Ecotourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ecotourism - Essay ExampleThe World Tourism Organization (WTO) (n.d., p.4) defines ecotourism as a form of tourism having the characteristic of a nature-based form of tourism that attracts travellers who are seeking to visit natural spots, especially those that have preserved their traditional cultures and natural sceneries. Other characteristics of ecotourism are the following (i) contains educational and presentation features (ii) organised for junior-grade, locally-owned businesses and foreign operators that organised ecotourism tourism tours for small groups (iii) lessens the negative effect on the natural and socio-cultural environment (WTO, n.d., p.4). Ecotourism opens vast opportunities to local areas and small-sized companies, which eventually improves the position of living (WTO, n.d., p.5). It also encourages the local communities and tourists on paying attention to environmental preservation, especially nowadays in which the impact of environmental destruction is highly discernible (p.5).Argument Ecotourism as a Minor Market Segment Ecotourism has found a competent position in a niche market inside the tourism industry where it is being run by certain market forces and policies (Wood, 2002, p.10). In the market, ecotourism is usually being promoted as nature tourism (p.10). Nevertheless, this small, but in stages growing market segment is being developed to become a key driver of produce in the tourism industry.... In the market, ecotourism is usually being promoted as nature tourism (p.10). Nevertheless, this small, but gradually growing market segment is being developed to become a key driver of growth in the tourism industry. Still, there is a growing concern over the social and environmental policies and programs that nations implement to support ecotourism. Some nations are determined to oblige socio-environmental policies and programs for the improvement of ecotourism, but other nations are not that stern to implement such programs and policies (Wood, 2002, p.10). As a consequence, there is a variation with regard to how nations interpret ecotourism, and why it is deemed a major or minor sector of the tourism market in different nations. Ecotourism is under nature tourism, but it is as wholesome connected to rural and cultural tourism. Most often, ecotourism is categorised as a small-scale tourism, since it caters only a limited number of tourists with them, seeking for the services of small tour groups and hotels these hotels are those that have no more than 100 beds usually owned by small and medium-sized companies (Wood, 2002, p.11). Ecotourism is a market segment that focuses on the alteration of small groups, hence, guiding them to natural areas in a way that is educational enough for them to realise the value of the place (p.11). Ecotourism in the UK There is not untold of information with regard to the sector of ecotourism in the UK. Most of the time, the information is more on the tourism industry as a whole and not on ecotourism as a major part of the industry. Nevertheless, it has been stated that ecotourism comprised 20% of the entire tourism market (Hodgson, 2012). With this