The theme of the month: 'Be part of the solution'

Week18Go eco-travelling (1)
5.3.1 – Be an eco-traveller


Ecotourism embraces traveling in an ecologically and culturally sustainable manner to preserve the natural and cultural heritage sites and elements that are being visited. Ecotourism is a crucial way for us to help leave humanity’s legacy for the aspiration of future generations.

Some interesting facts about eco-tourism:
• ‘Ecotourism’ is not a new idea – it has been around for 25 years since it was first coined by a Mexican architect, environmentalist and ecotourism consultant in 1983;
• UNESCO, i.e. ‘United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation’, represents the pinnacle of ecotourism in the world;
• UNESCO keeps a World Heritage List and a danger list highlighting those heritage sites are under threat. For example, it has added the archipelago islands to its danger list due to the drastic increase of visitor number by 250% from 1990 to 145,000 in 2006, a sizable growth that threatens the fragile ecosystem. More sites are threatened by climate change.

Sources: Eco Travel Logue webpage http://www.ecotravellogue.com
Q&A
Woo: What principles do Ecotourism adopt?

Wee: According to the Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism,
1. Ecotourism contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage;
2. Ecotourism includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, contributing to their well-being;
3. Ecotourism interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitor; and
4. Ecotourism lends itself better to independent travellers, as well as to organized tours for small size groups.

Select your answer below
A. 2 and 4 only
B. 1, 3 and 4
C. All of the above.




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