Nature tourism – responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.
It is tourism based on the natural attractions of an area. Examples
include bird watching, photography, stargazing, camping, hiking, hunting,
fishing, and visiting parks. These experiential tourists are interested
in a diversity of natural and cultural resources. They want what is
real, and they want to be immersed in a rich natural, cultural, or
historical experience.
From the standpoint of conservation, nature-based tourism provides
incentives for local communities and landowners to conserve wildlife
habitats upon which the industry depends – it promotes conservation by
placing an increased value on remaining natural areas. As nature tourism
becomes more important to the local economy, communities have
additional incentive to conserve their remaining natural areas for
wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts.
Nature Tourism, often referred to as Ecotourism, was introduced
to the tourist industry in the early 1980s. Ecotourism was initially connected
with outdoor travel to remote, unique, and/or scenic areas.
Nature Tourism Guidelines
and Principles
- Education about the area
- Sustainable use of resources, and avoidance of degradation
- Enhancement of local community and assistance in development
- Respect for cultural/social/political aspects of local people
- Profit for tourism industry
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