Are you comfortable around people of different cultures who have a different
religion, unintelligible language, strange food, and wear odd clothing?
Are you shy and stay separate from these people or do you try to start a
friendship? Are you willing to politely try new kinds of food? Can you control
your own "wild" behavior because it might insult the local people?
"Cultural tourism" is where travellers learn about the fantastic
variety of lifestyles throughout the world. These travellers learn about
how similar the minds and hearts are of people who are different on the
outside, and the same on the inside. If travellers behave respectfully and
learn about culture, this is a type of ecotourism.
Do you have a pair of binoculars? Do you own a 35mm camera? Do you have
a pair of walking shoes and a sun hat? How about a guidebook that identifies
birds, animals, or flowers? You are all set to go on a "nature study"
trip. Many members of birdwatching clubs love to take long walks and silently
look for birds and listen to their songs. They get as excited seeing a tiny
yellow bird as someone else would be about seeing a huge elephant or whale.
If these tourists do not disturb the wildlife, or pick wildflowers, or cause
pollution, then this is considered ecotourism. In fact, it is very pure
ecotourism.
Ecotourism is not always pure nature study. It is educational
but more enjoyable than sitting in a classroom! Sometimes it is also adventurous,
cultural, or the experience of seeing scenery or wildlife. People on ecotours
are very careful not to cause damage to nature lands, not to disturb animals,
and are respectful of the local people.
