Ecotourism Operators

ECOTOURISM OPERATORS

BY

MARIA BEGOÑA VALIDO RIVERO

INDEX

WHAT IS ECOTOURISMPAGE 1

WHAT IS AN ECOTOUR OPERATORPAGE 1

THE ECOTOURISM MARKETPAGE 1

ECOTOURISM DESTINATIONSPAGE 1

SELECTING FIVE ECO TOUR OPERATORSPAGE 2

BAOBAB TRAVELPAGE 2

ALTERNATIVE TRAVELSPAGE 3

KARAKORUM EXPEDITIONS MONGOLIA LTDPAGE 4

NV METSPAGE 4-5

BORNEO ECO TOURSPAGE 6-7

BORNEO ECO TOURS ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITPAGE 7

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCESPAGE 8

What is ecotourism?

To answer that question we should look at the meaning of the word ecotourism first. Eco derives from the Greek word oikos, loosely translating as habitat, and is an abbreviation of the term ecology. The word tourism developed from the Hebrew word Tora, which means to study, learn or search. On this basis, many organisation and

researchers have tried to define ecotourism, but little consensus has been reached. This is mainly due to the many forms in which ecotourism activities are offered by a large and wide variety of operators.

English: Ecotourism in Svalbard. Français : Écot...

World Resources Institute logo.

English: Ecotourism in Svalbard.

According to the International Ecotourism Society ecotourism is:

'responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains or even improves the well-being and welfare of local people'.

The Ecotourism Association of Australia puts it more specific, namely as:

'ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation'.

So ecotourism could be seen as a form of tourism containing as many of the following

ingredients as possible:

What is ecotourism?

Nature-based, with the main motivation for travelling the observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in natural areas.

supporting the protection of natural areas by generating economic benefits for host communities, providing alternative employment and income opportunities for local communities and increasing awareness towards the conservation of natural and cultural assets.

minimising the negative impacts upon the...