Responsible Tourism – Is Ecotourism just a Buzzword ?
Ecotourism – Quo Vadis
Breakthrough or Disaster?
Internationally tourists are becoming more and more concerned about protecting the ecology, environment and protecting the Earth through responsible tourism.
When Eco-certification for International and Local Eco-tourist establishments and Lodges was proposed, it seemed an excellent idea.
However, this long overdue initiative soon presented us (both, service providers and consumers ) with a minefield of problems, dilemmas as well as misuse of the word ‘Eco’ that has confused the public.
The first and foremost problem was to find a workable and practical “Ecotourism “definition.
‘The International Ecotourism Society’ ( TIES ) defines responsible tourism or ‘Ecotourism’ as “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” (TIES 1990 ).
This definition is a compromise to appease most of the involved bodies and institutions to find a common consensus. The result is that with good word choices and manipulations as many as possible institutions can and will qualify to be Eco compliant. It has potentially resulted in the opposite what Eco compliance intended, – the effect is potentially quantity versus quality. The current definition is so vague that practically anyone could stretch the credentials or responsible tourism to be certified and called ‘ an Eco establishment’. Is this really what we want to achieve?
Controversies on ‘Eco’
A further problem is the fact that many international certifying institutions are commercially motivated. They rely on high listing fees for registration and annual re-registration. Many smaller players honoring responsible tourism that would qualify as an ‘Eco’ establishment cannot financially afford to be verified and certified, and therefore they are then not recognised but excluded.
How do we implement a scoring system to be Eco-certified? Moreover, what constitutes a qualifying scoring system? Those are questions currently undefined and is open for abuse and misuse the term ‘ Eco’.
The grey areas of the current definition of ‘Eco’ are:
1. Will an establishment that uses only underground (borehole) water and natural ( solar, wind) energy score more points because they are situated in a remote area compared to those on the grid?
2. Some establishments are in remote rural areas and are forced to use local workers, but how far can the definition push the boundaries to be seen as local (the Country, district, town, or the village)?
What’s the difference: Eco, Full-Eco, Eco-Friendly, ‘Greenwash’
Facilities that tick the above boxes are per definition regarded as “Eco” but are they truly Eco?
The opposite argument is seldom heard, as there are no demerit points for Eco-negative activities and practices as examples:
1. Here we think of waste and ash disposal policy.
2. Single-use plastic.
3. Non-eco-friendly soaps, shampoos and bathroom amenities in disposable, single-use containers.
4. Non-eco-friendly disinfectants and insect repellents that harm the environment.
5. Not being water-wise and water wastage.
6. We can also include contamination of water as well as air pollution.
Currently, as per definition, a responsible tourism establishment can qualify as truly ‘Eco’ if they score three good Eco points but yet they fail on other three Eco-negative activities. Can they still realistically call themselves an Eco establishment.
Our challenge is to educate the public to distinguish the ‘real’ Eco from the imposters and prevent establishments from misusing the ‘Eco’ title.
Eco – grading for Responsible Tourism by Eco Explore Africa
Eco Explore Africa therefore has implemented measures to improve Eco-certification of a responsible tourism establishment.
- It is voluntary but approved/verified certification.
- Strict and comprehensive qualifying criteria including demerit points totalling a certification score.
- Three levels of Eco-certification (Gold-Silver-Bronze).
a-Gold / Full Eco
b-Silver / Eco friendly
c- Bronze / Eco in progress - Certification (eco-emblem) indicating the level of compliance.
- Establishments (three-level) grading is determined based on ‘Eco’ merit and demerit points calculation system by Eco Explore Africa.
- Certification affordable and accessible to everyone, – from small to more prominent establishments.
- A particular weighted score is recognized for establishments that are actively involved in an uplifting local community, improving living standards and education. Also for establishments that create a positive impact on the local ecosystem and preserving the environment.
- An online platform for comprehensive information on verified and graded/certified Eco establishments.
- Making certification affordable, the grading certification model is a formula calculated fee structure based on the following:
The number of rooms in the establishment and the fees charged per room/person is to determine a fair certification fee. - We stand by making it affordable for all ‘truly’ Eco establishments to be included not “if you can pay me you can get it”.
For further information on Eco-grading, please contact Eco Explore Africa, on eea@ecoexploreafrica.com
Tags: eco accommodation, Eco grading, eco travel, ecotourism, Sustainable travel Recommend News
