| A few countries have taken the lead in the relatively | | | | of the growing interest in this field. Australia and Costa |
| new ecotourism industry. But before taking a look at a | | | | Rica, among others, presented encouraging ecotourism |
| particular location that has enjoyed new success, it | | | | examples, showing that thousands, even millions of |
| may be good to get an overview of how ecotourism | | | | dollars in revenue are possible with responsible tourism. |
| excursions are generating revenue while preserving | | | | Some at the conference reported that the industry |
| the environment. | | | | might grow 30 percent per year over the next few |
| By some measures, ecotourism is already a global | | | | years. |
| phenomenon, with the number of destinations | | | | One region that intends to be involved in this positive |
| increasing and the amount of revenue generated | | | | movement is Thailand, where owners and local |
| growing at an amazing rate. One study, by the Travel | | | | populations are continuing to present beach resorts as |
| Industry Association of America and the Smithsonian, | | | | environmentally sensitive and in a relatively natural |
| shows that nearly every adult tourist states he or she | | | | state. Jungle lodges in the beautiful African country of |
| would be interested in both cultural and historic | | | | Kenya provide another significant portion of the global |
| vacation trips. The Department of Immigration in the | | | | ecotourism activity, according to The International |
| Central American country of Belize found that half of | | | | Ecotourism Society (TIES). |
| all the tourists in 2004 came from the United States, | | | | Some destinations have yet to reach the potential that |
| with many among them pursuing ecotourism tours and | | | | the local residents and tourism professionals see for |
| excursions. This has been the reason for me to take | | | | them. One idea that has gained popularity is a "green" |
| many flights to and from Murcia. | | | | certification for ecotourism locations. This designation |
| Industry watchers do not expect this trend to slow | | | | would indicate that efforts are made to avoid |
| down. In fact, examples of ecotourism success are | | | | environmental damage and to encourage local |
| everywhere. In the Lamanai region (in the north of | | | | residents to participate in responsible commerce. |
| Belize) a great deal of effort is being made to | | | | Some in the industry point to Costa Rica as a fine |
| encourage responsible travel. Some local leaders and | | | | example of what can be done with the correct |
| tour operators are trying to turn this area into an | | | | motives. While this beautiful Central American country |
| ecotourism destination, with little or no impact on the | | | | has long been a preferred travel destination, many |
| natural beauty of the site. Marketing the region as a | | | | want it to become more than just a stunning holiday |
| holiday destination, these leaders are encouraging | | | | stop. More emphasis is being put on using solar power, |
| photography and study of wildlife without taking | | | | as just one way to encourage responsible tourism. In |
| samples. A similar effort is being made halfway around | | | | addition, some tourism site operators and community |
| the world. People there are encouraging photographs | | | | leaders in Australia are instituting follow-up studies to |
| and study of orang-utans. | | | | see how ecotourism principles impact a location. This |
| The recent, hugely successful world ecotourism | | | | attention to detail may be key in keeping ecotourism |
| conference in Oslo, Norway was one more example | | | | destinations on the map. |