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media type="custom" key="26677712" align="right"Responsible Travel and Ecotourism in Latin America
by Ron Mader related: Latin America, Latin America Travel Survey, Latin America Travel Planner

//**FYI** -- An earlier version of this article is published online [|Transitions Abroad].//

Questions
How do individual countries define 'ecotourism' and 'responsible travel' on the official tourism portals? Are statistics publicly available for visits to national parks and wilderness areas? Are travel tips available for visiting city parks?

Essay
Latin America is the cradle of ecotourism. First touted as a development strategy to preserve the wilderness and development employment in [|Celestún], Mexico by [|Hector Ceballos-Lascurain] in 1983, ecotourism was adopted by countries including Costa Rica and Ecuador as a viable way to promote rural tourism and environmental awareness.

Thanks to a plethora of scientific research, Costa Rica quickly became the poster child of green travel and ecotourism and the world hasn't been the same ever since.

Global tourism has matured in the past decade to offer new options for travelers wishing their journeys to be as eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly as possible. Call it ecotourism, call it responsible travel, call it whatever you'd like -- there is no standard [|definition] used by locals and visitors alike. Most travelers simply want to have a good trip that causes no harm and most locals want to please visitors who are themselves pleasing.

A growing number of travelers want their journeys to be less invasive and more beneficial to the communities they visit. They want to better understand the culture of the places they visit. Responsible travel is treating others the way they wish to be treated. While tourism campaigns have long touted 'destinations' -- in fact we are simply entering a [|place] that is someone else's home.

ECO TRAVEL IN MEXICO
Environmental awareness and tourism have yet to tread the same path. Sometimes it seems as though environmental tourism in Mexico is like the famed [|Copper Canyon], a gorge in Chihuahua deeper than the Grand Canyon in the United States. Conservation is marooned on one side, tourism on the other. Sometimes it appears that there's no bridge across the abyss.

Perhaps it's the hybrid origin of 'ecotourism' that makes each side distrust the concept. Conservationists shudder when tourism leaders brand amusement parks as ecotourism destinations. Likewise, when environmentalists devise complicated eco-trips that tour operators can't book, the operators see ecotourism as nothing more than utopian whimsy.

Until recently, most of Mexico's protected areas and biosphere reserves were simply off-limits to tourism. Either the government tried to keep areas visitor-free due to the lack of park guides, or the areas themselves were too remote from the main tourism corridors to attract visitors. In the 1990s, though, organized tours and individual travelers discovered and raved about the natural wonders of Mexico.

Whether to watch birds or whales, people began visiting the great outdoors to experience the diversity and beauty of nature. [|Mexican tourism providers] discovered the accompanying economic benefits of offering natural history tours, and communities themselves began to see that ecotourism offered the potential to diversify their income base. Given the diversity of Mexico's wildlife and natural attractions, a broader approach to tourism in the country makes sense.

ECO TRAVEL IN CENTRAL AMERICA
[|Central America] is known as a prime destination for those seeking nature travel. This is due in large part to the reputation gained by [|Costa Rica] over the past two decades. Yet there are few efforts at developing the region for passionate eco travelers. Cynicism arises from the fact that in the 1990s several Central American countries set up their own national ecotourism associations. Unfortunately, many of these have been created as outcomes of government conferences, often at the urging of international development agencies, though without long-term commitment. The end result: a myriad of groups competing for funding.

Travelers wishing to visit rural communities, parks and protected areas are advised to do plenty of research ahead of time via guidebooks and web searches.

history advantages promotion implemented -carrying capacity -traing challenge of getting more people

- Galapagos - Monarch Sanctuaries - Parks and protected areas are connected to indigenous communities - Madidi National Park in Bolivia Madidi National Park was founded through Supreme Decree in September 1995. The Park covers 1,895,750 hectares (18,957 km²), of which 1,271,500 hectares are the National Park and 624,250 hectares are the Natural Area of Integrated Management. Madidi is one of the most biodiverse parks on the planet - Haiti: Three Bays National Park
 * 1 Rich ecotourism resources in Latin America**

- Does tourism damage the local biodiversity. As a planned resort Cancún was supposed to have a large number of green areas, but these were taken over by development
 * 2 Human footprints Vs. environmental concerns**

Costa Rica: The tourism boom began in 1987, [|[3]] with the number of visitors up from 329,000 in 1988, through 1.03 million in 1999, to a historical record of 2.43 million foreign visitors in 2013. [|[6]][|[7]] In 2012 tourism contributed with 12.5% of the country's [|GDP] and it was responsible for 11.7% of direct and indirect employment. [|[8]] In 2009 tourism attracted 17% of [|foreign direct investment] inflows, and 13% in average between 2000 and 2009. [|[9]] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Costa_Rica
 * 3 Contribution to the economies**

USA: In 2012, visitors to National Park Service (NPS) lands spent $14.7 billion in local gateway regions (defined as communities within 60 miles of a park); this spending generated $26.8 billion in economic activity (output) and supported 243 thousand jobs nationwide. Effect of October 2013 shutdown: a loss of $414 million to NPS visitor spending within gateway communities across the country; [|Effects of the October 2013 Government Shutdown on National Park Service Visitor Spending in Gateway Communities] (PDF)


 * 4 Less developed industries and potentials**

HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER

 * TAKE BOOKS AND LEAVE BOOKS** - Global understanding could vastly be improved if we took (and left) better books on our trips! Once you have decided where you are traveling, email locals and ask if you can bring something. What's easily found in Australia, England or Mexico can be impossible to get in the USA. Consider this a variation of the Platinum Rule (treating others as they would like to be treated). If you have academic leanings, find out if the local libraries can use more technical materials and take them something they can use.


 * PICK UP THE TRASH** - Actions speak louder than words. If you are concerned about the environment, show that you care by picking up trash or simply making a point of taking your trash with you. As the adage goes, 'pack it in, pack it out.'


 * LEARN THE LANGUAGE** - Learn and use a few words starting with 'hello' and 'thank you.' If you have the time, take a [|Spanish language class].


 * BE RESPECTFUL OF PEOPLE'S PRIVACY** - Some people do not wish to be visited. In rural communities, wait until you are invited to approach homes or groups of people.


 * BE RESPECTFUL OF RESTRICTIONS** - Some communities may be closed to visitors. Natural attractions might be off limits for cultural or environmental reasons. When in doubt of whether or not to proceed, ask first.


 * BE RESPECTFUL OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE** - Traditional land owners should be acknowledged. Indigenous people working in tourism take their role of welcoming visitors and explaining their culture seriously. Recognize their connection to the land and you'll learn to see the world with a new set of eyes.


 * BUY LOCAL CRAFTS** - If you are looking for a gift or a souvenir, patronize the arts and demonstrate your support for local culture. Buying from a local artisan can cut out 40 steps in the traditional export chain. What not to buy? Items made from endangered animals or pirated archaeological treasures.


 * CONTRIBUTE TO A LOCAL CHARITY** - Ask around and find out which social or environmental efforts can use your time or a financial contribution. Be generous!


 * RETHINK TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY** - Planeta.com's campaign for [|Responsible Travel Photography] asks travelers to rethink traditional photography. What if instead of taking photos, visitors gave photos to the subjects when they meet? One example is the [|Oaxaca Market Project] which encourages visitors to learn about the markets before a visit. Visitors are asked to print photos and give them back to the vendors. Print out the whole page and give it away. This puts a new spin on the traditional 'take only photographs' mantra by giving the photos back and raising awareness and increasing purchases of traditional crafts and local food. What might be a rushed visit becomes a search for familiar faces and seasonal products.

FEATURED WEBSITES AND BLOGS
[|Planeta Mexico]
 * MEXICO**

[|Toucan Trail] [|Tranquilo Traveler: Belize]
 * BELIZE**

[|New Key]
 * COSTA RICA**

[|Tranquilo Traveler: Nicaragua]
 * NICARAGUA**

[|Asociación Panameña de Turismo Sostenible]
 * PANAMA**

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