Ecotourism in Canada: Areas it Focuses on, Importance and Impact

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Ecotourism is a dynamic and far-reaching sector in the economy of the countries, especially in Canada. Ecotourism in Canada is categorized into two segments, natural ecotourism and ecotourism emphasis on the arts and culture of the local people. It has a positive impact on social and economic aspects of Canada which is evident through its GDP and growth of other related areas. They adopted some principles to make the department run smoothly. However, it also has some disadvantages to the country.

Ecotourism can be defined as the responsibility of the tourists to natural areas to conserves the local atmosphere and maintains the culture and beliefs of the native people. Ecotourism is one of the world’s most remarkably growing industry and has a vast majority around the world. Canada is one of the largest countries in the world and its opportunities in ecotourism are blessed with specular geography, top-notch international centers as well as warm and friendly people. Canadian ecotourism is focused mainly on two areas: natural ecotourism and ecotourism focusing on the arts and cultures of local indigenous groups.

The purpose of the essay is to discuss ecotourism in Canada and areas it focuses on. It also draws attention to the achievements of this tourism in Canadian social and economic fields. Apart from that, this research scrutinizes the significance of Canadian ecotourism, principles that should be followed as well as the detrimental impact of this tourism.

Natural Ecotourism

Natural ecotourism takes in natural settings with an emphasis on understanding and conserving natural environment (Baender, p.3). Because of Canada’s incomparable beauty and profuse natural resources, it is not that tough for ecotourism to be a dominant part when it comes to vacationing. Canada’s unlimited landscapes are gifted with fascinating visitors from all corners of the world. Examples of such ecotourism in Canada are the followings:

Quebec full-moon rafting eco-tourism adventure;
Ocean Kayaking in Nova Scotia;
Recreational Geology Rocks;
Alberta’s Cowboy Trail;
Riding Mountain National Parks and Churchill, Manitoba.

Ecotourism Focusing on the Arts and Culture of Local Peoples

Indigenous ecotourism can be described as an activity and enterprise mainly concentrates on upholding the natural and cultural integrity of the land and people where it is developed. It is also believed that through this tourism these people can achieve self-determination and self-reliance (Nepal, 2004). It’s thought that, showcasing inherent culture and value especially through the art of native storytelling and interpretations, whilst providing indigenous peoples with chances to emphasize their rights and autonomy through economic empowerment.

Economic and Social Impact of Ecotourism in Canada

The economic impact is the contribution to the financial system through improving and generating revenue. These include a contribution to sales, profits, jobs improvements and generation of revenues (Fakiyesi, 2008). Direct impacts are witnessed in the primary service sector such as lodgings, restaurants, transport divisions and retail trade.

The social impacts of ecotourism encourage the growth of pride, understanding and tolerance of one’s cultures and upgrading of satisfaction and communication. It is regarded as both a source of international amity and a promoter of peace (Holden, 2008).

Significance of the Canadian Tourism Industry

In Canada tourism means business. It is not just merely considered as the provider to the economy of every Canadian province and territories, but because of its unique structure and expansive influence, the tourism system makes a meaningful contribution to the performance levels of many corelated sectors and industries (e.g. retail, arts, and culture). The total revenue earned by earned by Canada from international and native visitors reached 80 billion in 2008 where 20% was contributed by the ecotourism sector. This country implemented the Green Tourism program in 2009, where verifies ecotourism business as staying balanced with the help of specific assessments and guidance. It also aims at preserving Canada’s inherent culture and communities.

Principles of Ecotourism

Ecotourism is all about combining safeguarding communities and environmental travel. This denotes that those who implement, take part in and promote ecotourism activities should take up the following ideologies of ecotourism:

Curtails physical, social, behavioral and psychological effects;
Develop eco-friendly and cultural consciousness and esteem;
Provide positive experience to visitors as well as the host;
Provide monetary assistance for both inhabitants and private business;
Convey memorable incidents to guests to help them to build compassion to native communities politically, socially and environmentally;
Design, construct and operate minimal influence amenities;
Be aware of the rights and beliefs of the indigenous peoples and perform in connection with them to generate empowerment.

Demerits of Ecotourism in Canada

Comprising of Land

Converting an undeveloped plot into a commercial planetary for the holiday business is a disadvantage of ecotourism. As the growing number of tourists make way for the construction of hotels, ecotourism expansion, and excavations of natural resources for which the people who lived in that land can end up dislocated.

Relocation of Locals

As part of the development of the tourism industry the natives are forced to move from there. They either won’t have enough money to lodge on there because when that region becomes a tourist spot then eventually the cost of living in those areas will rise that may not be affordable to the native peoples. Or they may be compelled by developers to leave. Often, the government and other authorities force them to live their place for the development infrastructure of that area.

Threats to Aboriginal Cultural

Ecotourism also causes to cultural misuse and deterioration. The ecotourism industry attracts visitors who may not value culture and beliefs as the host community has. Also, they may isolate the locals. Likewise, when an area of land is conserved for such natural parks, the native groups got relocated and its Fallouts for the endangering of their cultural and traditional practices.

Lack of Income Prospects

Ecotourism employments for populaces often get enough payments. And the profits earned from that region will be spill out between so many hands and rest will be reached to their hands. When they have to move from their place for the advancement of the leisure industry, they also have to leave their means of livelihood in their homeland.

Ecosystem Degradation

Although the foremost purpose of ecotourism is to conserve the ecosystem, sometimes it has a detrimental effect on the earth. As the prosperous in the rate of vacationer, the resources and environmental fascinations become overused. Visitors can disrupt wildlife, leads to soil erosion, habitat loss and causes various types of pollutions like water, air, noise etc.

Conclusion

Ecotourism is a vital and growing part of the Canadian economy. Canadian ecotourism is combines with natural tourism and ecotourism engrossed on the arts and culture of the regional inhabitants. it is visible that this tourism has a constructive influence on the economic and social aspects of Canada. Admittedly, ecotourism has a crucial role in this country since it contributes significantly to GDP and also helps in the development of the related sectors. In 2009, Canada implemented the Green Tourism Program for the effective performance of this tourism. Apart from that, the principles of ecotourism also benefit for conservation of resources, culture, traditions and so on. nevertheless, the harmful effects of ecotourism are also increasing in this world.

References

Brunt, P., & Courtney, P. (1999). Host Perception of Social-Cultural Impacts. Annals of Tourism Research 20 (3): 493-515. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/s011607399000031
Nepal, S., (2004) Indigenous Ecotourism in Central British Columbia: The Potential for Building Capacity in the Triazene Nations Territories. Journal of Ecotourism 3(3)174-22. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232874966_Indigenous_Ecotourism_in_Central_British_Columbia_The_Potential_for_Building_Capacity_in_the_Tl’azt’en_Nations_Territories
Smithsonian., (2007, November 6). Canada-Ecotourism Initiatives. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/canada-eco-tourism-initiatives-14830090/

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