Ecology and tourism
July 2003
While it would seem logical that tourism and ecology would be natural allies, often these two industries have been anything but allies. Environmentalists have argued that the tourism/travel industry has all too often failed to take into account the impact that thousands of people have on a particular locale. They note that vacationers often are careless at best when it comes to cleaning up after themselves, and at worst destructive. Environmentalists also complain about people in tourism who seek to earn quick money without regard to the long-term impact of their actions. Tourism officials have often complained that environmentalists are insensitive to natural expansion and the need for economic growth. Both environmentalists and tourism officials state that they desire a sustainable industry. Polluted beaches, dirty streets, unhealthy air and garbage laden forests are neither attractive nor conducive to tourism development. In fact, we might argue that a well managed and protected environment will lead to greater profitability. The months of July and August mark the high tourism season in much of the world; these are the months not only to enjoy, but also to protect our natural surroundings. The environment is not then simply a special interest, it is an important part of tourism economic development. To help all of us protect our natural resources so that our guests will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of your locale, here are several suggestions.
- There is no tourism setting that does not need to protect its environment. It is really unimportant if the setting is urban or rural, forested or desert. In all cases there is an environment that impacts tourism. Even urbanized areas need environmental protection. No one enjoys visiting a locale filled with trash and urban beauty. Visit your own locale as if you were seeing it for the first time, ask yourself what streets need to be repaired, what gardens need to be replanted, which buildings need to be repainted, how does the city’s entranceways and exits impact you. Is the area a physical delight to the eye and sense of smell or something you would prefer to avoid?
- Security begins with a sense of environmental pride. Most professionals emphasize that good security starts with good environmental control. Mew York City learned that by cleaning up the trash, fixing broken windows, and getting rid of graffiti that it was able to lower its crime rate considerably. In a like measure the more any of us care for out environment, the more pride that we have in it and the lower the chance of crime.
- Environmentalism is a form of marketing. All too often people in tourism forget that a clean and healthy environment does not take away from the bottom line it adds to it. Do not define the word in its most narrow sense, but rather in its broadest sense. For example, a restaurant that offers a romantic setting is selling environmental tourism. Few people will spend a lot of money to eat over a garbage dump, but many people are more than willing to spend top dollar to eat in a charming setting, be that setting a table overlooking an ocean, a crystal clear lake, a beautiful garden, or a forest. Tourism officials need to promote their locale’s ecology and be creative in finding ways to protect it and still use it. The wise tourism marketer promotes the ecological health of his/her area in all written, oral and visual marketing efforts.
- Make it easy to be ecologically pro-active. Take the time to review your tourism area. Is it easy or difficult to throw away rubbish? Is protection provided for sensitive foliage? Are people made aware of what is harmful and what is permitted? Remember that in a multi-national, multilingual world signage must be understandable not only by those who speak the native language but also by foreign guests. Also remember to inform while guarding against noise and sign pollution.
- Realize that to observe is to change. Quantum Mechanics teaches us that whenever we observe an experiment we change it in one manner or another. Realize then that whatever tourists visit is changed. In some instances this change is either tolerable or beneficial, but in other instances, even a subtle change can be harmful. Take a tourism ecology inventory and decide what areas need to be off limits and what areas can tolerate acceptable observation.
- Develop ecology tours no matter where you are. Every part of the world has an eco-system. The problem is that most non-rural areas chose to ignore their eco-system. Make sure that you understand yours, then develop a tour that teaches people the good and the bad about the environment in which you live. The tour can also be used as a means to create a cooperative alliance between tourism and the local ecology groups.
- Become good eco-citizens. Tale the time to chat with your local environmental groups and ask for their advice. What ideas do they have for your corner of the world? Can they suggest ways to conserve water, not waste energy and help to protect the atmosphere? How can the two groups work together to foster economic development that enhances rather than destroys the environment? Develop a tourism ecological assessment and then show the community how much you care about the environment which we all share. Lastly make sure that others know you care about their concerns as a way of outreaching to those who have not been pro-tourism in the past.
- Use its expertise of a local university or college in your area. There is a whole body of knowledge about eco-tourism and environmental tourism. Take the time to learn something about this important field of study, and remember that responsible stewardship of the land not only is a part of being a good citizen, but also makes good business sense.
