Ecotourism is also called sustainable tourism. You can define it as a set of travel practices that aim toward the same goal — the conservation of the environment. When you travel, it’s your responsibility to respect nature and not do anything that may contribute to harm.
Besides that, you also need to have a good understanding of the needs of the local people and find ways to help them enjoy a good quality of life. You also have to learn the destination’s history and how it developed throughout the years, including the preservation of landmarks and other tourist spots.
Who Is Responsible for Sustainable Tourism?
If you have noticed, you can see different adverse effects from the tourism industry across the globe. Pollution, habitat loss, and the destruction of the environment and nature are some of the issues that many countries have to face every day. Hence, all stakeholders must be held accountable for this series of effects from which many people may suffer in the long run.
These stakeholders are the residents in the area, visitors and tourists, and even government and private organizations. These are the people who need to have a clear set of goals and concrete plans on how to manage the industry from which everyone will significantly benefit socially and economically.
What Are the Principles of Sustainable Tourism?
There are 10 known principles for sustainable tourism. Check each one below.
- Doing research will help find the cause and effect of the problem, gather data, and find the best resolution by understanding the results.
- The complete understanding and application of using natural resources sustainably will benefit everyone in the long run.
- The influence of marketing will educate people about the overall aspects of the environment and promote awareness to boost everyone’s satisfaction.
- The reduction of waste and overconsumption of resources will significantly help decrease possible restoration costs in the future.
- People must be given the proper training and education to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for work-related practices in the tourism industry.
- Keeping a healthy balance among cultural, social, and natural diversity in the community will promote sustainable tourism in the long run.
- Open communication among the public and private entities, people residing in the area, and the tourism industry will create cooperation and resolution to any possible conflict of interest.
- Incorporating strategic tourism planning both locally and nationally will increase the success of the tourism industry in the area.
- The tourism industry needs the cooperation of the residents to boost the experience of visitors or tourists.
- To help avoid any possible damage to the environment and even protect economic stability in the future, the tourism sector should show massive support to the local economy and industry.
What’s the Status of Eco-tourism Amid the Pandemic?
The ecotourism industry can quickly recover from any worldwide difficulties, natural emergencies, tragedies, or even economic crises. As long as all stakeholders are working hand in hand to create a strategic plan, everything can go back on track. No matter what happens, people love to travel. This is one of the main reasons why the tourism industry exists and continues to generate income for the local community.
However, when the pandemic started, everyone encountered different challenges. Many employees lost their jobs, various business people closed their companies for good, and most people struggled to keep up with monthly bills and expenses. However, not all countries had the same severity of the impact of the pandemic, but most people had the same fear and concern about COVID-19.
The good news is that other countries are starting to bounce back from the impact of the pandemic on social and economic aspects. Some tourist spots are eventually opening their doors to their customers or visitors. These include some hotels, beaches, and other mostly frequented places or famous landmarks that have begun to open to adapt to the current situation. Besides that, even the different stores at the center of a particular tourist attraction have joined in the reopening of the industry.
If you want to travel now in places that are not at high risk of COVID-19, you can buy souvenirs, like a key chain, an animal souvenir necklace, and even a wallet or a bag made by the local people. If you’re a food lover, you can find different restaurants serving their dishes and recipes while following the guidelines of social distancing and other practices. Furthermore, these openings of some business establishments to promote the tourism industry in a particular area is a big break, especially for those who suffered the most in the pandemic. It may not be the same as before, but it somehow helps everyone have a good start.
Takeaway
The tourism sector has been one of the profitable industries in different countries across the globe. However, due to the pandemic, everyone experiences struggles in various aspects of their lives. But, as time goes by, opportunities start to open, and everyone hopes that the tourism industry will quickly bounce back and grow faster after the lockdowns are lifted, and people in authority will find a resolution to fight against COVID-19.
