What is “Eco-Tourism” Anyway?
Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 02.15.02 | 2:37 PM ET
That question and related issues were discussed recently in an engaging online chat hosted by Worldwatch Institute, a Washington D.C.-based research organization that focuses on global environmental and resource issues. Lisa Mastny, who has written about tourism and sustainable development, weighed in: “The real problem is that the phrase ‘eco-tourism’ has essentially become meaningless….It’s become little more than a marketing tool, and is increasingly deceptive for tourists who may think they are ‘doing the right thing’ when they may not be. This is why I am very encouraged by ongoing efforts to create an universal standard for eco-tourism and to certify those operators and hotels that meet it.”
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Michael Yessis is the cofounder and coeditor-in-chief of World Hum.
Antonis 11.15.05 | 9:40 AM ET
Well, certifiers are so keen on certifying that they even abuse their prospective “clients”. Ecotourism is going strong to the disbelief of the Cassandras. Ecotourism, as a movement for change, does not need to be certified, no more than any other “ism”. For those who still do not know what Ecotourism (without a dash by the way) is all about, please have a look at http://ecoclub.com/philosophy.html