E.4.2 Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism Notes

Ecotourism and egotourism

Sometimes sustainable tourism is also referred to as ecotourism. This term, however, has a more specific meaning. Ecotourism is defined as nature-oriented tourism being minimally impactful and intended to contribute to the conservation of the natural environment and to improve the well-being of local communities.

Ecotourism generally occurs in remote areas, with a low density of tourists. These theoretically include game parks, nature reserves, national parks, coral reefs and forest parks. In ecotourism people are directly exposed to nature (wildlife and biodiversity) and gain first-hand experience of being within ecosystems they visit.

In areas where ecotourism takes place, conflicts often arise between granting visitors unrestricted access and preserving the local landscape, flora, and fauna. Additionally, tensions emerge when local residents seek to utilize environmental resources for personal gain (e.g. agriculture, forestry) rather than for conservation purposes.

Some critics label ecotourism as egotourism, suggesting that those who engage in ecotourism may inadvertently inflict more harm on the environment than traditional mass tourism. For instance, backpackers are considered a significant threat, as they typically contribute little to the local economy while aiming to access pristine areas lacking infrastructure, negatively impacting the environment. In contrast, mass tourists tend to stick to established routes and organized tours that minimize environmental disruption.