What Is Responsible Tourism And Ecotourism Tourism Essay

Responsible tourism is – is that creates better places to live in, and better places to visit. For communities living in popular tourist destinations, such as the Pacific, tourism can offer much needed opportunities for social and economic growth. There are, however, a growing number of concerns about the possible and actual negative impact on local people and environment from tourism. Responsible tourism is that : minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts generates economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities improves working conditions and access to the industry involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues provides access for physically challenged people is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

Responsible tourism is fast becoming a global trend. Operators, destinations and industry organisations in South Africa, the United Kingdom, United States, the Gambia, India, Sri Lanka, are already practicing Responsible Tourism, and this list is growing. Recognising the global significance of Responsible Tourism World Travel Market, one of the world’s largest travel exhibitions, has created World Responsible Tourism Day, to be celebrated annually during November. World Responsible Tourism Day is endorsed by the World Tourism Organisation and World Travel and Tourism.

THINGS THAT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TOURISM:

Responsible Tourism is not another form of “niche tourism” – Responsible Tourism is about the legacy and the consequences of tourism – for the environment, local people and local economies.

Responsible Tourism does not only take place in protected natural environments – Any tourism business, whether located in a thriving metropolis, a desert, rural village, sub-tropical island, medieval town – can be a Responsible Tourism operation.

A significant, and growing, number of tourists are looking for a better experience, a better product. They are looking for experiences which makes them able to get closer to the “real” living culture of countries and to experience natural and cultural heritage. This is a global trend in the established markets as consumer expectations of their holidays change, people are taking more, shorter trips, and they expect to get more from them. In commercial market resea rch UK holidaymakers were asked whether or not they would be more likely to book a holiday with a company if they had a written code to guarantee good working conditions, protect the environment and support charities in the tourist destination. In 1999 45% said yes, when the question was asked again in 2001 52% said yes. That means the percent of people is growing.

Now responsible tourism is a market trend that any tourism business can’t ignore. Responsible tourism makes business sense because the proportion of people who looks for better product is growing.This trend implies that Responsible Tourism will have a powerful competitive advantage over other tourism products.

WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?

To simply describe what is ecotourism, we can say that everywhere we go, it`s “green” and :green” that. But according to the Center of Ecotourism, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain created the term ecotourism in 1983. However original term means nature-based travel to relatively undisturbed areas with an emphasis on education”, where E goes for- Environment, C goes for-Culture and O goes for-Orientated travel.

In general ecotourism means an insightful, mindful and participatory travel experience to natural and cultural and environments for future generations. Also ecotourism makes viable more economic opportunities for the host areas.

From the beginning,ecotourism was nature based, without impact tourism had on the villages and local culture.However,it became apparent to try create a new kind of tourism,wich should be focused only on wildlife and the environment.

Moreover we can find some ecotourism attractions in Malaysia,such as Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands and Mangrove Forest.

For example : Mangrove Forest.

Matang mangrove is located in the Larut Matang District in Perak, Malaysia.

A large expanse of mangrove forest located in huge bay stated from Matang Mangrove forest in the north to Pengkalan Baharu in the south. The reserve includes 34,769 hectares of productive forest 5,942 hectares of unproductive forest. The water is salty and brackish in color and at the low tide is less than 6m deep. There are some small patches of forested dry ground inside the mangroves. Five fishing villages within the forest makes the mangrove become less uninhabited.

Economical dependencies of the community on this site

The economical of Matang Mangrove Forest depence on the fishing activities and the charcoal industries. The area is a major supplier of sea-foods to the local and international markets. It provides employment in forestry, fishery and linked industries for a workforce.

The current management objective of the Forest Reserve is to produce maximum sustained yield of raw materials that is mainly conjugaza and mucronata for fuel, mainly for charcoal and poles. Management consists of a 30 year crop rotation and harvested by clear felling with retention of standards for natural regeneration.Total annual yield of around 990 hectares and 890-900 hectares for charcoal and around 100 hectares for firewood. Management objectives are:

To produce a sustained yield of quality greenwood for charcoal processing to meet local demand as well for export.

To produce quality poles for local consumption and export.

To conserve and protect the coastal zones from erosion by the strong waves and wind.

To produce and preserve the breeding and nursery grounds for high protein sea foods.

The area is of great economic importance, providing an annual revenue of 6-9US$ million from forestry products and at least 30US$ million are from fisheries and the area is a major supplier of sea foods to local and international markets. It provides employment in forestry and fishery and linked to industries for a workforce of about 12,500 people.

Matang Mangrove forest and its adjacent coastline are of major importance as a staging

Are for migratory shorebirds and the major remaining area of suitable habitat in

Malaysia for the Milky Stork Mycetia cineria and lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos

javanicus. The most species are Tringa tetanus, Limosa limosa and calidris

ferruginea. The other common species includes Charadrius, Monglus, Numenius

phaeopus, Tringa stagnatilis and Xerus cinereus. The special floral values are the

largest intact of mangrove forest in Peninsular Malaysia and one of the last

areas. Malaysian population endangered the ecosystems and decreased about 100

birds. Almost 1400 herons and egrets has 12 species that are Egretta garzetta,

Egretta intermedia, and Egretta alba, Butorides striatus are very common. Another

bird that is called Mycteria cineria that is classified in the family Ciconiidae and in

the order of Ciconiiformers. In Matang Mangrove Forest tourists can find red leaf monkeys who are living there. There is very common to see monkeys climbing on the tree. Although they can look extremely cute on the other hand they can be quite aggressive. Tourists should take care approaching these animals.

DIP International Hotel & Tourism Management

School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts

Tourism Industry Assignment

Done by Resul Nazarov(55773) Submited to Mr. Foo

Date : 08.11.2009