The Impact Of Ecotourism On The Personality Of Tourists And Environment

Ecotourism has many different types and names as green travelling, environmental travelling and cultural friendly travelling are one of many definitions of it. The traveller can easy to know what does ecotourism mean, because it consists of the word ecological and tourism, so it easy to guess. However, only a few all of them understand exactly the full meaning of it. According to The International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education. ' In other words, ecotourism is a combination of visitors and locals. The local people keep their role the same as a supplier; they supply for tourists the opportunities to learn and experience about the indigenous culture and nature whereby they can have a sustainable income, and the visitor can understand unspoiled nature, discover the culture and learn more about the conditional of the environment while travelling. But both of them have the same goal and responsibilities are to protect and maintain the habitat of wild animals besides the core values of the local. This essay will concentrate on, how ecotourism can change the mind of the tourists and then observe, whether the increasing number of visitors can hurt the wild habitat. Contemporary society requires people to have to dedicate at their best for the career and education path to have a specific position in society. For that reason, almost everyone spends the whole time working and pursuing visible material values. In this hustle bustle routines, they have lost the balance for themselves beside the fundamental mental values.

However, Ecotourism entirely is key to solve their problem. Ecotourism can bring people closer to nature, help everyone can feel the beauty that nature gives. Experiences through journeys may bring unforgettable moments, get more knowledge, find back the balance and new emotion for their life. Nowadays, people look at travel the same as a kind of leisure activity that supports mental health and also a reward after a long busy time with their job. There are many types of travel is supplied by the travel agency, but Travel Agent Central collected the data and showed that 87% of travellers would choose ecotourism for their trip if they have the opportunity and when was asked why they prefer ecotourism, 60% answer they impressed by natural sights during the journey. Besides traveller also believed that they could have more opportunities to take a break and feels more relaxed when integrating with nature. The impact of tourism and especially ecotourism on mental and psychologically of visitors are unable to deny.

In the research 'Tourism Experiences as a Stress Reliever,' Chen and other her colleagues gave two hypotheses as 'Perceived relaxation during a leisure trip will positively influence life satisfaction after the trip' and ' Perceived mastery experience during a leisure trip will positively influence life satisfaction after the trip. ' Travel, especially ecotourism could be the key to open the door on to conquer and realize inner strength in each. In every journey, ecotourism able to gives for the traveller a completely different view and feel of the world outside and also help them open their minds with varying ways of thinking through exchanges culture with the local. It ranges from basic demands, such as food, lifestyle to knowledge, culture, custom, and religion. There are various situations that people can not only hear or learn from books but also have to confront or adapt. Sometimes, travel is trouble. However, handling the unexpected situation could bring about the joyful and unforgettable memories for the journey and finally, the confident and internal mind would grown journey after journey as a reward, that the ecotourism brings out. According to the data were collected and analyzed by The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The amount of the international visitor in 1950 approximately 25 million; however after 66 years the number of travellers has increased with incredible quantities with 1. 2 billion international arrivals per year, increase 49-fold more than in 1950. Raising the amount of the visitor, pressure on the destinations is the inevitable consequence and can ultimately cause adverse effects on the environment. All tourism activities will have both positive and negative impacts on the natural, cultural and socio-economic environment. So ecotourism is often promoted as a better alternative. For instance, Costa Rica is one of many countries, where ecotourism is seen as the main industry is contributing to the growing GDP. Since 1970, Costa Rica's GNP has grown from approximately $1000 million to roughly $9000 million in 1995 and ecotourism is the most significant source of foreign exchange in the country makes it a prominent factor in Costa Rica's economic growth. Besides, the government could take the profit from ecotourism activities to continues to support conservation activities and enrich local livelihoods, contributed directly to species conservation.

However, in recent year, the number of travellers pass over the limitation expected. It has led to a negative situation for the biodiversity of the parks, habitat pollution and take a toll on surrounding wildlife. The ecotourism aims primarily to educate ecotourists and promote the conservation of natural habitats, but, for some species, the increased presence of humans may by default negatively impact their natural behaviours and damaging the area’s overall ecosystem. For example, the increases in the number of commercial activities such as building more hotel along the beach to supply accommodation for visitors is a primary reason affect the Leatherback Sea Turtle because it which usually lays its eggs along the beach shore. Building hotel has caused losing their shelter. So it has compelled for the government have on the solutions aimed at reducing the influence of traveller such as priority protect the environment before developing the economy, study the impact of a traveller on the locals.

Also, coordinate with the organization provide travel service because of they know that these organizations know ecotourism is growing in popularity and may take advantage of that fact by travelling as ecotouristic when in reality they ignore eco-friendly practices. Ecotourism not only leisure activities but it also could be a practical solution to help everyone restore their mind and protecting the environment. Each trip is a door to open a new horizon for the visitor, which they have never seen before, to get more enriching experiences. In our's small world, the knowledge and experience we learn maybe always right with ourselves; however, travelling help for the traveller have the opportunity to approach with other aspects of the world, to accept different cultures, religions and other things. The tourist not only gets a great trip but also can help them open their minds and improve their mental. In addition, the travellers choose to travel with ecotourism also support for the country and the local where they come can grow the economic aspect and reserve local cultural. Unfortunately, the increasing amount of visitor has brought about something not good for the environment. Look overall, Ecotourism still a smart for the tourists, if we can control the number of visitors and reduce the influence of them on wild habitat.

References

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