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Ecotourism = "philosophy"of travel 3

Laurie Lubeck


Ecotourism is a style that allows travelers (even in a group) to take time to sit and think and increase their awareness about what is around them. They use their senses. Their minds are burning with questions to ask a knowledgeable local nature tour guide. This style is starting to be in big demand in Japan as Japanese travelers are getting more independent and desire more of a personally challenging experience in remote areas of the world.

Generally, travel agents are more comfortable selling pre-arranged packages to familiar destinations. Few travel agents have the personal experience of kayaking down a river or trekking in the mountains. Many haven't seen wild animals outside of a zoo. Most have not walked through a tiny village nor chatted with the local fishermen to learn about their lives. Travel agents must now educate themselves about ecology, wildlife and adventure. Tour conductors must be specially-trained nature guides.

The ruins of Myanmmer
Tourists need to educate themselves as well. They should understand why it is important to behave like proper guests when they arrive in a foreign land, and have a willing spirit to learn and interact with local people. They should not be the kind of tourists who act as if they are superior, or who buy souvenirs made of endangered species.

Ask yourself, have you ever carved your initials on a tree trunk? Have you picked wildflowers in a national park? Have you ever stood up on coral while you were snorkeling?
Have you ever fed bread to a wallaby or cookies to a squirrel? Have you ever given a piece of candy or some coins to a cute barefooted child that followed you? Have you ever bought a watchband made of lizard skin or art carved of ivory?

These are all things that we used to do...but now, we should no longer do. Now we know what terrible damage these actions can cause. If you don't know what damage is done, the Ecotourism Forum will explain the positive and negative effects of tourism. After that, you cannot pretend that you didn't know! Through this Forum, not only will you hear about great ecotour destinations around the world, you will learn to be a good ecotourist!