By: Noel Swanson, 2007-12-27
While no one can ever expect the supporters of mass tourism to come to perfect agreement with those who support ecotourism, it might be possible to educate those on both sides of the fence. One of the key methods for achieving this would be to outline and explain some of the differences between the two philosophies.
For those who travel abroad, the number of ecotourism opportunities continues to grow but with this growth comes concern about travel safety, security of personnel and the rifts between nations seem to exist around the globe. Some of the factors that affect tourism in general, and contribute to the above concerns, are: rich v. poor; developed countries v. developing countries; security issues involving terrorists v. tourists. The key issue is whether it is possible to integrate vacation or "mass" tourism activities with ecotourism that is concerned with additional issues (learning about new cultures, assisting with indigenous people's projects etc.). Can international travelers choose less-populated destinations, perhaps "less safe" destinations, or must they continue to travel to more luxurious "developed" sites?
One thing that travelers can do is make an informed decision. Mass tourism, the most prominent type of world travel, involves a high level of sales activity, moving large groups of relatively wealthy tourists, holiday packages focused on luxury destinations etc. This industry relies heavily on transportation systems that many would see as not ecologically advisable.
Ecotourism, in contrast, focuses on nature, less impact on the environment, conservation and support of local communities. To the avid ecotourist this preserves the integrity of nature in the destination sites and encourages the preservation of local culture. In many cases, ecotourism also places strong emphasis on, and recommends, environmentally friendly travel methods.
Mass tourism, or international travel based on recreation and consumption, has a much longer history than ecotourism, just as the societies in so-called developed countries have lived according to the produce-and-consume philosophy far longer than environmentalism and ecotourism have been around. While the relatively young ecology movement has trumpeted protection and preservation of natural resources, mass tourism does not necessarily carry this torch. The focus is primarily on enjoyment and profit.
One factor to consider in more detail might be the actual destinations of choice for those interested in mass tourism and those following the ecotourism banner. Some have questioned whether the destinations are suitable for only one type of travel or if there is some chance for integration. For example, some may look at rather undeveloped Pacific islands as ideal for ecotourism, while others may see these islands as a paradise destination meant for mass tourism. To some, these islands lack only the "proper" development to become world tourism destinations.
Some of these sites do receive considerable tourism attention, while others are the end point only for those with ecotourism interests. As world travelers and those with environmental concerns look for additional destinations (for their respective interests and activities) it may be that integration may occur out of necessity. Perhaps, some say, the gap between mass tourism and ecotourism will narrow simply because of the limited number of new tourist destinations
Ray Walberg frequently edits informative papers on subjects dealing with Costa Calida and Murcia. His abstracts on Murcia and benidorm holidays are found on his website .
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