Ecotourism vs Volunteer Tourism

Tourism is the world’s largest industry with nature-based ecotourism seeing rapid growth since its initial arrival in the 1980s. It is estimated by the World Tourism Organisation that nature tourism generates 7% of all international travel expenditure (Lindberg, 1997) and this figure will have increased rapidly over recent years. It’s increase in popularity is due to a number of factors; tourists becoming increasingly bored of the typical sun, sea and sand holiday’s, the increase in global awareness or environmental issues such as global

Sustainable tourism development merges environmental concerns with economic policy (Dresner, S. 2008: 69) and allows for tourism’s products in the form of intangible services or the natural environment, to be environmentally cautious through a responsible trade off between production and use of assets. Some influences apparent are environmental, social, and economical and it is further important to emphasize that one or a combination of the aspects, with market cooperation, creates a sustainable agenda. Travel services are increasingly seen as less of a luxury good and more as an everyday purchase (Page, 2003:3) due to marketing becoming more prominent which means organisations must complete vigorous promotion strategies for long-term viability. Marketing therefore has a highly important role, as Holloway (2004) explains marketing understands the needs and wants of customers, ‘to what can be sold, to whom, when, where and in what quantities’ (Holloway J.C. 2004:7). Holloway (2004) writes that successful organisations anticipate demand “recognising it, stimulating it and finally satisfying it” (Holloway, J.C. 2004: 7). Marketing is absolutely crucial within creating and maintaining a sustainable agenda in a variety of ways, moreover reference to consistency among stages of development, unique benefits produced from varied strategies, relevancy of market research, adapting to changing market demand and the positive outcome of identifying new markets.

Eco-tourism is when you travel to a natural space and appreciate nature and protect the environment. You also learn the past and present of the destination.

Indigenous communities, which have otherwise been left untouched by traditional tourism activities, have now been targeted for a new tourism venture, ecotourism. A relatively new variant, ecotourism is described as environment-friendly, sustainable and nature-based. It came about as a response to the world’s growing environmental awareness. This activity involves “visiting relatively undisturbed natural areas with the aim

Throughout my academic career, I have taken courses in Research Methods, Public Policy, International Relations and Politics and History of Alternative Tourism. Through this coursework, I have learned the importance

Williams Powers, an ecotourist activist wrote in his book, Whispering in the Giants Ear, “That which we allow to exist, to flourish freely according to its own rhythms, is superior to anything our little hands create.” Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

Eco-tours are original ideas designed to highlight the agriculture of the area through painting classes in combination with tours of the local farms for visitors, corporate retreats and schools. Consequently, harmonious partnership between the farming culture and the artistic talents brought economic growth and regional awareness in the community at large.

When it comes to the topic of ecotourism, most of us will readily agree that it is a less harmful alternative to mass-tourism and that it promotes responsible and low-impact travel to areas where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary drawing power. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of what the impact of ecotourism actually is and what its long-term consequences are. Whereas some are convinced that ecotourism provides the basis for sustainable development, particularly in places that suffer from exploitation and excessive resources’ usage, and that could only improve the general conditions of the local people, others maintain that we are still far from true ecotourism, for many are those in the

“Volunteers are not paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” - Sherry Anderson (Volunteering Quotes: Finest Quotes).

I agree with you Kelsey. Social purpose ventures and non-profit ventures do not have to put economic profit at the top of their agenda, and I like your point that though they do not have to make profit, they must be “sustainable and scalable.” In the case, NCV also has to consider this point. That sustainable and economic circulation could be a great driving force for their future business, and they can be empowered by the reasonable economic

You know that feeling you have when you are in a place so beautiful that it takes your breath away? That’s exactly what it feels like to be in Brazil. I have never been to a place more colorful, unique or magnificent than Brazil. And I believe that I would not have had such an amazing trip if I had not chosen to travel with Ideia Tours. I choose Ideia Tours because they are a certified sustainable tour operator and I wanted to have an experience that was conscious about the impact tourism has on a destination. Before traveling, I wanted to find out where Ideia’s sustainable certification label came from and how it adheres to the World Tourism Organization’s three main aspects of sustainable

A getaway resort designed to be filled with excitement, adventure, and high luxury, the Omarama Mountain Lodge is without a doubt, a very exclusive eco-destination— specifically catering to the needs of the world’s wealthiest people. Due to the chance meeting of a New Zealand Department of Conservation investigator named Peter Slater and the son of a former Indonesian president, the Omarama Mountain Lodge was conceptualized upon the realization that there was potential for a specialty business that could meet the needs of the world’s elite. By combining their knowledge and experiences with wealthy travelers, these men were able to carry out such a business in New Zealand’s South Island. As an eco-destination for wealthy vacationers, the Omarama Mountain Lodge promotes a vast array of outdoor activities. As a hunting retreat, the Omarama Mountain Lodge made efficient use of its “28,000 hectares of original farmland,” as the location was converted into a big game reserve where deer, elk, and chamois can be hunted and released. In addition, the case makes note that the Omarama Mountain Lodge also offers other alternatives for outdoor leisure such as photographic ‘safaris,’ horseback riding, golfing, nature walks, and helicopter tours. Of course, all of which are guaranteed to be fulfilled with not only the utmost luxury, also respect to the customer’s security and privacy.

Marketing teams have developed “the dream vacation” for just about everyone, whether your interests lie in adventure travel, cruising, or wine tasting, your imagination and perhaps your budget is pretty much your only limitation. Alongside this ever-increasing number of vacation destinations, a large body of research on the “tourist machine” also grows. Over time, the focus of tourism research has shifted somewhat from the basic sort of anthropological or sociological questions such as “why do people choose the destinations they do” and “how do the natives of these tourist destinations feel about their “guests”” to more of an environmental and cultural impact approach. The impacts commoditization on tourism. Commoditization, in terms of tourism, is the “packaging” and sale of an idea or story. What I mean by that is that what is being turned into a commodity is an “experience,” not a tangible product.

One of the larger issues at hand in the world today is ecotourism. Ecotourism allows people to visit areas around the world that have experienced little to no human impact such as pollution, traffic, and other types of invasive expansion. It revolves

Retention of Visitor spending: The key to achieving economic sustainability for tourism in (i.e. California and Giants Causeway) is maximising the economic retention of tourist spending in your local economy. The sustainable tourism businesses need to develop strategies that are capable of meeting the long-term economic needs and aspirations of the local community. If the communities are engaged by tourism organisations as stakeholders in tourism, and economic partners in the tourism industry, this will actively support local tourism businesses. Tourism is a rapidly growing industry and has far-reaching economic and environmental impact across the destinations; hence, if tourism is an important source of local employment and a significant