ECOTOURISM IN AFRICA: TRULY BENEFICIAL?
Some sceptics believe the term was already being used as far back as 1965, when adventure-enthusiast and Californian-born Claus-Dieter (Nick) Hetzer pioneered ecotours in the Yucatán. Fastforward to the present day, what relevance does this term have to the African continent, and is this form of tourism actually benefitting economies, the environment and local communities?
Not only are there mixed reviews about who defined ecotourism first; there are mixed feelings about whether the word itself is an oxymoron, lending to the fact that tourism leaves a human stain on previously untouched and pristine ecosystems. Adventure tourism is the number one motivation for travel. Today, tourists want to explore unchartered territory, to experience new adventures and see unspoilt locations. Ironically, these environments are the most fragile and susceptible to human interference. Further to that, there is confusion about the type of tourism the term includes. Strictly speaking, ecotourism is a type of tourism including travel to natural environments in such a way that minimises the human footprint on the area, travel which actually benefits the local communities and in turn, incentivises them to maintain the condition of the environment. Ecotourism is intended to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, that which requires the lowest possible consumption of natural resources; and travel which gains a greater appreciation of natural habitats, whilst respecting local cultures.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to this type of tourism. An advantage of the trend is that more and more eco-conscious travellers can feel they are part of something bigger and can actively contribute to their destination of choice. Visitors to African countries, in particular, can experience relatively untouched natural wonders and support the indigenous people in many ways. Not only should ecotourism revenue trickle down into communities (known as the multiplier effect), but it aims to preserve traditions and cultures that would otherwise be lost in time. Many tourists actively seek to experience interacting with local communities, and numerous establishments now offer packages including village tours and cultural heritage sites. If monitored correctly,
