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BACKGROUND
The term really doesn't matter -- ecotourism, responsible tourism,
sustainable tourism -- whatever policymakers call it, this will
never be THE solution for any particular desired outcome. Tourism
in all its guises - from slow adventures to local travel - works
in tandem with other cultural and economic forces and serve as a
catalyst which supports sustainable practices, including greening
trade and tourism, conserving wildlife and creating mutually beneficial
relationships among locals
and visitors.
The guide and the entire Planeta.com website ask the big 'what
if' question -- what if we truly helped one another? This contrasts
with what if we try beat up on each other all the time, the vicious
cycle seen far too often. What we'd like to see is what in Spanish
is called un circulo virtuoso or a 'virtuous
circle.'
Specifics may vary, but the big picture doesn't -- responsible
tourism is preferable to irresponsible tourism, ecotourism is preferable
to un-ecotourism, local tourism is better than tourism that ignores
the locals and sustainable tourism is, well, you get the idea. |
