EcoTourism 4 (A Reflection)

There is not an activity that I have done in CR that was not revolved around the industry of ecotourism. I was able to experience the biodiversity and natural surroundings that has made CR famous. It was an amazing experience to be able to first hand be involved in the ecotourism practices of CR. From zip-lining to hot springs and cloud forests to snorkeling, I feel like I was able to see all aspects of ecotourism that Costa Rica has to offer. One of the most amazing things of these trips was that one country had all this to offer.

After these experiences, my personal, first reaction opinion, is that CR is doing an excellent job of preserving its natural surroundings while also providing a popular income generating service. The improvements I feel ecotourism could make to become more sustainable are very minor. Obviously, gas powered boats for transportation, cutting down trees to make concrete trails through forests, and the creation of lodging in otherwise natural parts of the country does not fit the environmental sustainable game plan. But the alternative to these small infringments on nature might be the total destruction of the biodiversity in CR. By having so much ecotourism, Costa Rican citizens are prospering and maybe more importantly, the world is prospering. The ecotourism industry in CR has saved the country from deforestation and the rest of the world from a more problematic global warming.

The biggest issue that I observed, is the amount of people who participate in ecotourism. On our trips, I noticed some places had less wildlife than others and in some places the wildlife was not afraid of humans due to being fed. The practices that are making these two things possible should be restructured. Preservation must be the number one thing that ecotourism accomplishes. As my experience with ecotourism grew from week to week I found myself more concerned about the footprint I left behind by participating.

Overall, the practice of ecotourism is pivotal to recreating a mindset all around the world that one can prosper off nature without abusing it. CR seems to have their ecotourism developement and industry in pretty good balance and could be a model for other countries with the same capabilities. Investment from N. America and Europe can ensure that the forests needed to hault global warming exist and even expand deep into the future.

Ecotourism is almost there from a sustainable standpoint and is an industry where sustainability is a great benefit. When prospering of preserving nature, the market forces with eventually make the industry sustainable. My experience has been exceptional and is a big reason why I think ecotourism can be a successful sustainable industry sooner rather than later.