III. Ознакомьтесь с содержанием данного текстового материала и ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What information in the text was new for you?

2. Is this material actual and up-to-date? Give your comments.

3. Why do you think that it is important for a student to know additional material?

Ecotourism

Ecotourism or responsible tourism is a form of travelling that involves visiting the destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. According to the definition of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism is "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people".

For many countries, such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya and Madagascar ecotourism is not simply a finance protection of the environment, but is a major industry of the national economy. Ecotourism is a travel activity that ensures direct financial support to local people where tourism activities are being generated. It supports small stakeholders to ensure that money will never go out from the local economies.

Responsible tourism set up programmes that minimise the negative aspects of conventional tourism on natural areas, local economy and cultural integrity of local people. The purpose of those programmes is to educate the traveller, to provide funds for ecological conservation and to build environmental awareness. The programmes are addressed to provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people, to foster respect for local culture and to support human rights and democratic movements.

The concept of ecotourism is often widely misunderstood. In practice it is often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism that is related to nature. Critics claim that the practice, carried out in the name of ecotourism, often consists of placing a hotel in a splendid landscape leading to the damage of the ecosystem. Tourists with the labels of “green” or “eco-friendly” behave in environmentally irresponsible ways.

Sun-and sea areas with poorly developed industry have to survive in the terms of globalisation. That is why they have to offer their natural beauty and cheap labour force. What should they take into consideration if they want to keep themselves profitably safe and attractive?

The local authorities must set up conservation areas trying to keep the tourists in one place and restrict access to the sites of interest. Tourists should not impinge on local ways of life too much. Building smaller tourist developments that can fit in with local architecture is another important aspect, which the local government should take into consideration.

1. Прочитайте текст во второй раз и ответьте на следующие вопросы.

1. What form of travelling is ecotourism?

2. How is ecotourism defined according to the International Ecotourism Society?

3. What does ecotourism mean for the integrity of the country?

4. What does ecotourism activity ensure?

5. What can the responsible tourism programmes really minimise?

6. What is the aim of responsible tourism programmes?

7. Why do critics claim ecotourism business?

8. What must sun-and sea areas do to survive in the terms of globalisation?

9. What should poor south countries do to keep themselves profitably safe and attractive?

10. What tourist developments should be built in such countries?

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