One of the most memorable images of Yosemite National Park comes from a photo where a group of students, hand in hand, circle one of the park's magnificent giant sequoias. But if you visit Yosemite today you are forbidden to get near the trees as years of visitors have begun to damage the root systems. Many national parks across the world have begun limiting the number of patrons admitted per day in response to the growing stress the sheer number of people place on environments. Small-scale ecotourism combats this problem, which is accomplished by governments and organizations taking it upon themselves to regulate tourist attractions. Small-scale ecotourism also combats pollution associated with excessive travel by limiting the amount of people, which in turn reduces refuse, and by utilizing environmentally friendly practices at hotels, attractions and transport services.
Travel, whether you're herded around on a tour bus or back-packing from city to city on local transportation, will affect the local culture. Small-scale ecotourism is a sustainable and culturally friendly way to experience other cultures. Many communities have come to rely on tourism dollars, but many have forsaken local traditions and customs to accommodate tourists. To take a sensitive approach, you should travel in small groups and adapt to local cultures. Too many tourists expect locals to speak their language, cook their food and basically be like one of them. Small-scale ecotourism relies on the philosophy that a traveler is a guest and should abide by the rules and customs of the destinations they visit.
From a traveler's perspective, small-scale ecotourism has many benefits, some of which include: peacefully interacting with nature and cultures; protecting a place for future generations; and interacting with locals. Some things you can do personally during your ecotourism trip is to book "green" hotels, pack lightly, use public transportation while exploring your destination, use rechargeable batteries while on vacation and eat locally.
Like the walls of a house owned by a smoker, the Taj Mahal has begun to turn a pale yellow, the result of pollution and unrestricted development, and graffiti now marks many of the magnificent Khmer temples of Angkor Wat. Small-scale ecotourism benefits the future of these and other often-visited destinations. Travel will always be a part of the human spirit, but as our world become more connected, these places, especially in countries where attractions are not managed, will soon be lost. Small-scale ecotourism takes into account that we have a responsibility to the future.
