Tourism is arguably the largest, most comprehensive business sector in the world economy - based on its contribution to global GDP, the number of jobs it generates and the number of clients it serves. According to Lisa Mastny of the World Watch Institute, the industry is responsible for over 230 million jobs and over 10% of the gross domestic product worldwide. It serves as the principal export for 83% of developing countries and the leading export for 1/3 of the world’s poorest countries.
The international tourism sector presents great economic opportunities, but also threatens the conservation of biodiversity. The past three decades have witnessed significant losses in the global natural habitat. Many ecosystems are utilized as tourism attractions, including coastal regions, mountains and rainforests. Despite its economic contribution, the argument stands that conventional mass tourism is highly exploitive.
The emergence and recognition of substantial environmental issues impacting the global economy have spurred growing international concern and advocacy of more sensitized approaches to environmental interaction, commonly referred to as ‘going green’ or ‘sustainability’. With tourism, people are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact their activities pose, resulting in a niche market called ‘Eco’ Tourism. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization “Sustainable Tourism is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems."
The international tourism sector presents great economic opportunities, but also threatens the conservation of biodiversity. The past three decades have witnessed significant losses in the global natural habitat. Many ecosystems are utilized as tourism attractions, including coastal regions, mountains and rainforests. Despite its economic contribution, the argument stands that conventional mass tourism is highly exploitive.
The emergence and recognition of substantial environmental issues impacting the global economy have spurred growing international concern and advocacy of more sensitized approaches to environmental interaction, commonly referred to as ‘going green’ or ‘sustainability’. With tourism, people are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact their activities pose, resulting in a niche market called ‘Eco’ Tourism. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization “Sustainable Tourism is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems."
It doesn’t take much to recognize that the traditional Jamaican tourism model does not embody the responsible tourism standard as declared by the Cape Town Declaration for Responsible Tourism. Green and Sustainable practices are commendable efforts especially when tied to global tourism, an industry often criticized for ‘misguidedly’ presenting the embellishment of wasteful indulgence and environmental degradation as a standard of luxury. As such it is important that in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of conservative consumption and the creation of economic opportunities for empowerment of local communities.
Currently ecotourism is an activities-based genre of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals in lush unpopulated locations. The industry generally focuses on volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on the planet; often seen as almost philanthropic and garnering a reputation of exclusivity, as packages are usually expensive. Vacations typically involve travel by a thin, niche market to destinations where flora and fauna are the primary attractions. Some argue that this is better classified as adventure tourism, with the attraction being the activities performed by visitors as opposed to genuine concern for the visited habitat or its local population. This low impact approach rarely considers the ecological consequences of how any human activity and infrastructure append physical impacts on the environment.
The ecotourism concept is often manipulated as a marketing tool to promote irresponsible operations. This falsification encompasses two major malpractices:
Despite the falsification in the industry, ecotourism continues to grow steadily with more innovative and market conscious operations being proposed daily. In 2004, ecotourism was growing globally 3 times faster than the conventional tourism industry as a whole, at 10-12% per year. Countries including Costa Rica and Dominica report ecotourism as their primary tourism income generator, recognizing an increasing demand for more sensitized vacations. Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI); highlights that opportunities are abound in specialty tourism areas including ecotourism and cultural tourism; areas underserved by the island’s current offerings.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Conservation International have indicated that most of tourism’s expansion is occurring in and around the world’s remaining natural areas. Perhaps operators should consider adapting sustainable, environmentally friendly practices to already impacted natural areas. Despite the proposed educational purpose, nature tourism has not been a successful prototype for how we can live better as it is difficult for people to adapt these practices in our modern lifestyles. The need arises to create a model for sustainable tourism that addresses the mass market, balancing minimal environmental impacts with modern living.
The current standard for design, environmental management and awareness in the global ecotourism is Green Globe; an organization structurally comparable to the LEED building standards. Much like LEED Green Globe has a recognition based standard, where organizations which join and meet specific criteria are awarded with a highly marketable Green Globe certification. These standards, however, have yet to generate a product that embodies the characteristics of a wholesome eco-friendly destination and some criticize the requirements as highly relaxed.
The recognition of the need to preserve and protect the environment has greatly influenced the growth and development of the Ecotourism market. Improved knowledge and platforms for awareness fused with innovations in technology will continue to propel the market towards becoming the world standard. However, the need exists for the implementation of legislation to prohibit green washing practices on an international scale. This will ensure the positive growth of this industry of tourism.
Currently ecotourism is an activities-based genre of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals in lush unpopulated locations. The industry generally focuses on volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on the planet; often seen as almost philanthropic and garnering a reputation of exclusivity, as packages are usually expensive. Vacations typically involve travel by a thin, niche market to destinations where flora and fauna are the primary attractions. Some argue that this is better classified as adventure tourism, with the attraction being the activities performed by visitors as opposed to genuine concern for the visited habitat or its local population. This low impact approach rarely considers the ecological consequences of how any human activity and infrastructure append physical impacts on the environment.
The ecotourism concept is often manipulated as a marketing tool to promote irresponsible operations. This falsification encompasses two major malpractices:
- Green Washing: Many tourism operators have been accused of this practice: using labels such as “eco-friendly”, while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways. Resorts often attribute their contribution to the environment through minor efforts such as changing a guest’s sheets by request only. Ecotourism, however, must above all sensitize people to the beauty and the fragility of nature. Unfortunately this practice has yet to be condemned or made illegal by any international mandate.
- Jungle Tourism: the appropriation of conventional tourism practices adorned with nature as ecotourism. Sometimes serves another injustice to the eco-friendly movement - Sustainability and Green Design are often associated with a lower quality of living and the misconception that the appearance of the organic immediately satisfies the criteria for environmentally friendly. Operators tend to employ the use of an ‘organic disguise’, where the architecture/ design is intended to mimic or embody the natural surroundings. This approach to sustainability has primarily been manifested through seemingly more primitive projects straying years behind the modern lifestyle.
Despite the falsification in the industry, ecotourism continues to grow steadily with more innovative and market conscious operations being proposed daily. In 2004, ecotourism was growing globally 3 times faster than the conventional tourism industry as a whole, at 10-12% per year. Countries including Costa Rica and Dominica report ecotourism as their primary tourism income generator, recognizing an increasing demand for more sensitized vacations. Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI); highlights that opportunities are abound in specialty tourism areas including ecotourism and cultural tourism; areas underserved by the island’s current offerings.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Conservation International have indicated that most of tourism’s expansion is occurring in and around the world’s remaining natural areas. Perhaps operators should consider adapting sustainable, environmentally friendly practices to already impacted natural areas. Despite the proposed educational purpose, nature tourism has not been a successful prototype for how we can live better as it is difficult for people to adapt these practices in our modern lifestyles. The need arises to create a model for sustainable tourism that addresses the mass market, balancing minimal environmental impacts with modern living.
The current standard for design, environmental management and awareness in the global ecotourism is Green Globe; an organization structurally comparable to the LEED building standards. Much like LEED Green Globe has a recognition based standard, where organizations which join and meet specific criteria are awarded with a highly marketable Green Globe certification. These standards, however, have yet to generate a product that embodies the characteristics of a wholesome eco-friendly destination and some criticize the requirements as highly relaxed.
The recognition of the need to preserve and protect the environment has greatly influenced the growth and development of the Ecotourism market. Improved knowledge and platforms for awareness fused with innovations in technology will continue to propel the market towards becoming the world standard. However, the need exists for the implementation of legislation to prohibit green washing practices on an international scale. This will ensure the positive growth of this industry of tourism.