Advantage and Disadvantage of Ecotourism – Some pros and cons of Ecotourism are discussed below separately:

There are many places in the world that still remain relatively unexplored. Ecotourism helps people to explore such places that haven’t been touched by human hands. Ecotourism refers to a sustainable solution to preserve ecosystems around the world while offering a good source of income for locals living in that area. There are many pros and cons of ecotourism that needs to be considered before embracing this form of economic growth.

Pros of Ecotourism

1. Sustainable way to improve local economies:

Since ecotourism is related to the condition of the environment, it encourages development options that are sustainable to nature itself. The countries which can promote their diversity of ecological locations will have more tourists and there is an increase job opportunity to the locals reducing poverty in the area.

2. Environmental awareness

With ecotourism, there is a lot of programs on environmental preservation by which the travelers can spread this environmental awareness information widely as well as implement it in their daily lives.

3. Promote local culture

Not only the employment opportunities but ecotourism also contributes to the preservation of traditional culture and practices. Local food products and crafted goods bind the local people and the tourist

4. Conversation of the environment

The money that is collected through ecotourism can be further used in the conservation projects and awareness programs. It helps in protection of endangered species population and in reforestation.

5. Gain more biological information

Ecotourism gives an opportunity to both the locals and the tourists to know more about the biology, ecosystem, and geology of a certain area. The knowledge gained can play a vital role in the conversation of different species in the area.

6. Very affordable.

Many tourists can have the ecotourism experiences for a fraction of the cost of a traditional vacation at a traditional resort location. It requires only a few sources and resources.

Also read: Pros and cons of globalization

Cons of Ecotourism

1. Degradation of the ecosystem

Humans always have the desire to explore more, go further, and push the rules.  The tourist visiting the untouched areas by humans may disrupt the ecosystem in that area. This may change the hunting patterns and also lead to soil erosion or even habitat loss.

2. Threat to indigenous culture

The more tourists visiting a particular area may make the locals adopt the cultural behaviors of the tourists. Adaption to new culture may threaten the traditional practices.

3. Can turn people into tourist attractions.

Tourist may go to an ecotourism adventure, but the goal is to see and possibly interact with other humans that they have never seen. The common example is the native tribes of Africa or the Amazon. This can be quite disrespectful to those people.

4. Ruin natural habitats.

The place which lies among the highly visited ecotourism destinations have vast development and encroachment in and around the region, leading to the habitat fragmentation and destruction. This further leads to loss of species that depend on their natural habitats. New structures, pollution, noise and other activities can lead to wildlife disturbances

5. Relocation of the local community:

Local communities may be relocated so that there can be space for the construction of hotels, excavation of natural resources so to expand ecotourism.

So, these were the Pros and Cons of Ecotourism. If you know more pros and cons to this topic, you may suggest us, So, please comment or contact us.