By Heather E. Lindsay

Ecotourism, defined as responsible tourism focused on the natural world, has emerged as a concept that unites the interests of environmentalists and developers. Proponents of ecotourism see it as potential salvation of some of the world's most endangered ecosystems, and an opportunity for communities that possess biological resources to develop sustainable economic strategies, instead of pursuing environmentally-damaging patterns of resource use. However, finding a compromise between preservation and development is often challenging, and ecotourism can generate additional environmental problems for the very regions it is intended to protect.

Ecotourism is intended to be sustainable, focused on the natural world, and beneficial to local communities. The IUCN (World Conservation Union) defines it as environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations.

Practically speaking, ecotourism includes activities in which visitors enjoy hands-on experiences, such as bird-watching in the Brazilian rainforest, hiking in the mountains of Nepal, participating in a traditional village celebration, or taking a canoe trip down a river. Local guides usually accompany small groups of tourists on expeditions, teaching them about the local flora, fauna, and culture of the region. Ecotourism is characterized by small-scale outfits in remote locations where commercialization and mass-tourism outfits have not yet penetrated. Tourists typically stay with local families, or at small, environmentally-friendly hotels called ecolodges. These opportunities for personal contact with members of the host community facilitate cross-cultural exchange and add greatly to the value of ecotourism experiences for some people. Ecotourism is rooted in a conservation ethic and has a mission to support the biological and cultural resources of the community. Revenues from safari expeditions, for instance, may go to protecting the animals from poaching, while the entry fees from visiting a village may go to supporting education and health care for the local children. Prime locations where ecotourism has become popular include Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Participants in the Sustainable Ecotourism in North America Online Conference in May 2000, organized by ecotourism consultant Ron Mader, developed a number of standards that characterize ecotourism:

1. tourism activity in relatively undisturbed natural settings

2. minimal negative impacts on the environment

3. conservation of natural and cultural heritage

4. active involvement with and benefit to local community

5. tourism-generated profits contribute to sustainable development

6. educational experience for visitors that incorporates both natural and cultural heritage

Rainforest hike, Ecuador

Worldwide, tourism generates annual revenues of nearly 3 trillion dollars and contributes nearly 11% of the global GNP (Gross National Product), making it the world's largest industry. Although the events of September 11th rocked the tourism industry and made it difficult to predict long-term trends, ecotourism is a growing component of the larger tourism industry, and several factors indicate that it is likely to thrive over time. These factors include increased awareness of environmental problems among tourist populations, willingness of tourists to engage in socially-aware travel, and interest in visiting lesser-known countries like Thailand and Belize rather than traditional vacation getaways.

http://www.cofan.org/links.htm

1. Read the article again. Write T (true), F (false) or NI (no information) in the boxes next to these statements.

2. Read the article carefully and answer these questions according to the information in the text.

1) What is the definition of ecotourism?

2) To what areas is ecotourism aimed?

3) Can local population be involved in ecotourism? If yes, how?

4) What kind of activities does ecotourism include?

5) What type of accommodation does an eco-tourist usually get?

6) Where does the money from ecotourism go to?

7) Why is ecotourism better predictable than tourism?

8) Why do people travel to remote places

! There are three main groups of prepositions:

· Place: in,at,on;

· Place and movement (1): in, into, out of, on, onto, off, inside, outside;

· Place and movement (2): above, below, over, under, in front of, behind, opposite, between, near, next to;

· Place and movement (3): along, across, through

· Time: at, in, on

For more information about preposition read English Grammar in Use by R.Murphy Units 114-120

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