Green / Eco-Tourism

Green tourism is tourism which is environmentally friendly. It involves the local people having a say in what goes on in the area. There is a need for tourism to be controlled as growing visitor numbers have led to landscapes being destroyed. An example, of this is the Maasai people helping the Kenyan Government to look after the safari parks.

Eco-Tourism- Tourism that doesn’t harm the environment and benefits the local community.

Economic benefits of eco-tourism:

• It creates jobs for local people e.g. working as a guide which helps the local economy grow.
• Local people not directly evolved with tourism also make money by selling traditional arts and crafts to visitors.

Environmental benefits of eco-tourism

• It encourages people to conserve the environment, rather than using it for activities that could be damaging.
• It helps protect endangered species so tourists can see them, but no one can hunt or kill them.
• It uses Renewable energy, like Solar panels which is better for the environment than burning Fossil Fuels.

Case Study: The Galapagos Islands

Background Information:

• A small chain of Islands found 1,000 km away from the west coast of South America.
• The islands are famous as they are home to animal and plant species that can’t be found anywhere else on earth.
• 90 % of the Islands are designated as National Parks

Environmental Benefits:

• Buildings use local materials and are constructed by locals
• There is limited transport available which reduces burning of fossil fuels
• Mostly nature-based activities, rather than recreational activities that can be damaging.

Social and Economic Benefits:

• Local guides are used which improves their quality of living
• Tourists only visit in small number which reduces overcrowding and the over-use of Resources
• Each Visitor has to pay a fee of £25 to conserve Islands, this helps develops the country