Tourism: A Tool for Destruction or Conservation - Part II
Approximate Read Time: 6 minutes
Hotels are recognizing the demand for sustainability initiatives. They are changing how they conduct business and adopting greener practices. Recently when I visited a hotel I was asked if I would opt into their green plan. This meant I would agree to reuse my bath towels (just like I do at home) and decline maid service while I was there. They assured me that if I needed anything (including towels or maid service) that I could request it, but it would not happen automatically. To encourage me they offered two $5 coupons to Starbucks. The way I look at it, I was able to be more eco-conscious AND I got two free coffees.
"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it.
The time will pass anyway. " ~Earl Nightingale
Costa Rica. June 2018.
Welcome back! I know the last post had some hard to swallow truths. So I wanted to write a 'Part II'. In this post I will look at some Positive effects of sustainable tourism. Examples of changes that have been made and what the road to success looks like. This will focus on the larger picture of big organizational changes. The next post I will look at the smaller ways YOU can make a difference. What are we waiting for, let's dive right in.....
Sarasota, Florida. August 2012.
I believe sustainable and mindful travel can make a difference, as do many organizations. In fact, it is the hot topic in the tourism industry. But really, what is sustainable travel?
Urban Herne. (2014). Principles of Sustainable Tourism
With sustainable tourism in mind, more and more companies, communities, and individuals are working towards change. Below are some examples of positive change in tourism.
Engaging and Empowering Local Communities
I have been lucky to visit several different communities who have been empowered to engage in sustainable tourism as a way to save their culture and prosper in the future.
In Baja, the local fisherman learned how to become guides in the protected area for whale sharks and brought more income to their community while teaching others about these magnificent creatures.
In Costa Rica, an ecotourism endeavor was created and run by the women of the community to help bring prosperity back to their village and to keep the younger generations engaged in their unique history. This was an immense step for this society, because before this business, women did not have much of a voice in their community. They saw a dire need and fought for the change. Now they are growing their business while sharing their culture.
There are several organizations who have started to work with local people, once poachers, now protectors of the animals they hunted. Examples can be seen with most megafauna animals such as: Rhinos, Elephants, Chimpanzees, and other species. Some of these past poachers have become guides for sustainable tourism companies. Twice, I have been on guided tours with people who had been poachers. It was a very valuable experience for me, because I had always read about poaching and how bad it was, but never to a community were it was a problem. This all changed when I visited a small island in Costa Rica where there was a breeding beach for sea turtles.
In visiting this community, I was able to see that these poachers were not the evil people I had envisioned, but fellow humans struggling to survive and support their families. Turtles were one of, if not the only, source of food and income on that island. An outside group of activists and scientists came in to teach the locals about turtle conservation and why things needed to change. I was very impressed that the conservation group worked with the poachers and respected that it would take time change their minds. In order for true change, education needed to be provided and other sources of income need to be identified. At the moment, there is a truce between the conservationists and the poachers. It is a long journey, but the two groups are learning to work next to and even with each other.
In Baja, the local fisherman learned how to become guides in the protected area for whale sharks and brought more income to their community while teaching others about these magnificent creatures.
In Costa Rica, an ecotourism endeavor was created and run by the women of the community to help bring prosperity back to their village and to keep the younger generations engaged in their unique history. This was an immense step for this society, because before this business, women did not have much of a voice in their community. They saw a dire need and fought for the change. Now they are growing their business while sharing their culture.
There are several organizations who have started to work with local people, once poachers, now protectors of the animals they hunted. Examples can be seen with most megafauna animals such as: Rhinos, Elephants, Chimpanzees, and other species. Some of these past poachers have become guides for sustainable tourism companies. Twice, I have been on guided tours with people who had been poachers. It was a very valuable experience for me, because I had always read about poaching and how bad it was, but never to a community were it was a problem. This all changed when I visited a small island in Costa Rica where there was a breeding beach for sea turtles.
In visiting this community, I was able to see that these poachers were not the evil people I had envisioned, but fellow humans struggling to survive and support their families. Turtles were one of, if not the only, source of food and income on that island. An outside group of activists and scientists came in to teach the locals about turtle conservation and why things needed to change. I was very impressed that the conservation group worked with the poachers and respected that it would take time change their minds. In order for true change, education needed to be provided and other sources of income need to be identified. At the moment, there is a truce between the conservationists and the poachers. It is a long journey, but the two groups are learning to work next to and even with each other.
Protecting Biodiversity and Habitats
One way to protect fragile ecosystems within tourism destinations is to recognize an area's carrying capacity. When I visited the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve I was very impressed by the steps they took to protect their forest. Only a certain amount of tourists were allowed in the park at a time. Large portions of the forest was closed to visitors in order to preserve fragile areas. I was able to experience a unique ecosystem in a responsible way while leaving a small impact.
Tourism can also help to support conservation of and even encourage creation of protected areas, such as the marine sanctuaries in the Philippines and Palau. There are many benefits in linking sustainable tourism with protecting biodiversity and habitats. As a visitor, you have the chance to learn more about the area you are visiting. Because conservation is an important component of the destination, there will usually be information and guided tours available to help raise public awareness.[1] In places like this, you would know that the money you are spending is going towards protection of a valuable commodity (and hopefully also back into the local community as well). Visitors have a chance to learn about biodiversity and ecosystems in a way that can connect them to larger conservation issues.
Tourism can also help to support conservation of and even encourage creation of protected areas, such as the marine sanctuaries in the Philippines and Palau. There are many benefits in linking sustainable tourism with protecting biodiversity and habitats. As a visitor, you have the chance to learn more about the area you are visiting. Because conservation is an important component of the destination, there will usually be information and guided tours available to help raise public awareness.[1] In places like this, you would know that the money you are spending is going towards protection of a valuable commodity (and hopefully also back into the local community as well). Visitors have a chance to learn about biodiversity and ecosystems in a way that can connect them to larger conservation issues.
Supporting Change
Large organizations, such as REI and Conservation International are creating tourism opportunities that are effecting change in the communities they visit. Even countries are encouraging change! Costa Rica designed and implemented the Certification for Sustainable Tourism program which supports a model for sustainable tourism. This is unique because there is no regulating global entity for sustainable tourism. Having structure will help promote guidelines for businesses interested in pursuing this idea.
Hotels are recognizing the demand for sustainability initiatives. They are changing how they conduct business and adopting greener practices. Recently when I visited a hotel I was asked if I would opt into their green plan. This meant I would agree to reuse my bath towels (just like I do at home) and decline maid service while I was there. They assured me that if I needed anything (including towels or maid service) that I could request it, but it would not happen automatically. To encourage me they offered two $5 coupons to Starbucks. The way I look at it, I was able to be more eco-conscious AND I got two free coffees.
There is also a unique style of tourism called voluntourism. When tourist use their vacation to volunteer to help a struggling community. I hesitate to include this, because there are very mixed thoughts about voluntourism. It is something I would like to dig into in another post. For now, I would like to include it in this post because I think, like tourism, it can be beneficial to communities if done well.
Discussions
Sustainable tourism is being done well and it's good to know that change can happen. I am excited at the possibilities for the future of tourism with stories like this in mind. I think some of the reasons we have not seen more success is because:
References:
1. Eagles, P. F. J. (2012). Role of ecotourism in preserving natural areas and biodiversity. Sustainable tourism & the millennium development goals: Effecting positive change, 169-184.
All pictures were taken by me.
- Sustainable tourism is a relatively new 'popular' idea
- One size does not fit all - different communities, ecosystems, and cultures will require unique problem solving
- It is hard to change human behavior - we have become accustomed to convenience and have expectations, but we will need to adjust those
- It will take a diverse group of people (researchers, community members, investors, governments, etc.) to support successful sustainable tourism
It is important to recognize that there is hope, change is happening, and we can help to make it better.
Leave a Comment: I hope you enjoyed today's post! I had fun writing it. I'm curious, have you participated in sustainable travel? Is it something you would consider doing? If not, what barriers do you see between you and sustainable travel?
References:
1. Eagles, P. F. J. (2012). Role of ecotourism in preserving natural areas and biodiversity. Sustainable tourism & the millennium development goals: Effecting positive change, 169-184.
All pictures were taken by me.
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