Demand In Eco Tourism Natural Resources example essay topic

Question one Eco-tourism The way I see eco-tourism is the desire to be educated and environmentally friendly, while at the same time engaging in a pleasurable nature-based experience. The International Eco-tourism Society (TIES) best sums up eco-tourism as: Responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people. Eco-tourism is nature-orientated, active, educational and tucked away harmoniously in the countryside; it emphasises environmental education and protection. Cultural tourism What cultural tourism means to me is the travel of people for essentially cultural motivations.

Anything from study tours, performing arts, travel to festivals and other cultural events, visits to sites and monuments, and in general, travel to understand and learn. For tourists visiting from Europe that want a cultural experience, they would interact with New Zealanders - especially Maori to learn about our culture. Experiential tourism This type of tourism is sometimes known as 'endemic' (wide spread) tourism can be seen as an umbrella term for a range of tourism product that might include visitor experiences oriented to natural, ecological, adventure, rural, historic, marine, educational or cultural pursuits. The tourist is seeking an authentic tourism experience or meaning in the life of other people or other cultures. Other examples that help explain what experiential tourism is are adventure tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, historic tourism and rural tourism. Sustainable tourism development Sustainable tourism development is concerned with the use and development of resources (be they natural, physical or socio-cultural), in such a manner that the resources retain the ability to meet the foreseeable needs of future generations while at the same time being aware of the needs and wishes of existing interest groups The three main goals as essential for sustainable development are: .

To ensure that all societies' needs are met. To ensure that all members of society have their needs met. To ensure that all development is sustainable over time in social, economic and environmental terms. Question 2 1) Increased demand in eco-tourism The number of eco-tourists has grown in recent years; this puts pressure on our environment. e.g. new walking tracks a being made in popular National Parks to cope with the peak season.

2) Cashing in on the worldwide trend towards environmental consciousness Many so called eco-businesses are promoting themselves based on its natural attractions yet many of these self labelled eco-tourism operators are providing a visitor experience which can no way be labelled eco or green. 3) Resistance to tourism and tourists Communities are developing environmental awareness about their own ecosystems. Some communities are making it hard for new eco-businesses to set up as the damage to the environment out weighs the benefits to the community. 4) Regulation of eco-tourism The introduction into New Zealand of Green Globe 21, some businesses may find meeting performance standards too difficult. 5) Tourism infrastructure Eco-tourism offers potential for the development and trilling of specialised waste minimisation and energy efficient technologies.

Question 3 Increased demand in eco-tourism In the short term - demand for eco-tourism will be of benefit to the businesses and local community economically. New opportunities for employment are created within the tourism industry. The long-term impacts - may have damaging effects on the local environment, which will in turn cause a decrease in demand for eco-tourism due to the destruction of the very thing that had brought the eco-tourist in the first place. Cashing in on the worldwide trend towards environmental consciousness In the short term - this will most definitely bring the targeted market (eco-tourists) to New Zealand, which will help increase profits for the tourism industry. Once again jobs would be created from this new marketing effort on the behalf of the so-called eco-business. The environment would suffer at an alarming rate.

In the long term - the effects of not having the appropriate waste disposal and other systems will start to show and create problems for the local community. Eco-tourism is about undertaking business with not only the tourist in mind but also the local people. Resistance to tourism and tourists In the short term - communities would be making it hard for them to increase local prosperity by not accepting some of the new eco-businesses. At the same time they are helping to maintain the natural environment for the particular eco-business that will have the least impact on its surroundings.

In the long term - the community will miss out on the opportunity to create new jobs within the tourism industry and could also affect the number of general tourists visiting the region by not supplying the service and infrastructure needed. Regulation of eco-tourism In the short term - this may deter entrepreneurs seeking to invest time and money into a region due to strong regulation. Some businesses may find that they lack the resources needed to meet the performance standards of Green Globe 21 and find that they have to pull out of the venture. However, the environment will be protected from the self-proclaimed eco-business.

In the long term - it could help more efficient eco-businesses to take advantage of the well-maintained environment, which will then generate maximum profits for the tourism industry. If businesses do find that regulations are to tough and refrain from entering eco-tourism then economically New Zealand loses out. Tourism infrastructure In the short term - local communities, which have the key infrastructure requirements for an eco-tourism product, will benefit from increased tourist numbers. Small accommodation facilities, of sensitive design, that do not dominate the natural landscape can be regarded as part of eco-tourism.

In the long term - the development of tourism infrastructure can have a positive impact on the tourism industry and can have potential for wider application not only within but also outside the tourism industry. Question 4 Issue number 1 will be covered for this question. Increased demand in eco-tourism Natural resources are not being threatened by tourism; the attractions and the people should be managed better. If we concentrate more on better management of people and their effects on the environment then we would be able to reduce the damage to the environment, which would ensure that the future growth of eco-tourism within the region would continue. For as long as the natural resources are being maintained then the business of eco-tourism within that region will be safe. A plan including the nature of the product development; development of the natural environment; product quality and standards; education and training; national and regional infrastructure will help to minimize impacts of this issue.

The support for tourism at the community level is critical in ensuring that the required infrastructure to support tourism is in place. Regulating the entry of eco-businesses would eliminate those who are in it for the quick bucks and those who wish to sustain a lifestyle built around eco-tourism.