important in
many fields for all sorts of reasons. This is particularly true in regards to the environment due to the
large number of misconceptions their are about it. Things like Ecotourism and climate change are
often not understood by the common person so it is up to us to help them understand. Honestly the
biggest thing that I will take away from this class is how important it is for people who do know more
to explain it in ways that people can understand.

“For much of the past forty years, and in the past decade more than ever, many have predicted that
wildlife tourism will help to pull Tanzania out of poverty” (Honey, 217). This is a very optimistic
thought and is one that can be applied to the world not just Tanzania. Ecotourism can do a lot of
benefit for our world if we do it correctly. While by itself it will not save our world there's nothing
wrong with looking on the bright side. We must always be striving for improvement even if it will
only slow the inevitable destruction of our world.