An ecosystem is a delicate and complex balance of relationships among plants, animals, humans and natural resources in a particular environment. Within an ecosystem, relationships between species are interdependent, and any changes in the health or population of one species affects the entire system. Tourism increases the human population in the destination environment, and as a result changes the balance of life in the local ecosystem. The arrival of tourists results in dramatic changes in the way local populations engage with the natural world, as more resources are required to feed, shelter and entertain visiting travelers.
The depletion of natural resources is one of the most harmful consequences of tourism, and negatively affects both animals and local human life. Tourism poses challenges to water in particular, as tourist infrastructure commonly overuses resources for swimming pools, lawn maintenance, golf courses and hotel functions. Tourism also places strains on natural food-producing environments, and can contribute to overfishing and unsustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, as tourists often have different food preferences, a significant tourist presence in an area can result in changes in traditional agricultural production in order to accommodate visitors' tastes.
The presence of tourism in an area commonly introduces new pollutants into local ecosystems. Solid waste and sewage pose numerous problems with regard to safe disposal. Especially in isolated areas such as islands, the costs of proper waste management are often prohibitively high, which results in sea or ocean dumping or the use of landfills. Additionally, hotels often use powerful chemicals for cleaning and maintenance, which can potentially wind up in local water systems or leach into the soil.
Ecotourism, or sustainable tourism, is a travel ideology that aims to minimize the negative environmental impact of travelers on their destinations. As an industry, ecotourism has developed out of concerns about how travel can damage local ecosystems, while striving also to uphold people' rights to enjoy sites of natural and cultural heritage.
Ecotourism promotes conservation, sustainable land use and renewable resources, such as alternative energy and the use of local materials in construction. Ecotourism, moreover, places a strong emphasis on education for both visiting and local populations. Ecotourism programs encourage greater appreciation for the value of the natural world, and promote understanding about the challenges of tourism to local communities and their environments.
