The power for ecotourism to really make a difference lies with
the consumer. Every travel decision you make, every choice you make about how
and where to spend your holiday dollar either contributes to the true intention
of ecotourism or diminishes it. Every spending decision can be a marked
contribution to the local economy or it can simply add dollars to the pockets
of wealthy multinationals; it can purposefully contribute to the conservation and
management of the land or it can simply use the land; it can foster cultural
diversity and respect or it can contribute to an ever-increasing mono-culture.
The choices are yours.
The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel
to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of
local people.” Sure, but how do you actually do this?
It takes some effort. The effort is worth it, though, because making a
difference in your day-to-day actions brings hope. Hope for the planet and hope
for the future that we leave to our children.
Here are some key questions to help guide your travel choices.
What is my personal carbon dioxide contribution as a result of my flight?
Go to David Suzuki’s website listed at the end of this article to calculate your
CO2 emissions. Weigh the necessity of the flight and consider taking a vacation
closer to home. If you decide to fly, pack light, fly in the daytime, fly
economy and purchase carbon offset credits. All will help to reduce and or
minimize the impact of your flight.
Do I really need to travel overseas?
Or can I have an awesome holiday experience closer to home? Traveling closer to
home supports the local economy even on a national level and your CO2
contribution will be less (as long as you don’t fly there.)
How can I keep my spending as local as possible?
Do I stop for coffee at the multinational coffee chain or do I look for and buy
my coffee from the local coffee shop? There is comfort in familiarity –
familiarity with the taste of your morning coffee and the environment that
produces the coffee. But I encourage you, on your travels, to step outside what
is comfortable and explore the more authentic parts of the communities you
travel through.
I know that in my home village, the Kozy, our local coffee shop is filled with
local flavor that you just can’t get at that other coffee shop. This takes
effort and time – committing to spending locally sometimes is a little less
convenient because you have to figure out where to go. In my experience, it is
usually worth the effort for an enriched experience.
Where are my souvenirs made?
Are they imported or do local artisans make them? Shop at the locally owned gift shops on the main streets and ask what work or
souvenirs in the shop are made locally. This directly supports the business and
the artisans of the region.
What percentage of a company’s employees are hired locally, live locally?
You really can ask this question! I believe you will find the answers
interesting. Choose to spend your dollars with the company that provides
employment for local families. It makes a big difference to those families.
What is the level of local employees’ responsibilities?
Supervisors, managers, owners, maintenance workers, cooks, dishwashers,
cleaners, waiters, waitresses? This is a challenging question. Do your best to
discriminate – I am asking you to consider the level of responsibility assigned
to the local employee. Often “local” translates to maintenance worker, cleaner,
dishwasher. Look for the business that has locals as managers, supervisors or
even owners – locals in positions of responsibility. These are companies that
are really paying attention to the local community.
Who actually owns the business where I choose to stay?
Would that be a local family or a multinational chain? The bottom line here is
where does your money go – to a local family and the local economy or somewhere
into the vacuum of a multinational? Keep your spending as close to the local
community as you can.
Does the business support any projects that benefit the local community?
Again, feel free to ask. Many small businesses go above and beyond the call of
duty to support local initiatives. You will be pleasantly surprised how far they
are reaching into their communities. By supporting a small business that
supports its community, you are indirectly contributing to the betterment of the
community you have visited.
How much water should I be using?
Do I really need to shower everyday or every time I come up from the beach? It
is important not to make assumptions about water anymore. Conserve water every
chance you get, even while you are on holiday.
I also challenge you to think about the real cost of bottled water.
Manufacturing, bottling, shipping, plastic bottles in landfills (about 90
percent of water bottles end up in landfill sites, rather than the recycling
bin). Stop buying the stuff and refill your own water bottle from a safe source
of drinking water and you will be helping to save a tremendous amount of
resources.
Where does the supply of fresh water come from?
How precious is this resource? Understanding how precious the resource is, in
the place you are visiting, will help motivate you to be careful with its use.
Remember that while you are traveling through an area you are sharing resources
with the residents of that area.
How expensive is electricity?
How much effort is being made to conserve energy? Does the company operate off
grid? Again, you are sharing resources with a local resident population and
being informed will help motivate you to conserve.
What happens to the garbage I produce while I am here?
No really, where does it go? Is it in an open pit, is it burned, is it buried,
is there any recycling here? Garbage disposal is a significant concern in many
tourist destinations. The increased volume of garbage puts pressure on local
resources. Be careful about how much you produce and be sensitive to what is
available in the region. Do not assume that while traveling you can recycle
everything you can recycle at home. I am once again thinking about those nasty
water bottles. Think “reduce” first.
Where does the food come from?
Is it imported out of season or is it locally grown, harvested and prepared?
Again, keep your spending as close to the community as possible. Besides, the
food will taste better. Local fare may be slightly different than what you are
used to but, then again, experiencing something different is the whole point of
travel.
Can I take a day trip and hire a local certified guide?
Accessing local knowledge is a very simple way to enrich any holiday experience
and, again, it stimulates the local economy.
Are there entrance fees or donation boxes?
Often, these are voluntary but by using them you can contribute to helping
ensure the resource is taken care of. I encourage you to pay fees and make
donations – these dollars are critical to keeping resources intact and
sustainable.
Am I staying in a gated all-inclusive resort?
Or I am staying in a locally owned hotel and packaging activities with a locally
licensed operator? Surely, I must have made my point by now …local, local, local.
Shall I take the local bus or taxi rather than rent a car?
This one is your call. Try walking or cycling.
Am I paying a fair price for a souvenir or am I bargaining too hard?
We Westerners really have a lot. A lot of money, a lot of privilege. Pay a fair
price for a souvenir. Making and selling souvenirs is the most accessible way
for a local family to benefit from tourism.
Is the cultural experience that I am paying to see authentic?
Is it a local group/performance? Feel free to ask and if the answer is no, ask
why not.
Who is benefitting from my money?
How much of my money is going to the operator I am booking with and how much of
my money is going to the local communities where I will be traveling? You can
ask this question too. It’s your money; you should know how it is being spent.
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Val Bishop is Coordinator/Professor of College Graduate Studies
in Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Management at Fleming College, Haliburton,
Ontario.
