The Benefits Of Eco-Tourism

Tourism in the current century has brought a number of advantages to various communities and has played significant role in shaping the economies (Weaver & Lawton, 2007). Eco-tourism over the last several decades has become the subject of discussion and debate in tourism industry. As per the debates and discussion, it is said that eco-tourism should satisfy three basic criteria i.e. attractions of the visitors should be based on natural environment, interactions of the visitors with the attractions should be based and focused on education or learning, principles and practices should be followed in product and experience management that are associated with economic sustainability, socio cultural and ecological (Reimer & Walter, 2013). This essay

Due to the expansion of tourism, the Cardamom Mountain has witnessed habitat loss. The area has been badly affected as the tourists are found involved in wildlife poaching and illegal logging. Same case was observed for SLINP as the fauna life has been affected badly. To resolve such environmental concern, ecotourism has emerged as a feasible alternative. Eco-tourism has been broadly defined as the traveling to natural areas with responsible attitude for conserving the environment and for improving the wellbeing of the area (Spenceley, 2012). Ecotourism is focused at restructuring the operators and tourists along with their values and perceptions. It has introduced a more holistic tourism representation (Stronza & Gordillo, 2008). Honey, a leading researcher emphasised on the importance of ecotourism. According to Honey, ecotourism, is still an emerging concept and is still at its initial stage and is relevant (Walter, 2013). Ecotourism has been benefited from, decades of research and that on-site application has introduced a number of thoughtful definitions and concepts of ecotourism (Walter, 2013). Further Honey’s seven ecotourism principles i.e., environmental awareness building, travelling to natural destinations, minimising impacts, offer financial benefits and empowerment for local people, for conservation

The Cardamom Mountain has charming wildlife and rainforests that adds beauty to the region. The river docks and long tail boats add enhanced value to the ambiance. The beautiful scenery and the raw nature attract the tourists and thus increase number of tourists hence enhancing wellbeing of the local community (Reimer & Walter, 2013). The tourists who travelled SLINP indicated that due to natural environment and ambiance, the canoe trip was the most fascinating in the whole country as it offers the tourists an amazing back to land experience. Also the tourists consider it as an exceptional rich region and have indicated Southern areas of Ontario as areas with essentially complex natural assets. The tourists consider the region as the areas of beautiful natural setting. The government according to the taste of the tourists has enhanced the environmental aesthetic. However, since the SLINP is largely based on water, the increase tourism has affected the natural environment and the forest life. Many tourists who without permission opt for hunting of the wild and for the sake of their entertainment carry activities which create pollution and disturb the natural beauty. Additionally, due to the increased interest of the tourists in the pristine wilderness environment, the tours of such areas have increased significantly, adding value to their local community