Introduction to Ecotourists and Responsible Tourists
As tourism continues to grow worldwide, there's an increasing focus on how we can travel in ways that don't harm the places we visit. This has led to the rise of ecotourism and responsible tourism, with specific types of tourists who prioritise environmental and social concerns when they travel.
Key Definitions:
- Ecotourism: Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local people and involves education and interpretation.
- Responsible Tourism: Tourism that creates better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit, minimising negative economic, environmental and social impacts.
- Ecotourist: A traveller who chooses destinations and activities based on their environmental and social sustainability.
🌲 Ecotourists
Ecotourists are typically well-educated, higher-income travellers who seek authentic experiences in natural environments. They want to learn about the places they visit and are willing to accept fewer comforts to reduce their environmental impact.
🌎 Responsible Tourists
Responsible tourists consider the impact of their travel choices on local communities and environments. They try to ensure their spending benefits local people and businesses and they respect local customs and cultures.
Characteristics of Ecotourists
Ecotourists have distinct characteristics that set them apart from mass tourists. Understanding these traits helps tourism providers develop appropriate experiences and marketing strategies.
Typical Ecotourist Profile
📖 Demographics
- Aged 35-54 (though growing among younger travellers)
- Higher education levels
- Higher income brackets
- Often from developed countries
💡 Motivations
- Experiencing unspoilt nature
- Learning about wildlife and ecosystems
- Supporting conservation efforts
- Seeking authentic cultural exchanges
🎯 Behaviours
- Research destinations thoroughly
- Willing to pay premium for sustainable options
- Prefer small group experiences
- Stay longer at destinations
Ecotourists often seek experiences that allow them to connect with nature while minimising their environmental footprint. They might choose to stay in eco-lodges powered by renewable energy, participate in wildlife conservation activities, or learn traditional skills from indigenous communities.
Principles of Responsible Tourism
Responsible tourism is guided by several key principles that aim to make tourism more sustainable and beneficial for all stakeholders involved.
🏠 Environmental Responsibility
- Minimising pollution and waste
- Using resources efficiently (water, energy)
- Protecting biodiversity and natural habitats
- Considering carbon footprint of travel
👪 Social Responsibility
- Respecting local cultures and traditions
- Supporting local businesses and employment
- Ensuring fair working conditions
- Involving local communities in decision-making
Responsible tourists make conscious choices about how they travel, where they stay, what they buy and how they interact with local communities. They might choose to use public transport instead of taxis, buy souvenirs made by local artisans, or learn a few phrases in the local language.
Case Study Focus: Costa Rica's Ecotourism Success
Costa Rica has become a world leader in ecotourism, with over 25% of its land protected as national parks or reserves. The country markets itself as a sustainable destination with the slogan "No Artificial Ingredients."
Key achievements:
- Reversed deforestation trends through tourism-funded conservation
- Created the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) programme
- Generated 110,000 direct jobs in ecotourism (8% of employment)
- Aims to become the world's first carbon-neutral country
Visitors to Costa Rica can stay in eco-lodges in the rainforest, go wildlife spotting with trained local guides, volunteer on conservation projects, or visit indigenous communities that share their traditional knowledge.
Impacts of Ecotourism and Responsible Tourism
When done properly, ecotourism and responsible tourism can have significant positive impacts, but they're not without challenges.
👍 Positive Impacts
- Provides funding for conservation efforts
- Creates economic incentives to protect natural areas
- Generates employment for local communities
- Promotes cultural exchange and understanding
- Raises awareness of environmental issues
- Encourages sustainable practices in the tourism industry
👎 Potential Negative Impacts
- Wildlife disturbance if poorly managed
- Carbon emissions from long-haul travel
- Potential for 'greenwashing' (false environmental claims)
- Risk of commodifying cultures
- Possible economic leakage if not locally owned
- Dependency on tourism in some communities
Identifying Genuine Ecotourism
Not all tourism marketed as 'eco' or 'sustainable' truly meets the standards. Here's how to spot the difference between genuine ecotourism and 'greenwashing':
Signs of Genuine Ecotourism
- Certification: Look for recognised eco-certifications like Green Globe, Rainforest Alliance, or country-specific schemes.
- Transparency: Clear information about environmental practices and policies.
- Local involvement: Evidence of local ownership, employment and community benefits.
- Conservation contribution: Specific details about how tourism supports conservation efforts.
- Education: Meaningful learning opportunities about the natural and cultural environment.
- Small-scale: Generally involves smaller groups and lower-impact facilities.
Case Study Focus: Kenya's Community Conservancies
In northern Kenya, the Northern Rangelands Trust has helped establish over 40 community conservancies where local people manage tourism and conservation together.
Key features:
- Communities own and manage the land and tourism operations
- Revenue from tourism directly funds conservation and community development
- Former poachers now work as wildlife rangers
- Wildlife populations have increased, including endangered species
- Cultural tourism allows Maasai, Samburu and other communities to share their traditions while maintaining their dignity
Tourists stay in community-owned lodges, go on game drives led by local guides and learn about traditional ways of life directly from community members.
The Future of Eco and Responsible Tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many people to reconsider how they travel. As tourism rebuilds, there's growing interest in more sustainable approaches:
- Slow tourism: Staying longer in fewer places to reduce travel emissions and deepen connections
- Regenerative tourism: Going beyond sustainability to actually improve destinations
- Domestic ecotourism: Exploring natural areas closer to home
- Digital nomadism: Combining work and responsible travel for extended periods
- Virtual tourism: Using technology to experience destinations with zero physical impact
For destinations and businesses, catering to ecotourists and responsible tourists is increasingly seen not just as an ethical choice but as good business strategy. Travellers are becoming more environmentally conscious and many are willing to pay more for genuinely sustainable options.
📝 Revision Tips
- Be able to clearly define ecotourism and responsible tourism
- Know the key characteristics that distinguish ecotourists from other tourist types
- Understand both positive and negative impacts of ecotourism
- Be familiar with at least one detailed case study
- Be able to explain how to identify genuine ecotourism from greenwashing
💭 Exam Tip
In your exam, you might be asked to evaluate whether a specific tourism development is truly sustainable. Remember to consider environmental, social and economic aspects and to use specific examples to support your arguments. Case studies are particularly valuable for earning higher marks.
