The Pros And Cons Of Ecotourism

Ecotourism, as a term, was not known until the 1980’s and has since become a major component of the global tourism industry (Weaver, 2008). There are many definitions of ecotourism, ranging from general to specific, written by a number of stakeholders since the term was made common (Weaver, 2008). Peter Valentine (1992) defined it as “nature based tourism that is ecologically sustainable and is based on relatively undisturbed natural areas, is non-damaging and non-degrading, contributes directly to the continued protection and management of protected areas, and is subject to an adequate and appropriate management regime”. Russell Blamey (1997) suggested three criteria of ecotourism that reoccur in other definitions, those being a nature based …show more content…
This type of tourism’s main characteristics include the use of the natural environment, the main motivation of risk, or the adventure of the event, has little urban planning involved (as it uses the natural environment: cliffs, waterfalls) and usually has a diverse group of participants (Buckley, 2006). Although some forms of ecotourism meet the requirements of adventure tourism such as canoeing, horse-back riding, cross country skiing, safaris, trekking, and whale watching, many adventure tourism activities don’t meet the sustainability requirements (Weaver, 2008). A small portion of all ecotourism activities utilize a level of risk, exertion and skill, however many ecotourists seek the thrill of the activities adventure tourism provides, still with the ability to contemplate the nature around them (Weaver, 2008). The perceptions of physical exertion are subjective in adventure tourism as a mundane activity for a seasoned rock climber or scuba diver may be extremely challenging for a young person or a person with disabilities (Weaver, 2008). There is a concept called ‘adventure ecotourism’ which combines adventure tourism with ecotourism to encompass nature and activity with hobbies such as hiking, bushwalking, scuba diving, snorkelling, camel trekking, cross country, skiing, safaris and interactive whale watching which allows …show more content…
Adventure tourism attractions are not always nature-based and can include places beset by civil conflict, however most activities do utilise the natural landscapes and environments of certain areas (Weaver, 2008). Another important difference is that adventure tourism’s characteristics do not require the activities to be sustainable, like ecotourism does, however most businesses that operate adventure tourism do attempt stainability (Weaver, 2008). Thirdly, adventure tourists principally desire an environment that creates risk, physical exertion and the chance to use skills they can’t use anywhere else, whereas ecotourists seek an educational and learning experience by viewing nature without having to interact with it (Weaver, 2008). For example cliff slopes and white water offer thrills rather than an educational experience. However, even with these differences, one of the main components of both these types of tourism is that they use the natural environment and natural landscapes to inspire and motivate a variety of different feelings and experiences (Weaver, 2008). The locations where adventure tourism activities can occur is worldwide, like ecotourism, since natural landscape features occur globally (Buckley, 2003). Locations where there are a variety of prominent natural features, like Australia, are perfect for adventure tourism activities such as rock climbing, white water rafting,