Why is there a need for stewardship and conservation?

• Stewardship = taking responsibility for conserving the environment
• Conservation = protecting and managing the environment

How can ecotourism benefit the environment, local economy and the lives of the people?

Kenya 

(Tourism Ministry)

Kenya's traditional approach to tourism has been the mass tourism market.  The Kenya National Tourism Master Plan now emphasises the need to reduce the negative impacts of tourism and maintain the tourism industry by:

• Diversify the country's tourist product range - by opening up new activities that are less damaging than safaris such as climbing, white water rafting, sailing.
• Achieve a better distribution of tourist activities throughout the country to reduce the impact on tourist hot spots.
• Curb tourist numbers in over-visited parks like the Masai Mara but also increase income by doubling park entry fees
• Focus on quality not quantity - when the place is crowded the magic of a safari is lost
• Ecotourism is seen as a way of spreading tourist revenue among more people and increasing the involvement of indigenous people in preserving wildlife and the environment

Ecotourism   (text page 248 - Question 1 and 2 on page 249)

Genuine eco-tourism/sustainable tourism means tourism that has no negative impact on ecosystems, and positively contributes to the destination on a social and environmental level. Visitors should learn from their experiences and develop a greater understanding of the issues and challenges of preserving this great natural heritage for generations to come.

You could Research your own example of an Ecotourism destination - produce an article reviewing the holiday explaining why it is sustainble... 

Ecotourism in Kenya

Ecotourism Kenya (EK), formerly known as Ecotourism Society of Kenya (ESOK), is a civil society organization that was established in 1996. Founded with enormous support from the tourism industry in Kenya, it plays a key role in ensuring that Kenya’s tourism is sustainable, both in terms of concern for the environment and for the welfare of local communities.

Kimana (see page 249) Three quarters of wildlife in Kenya can be found outside of the National Parks. A large amount of the land outside of Kenya's National Parks is owned by the Masai Mara. Three tented camps have been set up on Masai land in Kimana, located between the migration route from the Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks and is run by local people. They pay the Masai rent for the use of their land.

- Shompole Lodge

How does Shompole Lodge benefit the environment, economy and local people?

Thomas Cook promotes sustainable tourism in their holiday brochures. Check the criteria, does the Shompole Lodge meet these?

Other examples of ecotourism...

Kapawi Ecolodge, Ecuador   (see page 248 in your text book too)

or search for your own...

EXAM QUESTION: 

 Explain how ecotourism can contribute to the sustainable development of a country (8)