 |
 |
       |
 |
|
|
|
 |
Chances are, if you are reading this, you are already an ecotourist! And you already know what it is. If you hike, canoe, kayak, boat, or simply enjoy outdoor, cultural or historic areas, you might already be calling yourself an ecotourist.
American Ecotourism Association (AEA) defines ecotourism as "pleasure travel to nature and culture based areas which minimizes ecological impact and supports the well-being of the local community."
Simply put, an ecotourism experience is a visit to a natural or cultural environment where a person will have direct, yet gentle contact with a natural or cultural environment, and the local community will benefit from that visitor. The visitor can benefit the local community through economy, social and cultural interaction, or environmental conservation. The ecotourist will help sustain the ecology by contributing to the nourishment of the relations between people, plants, animals and their environment.
The Definition Dilemma
Some see genuine ecotourism as planned group travel by a tour operator to far, exotic corners of the world untouched by civilization. Some see ecotourism as a planned tour of a single environmentally sensitive destination. Yet some others see ecotourism as a visit to a natural habitat of any type.
Discussion continues over the differences between nature tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife tourism, sustainable tourism, cultural tourism and heritage tourism. Is ecotourism all of those activities? Or just one? Or a few or even something totally different? AEA maintains that all of those activities are within the realm of ecotourism, yet the ecotourist will additionally strive to conserve and protect the areas as well as benefit the local ecology or people in the area in which one travels.
Ecotourism is for Everyone!
American Ecotourism Association partners with organizations and companies which offer activities, accommodations, tours or opportunities for the traveler looking to discover a more meaningful visit to a destination.
From birding to kayaking to hiking - and from scuba diving to quiet meditation at the seashore or mountaintop, ecotourism is a growing trend for people to blend into their vacation time a more personally fulfilling, challenging and enlightening experience.
Ecotourism is quickly becoming a buzz-word with travelers, hoteliers, tourism and visitors' bureaus, attractions, and worldwide organizations. In fact, the United Nations declared 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism (IYE).
The American Ecotourism Association (AEA) is specifically promoting ecotourism and cultural awareness within the United States. Our purpose is broad and changing as we better understand ecotourism and its impact on the traveler, local community, economy, environment, and tourism industry. AEA's general purpose is listed below:
Purpose:
Today's vacation reality indicates that many American's will spend a week or two away from work each year. During that period, we might spend time of visiting friends and relatives, playing a round of golf or visiting a theme park, checking on email and office voicemail, driving, flying, hiking, playing, enjoying, observing, shopping or reading by the pool.
During our vacations we have opportunities for ecotourism activities and experiences that may last just a few hours, day or a week. AEA helps travelers by referring you to our allied member accommodations and attractions.
Our Vision: A great number of travelers within the United States
will consult with the AEA website to locate interesting venues to visit
and stay, and in the process will discover a more personally fulfilling,
challenging and enlightening experience through ecotourism. |
|
 |
 |
 |