| While ecotourism and tourism seem to be similar, there | | | | 8. Both allow the use of cameras unless safety is an |
| is a different between them. Does it mean that the | | | | issue. |
| statement: "Ecotourism in tourism" is false? Not | | | | What are the main differences between ecotourism |
| exactly, you see, one is a more specific term than the | | | | and tourism? |
| other. Let me explain it in a more detailed fashion. | | | | These two terms are both similar but do have their |
| What is ecotourism? | | | | differences. Let's compare tourism in an aquarium |
| Ecotourism is a form of tourism. You see, like in | | | | during a show and ecotourism during a dolphin |
| tourism, it reaches some of the same goals which are | | | | watching tour, in their natural habitat. |
| educational and entertaining. Contrary to tourism, animal | | | | 1. Trained dolphins are captured, sometimes in cruel |
| life such as dolphins is observed in its natural habitat | | | | ways, put in a limited space and forced to perform for |
| instead of an artificial setting created by humans such | | | | food. Some even are highly stressed or die of |
| as an aquarium. | | | | depression. |
| The educational goal is mainly to teach tourists about | | | | 2. Dolphins in the wild are free; they are not separated |
| the characteristics, the habits, the habitat and the | | | | from their pod but face dangers such as predators, |
| dangers affecting the wildlife. The entertainment is | | | | fishermen, nets, pollution and more. |
| offered by exciting and surprising appearances and | | | | 3. Chumming is a method often used to attract marine |
| sometimes displays of animals in the wild. For example, | | | | life. Unfortunately, it also attracts sharks and has been |
| tourists can observe a pod of dolphins playing together | | | | held responsible for the presence of sharks rising in |
| during a dolphin watching tour. | | | | beaches areas. |
| This form of tourism has been used for centuries but it | | | | 4. Feeding dolphins in the wild can create problems if |
| has recently reached a new level of interest amongst | | | | dolphins start depending on it. Feeding in man-made |
| tourists which explains a higher rate of tourists | | | | surroundings make their natural instinct as a hunter |
| exploring ecotourism. This type of link is the reason | | | | disappears and they become solely dependent on |
| which some people are asking: "Is ecotourism in | | | | humans. Worse, they must often perform tricks to be |
| tourism?" | | | | fed properly. |
| What is tourism? | | | | 5. Some cheap businesses claiming to be in the |
| Tourism is a way to invite visitors to explore the area | | | | ecotourism industry may disturb and negatively affect |
| under different angles, for example during tours. This is | | | | dolphins and their natural habitat. |
| also considered an important part of the national | | | | 6. Some organizations consider the use of dolphins for |
| economic industry of a country. Tourism is a more | | | | therapy, entertainment or other form of tourist activity |
| general term that includes a variety of ways to | | | | such as swimming with dolphins is a form of slavery |
| educate and entertain tourists, in both natural and | | | | and animal exploitation. |
| artificial settings. | | | | 7. Some trainers use abusive methods while training |
| For example, in ecotourism, you may observe dolphins | | | | dolphins. |
| in their natural habitat while in tourism, you may either | | | | 8. During a dolphin watching tour, some tourists will |
| observe them perform in a show offered by a local | | | | feed dolphins certain items that may endanger the |
| aquarium or again, swim with trained dolphins in a | | | | dolphins' safety as a "joke". |
| man-made lagoon. So is ecotourism in tourism? Let's | | | | 9. Some environmentalists say that nature should be |
| explore this question a little further. | | | | left alone and that it is wrong to exploit it in the name |
| Is ecotourism part of tourism? | | | | of profit. |
| While some people say that these are two different | | | | What is the answer? |
| things, several aspects tend to indicate that ecotourism | | | | The answer is this one. Ecotourism in tourism is a |
| is part of the large family of tourism. Which are these | | | | correct statement as ecotourism is part of the tourism |
| aspects? Here are a few of them. | | | | industry. It is a certain specialty that is exploited in the |
| 1. Both gain profits from the patronage of tourists. | | | | name of tourism to give tourists the opportunity to |
| 2. Both may use tours to educate and/or entertain | | | | learn, observe and enjoy wildlife in their natural habitat. |
| visitors. | | | | Is it wrong to enjoy a dolphin watching tour? The |
| 3. Both require a permit. | | | | answer is: "No!" As long as the company that offers |
| 4. Both must pay dividends to the government under | | | | you such an opportunity follows the safety rules, has a |
| the Tourism Industry. | | | | permit, a professionally trained staff and follows legal |
| 5. Both include tours of wildlife, one in their natural | | | | regulations as well as respect the natural habitat of the |
| habitat, and the other in a man-made setting. | | | | dolphins and other marine life, it is safe to say: "Why |
| 6. Both must follow safety regulations. | | | | not enjoy such a fantastic opportunity? |
| 7. Both require guidance from professionals. | | | | |