Tourism has quickly become one of the worlds fastest growing industrys and is a major source of income across the globe. Being people oriented the industry provides many jobs which help to revitalise local economies.  As much as I love tourism and travelling everywhere and exploring raw, untouched places in the world I can see that tourism has its effect in a negative way. Such a social dislocation, a loss of cultural heritage, economic dependance and finally perhaps the most important to me ecological degradation. Once most people have learnt or even witnessed the negative effects on tourism they try to seek more responsible holidays. This is known as ‘ecotourism’ or ‘sustainable tourism’. 

Sustainable tourism is the concept of visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on the environment, society and economy. Tourism can involve primary transportation to the general location, local transportation, accommodations, entertainment, recreation, nourishment and shopping. Sustainable tourism is looking to provide people with exciting and educational holidays which also have benefits on the local people. 

Alongside benefiting the local community, ecotourism is seeking to reduce its impacts on the area visited. It contributes to the conservation of natural areas and the sustainable development of adjacent areas and communities, generating further awareness among resident and nearby populations and visitors. Although a relatively new, ecotourism has spread rapidly throughout the world. The most popular ecotourism destinations are spread relatively evenly throughout the world and include sites in Central and South America, Canada and the USA, Antarctica and Australia.
Despite studying countries effected by tourism in my human geography A-Level class, I don’t think I really understood how successful it was until I spent my stint in the Galapagos. The Galapagos National Park (GNP) and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism have created laws which tour providers are encouraged to follow to ensure their business have the least effect on the environment of the Galapagos. With 95% of their income coming for tourism, locals are aware of how important tourism is to their economic success. Galapagos tour providers must take steps to:
Conserve water and energyRecycle and treat waste material.

Source locally-produced products. Hire local employees, pay them a fair wage, and offer them additional trainingIn 1979, the Galapagos Islands became the world’s first UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site — an honor bestowed upon our planet’s most magnificent places. I posted a while back about the success of resorting the tortoise population on the Galapagos through the conservancy. (Check it out here!) This is such a good evidence of the success of eco-tourism and shows that if the government are forceful and enforce guidelines it can really make a difference. In a way this makes it look easy – the Galapagos is one of a kind and relatively small – 4 inhabited islands and the people committed to tourism and its been enforced for a long time! 

Sustainability is all about the packages’ or hotels’ environmental influence, energy consumption, and awareness of local culture. Another idea is to try eco-hotels when you go on your next trip! These hotels can also make efforts to conserve in other ways, such as using low-flush toilets, promoting recycling programs, and reducing their use of chemicals and toxins for cleaning and maintenance. They should also provide community support by employing locals as tour guides or hotel staff, using locally grown food, and backing initiatives that provide care for native residents.