{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"31821035","dateCreated":"1292482546","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"DanielChu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/DanielChu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/ecotourism-debate.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/31821035"},"dateDigested":1532254703,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Value of Ecosystems II (Ecotourism?) ","description":"Perhaps this will deviate a bit from the motion, but I though its quite interesting to discuss this topic as well. Not entirely relevant but I think the discussion could be applicable to our debate in the sense that it could allow us to think about why ecotourism is so much discussed now a days.
\n
\nPreserving ecosystems have long been a strong idea among many countries and NGOs. And many discuss the value of the ecosystems that we need to protect and why we need to raise the awareness of this issue.
\n
\nAnd its interesting because when we talk about the values of the ecosystems, we always talk about biodiversity, maintaining nature, and what not. We wonder why businesses and farmers cannot understand the need to preserve such forests and wetlands. Thousands of hectares of trees are cut every day around the world. Forests are cleared, wetlands are filled, coral reefs are destroyed every day as a result of actions by us.
\n
\nHow could we raise the awareness of such issues? How can we convince such marginalised people, to which they have no alternative but to cut off the trees to find land to farm on?
\n
\nThere are several articles that mention solutions, and one I came across, which I thought was quite interesting, is to put a monetary value to it. Could we say trees are worth an amount of money for its water purifying and oxygen emitting uses?
\nHere is an article from The Economist which I thought is quite interesting. http:\/\/www.economist.com\/node\/17062651?story_id=17062651<\/a> - in fact, they wrote a whole special report on the value of ecosystems.
\n
\nAnd how is this relevant to our topic? Ecotourism is very much tied with ecosystems, natural beauties of the world. And how can we preserve them and educate the public about the environment if its continually being destroyed?
\nPerhaps ecotourism is a way to put a value to the ecosystems. That way we will have value and gains in perserving them, as opposed to pure anthropologist methods?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"31821057","body":"Posted in the last thread, but then trolls came along, so here it is for all to see:
\n
\nThe relevance, as I see it, is the difference between sustainable development and unsustainable development - new thinking and old thinking. A price is something people forcefully put on things, based on demand - the entire ecotourism industry exists because there are people who want to be support it and there is demand, as people have come to see the importance of sustainable development.
\n
\nThe problem, as you have stated, is to convert people from "old thinking" to "new thinking", which is not only a difficult thing to do, but also limited by numerous other factors such as traditions, etc.
\n
\nCan it be done? Some people have met success, yet others are reluctant to change their old ways, because they fear to enter a new business and take on the risks for entering a new market (people used to cutting trees know that they can make money, why would they stop and turn into working towards conservation and sustainable developments like the "ideal ecotourism"? is there even demand?)
\n
\nRelating it to my interpretation of the motion, that "eco" and "tourism" don't go together, is that our idea of "tourism" is based on "old thinking" - of destructive construction and polluting the environment as we travel. Can the idea of "tourism" be renewed, into a more "sustainable industry"?
\n
\nI think this is what ecotourism aims to do, to change what "tourism" has meant for ages. Can it do it? That's the question. Realising the worth of preserving ecosystems is an important first step - for that is perhaps the same as realising the "mistakes" we have made in the past.
\n
\nBut then again:
\n"You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs."","dateCreated":"1292482901","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"YTH","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/YTH","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1211472351\/YTH-lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"31820757","dateCreated":"1292480223","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"YTH","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/YTH","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1211472351\/YTH-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/ecotourism-debate.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/31820757"},"dateDigested":1532254703,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Internal linking - On the same page","description":"There is a way to change your title under the table of contents to a hyperlink to your research, making the table of contents much more useful as a organiser of information. Here's how to do it:
\n1. Edit the page, and just before your research, add the following:
\n<\/a>
\n
\n(Keep both square brackets, and insert a anchor name of your choice. This creates and anchor to that point of the page)
\n
\n2. Go to the table of contents and highlight your title, and press "link" on the editor bar on top of your page. Create and internal link to the same page (Resources by students) and you should see a choice called "link to anchor". Select that and type your anchor name in there.
\n
\n3. Save and test.
\n
\nGood luck!","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"31820777","body":"Apparently the wiki treated my example as a real anchor. So here it is:
\n''<\/a>''","dateCreated":"1292480368","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"YTH","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/YTH","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1211472351\/YTH-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"31820793","body":"Trying again:
\n[[#insertnamehere]]
\nand source of info:
\nhttp:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/wikitext+anchor<\/a>","dateCreated":"1292480487","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"YTH","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/YTH","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1211472351\/YTH-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"31820861","body":"Additional formating note:
\n
\nI think that rather than summarizing\/synthesizing each article - Ms Safaya and I think that it is preferable that we combine the for and against arguments from all our sources.","dateCreated":"1292481171","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"talias7","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/talias7","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"31820957","body":"But isn't it more conducive to overall learning for us to draw our own conclusions from the information, rather than having people organize our points for us?","dateCreated":"1292481857","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"a.wan","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/a.wan","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1292203560\/a.wan-lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"31758823","dateCreated":"1292417443","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"DanielChu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/DanielChu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/ecotourism-debate.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/31758823"},"dateDigested":1532254703,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Value of Ecosystems (Ecotourism?)","description":"Perhaps this will deviate a bit from the motion, but I though its quite interesting to discuss this topic as well. Not entirely relevant but I think the discussion could be applicable to our debate in the sense that it could allow us to think about why ecotourism is so much discussed now a days.
\n
\nPreserving ecosystems have long been a strong idea among many countries and NGOs. And many discuss the value of the ecosystems that we need to protect and why we need to raise the awareness of this issue.
\n
\nAnd its interesting because when we talk about the values of the ecosystems, we always talk about biodiversity, maintaining nature, and what not. We wonder why businesses and farmers cannot understand the need to preserve such forests and wetlands. Thousands of hectares of trees are cut every day around the world. Forests are cleared, wetlands are filled, coral reefs are destroyed every day as a result of actions by us.
\n
\nHow could we raise the awareness of such issues? How can we convince such marginalised people, to which they have no alternative but to cut off the trees to find land to farm on?
\n
\nThere are several articles that mention solutions, and one I came across, which I thought was quite interesting, is to put a monetary value to it. Could we say trees are worth an amount of money for its water purifying and oxygen emitting uses?
\nHere is an article from The Economist which I thought is quite interesting. http:\/\/www.economist.com\/node\/17062651?story_id=17062651<\/a> - in fact, they wrote a whole special report on the value of ecosystems.
\n
\nAnd how is this relevant to our topic? Ecotourism is very much tied with ecosystems, natural beauties of the world. And how can we preserve them and educate the public about the environment if its continually being destroyed?
\nPerhaps ecotourism is a way to put a value to the ecosystems. That way we will have value and gains in perserving them, as opposed to pure anthropologist methods?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"31820977","body":"olololololololololololololol pwned","dateCreated":"1292482069","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"PARKHIN","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/PARKHIN","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"31820985","body":"shoot sorry DC :(.
\nwould you mind re-posting? I didn't know it would mess up the formatting.
\nI promise to comment nicely....","dateCreated":"1292482130","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"a.wan","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/a.wan","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1292203560\/a.wan-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"31821023","body":"or Adrian, you could try to delete your post and see if it might fix the formatting.","dateCreated":"1292482464","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"ssafaya","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ssafaya","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"31821033","body":"lol reposted.","dateCreated":"1292482529","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"DanielChu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/DanielChu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"31821049","body":"The relevance, as I see it, is the difference between sustainable development and unsustainable development - new thinking and old thinking. A price is something people forcefully put on things, based on demand - the entire ecotourism industry exists because there are people who want to be support it and there is demand, as people have come to see the importance of sustainable development.
\n
\nThe problem, as you have stated, is to convert people from "old thinking" to "new thinking", which is not only a difficult thing to do, but also limited by numerous other factors such as traditions, etc.
\n
\nCan it be done? Some people have met success, yet others are reluctant to change their old ways, because they fear to enter a new business and take on the risks for entering a new market (people used to cutting trees know that they can make money, why would they stop and turn into working towards conservation and sustainable developments like the "ideal ecotourism"? is there even demand?)
\n
\nRelating it to my interpretation of the motion, that "eco" and "tourism" don't go together, is that our idea of "tourism" is based on "old thinking" - of destructive construction and polluting the environment as we travel. Can the idea of "tourism" be renewed, into a more "sustainable industry"?
\n
\nI think this is what ecotourism aims to do, to change what "tourism" has meant for ages. Can it do it? That's the question. Realising the worth of preserving ecosystems is an important first step - for that is perhaps the same as realising the "mistakes" we have made in the past.
\n
\nBut then again:
\n"You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs."","dateCreated":"1292482791","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"YTH","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/YTH","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1211472351\/YTH-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"31821065","body":"sorry Adrian,
\ni didn't realize that you can't delete, so I just deleted it instead.
\nfixed formatting.
\nthanks!","dateCreated":"1292482942","smartDate":"Dec 15, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"ssafaya","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ssafaya","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32275704","body":"Yes very good points YT and I think the thing about ecotourism and it rather being an oxymoron is something that we must build on - building on the mistakes that we have seen we can do. We can pollute the environment even more, we can not understand and just ordinary tourists, but we must grow out of it. How?
\n
\nI think one very very important way is to empower local people. Just as my response to the other thread will talk about, the empowerment of the local people will create this "new thinking" as you refer to it. It is people who have lived WITH the land for centuries who would know how to take care of it. Stick an urban dude living in cities for his life to the rural - he won't understand the meaning behind the natural scenery. He only sees money hanging from the trees. You need the empowerment of the locals to take care of these eco tourists areas to convert people from the "old" to the "new". I'll probably talk a bit more about this in the other thread, but one more thing.
\n
\nIf we empower locals to do this, this is more than a helping effect because then it brings more than just eco-conservation to ecotourism. It mights social changes, economic changes, and even political changes. People grow affluent, they have better standards of living. They are educated. They can send their kids to university. Then whole communities can change. And change, hopefully, for the better. And I think this all starts with giving value, and giving power. It all starts with these two.","dateCreated":"1294243346","smartDate":"Jan 5, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"DanielChu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/DanielChu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32322358","body":"Deviating even more from the topic of Ecotourism but I read something interesting about Agrotourism. "The concept of agrotourism is a direct expansion of ecotourism, which encourages visitors to experience agricultural life at first hand. Agrotourism is gathering strong support from small communities as rural people have realised the benefits of sustainable development brought about by similar forms of nature travel. Visitors have the opportunity to work in the fields alongside real farmers and wade knee-deep in the sea with fishermen hauling in their nets."
\n
\nEcotourism is a good alternative to tourism but judging by this definition, agrotourism would be an almost "hardcore" version of ecotourism, encapsulating its core values. One of Ecotourism's largest complaints is that the local community is not given a voice and in this aspect, agrotourism makes up for that silence and empowers the locals. However, agrotourism would most definitely be a smaller market in comparison with ecotourism; it would be reserved for people with genuine love and care for the earth and nature whereas most people in the 21st Century would bow to materialistic pleasures.
\n
\nInteraction between the tourists and the local people would be beneficial for both parties. The above quotation states the example of farmers so I'll use that.
\n
\nWith the introduction of agrotourism and integration between the locals and tourists, there comes a fusion between the different cultures. It's true that it could be both beneficial and detrimental but for the most, I think the advantages outweigh the advantages.
\n
\nThe pros of such cultural diversity and integration would be that farmers with perhaps, a more traditional mindset would be in closer proximity with locals who would genuinely want to learn more about the world and this would foster trust between the two. Trust is damningly significant in the concept of tourism as a whole as without a good consensus within the country as seen by the Hawaii case study that we watched in class, there can only be a diminishing national identity and pride with the impeding views of tourists.
\n
\nIn agrotourism, it would be safe to assume that its clients would possess a more caring nature with a love for life. In this sense, the interaction between the locals would allow for the locals to have a better view of the constructive nature of the tourists rather than the spoilt brats that most tourists are perceived to be with an absolute need for 24\/7 air conditioning, the inability to work under the sun etc. That aside, tourists would benefit as a result of having a real hands-on experience with farming. There are many examples of people renouncing a materialistic lifestyle in the hopes of achieving equilibrium with nature and agrotourism definitely provides the opportunity for a chance to seek nirvana.
\n
\nSource: http:\/\/www.ecotourdirectory.com\/agrotourism.htm<\/a>","dateCreated":"1294322860","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"ashlele","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ashlele","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1292299387\/ashlele-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32322592","body":"I do agree that the initial idea behind ecotourism was probably putting an appreciating value on the things that were destroyed by human civilization and therefore empowering people to act on the problems. However, when I think of why there are so many negative comments on eco-tourism nowadays, I think it has to do with the consequence of commercialization.
\n
\nWhen ecotourism grew bigger and bigger in the past decade or so, more and more business people got involved. A significant number of these people only care about profit making. A lot of the eco-tours that we see nowadays may already deviate from the original value of eco-tourism.
\n
\nThat makes me think of what Daniel said above (about empowering local people). Do the local people who organize their own local eco-tours understand the core value of eco-tourism? Or do they enter the industry just because they see the global eco-tourism industry grows popular? I would assume if we interview a random local tour guide from an ELDC, he would likely say that he understands the true value. But would he actually try to improve\/conserve our living environment outside of his job? Would he continue doing it even if the eco-tourism industry dies out in his region?
\n
\nI think eventually the world as a whole will reach that point (of conserving the environment after learning from\/ organizing eco-tours). But I don\u2019t think we are near that stage yet. Although eco-tourisms have existed for quite a while, to the eye of many businessmen or perhaps the locals, there are still many (pure) business opportunities lying ahead. It definitely takes more time for people to truly understand the significance of environmental conservation, protection, etc before making eco-tourism truly serving the purpose as whoever initiated it had intended. And that may not be a result of more eco-tours, but perhaps (I\u2019m thinking pessimistically here) personal encounter to natural disasters.","dateCreated":"1294323128","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"Joyceleung","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Joyceleung","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32323550","body":"Yes, very true joyce, and thats why we, ideally, need to separate business values and the values of the ecosystem. In other words, we must come to understand the ecosystem as it is, and its monetary value for us directly, instead of only realising that the tour guide can be the buck.
\n
\nI'm sure many of these tour guides do in fact understand the value. But appreciation and understanding in this case is quite different, and we must learn to understand and appreciate, instead of just understanding and reverting to the old business model.
\nAt least, ideally.","dateCreated":"1294324343","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"DanielChu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/DanielChu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32323954","body":"I also agree with what Joyce and Daniel have said.
\nBringing Joyce\u2019s idea of the tour guide to a larger scale, it can be very tempting for developing countries relying on tourism as a primary source of foreign currency, income and employment to fall into the trap of depending on mass tourism to support their economy. The country may easily fall into the trap of maximizing short-term profit making opportunities that tourists can bring and sacrifice the long-term natural environment of their area that the ecotourism industry is founded on and quickly break the values \u201cecotourism\u201d is founded on. Perhaps they may think that once we gain quick profits and develop our country, we can repair the environment later. However, it is all too well known that it takes a lot more time and effort to repair damaged environments compared to that of destroying them. And such a mentality would go completely against the values of ecotourism.","dateCreated":"1294324754","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"stephtam","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/stephtam","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"31620173","dateCreated":"1292217095","smartDate":"Dec 12, 2010","userCreated":{"username":"YTH","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/YTH","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1211472351\/YTH-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/ecotourism-debate.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/31620173"},"dateDigested":1532254703,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"\"Ecotourism is an oxymoron\" - Initial thoughts","description":"The motion is suggesting that "Eco" (Environmentally friendly) and "Tourism", don't go together.
\nTourism is a energy intensive activity, especially when it involves travel to far destinations - the common transport (airplanes, cars) usually burn fossil fuels.
\nEven accommodation can be energy intensive. The construction involved can be environmentally damaging.
\n
\nHowever, that is the result of "old" tourism and development, is it possible to be environmentally sustainable now?
\n
\nAn current example - travelling by air, encouraging the emission of greenhouse gases, seems to defeat the point of going on an "ecotour". (But our options can be limited otherwise.)
\n
\nI think that it is possible, but there has to be fundamental changes, especially travel - The current most common method of travel between far destinations is by air - which burns fossil fuels, emits carbon dioxide, and contributes to global warming. To make environmentally tourism actually, "environmentally friendly", we will need to find a way of travel that is as efficient with less environmental impact.
\n
\nWhat do you think?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"32318040","body":"Another thought:
\nAshley and I were talking about this motion afterschool today and whether what we have been discussing above is relevant to the motion. Does the word \u2018ecotourism\u2019 in the motion simply mean the words \u2018eco\u2019 and \u2018tourism\u2019 put together? Or do they encompass all the values and concepts associated with ecotourism? Most probably the latter.
\nI believe that the on a 'shallower' level, the word 'ecotourism' appears to be an oxymoron, as seen in Talia's article titled 'Green Tragedy.' "The attempt to construct an eco-tourist alternative to mass tourism does at least signify a perception that the industry has gone seriously wrong...The first is that tourism was, and still is, seen by many as a "clean" path to development -- an industry without factories and fumes and the consumption of finite resources. The reality is that it has proved a terrible destroyer of landscapes"
\nYes, ecotourism can be described to be an oxymoron in this sense. However, is this really ecotourism? According to Martha Honey\u2019s widely approved definition, ecotourism:
\n\uf0a7 Involves travel to natural destinations
\n\uf0a7 Minimizes impact
\n\uf0a7 Builds environmental awareness
\n\uf0a7 Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
\n\uf0a7 Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
\n\uf0a7 Respects local culture
\n\uf0a7 Supports human rights and democratic movements[4]
\n
\nThe scenarios in Talia\u2019s cases do not seem to comply with the criteria listed above, as they clearly do not \u2018minimize impact.\u2019 Therefore, it should not even be labelled as \u2018ecotourism.\u2019
\nThe only \u2018ecotourism\u2019 that is an oxymoron is the one that is not practicing the correct ethics or values, and is just jumping on the green bandwagon for a greater profit. Real ecotourism that hit the criteria listed above (to use IB terms), is not an oxymoron at all. Although energy and resources are used in the process of ecotourism, the benefits and conservation efforts made outweigh the pollution etc created. As Adrian said, true conservation would mean leaving a place untouched, but where would any development come from? Humans are constantly striving for a more comfortable life, and ecotourism is one of the better ways to balance both conservation and financial development.","dateCreated":"1294311498","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"louiselui","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/louiselui","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32318510","body":"I was talking with Asia and Daniel after school today about the motion and we all reached a consensus where, tourism will ultimately affect the environment. There will always be a footprint on the Earth due to travelling and goods produced. It seems as though, there has been an increase in eco-tourism in the world, so it really is to what extent can the environment benefit from tourism, rather than it being an oxymoron.
\n I also recall Mr. Brian talking about the Body Shop doing extremely well because people are willing to pay more because it has a stamp saying "animals are not tested". Similarly, more hotels are beginning to engage in eco-friendly things, possibly in order to attract more tourists, because people would be willing to pay extra since it is a green hotel. However, some hotels end up not carrying through with their eco-friendliness. This kind of defeats the purpose because it seems as though eco-tourism is only a business opportunity, rather than its actual intention?","dateCreated":"1294315190","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"raychellyy","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/raychellyy","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32318558","body":"In response to Rachel - there is that possibility which is why I feel as though regardless of whether or not the CONCEPT of ecotourism is clear - enforcing or standardizing rules and boundaries is critical to its role and function.
\n
\nAdditionally, I feel that Louise makes a very good point. Though ecotourism may be intrusive and may have negative impacts on societies and ecologies, the fact that they are given an economic value may even enhance their chances of survival. Then again, however, there is the point of view that things such as traditions and rituals (a component of martha honey's ecotourism list) end up turning into trite mockeries, "shows" put on merely for the tourists' entertainment with no true cultural value.","dateCreated":"1294315534","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"talias7","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/talias7","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32318952","body":"I was going to reply before the flurry but now it seems like it was wise to reply after seeing more opinions. Just a quick thought:
\n
\nI think most of us are aware that if we look at the word "eco-tourism", there are no ways that, as Ta points out, that tourism in itself, can pretty much ever be "eco", for its extensive ways of traveling, and usage of water, and what not. Indeed, with this, as Lou uses, shallow analysis of the word, it can be said that "ecotourism" is indeed an oxymoron.
\n
\nBut I intend and guess that we should pretty much see it in a deeper scale. As Asia, Rach and I have discussed today afternoon, we opted back to Ms. Safaya's definition of eco-tourism on the Student Research Page. It clearly states that ecotourism not only to provide means of ecological preservation, it is very much about the empowerment of the local people, as well as to foster respects for culture and human rights. And in that sense I tend to view ecotourism slightly differently. I see ecotourism as a potentially fundamental factor in empowering local communities. If we have a village which has been residing near, say, a large piece of marshland, it would be obvious that those local people would be best at managing that piece of land, because for many years they have learnt to live WITH the land. They would understand the value of the marshland. They would be the ones who can bring tourists around and educate them. This process would result in the empowerment these locals, potentially lifting them out of poverty, raising education levels and many more. It will bring effects not only on tourists themselves, but the local people.
\n
\nI think in some ways this alleviates the problems Adrian has raised. Indeed, true conservation might mean leaving it entirely untouched, but with substantial management from local people living with and off the land, it can perhaps be assumed that they would understand the importance, the value of such eco-destinations.
\n
\nBut what of whether it is an oxymoron? In many ways I think this issue ties with the management of that "eco-attraction". As I have just mentioned, the management ought to be conducted by locals and overseen by the locals, in order to maximise their contribution and for them to earn what they deserve. But in thinking about whether it is an oxymoron, I think the main problem comes to a lack of rules and lack of authority to impose them. How can we judge whether something is of an oxymoron? We must compare its ideals or its aims to its practicality. Without rules and regulations, we risk being "green-washed", a problem that persists with many many eco-tourist destinations. Without a strong governing body, we risk coming back to this issue of contradictory.","dateCreated":"1294318026","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"DanielChu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/DanielChu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32320010","body":"Concerning ecotourism at a deeper scale, I agree with Daniel that there needs to be some sort of management regarding and 'eco-destination'. There are examples of established eco-destinations, however they show that in order to be able to present a long lasting eco-destination, they have controlled the number of people allowed to visit the destination in a period of time.
\n
\nHaving said that, I think that eco-tourism is something very hard to sustain. For example, in an eco-destination, despite the efforts to minimize the impacts tourists can bring to wildlife, there are elements such as disease that the tourists bring with them to the destination that heavily affect the health of apes which are unavoidable. Of course, the tourists can wear masks, but disease won't be the only unavoidable hazard tourists bring to the animals.","dateCreated":"1294320307","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"cheryl_lau","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/cheryl_lau","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32321818","body":"I agree with Cheryl about the question of sustainability. I was just thinking about, more of the less a similar kind of question, where i thought that over time, since other businesses would want to get a share of the cake, heavy development of say, hotels, would arise in such eco-destinations inevitably. And when that happens, no doubt more people would be attracted, then we might descend down the environmental-degradation-spiral.
\n
\nMaybe the solution would have to come in two ways. One is a change in business models and environment. Businessmen will have to realise that such tourist destinations are not a place for necessarily earning a load of profit, but for a place to regain their environmental consciousness, and therefore decide against in exploiting the land. Well, there might be a long way to go for that to happen. Second I guess is a change in people's mentality. People tend to arrive in flocks when someone gets famous - your cousin went to this place and he loved it! Maybe we should go too - and then when more people go to this destination, hotels and other tourism-related industries will start kicking in. Maybe people have to be educated with the fact that we must be "green" tourists (could refer to my bit of research?) and...basically take care of where and how we do things, and so on.
\n
\nRight now only these two things seem to be able to mitigate or offset some of the potential bad stuff. But there appears to be a long way to go for everyone.","dateCreated":"1294322222","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"DanielChu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/DanielChu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32322430","body":"I noticed that in some of the earlier posts, there has been a lot of discussion about the issues concerning proper management and impact minimization, as a means of providing context to the motion itself. However, in addition to those points made, in many ways i think the crux of the issue really comes down to the way in which you view the term itself:
\n
\n- "Ecotourism" as it is currently used today, as a non-regulated, improperly managed term applied to any organization without consideration of its proper definition, is definitely an oxymoron. The term claims environmental sustainability, minimization of cultural intrusion, etc., even though that is frequently not the case. Therefore, most of the ecotourism currently in practice cannot be considered truly "eco".
\n
\nAlternatively, the term could be viewed in a different context:
\n
\n- "Ecotourism" in its ideal form, as set down by Martha Honey, shouldn't be viewed as an oxymoron, when it is applied only to organizations that uphold a standard consistent with international regulations. Arguably, the form of "ecotourism" described above is simply an example of improper use; in its true form, ecotourism DOES seek to address and minimize the impacts implied by the word "eco". Therefore, the term does not constitute an oxymoron, simply because the tourism practices in question adhere as closely to eco-friendly ideals as it is possible to go.
\n
\nAnd building on Ta and Daniel's points about there being no such thing as travel that is truly "eco", I think we should remember that no matter what we do, our mere presence as breathing, eating, pooping individuals will have a detrimental impact upon this planet. Lie in bed and you're still producing CO2 with every breath you take. In which case, no matter what it is you're doing, achieving zero-impact level is impossible. So when it comes to our discussion of ecotourism's oxymoronic nature, the term "eco" needs to be viewed in the context of REDUCING, rather than ELIMINATING impact. Just saying :)","dateCreated":"1294322915","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"asiac","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/asiac","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1292160512\/asiac-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32323000","body":"Having thought about Cheryl's idea or how some countries may have to control the number of tourists visiting their country that year to keep the name of being "Eco-Tourism", I think that it seems to work logically. However, in reality I don't think so. I believe that some countries just care about profit maximisation, meaning they only care about money and if being declared as an Eco-Tourism site could make them earn it, the government will put a lot of effort to make sure that that comes true and that they can earn profit. Hence, it probably is true, Eco-Tourism may backfire and produce even more waste than planned.
\n
\nBut, I mean everything new introduced will have its' pros and cons, if it produces more advantages that will benefit the wider community and less disadvantages, then Eco-Tourism should continue.","dateCreated":"1294323660","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"Rachhhelll","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Rachhhelll","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32323180","body":"Asia and I were just discussing the issue of ecotourism that Louise, Daniel and Cheryl had pointed out. We were talking about how in a perfect case scenario where ecotourism is well managed, it should not be oxymoronic and should be able to meet the seven requirements of Martha Honey\u2019s widely approved definition of ecotourism. If managed well, ecotourism can increase public support and total amount of funding available for nature conservation. And as Louise pointed out, in cases where they do not meet the criteria, they should not even be labeled \u201cecotourism\u201d.
\nHowever, the problem is that ecotourism is an extremely difficult to manage and to succeed, a lot of conditions must be satisfied. Because of this, it is so easy to fail in meeting some conditions that it can easily lead the whole \u201cecotourism project\u201d down the wrong path so that it becomes a threat to nature conservation and the local community and no longer fits the intended and idealized definition of \u201cecotourism\u201d.
\n
\nSo the fundamental problem to be targeted is management. Ecotourism is essentially a business. Their goal is essentially to make money which has to cover costs as well as be distributed to the organization, the local community, funds for nature conservation, etc. Yet, because of the nature of such a business, it is impossibly complex to manage.
\n
\nJust think. First, things like pricing of tickets and estimations of the tourist carrying capacity of the destination would have to be considered to make sure that the number of visitors does not threaten the conservation objectives of the protected area. Yet, as a business they have to ensure that they earn enough money to be sustainable in the long run to create economic benefits for the locals and benefit conservation, local empowerment, etc. These two things are very difficult to balance all at once as there are so many stakeholders involved in the situation. Also, before all this has taken place, it is important that not all areas or sites are capable of supporting profitable ecotourism enterprises, where factors such as accessibility, availability of complementary attracts, cost of visiting have to be taken into consideration.
\n
\nSo many factors that have to be considered in balancing profits, sustainability, and ecotourism intentions make it so easy for the situation to be mismanaged. And it is likely that these cases, which may have started out fitting well into the definition of \u201cecotourism\u201d, are the ones that can lead to the conflicts of ecotourism as being oxymoronic.","dateCreated":"1294323838","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"stephtam","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/stephtam","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32323994","body":"Steph raised a very interesting idea and it immediately sparked an idea in my mind - TOMS shoes. Have anyone heard of TOMS? Perhaps not - it is a relatively...new brand? Or a more famous one in the US. Basically it is a for-profit organisation, but for each pair of shoes it sold, it will give one other pair away. Now this sounds like a ridiculously awesome idea (because it would be balancing its books AND giving shoes away) but incredibly hard to manage. How on earth could they do it?
\n
\nI've had the chance to listen to the CEO of TOMS and he gave an incredible presentation about his business model (not leaking any tips, though) and how the model allows him to sustain his company as well as give shoes away. It is currently a very successful company and people who buy TOMS are very aware of its effects on another poor family somewhere in Argentina. People get aware of the matter, and they act on it by buying a pair of TOMS because they know it will be delivered to a pair of legs that have almost never tried on any shoes before.
\n
\nSo does this business model work? Yes. I think it does and I think TOMS have proven that it does. You can be for-profit AND make good of the environment. Thats why I think much of it comes down to what people's ideals are. If people are striving to protect the environment, then they'll work their way out. Just did the CEO of TOMS.","dateCreated":"1294324788","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"DanielChu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/DanielChu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32327800","body":"I just searched up TOM shoes and I\u2019ve seen people walking around with those! Very interesting idea\u2026
\n
\nBut anyways, yes I do agree with what Daniel has said above about people\u2019s ideals and that awareness spreads quickly that leads to action, sort of in the same way that those who have experienced ecotourism will have gained a greater awareness and likely be more willing to contribute to nature conservation in the future.
\nYet, in the situation of ecotourism, perhaps because of the ambiguity behind the definition of \u201cecotourism\u201d and that it is so easy for anyone to claim that they are an \u201cecotourism\u201d organization that makes greenwashing so easy to occur, it may have created a lot of confusion and uncertainty in people\u2019s views towards ecotourism. Perhaps in a way all this greenwashing and hidden economic motives have tarnished the image of the original intention of \u201cecotourism\u201d. And it is likely that those confused and people who have been \u201cgreenwashed\u201d may be less trustful and willing to participate in ecotourism as they would have been. Thus, it is possible that awareness and willingness to participate in ecotourism may be affected because of all the confusion and uncertainty.
\n
\nNevertheless, I feel that if truly managed well, just as Daniel has said, ecotourism should be able to work out well.","dateCreated":"1294327354","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"stephtam","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/stephtam","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"32331570","body":"To have a company being able to give a pair of shoes away everytime a pair is sold is incredible. It means the price of the shoes has to cover the production costs of 2 pairs of shoes + the profit margin for the corporation. But like Daniel said, if people are conscious and willing in making a difference by paying a higher price, it will be possible for such charity and humanitarian schemes to succeed. I guess it relies more upon the ideals of human compassionate and I think Ecotourism is quite the same. If people are willing to pay a much higher price to minimize their damage to the local environment, it is possible that ecotourism may become one of the pillars that could help ELDCs sustainably develop their nations; raising living standards and incomes. Although i think this is very idealistic to say.
\n
\nOn a moral\/ethic basis, I think Ecotourism is applaudable and hence should not be labelled as an oxymoron. It encourages the maximization of benefits while minimizing impacts for the local communities and environment. Like what Steph said, it raises awareness through education, public (or international support and funding which helps natural conservation. Ideally, the wealth generated with the injection of income in the form of foreign currency into ELDCs with ecotourism industry will be evenly distributed into the communities. However, this is not the idealized world that we live in.
\n
\nWith the rise of neoliberalism since the 1970s, the liberalization of a nation's economy was seen as the way to 'do things'. Deregulation and privatization was widespread under the influence of the IMF and WTO which allowed powerful multinational companies to have significant political-economic influence within a country's government. Foreign firms and industries as such ecotourism will steadily increase its ability to manipulate and exploit the liberalized economy. By doing so, the ideals embedded within the concept of 'ecotourism' will be shoved aside. Profit or capital accumulation will be seen as the new ultimate goal, especially at the expense of the health of the environment, people's health and human rights. The lack of regulation as established by the way the global economy function will create severe issues.
\n
\nLike many who perviously stated, with deregulation, mismanagment (and exploitation) will occur, and it will be hard to resolve such issues. The strive for profit making will turn ecotourism into the wrong direction, threatening environments and local communities. Effectively, this will be the fundamental issue of Ecotourism. With liberalization of the global and local economies, the commodification of everything has occurred. There are monetary values for things like natural sceneries, indigenous cultures and the environment. It turns ecotourism into a capitalistic industry instead of what it should really be doing: the preservation of the environment and local communities. It ideals will be lost. In this sense, ecotourism is an oxymoron.
\n
\nIn conclusion, ecotourism will not be an oxymoron if it is managed properly, but even simply that is an issue which will be difficult to resolve.","dateCreated":"1294330373","smartDate":"Jan 6, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lincolnjim","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lincolnjim","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":10}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}