take an outdoor vacation and make a difference

by John Bakers

The idea of taking an outdoor vacation is certainly not new. Enjoying the scenery, the fresh air and the wildlife has, for centuries, been a favorite pastime of people around the world. An intrepid few even see true exploration of wild places as an excellent holiday choice.

But ecotourism, a type of tourism that appeals to those concerned about ecology, focuses on local culture and social issues as well as adventures in the wilderness. Making a vacation useful, in personal growth and learning to live in a different way, are as much a part of ecotourism as being in the great outdoors.

Perhaps the simplest way to explain this new philosophy (and new industry) is to state that ecotourism has the planet and its peoples as principal beneficiaries. Adventure travel without these benefits is not truly ecotourism. As soon as this idea entered the public’s consciousness about 25 years ago it began to catch on and grow into a viable industry.

But no ecotourism effort can succeed without attention to the conservation of natural resources. Charles Darwin is sometimes credited with being an ecotourist, and indeed his motives did fit the description many times. The emphasis on education and truly understanding our globe is also a key part of the ecotourism vision.

The strongest supporters of this type of holiday/travel see preservation of natural resources and protection of local cultures as paramount. What is commonly known as mass tourism, or recreational tourism, does not generally have this goal. For many travel groups and destinations, exploiting the resources is the key idea. The sensitivity of more and more people to the damages we are inflicting on the planet has helped ecotourism become the fastest growing segment of the tourism/travel industry.

Every day, more individuals become aware of the need to stop destroying resources and the need to stop using these gifts at an alarming rate. Yet as they come to this state of mind, they are often struck by the desire to see natural environments in an unspoiled state and even to help restore some of the original beauty and benefits lost. Fortunately, many locations that have been traditional mass/recreation tourism destinations are beginning to see the light as well. In 2002, the United Nations announced that this was they Year of Ecotourism. With this much-needed momentum, ecotourism has grown, giving hundreds of people the opportunity to travel and make a difference at the same time.

Some industry observers note that people with disposable income are beginning to use that income to travel to natural environments such as the Amazon rain forests and the unspoiled reefs and beaches of the Caribbean and the Pacific. These are just a few examples of the growing influence of ecotourism.

Costa Rica, long a desired destination for tourists from around the world, is gradually moving beyond the traditional tourism that displays, and uses, its natural resources. More emphasis is being placed on ecologically sound tours and sightseeing trips. This Central American country is becoming a leader in preservation and restoration, just as it was a leader, unfortunately, in deforestation rates and use of rare natural resources. With nearly half of its forested land bared by industry and timber workers, Costa Rica began to turn the tide, salvaging needed funds that were threatened by the loss of resources. The result will be beneficial for the country, its people and its visitors.

About the Author:

John Bakers writes most often for http://www.alicante-spain.com , an internet site about how to learn simple spanish . His comments on learn spanish online can be found on his site .