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ECOCLUB, Issue 91
There is no such thing as bad publicity, however, I am sick and tired with assorted cynics attacking or being ironic about
Ecotourism. I have so far sent a dozen letters to the editor of major newspapers, and they get published, which is useful, but this
is not enough, we need coordinated action. I am inclined to believe that some are selectively mean with Ecotourism, compared
with other ‘Tourisms’. The real reason is that they are jealous about the practical success & application of Ecotourism, which
they all too readily dismiss as a ‘buzzword’. You see, 2002 was the International Year of Ecotourism, not of any other Tourism.
On the one corner are those developers who would rather use us to reach the parts they can not reach, as a trojan horse. On the
other corner, you all remember the hysteric attempt by some extremists to cancel the International year of Ecotourism. Those
who unfairly dismiss Ecotourism as the human or ecological face of ‘hedonistic neo-colonialism’. So, we are between a rock
and a hard place. But few realise that damage is also done when one of us unwittingly gives an interview, or writes an article,
and their comments are taken out of context and turned around to hit Ecotourism. So when we talk to outsiders we should
always make clear that Ecotourism is the ideal, towards which we are working but we still have not achieved in this imperfect
world. Ecotourism is like politics, the art of the possible, it deals with humans and human interaction and not with factory
machines, so it is difficult to certify in a meaningful manner. Persistent as well as opportunistic attackers of Ecotourism, should
understand that there is a credibility price to pay when they abuse Ecotourism and in the time of the Internet, they can no longer
hide.
(c). Improving Communication
“Ecotourism: Others Hear, We Listen”
“Ecotourism: Others Look: We See”
Good communication should exist at all levels, the movement level, between associations & networks, between businesses and
between individuals, in both directions, inward and outward, internal & external. Communication is bi-directional and has the
role both of interpreting the Ecotourism movement to the world, and the world to the Ecotourism movement. The dilemmas
presented on the screen are valid, however in practice we have to be doing a bit of both. For example, if you are certain about an
issue, you may lead, if you are uncertain, let the others lead. And we should not be too certain, or rush to defend ourselves
through untested concepts such as certification and carbon-offsets: As Voltaire noted, uncertainty is tiresome but certainty is
ridiculous.
What makes Ecotourism advocates better, and can make them even better, is a combination of principles, professionalism,
intelligence and an open mind. Ecotourism and participatory democracy go hand in hand.
(d). Conclusion - Seven Recommendations for Ecotourism Unity & Strength
Sweeping do’s and dont’s are mostly naive, as they ignore situational, geographic and cultural peculiarities. I prefer specific
recommendations, so here are seven of these, seven being a magic number in many cultures.
1.
We must agree on one, concise, common, Ecotourism long-term goal: to make all Tourism ecological.
2.
We should make clear on every occasion that Ecotourism is a broad movement, not a business niche.
3.
We should consider setting up a body/workgroup to monitor attacks on Ecotourism, and respond in a timely,
appropriate & professional manner.
4.
We should preserve the Ecotourism movement’s independence & financial independence by relying on individual
ecotourism practitioners & enthusiasts rather than on governments, multinationals, aid agencies & benefactors with
other agendas. Ecotourism belongs to Ecotourists & Ecotourism practitioners!
5.
We should introduce online meetings for the purpose of achieving consensus on important and controversial issues, so
as to strengthen the Ecotourism movement through direct democracy, transparency & knowledge diffusion.
6.
Ecotourism associations should not compete with their own members for the provision of tourism services & products
but instead lobby for our common ideals and promote change through appropriate national & international legislation
& self-regulation.
7.
Self-criticism is useful, however when talking to the press, or in public, we should use the word Ecotourism sparingly,
substituting it with Tourism, unless we have something very positive to say about Ecotourism, our Movement!
