Biking Down Under

The Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, a six-day cycling race based in and 1) ___ Adelaide, was held 2) ____ thefirst time less than seven months after the end of the 1998 Tour de France. Since then it has gained grass-roots support of the kind many European race organisers could only dream 3) ___. This January, as the 96-strong group pounded 4) ___ dusty summer roads 5) ___ flourishing vineyards and 6) ___ hills dotted with gum trees, official estimates suggested that crowd numbers would be more than 400.000 for the whole event.

There is no denying that, in South Australia 7) ___ least, the popularity 8) ___ the sport is increasing. This year for example, the group of cyclists rode past everything on the 733km route from stuffed two metre high toy kangaroos 9) ___ bikes to bungalow-sized banners featuring two-wheeled sharks. Combined 10) ___ the more typical balloons and kites, not to mention "sausage sizzlers". 11) ___ the hungry, it all made a very colourful and imaginative spectacle.

The best story this year was that Australian rider Michael Rogers had come close to quitting after colliding 12) ___ a race marshall’s motorbike. 13) ___ sheer coincidence, an amateur cyclist was standing nearby and he generously gave Rogers the loan 14) ___ his own bike.

Remarkably, it turned out to be exactly the same model and size of bike Rogers needed, and he completed the course – and won the race – 15) ___ a borrowed bike!

What is your idea of

a) eco tourism tourism;

b) alternative tourism;

c) sustainable tourism;

d) rural tourism;

e) educational tourism.

B. Read and translate the information about Ecotourism, be ready to discuss it. Learn the vocabulary to use it in further exercises.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is broadly defined as low impact travel to endangered and often undisturbed locations. It is different from traditional tourism because it allows the traveler to become educated about the areas - both in terms of the physical landscape and cultural characteristics, and often provides funds for conservation and benefits the economic development of places that are frequently impoverished. Ecotourism and other forms of sustainable travel have their origins with the environmental movement of the 1970s. Ecotourism itself did not become widespread as a travel concept until the late 1980s. To be considered ecotourism, a trip must meet the following principles:

• Minimize the impact of visiting the location (i.e.- the use of roads);

• Build respect and awareness for the environment and cultural practices;

• Ensure that the tourism provides positive experiences for both the visitors and the hosts;

• Provide direct financial aid for conservation;

• Provide financial aid, empowerment and other benefits for local peoples;

• Raise the traveler's awareness of the host country's political, environmental and social climate.

Opportunities for ecotourism exist in many different locations worldwide and its activities can vary as widely. Madagascar, for instance, is famous for its ecotourist activity as it is a biodiversity hotspot, but also has a high priority for environmental conservation and is committed to reducing poverty. 80% of the country's animals and 90% of its plants are endemic only to the island. Madagascar's lemurs are just one of many species that people visit the island to see. Because the island's government is committed to conservation, ecotourism is allowed in small numbers because education and funds from the travel will make it easier in the future.

Another place where ecotourism is popular is in Indonesia at Komodo National Park. It is popular for ecotourism because of its unique and endangered biodiversity. Activities at Komodo National Park vary from whale watching to hiking and accommodations strive to have a low impact on the natural environment.

Finally, ecotourism is also popular in Central and South America. Destinations include Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guatemala and Panama. In Guatemala for instance, ecotourists can visit the Eco-Escuela de Espanol. The main objective of the Eco-Escuela is to educate tourists about the historic cultural traditions of the Mayan Itza, conservation and the community living there today while protecting the lands in the Maya Biosphere Reserve and providing income to the area's people.

These destinations are just a few where ecotourism is popular but opportunities exist in hundreds more places worldwide. And wherever you may go, here are some recommended guidelines that should be followed by all eco-travellers:

• Be sensitive to the local culture by wearing clothing that is accepted. Be aware of people's sensitivity to being photographed; always ask first. Observe local customs.

• Remember that you are a visitor and therefore be aware that your cultural values may differ from those of the locals. This may include different concepts of time, personal space, communication etc. which are not wrong or inferior, just different.

• Demonstrate responsible behaviour to other travellers who are less informed than you by acting as an example.

• Use local transportation, guides, inns, restaurants and markets to benefit the local economy.

• Be sensitive to displays of wealth in front of people from developing countries. By displaying possessions such as cameras and jewellery, feelings of jealousy may be created which then generates barriers that inhibit genuine interactions between travellers and locals.

• Comply with international environmental conventions. Do not buy any animal products while travelling. Do not remove any objects, plants or animal products from nature. Not only can these affect fragile ecosystems, but is also illegal.

• Conserve Resources. Be aware of resource shortages such as water and food as many tourist destinations are under increasing pressure.

1. Answer the questions.

1. Does ecotourism differ from traditional tourism? If yes, then what are its specific features? If no, what is in common between these two types of tourism?

2. What are the principles of ecotourism?

3. Name a few opportunities for ecotourism worldwide. What are they famous for?

4. Are there any recommended guidelines that should be followed by all eco-travellers? What are they?

2. State if the following statements are true or false, find the sentences in the article that prove it.

1. Traditional tourism allows the traveler to become educated about different areas, and often provides funds for conservation and benefits the economic development of places that are frequently impoverished.

2. The origin of sustainable tourism dates back to the environmental movement of the 1980s.

3. To be considered ecotourism, a trip must meet among other things the following principles: to provide direct financial aid for conservation, to maximize the impact of visiting the location, and to build respect for the local environment and culture.

4. Opportunities for ecotourism exist in many different locations worldwide: in Madagascar, Indonesia, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guatemala, Panama, etc.

5. If you consider yourself to be an eco-traveller, you should wear clothing that is accepted in the country where you travel, remember that your cultural values may differ from those of the locals, prevent generating barriers that inhibit genuine interactions between travellers and locals.

Low impact travel; endangered and undisturbed locations; funds for conservation; benefits the economic development; impoverished places; origin; financial aid; empowerment; to vary; a biodiversity hotspot; to be committed; to reduce poverty; endemic; to strive; an objective; inferior; to inhibit genuine interactions; international environmental conventions; resource shortages.

B) Listen again and fill in the missing information.

1. To damage the environment as little as possible we

• _____________ newspapers and bottles;

• Take ______________________ to get to work;

• Buy locally produced _______________ and ______________;

• Stop using ____________ _____________.