Ecotourism

Ecotourism is nature-oriented tourism, involving travel to natural habitats and intended to promote conservation of fauna and flora, to provide environmental education, and to support a nature-oriented local economy in the host country.

Quotes

Ecotourism began to gain prominence in the late 1970s and exploded in the 1990s, due to several factors such as (i) being an alternative to mass tourism, (ii) being seen as a form of "sustainable development", especially in tropical and/or developing countries and regions such as Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa, (iii) providing spaces for recreation, leisure, sport and tourism that provide reconnection with nature, and (iv) promising sustainable use for reserves, parks and other types of protected areas (Eagles and McCool, 2002; Cunha and Costa, 2018).
- André A. Cunha and José L. de Andrade Franco, "Chapter One. New Trends in Economics and Nature-Based Tourism. Section 1.1 Ecotourism, Principles, and Practical Applications". Ecotourism and Interpretive Nature Guiding: A Comprehensive Overview. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 2024. pp. 1–4. ISBN 9781036414283. (138 pages; quote from p. 1; edited by Francesc Romagosa, with numerous contributors)

Ecotourism arguably would not exist, and certainly would not exist in the form it is now, were it not for the active involvement of the academic community. Academics and academia have played a critical stewardship role in the conceptualization and operationalization of this activity, more so than any other form of tourism. Ecotourism has evolved, and is still evolving through three phases. The ‘New Dawn’ phase is typified by idealism, hyperbole and hope. It is followed quickly by a ‘Crisis of Legitimacy’, where critics illustrate that the ecotourism largely fails to meet its social, economic and ecological ideals, that has not yet been resolved fully. Finally, ecotourism reaches maturity when it achieves the ‘Sustainable Product Niche’ phase where a realistic understanding of what it can and cannot do, emerges.
- Bob McKercher, "Chapter. Academia and the evolution of ecotourism". Ecotourism Essentials. 2024. pp. 87–98. doi:10.4324/9781003522119-9.

Between 1991 and 2001, the number of American adults who participated in hunting declined by 7 per cent whereas the adult population increased by 12 per cent (US Department of Interior 2002). This decline appears superficially to favour ecotourism, but the situation is complicated by the fact that the pro-hunting NGOs are a major force in the preservation of North American wetland habitats that harbour game birds and other wildlife that are also attractive to ecotourists.
- David Weaver, Ecotourism (2nd ed.). Wiley. 2008. p. 186. ISBN 9780470813041. (360 pages; 1st edition 2002; 1st part of quote; last part of quote}