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ECOCLUB, Issue 93
In my view Ecotourism should build / rebuild its connection with the broad ecological movement and green (minded) parties in
particular. Here in Greece, the destructive fires have hopefully revealed to small tourism operators that their interests are
identical with those of ecologists - the preservation of the local environment & culture. As a result, and a consolation,
environmentally-friendly parties did well in the elections.
Nationalism, economic nationalism and social racism has no place in Ecotourism, and this should remain so. National
Ecotourism societies in particular should not imitate their tourism counterparts but constitute a true alternative. At the same
time, Ecotourist proponents (the true "Ecotourists") should not shy from participating in national & international tourism bodies.
National Ecotourism societies should also beware of creating monopolies, stifling competition and remain clear of nepotism and
shady deals that may discredit Ecotourism in their countries.
Ecotourism, as it becomes more popular, should not forget its roots, and remain firmly in favour of small businesses owned by
small local entrepreneurs, communities and the many expats genuinely keen on helping local communities. At the same time,
neoconservatism is hopefully on its way out, so let us discourage neo-liberal talk, especially in Ecotourism, and stop
overemphasizing the role of private initiative and talk of the 'ecotourism market ', the 'ecotourism products', the ecoturism
‘consumer’, the 'monetary value of wild animals' and other Orwellian approaches. As in all movements, there are different
viewpoints and conflicting interests, we do not necessarily need to agree at all times. Politics is an art, the art of the possible,
and Ecotourism in no different. That said, the mainstream should come to us, not us to the mainstream. We should defend our
role and rights within the system so as not to be marginalised, however without any trade-offs in terms of our ecological
principles.
In terms of funding, we should aim for appropriate sources of funding, from within our ranks, be weary of fat cats and fat grants
with strings attached. Big is rarely beautiful. We should vigorously guard our financial independence or risk losing it.
In a word plagued by poverty and injustice, overemphasis on holiday carbon neutrality can be counter-productive, purist and
hypocritical - in one word, puritan. Let's take this (very real) problem to the two or three airline manufacturers of this world, not
pass the buck to over-borrowing, hard-working travelers who make the extra effort to go and see and support remote
communities. Airline routes are what railways were in the 19th century, they are the developing world's exit strategy from
poverty. At the same time we also desperately need more and better railways and electric, affordable cars and buses. Ecotourists
need not be luddites!
I am aware that if we all are to change Tourism even by an inch, we have to face off powerful interests and we therefore should
have no delusions of grandeur or overestimate our power. Some should not be so keen to trade-off their principles for a slice of
the pie and becoming part of the status quo. But we should not be timid either. The world can change, the world has always been
changing.
In terms of organisation, let's opt for a multipolar, decentralised, pluralistic, internationalist, democratic Ecotourism movement
of equals, without – or at least with less – bureaucracy & coziness with those who really like it as it is, a.k.a the status quo.
Antonis B. Petropoulos
