Once Ester McNeil said “Beauty of Alaska cannot be put into words.”
For many people Alaska seems to be a wonderful land of superlatives and adventure. At the same time it very attractive for eco tourists, who are seeking for personal connection with nature, wilderness and the local people.
The International Eco-tourism Society defines eco-tourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” This means that those who implement and participate in Eco-tourism activities should follow the following principles:
- Minimize impact
- Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
- Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
- Raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate
- Support international human rights and labour agreement
The scientists emphasize the following positive and negative impacts of Alaska eco tourismPositive impacts:
- Native communities are learning the tourism business
- Some Native corporations are starting their own locally-owned tours
- Communities have more control of the message getting out
- Big cruises/bus companies are using more guides for local tours (Holland America and Princess)
- Big companies know it is good business to be a good citizen and are helping to sell small village tours for local communities, although private entrepreneurs are not.
Among the negative impacts are signs of severe impact on lands, tundra, vegetation and concerns with extraction.
Ecotourism is considered the fastest growing market in the tourism industry, according to the World Tourism Organization with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and representing 6% of the world gross domestic product, 11.4% of all consumer spending.
That’s why it’s very important to make the ecotourism in Alaska responsible. This means special programs to minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people, as eco-tourism is more than a catch phrase for nature loving travel and recreation. It’s consecrated for preserving and sustaining the diversity of the world’s natural and cultural environments.
