I had enough. I heard the term Ecotourism again on the Weather Channel. It's incredible. It's incredibly ridiculous but incredible nevertheless.
Here is the definition from Wikipedia as the term has not made it to many main-stream dictionaries…yet.
Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Generally speaking, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.
Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities.
What? What? What? This is garbage.
“…ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet.” What?
“…travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.” Hey RVers are you getting that “been there done that” feeling yet?
“…enhance the cultural integrity of local people.” If y can figure out what this means then let me know.
Here's the perfect example of someone trying to redefine something and can-it to meet their needs. The Weather Channel must have found a niche for attracting viewers with their "Go Green" so they are embracing this term. As I understand it you are supposed to get closer to nature and/or cultural heritage on your trip as opposed to...being at some man-made venue? Being at the casino? Amusement park? Festival? Antique show? NASCAR? The Smithsonian? Amazing.
The majority of people who own recreational vehicles had this figured out a long time ago. We call it RVing and found that we can do all these things and have nature too when we choose. I don't need another "ism" to tell me what I already know. To the Weather Channel: Come ask us, the first Ecotourists, what it is really about and we will be glad to spend time explaining what we do. But don't continue to pretend it is something new. And PLEASE, don't try to repackage it.
* This post was
edited 08/10/08 09:17am by an administrator/moderator *
You couldn't be more off base. Going to an RV Resort isn't an ecovacation. It's laziness. Go park somewhere and never leave the property isn't ecotouring. I have friends here in ARKUSA who think going to FLAUSA for vacation is DisneyWorld, Universal Studios, Gatorland, et. al. What a load of crap. See the Real Florida. Everglades National Park, the Florida State Parks, Key West, Sanibel Island, Saint Augustine, etc. If you do that and don't learn anything then it's still not an ecovacation. Going through Yellowstone in three days can be an ecovacation if you learn something about the environment and decide to protect it for the future. Going rv'ing doesn't qualify you for for automatic knowledge of the environment. Ecovacations aren't for everyone. You don't like the idea, don't use it. Stop knocking those who enjoy it and find a way to give back.
It's not working. WE use our MH to make it convenient to visit a lot of non-ecotouristy places. But, I've seen a lot of natural beauty in my days,....it's all good.....
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
I don't know much about ecotourism, but I'm pretty sure there are lots of other groups and organizations involved in it, and not just TWC. It's not for me, but then neither is NASCAR or casinos. Nor does our family RV in order to "get back to nature". But I don't think people who want to do any of those things are ridiculous. They just have different interests, and they are certainly entitled to them.
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
The Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people.”
According to the Stanford Research Institute (1990), the ecology-minded tourist represents the fastest growing segment of the worldwide travel industry, increasing at an annual rate of 30 percent.
The economy is no longer driven by desire to accumulate goods, but by the quest for vivid experience.
Mr. Camper wrote: You couldn't be more off base. Going to an RV Resort isn't an ecovacation. It's laziness. Go park somewhere and never leave the property isn't ecotouring. I have friends here in ARKUSA who think going to FLAUSA for vacation is DisneyWorld, Universal Studios, Gatorland, et. al. What a load of crap. See the Real Florida. Everglades National Park, the Florida State Parks, Key West, Sanibel Island, Saint Augustine, etc. If you do that and don't learn anything then it's still not an ecovacation. Going through Yellowstone in three days can be an ecovacation if you learn something about the environment and decide to protect it for the future. Going rv'ing doesn't qualify you for for automatic knowledge of the environment. Ecovacations aren't for everyone. You don't like the idea, don't use it. Stop knocking those who enjoy it and find a way to give back.
I'll take a moment and say that I said nothing of knocking people who enjoy nature. I will not, like you, belittle people who enjoy whatever they want to enjoy with their RV. There was no qualifying statements made by me about who is right or wrong; who is better or worse. Go read the original post again then maybe you might not read so much negativitity into it. But if you choose to disagree with anything that is your right.
If the words "ecotourism ", in that article , were to be replaced with "RV ing " would you react the same way ?
You have revealed your ignorance, in capital letters .
Just because you don't understand some thing, is no reason to insult those who are "in to it ".
Not every one is marching in lock step with the type of life stlye that creates such wastefull habits. Americans, in general are quite sensible about how they use natural resources. How about you ?
Are you a part of the problem, or a part of the solution ?
Our "purposeful travel to natural areas" and obeying National Park rules that says not to "alter the integrity of the ecosystem" make us cool. We've all been ecotourists for many decades and didn't know it. No need to rename it something else.
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