MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO ECOTOURISM
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After this module, students shall be able to:
1. .
LESSONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction to Ecotourism
Definition of Terms
The Principles of Ecotourism
The Principles of Ecotourism by Action
LESSON 1
WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?
WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?
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Ecosystem – is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as
weather and landscapes, work together to form a bubble of life.
Tourism - Tourism comprises the activities of persons traveling to and staying in places
outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure,
business and other purposes. - UNWTO
Ecotourism – Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains
the well-being of the local people and involves interpretation and education - The
International Ecotourism Society
Sustainable Tourism - Tourism that takes full account of its current and future
economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the
industry, the environment and host communities – UNWTO
Protected Areas - A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space,
recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to
achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and
cultural values – The International Union for Conservation of Nature
THE PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
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Prepare travelers to minimize their negative impact while visiting sensitive environments
and cultures before departure.
Prepare travelers for each encounter with local cultures and with native animals and
plants.
Minimize visitors impacts on the on the environment by offering literature, briefing,
leading by example, and taking corrective actions.
Minimize travelers’ impact on cultures by offering literature, briefings, leading by
example, and taking corrective actions.
Use adequate leadership, and maintain small enough groups to ensure minimum group
impact on destination. Avoid areas that are under-managed and over-visited.
Ensure managers, staff and contract employees know and participate in all aspects of
company policy to prevent impacts on the environment and local cultures.
Give managers, staff and contact employees access to programmes that will upgrade
their ability to communicate with and manage clients in sensitive natural and cultural
settings.
Be a contributor to the conservation of the region being visited.
Provide competitive, local employment in all aspect of business operation.
Offer site-sensitive accommodations that are not wasteful of local resources or
destructive to the environment, which provide ample opportunity for learning about the
environment and sensitive interchange with local communities.
THE PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM BY ACTION
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Pack Light
Save Water
Save Energy
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
Buy Local
Leave only Footprints
Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist
Honor Local Traditions
Give Back
Shop Smarter
SUGGESTED READING/S
TEST AND APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Name of Student: _______________________________
Year Level: __________________
Semester and School Year: _______________________
Date: _______________________
1. What is the characteristics of Ecotourism?
2. How will you relate Ecotourism to Sustainability?
3. Give three principles of Ecotourism that you would like to highlight and explain in your
own words why it is important.
Lesson 2
MASS TOURISM AND ALTERNATIVE TOURISM
Mass Tourism – an organized movement of large numbers of people to specialized locations. In
other words, this involves masses of people going to popular tourist destinations, often during the
peak holiday season.
Alternative Tourism - Alternative tourism is a combination of tourist products or individual tourist
services. In simple words, it can be described as people touring places and things other than
usual tourist attractions.
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Ecotourism
Adventure Tourism
Cultural
Educational
Sports Tourism
Scientific
Agri-tourism
Other themed tourism
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MASS TOURISM AND ALTERNATIVE TOURISM
Meaning:
Mass Tourism: This involves masses of people going to popular tourist destinations, often during
the peak holiday season.
Alternative Tourism: This involves small groups of people or individuals traveling to places that are
not popular tourist destinations.
Packages:
Mass Tourism: Mass Tourism often includes package deals.
Alternative Tourism: Alternative Tourism includes plans and options which are decided by the
tourists.
Program:
Mass Tourism: The tourists often have a fixed program.
Alternative Tourism: The tourists can make spontaneous decisions.
Time:
Mass Tourism: Tourists only spend a little time on each site.
Alternative Tourism: Tourists have more time since they can change their plans.
Pollution:
Mass tourism: Masses of people visiting a place can result in a lot of garbage and damages.
Alternative tourism: Alternative tourism is relatively nature-friendly.
Activities:
Mass Tourism: Actives include sunbathing on popular beaches, visiting theme parks, visiting
famous locations such as Eiffel tour, Big Ben, etc.
Alternative Tourism: This consists of individualized activities such as hiking, water rafting, visiting
local events, etc.
LESSON 3
BENEFITS OF ECOTOURISM
Conservation - Offering market-linked long-term solutions, ecotourism provides effective economic
incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural
heritage of our beautiful planet.
Community - By increasing local capacity building and employment opportunities, ecotourism is an
effective vehicle for empowering local communities around the world to fight against poverty and to
achieve sustainable development.
Interpretation - With an emphasis on enriching personal experiences and environmental awareness
through interpretation, ecotourism promotes greater understanding and appreciation for nature, local
society, and culture
SUGGESTED READING/S
TEST AND APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Name of Student: _______________________________
Year Level: __________________
Semester and School Year: _______________________
Date: _______________________
1. Why Ecotourism is better than Mass Tourism?
2. How will you define the market of Alternative Tourism?
3. What do you think will be the threats of Ecotourism in protecting the environment and
preserving the cultural heritage of a destination?
4. Give three benefits of Ecotourism to the local people.
MODULE 2
IMPACTS OF ECOTOURISM
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After this module, students shall be able to:
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2.
3.
Understand the benefits of Ecotourism
Identify the Environmental, Social and Economic Impacts of Ecotourism
Comprehend and minimise the negative impacts of Ecotourism
LESSONS
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2.
3.
4.
Benefits of Ecotourism
Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism
Socio-cultural Impacts of Ecotourism
Economic Impacts of Ecotourism
LESSON 3