Types of Eco Tourism --- What things can you do to be a true ecotourist?

Types of eco tourism gone wrong

Boracay produces 7 to 10 tons of garbage each day…

Some 5 kilos of cigarette butts are collected from Boracay's White Beach everyday…

In the last 5 years, a dramatic rise in water levels was noted in Boracay and coasts are thinning…

Mount Data National Park used to be a 5,512 mossy forest. However, the mossy forest is now a mere 89 hectares…

Mount Pulag, the second highest peak in the Philippines (2,954 masl), one of the nation’s most critical watersheds and one of the most beautiful tourist sights, known even outside the country, is dying… 

Similar stories can be found in various natural attractions all over the world and since travel and tourism continue to rise especially in Asia, once pristine spots are now being milked for cash at the expense of the environment.

How can I be a responsible ecotourist?

As travelers, we all can do something to help lessen the negative impact of travel to the environment.  If you are an ecotourist or if you plan to be one, check out 10 of my favorite tips on what we can do to plan your trip responsibly and make responsible choices while on vacation:

1. Unplug before you leave, unplug while you are there: Turn off lights and unplug household appliances that can be left unplugged while you are away. Turn off all the lights and air conditioner/heater when you leave your room, and unplug unnecessary appliances.

2. Travel light: Pack only what you need, and don't bring things that will become waste. 

3. Avoid litter: Bring garbage bags and bring home whatever garbage you brought with you. Ask and learn about proper garbage disposal at your destination. 

4. Fly responsibly: Opt for more environmentally friendly transport such as trains, buses, and passenger boats. Plan your trip so that you minimize air travel, and choose, whenever possible, to stay longer in a destination instead of making many short trips.

5. Choose greener ways to get around: Utilize public transportation (bus, train, city car, etc.) and alternative modes of transportation (walking, bicycle, non-motorized vehicles, horse, camel) as much as possible. It's a more sustainable way to get around, and also a healthier and more enjoyable way to get to know the place you are visiting.

6. Portable water: As much as possible, bring your own portable water and reusable water bottle to avoid buying bottled water.

7. Save Water: Use the minimum amount of water needed for a shower/bath, don't let water run while shaving, brushing or washing, and check if the hotel has a linen reuse program - if so, reuse your towels and bed sheets by placing the card to indicate you don't wish to have them washed every day, if not, request hospitality staff not to change them every day.

8. Respect the environment: Never touch or harass animals. Always follow designated trails. Support conservation by paying entrance fees to parks and protected sites.

9. Buy local: Choose local lodges, use local buses, eat in local restaurants, shop in local markets. Never buy crafts or products made from protected or endangered animals.

10. Give back: Contribute to and participate in the community projects, and support those companies that are making positive impacts on the lives of local hosts. Like others, you'll find you enrich your travel experience when you help contribute to the well-being of the communities that you're visiting.

Where can I go?

In my last previous post on the different types of eco tourism, we said that ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow these ecotourism principles:

• Minimize impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

The International ecotourism Society (TIES) is the world's oldest and largest international ecotourism association that seeks to be the global source of knowledge and advocacy uniting communities, conservation, and sustainable travel. Its website provides an Ecotourism Explorer tool that will help you find different types of eco tourism sites, organizations, tour operators, and programs around the globe.

David Bach’s book ‘Go Green, Live Rich’ is also a rich source of references for green vacations and responsible travel.  Check out his book to know more about green vacations and how going green can also make you wealthy.  

If you are planning your next vacation, have fun while being responsible and explore the different types of eco tourism.

References:

http://www. ecotourism.org/

http://contrailsshareasyougo. blogspot.com/

Photo thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/ bigberto/

Types of Eco Tourism --- How to have a green vacation

Types of Eco Tourism: Going out on a break

My friends from the office and I went to the Caliraya Watershed to plant trees for Haribon Foundation’s ROAD to 2020 reforestation program.

I haven’t been on vacation this year and going out this weekend even for a day to get my hands dirty was for me a really good chance to de-stress and have a change of environment. On the way to the site, I was telling my friends how nice it is that in the province of Laguna, most of the streets are still lined with trees. It was no surprise that we saw a lot of bikers along the way given the challenging but clean and green trail going to the watershed.

ROAD to 2020 is an environmental conservation movement to restore 1 million hectares of Philippines rainforests using native tree species by year 2020.  ROAD stands for Rainforestation Organizations and Advocates. The end goal of the program is to recover and conserve biodiversity, optimize supply of forest benefits and ecosystem services, reduce the risk of natural hazards, and enhance options for sustainable livelihood by planting native tree species.

According to the Journal of Environmental Science and Management, the Caliraya watershed, located in Cavinti, Laguna, is considered a forest reservation with special uses as reservoir for power generation in Luzon. However, due to varying conflicting uses such as: agriculture production, ecotourism, recreation, real estate, resorts and rest houses, among others, the watershed is now at the state of degradation and over-exploitation.

If you love the outdoors or if going green is something you wish to explore, it is worth knowing that there are different types of eco tourism that offers a lot of benefits not only to the environment but also to your health, to your pocket, and to our society.

What is ecotourism?

Ecotourism is simply travel where nature is the main attraction.  But what separates it from your usual hiking or beach excursion (and this is something we need to understand) is that ecotourism is meant to:

1.    minimize impact to the environment

2.     build environmental consciousness and respect

3. contribute to the empowerment of local people and improve local economies

4.     contribute to natural conservation

5. raise sensitivity to host countries’ political and social climate, and

6.     support international human rights and labor agreements

As I mentioned earlier, the Caliraya Watershed is one of the victims of ecotourism gone wrong due to poor practices of tourists and businesses that exploited the site. Positive results are what ecotourism aims for so when you do go and take your eco vacation, keep in mind the real purpose of your travel. You are out there not just to have fun but to do good by giving back to the environment and society at large.

What are types of eco tourism?

Today, ecotourism is becoming a booming trend and there are a lot of types you can explore.  Some of these are:

1.)   Agro-tourism: Agro-tourism is travel that encourages people to experience agriculture first hand. 

Through our immersion program back in college, I got to live with a farming family for a week and experience, first hand, how it is to plant rice!  Go and look for possible agro-vacations organized by rural farming and fishing communities or NGOs that support them, and enjoy the benefits of getting in touch with the people that provide you with what you eat! Priceless!

2.)   Local tourism:  Experiencing culture and heritage increases appreciation of ones roots and provides endless opportunities to empower local communities and improve local economies. 

Whenever we go white-water rafting or surfing with friends here in the Philippines, we do not only enjoy these fantastic activities or see extreme natural sights. We also get to talk and even make friends to our local guides and understand the local communities --- their way of life, problems, and ways of how tourists can help them.  Plus, we also get to discover and buy really good products produced by the community. 

After several trips to Baler (a famous local surfing site), my friends and I got to connect to Baler’s local government to organize a trip to plant mangroves, learn about vermiculture, and explore Baler through Baler people’s eyes.  The experience is worth another blog spot but for now, all I can say is that you to try it!

3.)   Pro-poor tourism: This is a type of tourism that focuses on supporting developing countries and their causes. Volunteer vacations are a subset of ecotourism and while there really are high-end eco-resorts, there a lot inexpensive means to travel especially if it involves volunteering your time. 

In support to Gawad Kalinga (“give care” in English, a famous movement in the Philippines that aims to building communities and ending poverty), our office’s CSR team organized a farm-build where we got to visit one of the communities supported by the program and to help them build their farm.  The main aim of this program is to promote food sufficiency and eradicate hunger by empowering the people through plots of land that can provide them with food everyday.

If you want to make a difference by going green, check out how you can support various pro-poor programs near you!

For very minimal costs, the different types of eco tourism provides priceless memories that will definitely change the way you see nature and society.  If you are from the Philippines or if you wish to come here to go on vacation, check out how you can help through Haribon or Gawad Kalinga.  If you are from the US, you can check out David Bach’s “Go Green, Live Rich” to find green vacation tips.

I really look forward to going on vacation soon. If you are thinking the same thing, it is worth noting that we can have fun, save money, and do good through the different types of eco tourism.


Photo thanks to http://www. flickr.com/photos/ pinksherbet/