Ecotourism Helps All Sides

In the relatively new phenomenon of globalized travel and culture, it is not unusual for people from wealthy countries to travel to poorer ones on a regular basis these days. Some of these travelers are going overseas as diplomats, aid workers, missionaries and contract workers. But most are tourists, headed south to get away from cold winters or looking for a new and different experience, traveling for its own sake.

Package tours from Canada or any other westernized country have made it possible for a large number of people to spend an inexpensive week or two in a Mexican, Cuban, Dominican or Costa Rican resort. Travel beyond that, to Asia, Africa and South America, is also growing quickly.

Proponents of tourism –usually hotel chains, airlines and other travel-related industries- will claim that all tourism is good. They will say that the poor have jobs because of tourism, learn English and make contacts that may help them in their lives.

Those who question the overall value of tourism to the host cultures argue that wages are poor, the culture is undermined by the values and beliefs of the visitors (with little learning going the other way), crime is increased, sexual values broken down and the environment damaged. In short, tourists don´t often visit a host country in order to improve it or learn from it, but often to relax, socialize and be served. In some cases, as with child sex tours, the scenario is much worse.

The ecotourism movement has sprung up as a result of the above factors. The idea is to create the best conditions for both sides in the tourism relationship to really benefit.

Ecotourists will have the opportunity to learn something of their host´s language, culture and history, to live with a host family or in more modest accommodations in a host community, to view cultural displays, travel lightly through the host environment and purchase local handmade goods. Eco-tourism doesn´t just happen overseas, but here in Canada as well, with Europeans in particular traveling to our country to enjoy our natural heritage.

A good ecotourism example is Cuba Discovery Tours, operated out of Brandon by McPhail Giants Travel. These less commercialized small group tours include visits to schools, farms and hospitals and the delivery of material aid, along with days at the beach. Many people from around Manitoba and further afield have had satisfying eco-experiences in Cuba this way and information is available via the McPhail Giants website.

Eco-tourism is about cultures and environments benefiting from the globalization of travel. When I listen to the usual banter by people who´ve gone to a hotel in Cancun for a week, I remember the saying: “Down deep inside, I am really shallow.” We need to use our ability to travel so easily in our world in more profound ways, to benefit others, but also to grow ourselves.