Why the shift to ecotourism?

According to the World Tourism Organisation, tourism is one of the top five export categories for 83% of countries and the main source of foreign currency for at least 38% of these.

However, ...

a study of tourism 'leakage' in Thailand estimated that 70% of the all the money spent by tourists end up leaving the country through e.g. foreign-owned tour operators, airlines, hotels, imported drinks and food.

another study showed that out of a 100 school children in Kalutara, Sri Lanka, 86 children had their first sexual experience aged 12 or 13 years old. The majority of these experiences were with a foreign tourist.

a study on the requirements for the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides on an average golf course (in a tropical country) showed that 1500 kg of chemicals per year are needed and in addition it needs as much water as 60,000 rural villagers.

These examples clearly show the need for more ethical tourism and travel. Especially when we focus on package tourism, which holds 80% of international tourist market. However, ecotourism is not a simple tour to natural areas, but a tour bearing social responsibilities. A common goal in ecotourism is the generation of economic benefits for the host country in terms of e.g. profits for companies, jobs for communities, and revenues for parks. This economic impact can in turn increase political and financial support for the conservation of natural resources. The economic impact of ecotourism can be grouped into three categories, direct, indirect and induced impacts (see figure below). By reducing the leakage as much as possible from this web, your money spent in the local area will provide the largest economic benefit possible.