University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...
University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...
University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature<br />
+ Nature tourism: "involves travel to unspoiled places to experience and<br />
enjoy, usually like hiking, biking, sailing and camping” (Honey, 1999).<br />
+ Adventure tourism: "is nature tourism with a kick" requires physical<br />
skill and endurance and involves a degree <strong>of</strong> risk taking (Honey, 1999).<br />
+ Agricultural tourism: this type <strong>of</strong> tourism is specific especially for the<br />
European cultural landscape where the farmers can <strong>of</strong>fer many opportunities for<br />
tourists to find the experiences closely connected with the agricultural practices<br />
(horseback riding, to some extent volunteers on organic farms could also be<br />
considered a kind <strong>of</strong> agro-tourism). In the Ecotourism Guide released by The<br />
Geographical in June 2000, they present many volunteering jobs as ecotourism.<br />
+ Ecotourism: all the previous definitions within the group <strong>of</strong> alternative<br />
tourism could be included in the definition <strong>of</strong> ecotourism. But in addition to the<br />
recreational activities, ecotourism is also defined by its benefits to both<br />
conservation and to people in the host country (Honey, 1999) with a strong<br />
emphasis on the sustainability <strong>of</strong> nature and people's livelihood.<br />
2.2. Ecotourism definition<br />
As mentioned above, there is still certain confusion with regards to the<br />
definition <strong>of</strong> the term "ecotourism". To consolidate the ideas and manage<br />
"ecotourism" from a global point <strong>of</strong> view The Ecotourism Society (TES) found<br />
out like a small, influential NGO organisation. TES with the co-operation <strong>of</strong> The<br />
United Nation Environmental Program (UNEP) (3) and the World Conservation<br />
Union (former IUCN) (4) are the major players in the field <strong>of</strong> ecotourism recently.<br />
3 UNEP -works to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental<br />
practices everywhere (UNEP, 2002).<br />
4 IUCN -was established to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world<br />
to conserve the integrity and diversity <strong>of</strong> nature and to ensure that any use <strong>of</strong> natural<br />
resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable (IUCN, 2002).<br />
11