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Costa Rican Beaches - Modern Wonders
Beaches in Costa Rica are one of the most important assets of the country when it comes to tourism.
Costa Rica has since many years worked hard to save the rain forest and has during recent years begun to do the same with their beaches.
The west...
Fiji Hotel Chain Provides an Alternative to Packaged Tourism
The owners of Fiji's largest budget accommodation chain have decided to counter the burgeoning bus and package tour trade by refocusing on the independent traveler.
With more and more visitors being booked onto pre-arranged itineraries straight...
Guyana’s Quest for Eco Tourism and Lodges
Guyana’s Quest for Eco Tourism and Lodges Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/samerica/guyana/ecotourism.html Developing countries throughout the world especially those...
Ritz Cancun Hangout – The Ritz Carlton
Ritz Cancun Hangout – The Ritz Carlton Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/ritz/cancun/cancun.html ...
The Stars at Night, Are Big and Bright, Deep in the Heart of Texas, and Often Accompanied by Bats
Ooops. Oh those engineers. When they reconstructed the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas in 1980, they inadvertently created a unique ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION, and an experience not available many places in the world. The bridge was evidently...
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Experiencing Natural Wonders with Ecotourism
Ecotourism
Coined by Hctor Ceballos-Lascurin
in 1983 the term Ecotourism was
used to describe nature centric
travel to relatively undisturbed
areas with an emphasis on education.
Today ecotourism consists of cultural
tourism, nature tourism, leisure
tourism and a good dose of adventure.
Sound ecotourism involves travel
to natural destinations, minimizes
impact, builds environmental awareness,
provides direct financial benefits
for conservation, provides financial
benefits and empowerment for local
people, respects local culture,
and supports human rights and
not exploitation. It is an enlightening,
participatory travel experience
to environments, both natural
and cultural which produces viable
economic opportunities for the
tourism industry and host communities,
and makes the use of these resources
through conservation beneficial
to all tourism role players.
Global Ecotourism
According to the World Tourism Organisation Ecotourism is the
fastest growing market within the ever expanding global tourism
industry. Eco-travel is a serious player within the global
tourism market and is fast becoming the preferred option in
vacationing. We are a society trademarked by a heightened
environmental consciousness not known in past eras. This
combined with easy accessibility to exotic locations is what has
drawn so many to eco-travel. Countries have begun to promote
their natural resources, unique locals and tourism facilities in
a bid to capture the interest of intrepid eco-travellers.
Businesses are constructing camps and lodges and trails and
tours are being designed to facilitate the wants and needs of
the eco-tourists.
Ecotourism in Africa
Africa is synonymous with the concept of ecotourism, its
multitude of game parks and reserves conserve some of the
world's most magnificent creatures. The bird life throughout the
continent is remarkable, natural wonders are scattered
throughout the continent and the cultures and traditions of past
eras mystically intertwine with modern day. Each country on this
diverse continent offers its own unique appeal to eco-travellers
and no eco-traveller would be complete without a trip to Africa.
A Jewel at the Tip of Africa
When the path of tourism began to diverge to ecotourism; nature,
heritage and recreational destinations became more important
than before and South Africa is a haven for these three
cornerstones of eco-tourism. Lying at the very tip of Africa,
South Africa is home to some of the most magnificent vistas,
sunsets and natural resources one could hope to encounter. It is
near impossible to separate SA from a nature experience and the
strongest
motivations for overseas travellers seem to be the
scenic beauty and rich wildlife.
SA Ecotourism Highlights
There are a never ending abundance of activities to keep
eco-travellers busy on their journey through South Africa. One
of the biggest draw cards are the impressive wildlife reserves
scattered throughout the country. The Kruger National Park, by
far South Africa's most internationally acclaimed, was
established in 1898 to protect South African wildlife and is
today an unrivalled leader in biodiversity and environmental
management. Each park and reserve offers its visitors a unique
experience. Watching a herd of elephants cooling off at a
waterhole or a lioness and her cubs playfully taunting one
another are truly some of the most amazing sights anyone can
behold. The parks are extremely large which allows the wildlife
to roam free and exist as they were created to without borders
or unnatural threats. A safari drive is one of the best ways to
experience nature up close and personal and it is highly
recommended for any one interested in eco-travel.
It is not only the impressive wildlife on the ground that
attracts visitors to South Africa; the marine life is
spectacularly diverse. From Southern-Right Whale watching in
Hermanus and watching schools of dolphins gliding through the
waters on a boat trip to exploring the ecosystems in the rock
pools along the coastline and scuba diving amongst various
marine creatures.
South African is home to some of the most dramatic mountains and
mountain ranges. Table Mountain, the Magaliesberg and the
Drakensburg Mountain range offer amazing flora and fauna as well
as some of the world's best hiking trails and breathtaking
vistas. The various botanical gardens that are scattered
throughout the country are home to hundreds of indigenous plants
and the countries numerous forest regions are much celebrated by
eco-enthusiasts.
The traditional villages are a highlight amongst eco-travellers
to South Africa who have the opportunity to experience what life
was like in years gone by. Apart from partaking in traditional
customs such as meals and games visitors gain an insight as to
how the tribes lived off and existed in harmony with nature.
Africa is a treasure trove of
natural wonders and the jewel
at the tip, South Africa, is a
slice of paradise for anyone interested
in ecotourism.
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