Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas. Responsible travel safeguards the integrity of the ecosystem one is visiting and produces economic benefits for local communities. When it is successful, ecotourism meets the needs of both conservation and local economic development.
2002 was declared the "International Year of Ecotourism" by the United Nations. This activity has students investigate and evaluate ecotourism sites in a creative format. Students are asked to develop a travel poster, brochure, or website to describe an ecotourism project that appears to fulfill its mission of minimal environmental impact and equitable economic development, while being welcomed by the community.
Grade Level: 9–12
Time Required: 2–3 class periods
Skills and Objectives:
- Ask questions about how human activities impact the environment and the lives of others
- Organize information by developing a travel product that addresses ecotourism activities
- Analyze information about ecotourism activities, impacts, and development
- Answer questions about how ecotourism projects can successfully conserve environmental resources and provide economic benefits at the local level.
Vocabulary: ecotourism, ecosystem, conservation, economic development
Materials Needed:
The Learning Activity
Background: Depending on student's knowledge and experience, it may be necessary to review Internet research skills since the Internet will be a useful way to find information about ecotourism sites. It is also be helpful to have examples of promotional products from a travel agency to provide students with an understanding of what these products are and what will be expected of them in this activity.
Introducing the Activity: Travel promotions like posters, brochures, and websites attract potential customers to a particular locale. They provide information about why one would want to visit, what one can do there, and possibly information about accommodations and logistical details. Explain to students that they will be creating their own travel promotional products to highlight the benefits of ecotourism. By doing so, they will also evaluate some of the potential threats to the local area caused by ecotourism.
Executing the Activity:
- After showing students examples of travel promotion products, introduce them to the concept of ecotourism. ecotourism refers to responsible travel to natural areas. ecotourism focuses on the environment and is big business for many countries. Responsible travel safeguards the integrity of the ecosystem one is visiting and produces economic benefits for local communities. When it is successful, ecotourism meets the needs of both conservation and local economic development. Have students read the article Ecotourism: Encouraging Conservation or Adding to Exploitation? Afterward, brainstorm as a class about the benefits and threats of ecotourism.
- Working in small groups or pairs, have students research locations of ecotourism sites. The Ecotravel Center from Conservation International is a good place to start: www.ecotour.org. Have students identify the following for at least three sites:
Location, country
Description of project
Project goals
Project partners and stakeholders
Activities
Benefits to community and environment
- Each team should work from this list to discuss the project and select one site for their travel poster. Remind students that they will need to evaluate the examples they find, keeping in mind the following points:
A successful ecotourism site meets the needs of both conservation and local economic development;
ecotourism activities must involve plans for sustainability: limit the number of tourists, use renewable resources, have minimal impact, etc.;
The projects must include the local residents and maximize local economic benefits; and
There is collaboration between the government, tour operators, and conservation groups.
- Once the teams have selected an appropriate site, students work in teams or independently to produce a travel poster, brochure, or website. Students are expected to develop a descriptive travel product about a real ecotourism site. Students are encouraged to be creative and should also be permitted to embellish on some details to develop an interesting promotional product. The product must show an understanding of what elements make a successful ecotourism project and must include how the project maximizes its environmental and economic benefits while minimizing ecological damage and disruption of local communities.
Extensions:
- Have students examine their ecotourism site in the context of where it is; have students do a profile of their site's country.
- Set-up a debate about a proposed ecotourism site in a protected area. Have some students argue for the establishment of the project citing its conservation and economic benefits, while other students argue against the project pointing out possible exploitation of the environment and local residents.