What Activity Constitutes Tourism?

By Rob Carlton_

One of the mottos for most ecologically minded tourists, cave explorers and other outdoor enthusiasts is this: Take only photographs and leave only footprints. This philosophy works well with the ecotourist who sees travel destinations as a place to preserve and protect nature, culture and a way of life.

Not many arguments are made today against conserving natural resources, though many would say that leaving them untouched is going a bit too far. In recent years, a considerable difference of opinion has developed between two loosely defined groups: those who fully support tourism that focuses on preserving the environment of spain and not altering it with man-made structures and those who feel that the most desirable destinations on the globe should be developed for enjoyment by the traveling man or woman.

Some may argue that living in a consumption-oriented, capitalist society does not fit with the occasional trip to a remote site for the purpose of “vacation” adventure of a sensitive sort. In fact, a certain percentage of those who scoff at ecotourism note that the same effort should go into visiting and preserving the natural resources of the home country. For example, some have proposed that there is enough to do and see in the United States without traveling to a foreign shore for the purpose of ecotourism.

Part of the puzzle lies to the side, still not fitted into a final picture. The reason is that so many are still unsure if the environment (nature) really has basic value in the economy. Of course, a certain percentage of the population will state emphatically that, yes, there is value to be realized from using the environment. Others, however, will debate this, stating that marketing nature and its resources as a primary activity is not healthy, even dangerous. Some environmentalists and natural travel proponents fear that those with a profit motive may actually be taking over ecotourism, with a view toward making nature another commodity.

The debates continue as some on the profit/capitalist side argue that ecotourists are actually creating a huge industry without actually intending to. The simple act of traveling to distant sites for preservation of nature and culture advertises that this opportunity exists, according to some. The argument seems to be that there is little difference between the budding ecotourism industry and the infancy of golf travel or mountain climbing years ago.

The debate has at least one other interesting piece of “evidence,” alternately used by both sides. Ecotourists argue that there is no intention of getting away from it all during an environmentally focused trip. These believers state emphatically that the entire purpose is to preserve and protect. But others call this pretending, noting that the eco-traveler is not really roughing it as much as he claims. In the discussion, ecotourism proponents might counter that their way of travel is intended to establish a position that cannot be confused with recreational travel for the masses.

Ecotourism may encourage politicians, government agencies and mass-tourism proponents to consider conservation and preservation. But the opinions still differ on how this is to be accomplished and the world is waiting for recommendations.

Rob Carlton published essentially for http://www.alicante-spain.com , an online publication on Torrevieja and Costa Dorada. One can see his writings on Costa Dorada and tourist tips alicante spain here.

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