Ecotourism

ECOTOURISM

What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism is an idea of tourism involving visiting conserved, naturally beautiful, and relatively undisturbed areas, and making as low impact as possible. Ecotourism is a small alternative to standard commercial tourism.
It is used to educate tourists, and to spend money for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and empowerment of local communities, and to hold respect for different cultures. Ecotourism is being promoted so that future generations can experience destinations untouched by human intervention.

1.Before your trip get as much info as you can on local cultures, religions, beliefs and the country’s history, in order to understand people better .

Once you’re here please keep in mind that you’re no longer at home and that your behavior can shock or offend locals, even though it seems normal to you… think twice before acting.


2.When you go into the wild you’re not going to the zoo! Try to make as little noise as possible, by whispering for example, in order not to scare animals away and leave other people in peace. Do not feed the animals, it’s no legend, this can result in death or sickness for them. Try not to pick up flowers, do not bring animals back (alive or dead) and keep on the track to spare the flora. If you go diving, take care of corrals, do not even touch it (neither with your fingers nor your fins) since it needs years to regenerate itself. It’s not because you see graffiti on a tree that you can add yours, it looks ugly anyway.

3. Even though some streets are quite dirty, this is no reason to throw your litter on the floor. Remember that you are not in a country as developed as yours. Recycling here is getting bigger everyday but still need some major improvements; do not hesitate to ask your hotel’s staff, your guide, your driver or any local how to dispose properly of your plastic bottles and cans. Harmful wastes such as used batteries must not be left in any garbage, if you don’t find the right place, bring it back home.

Think above all about conserving the environment wherever you go, respecting the cultures and the people that you meet. Buy local products as much as possible, avoid ''Made in China'' souvenirs or imported goods that are more expensive than  local goods and do not support local economy.