Ecotourism is a sustainable way of travel. It is traveling with nature and also being a part of it. It helps an individual to not only be close to nature but also help spread awareness about it and the creation it holds. Travel that includes fun and learning is what ecotourism is about. Ecotourism is a notion where people travel to places that are located in nature. They include forests, oceans, sanctuaries, and many more. 

What is Ecotourism? Why should we choose it?

Ecotourism is an experience an individual faces when he chooses to travel through the natural scenery of Earth. It involves a journey to the natural environment and includes activities like going on a trek, over visiting a sanctuary which would make human beings one step closer to nature. It is a mixture of learning and having fun with your peeps, or yourself for that matter. Ecotourism can be helpful in many different ways. It is also sustainable to explore the nature. 

Reasons ecotourism is relevant

1. Conservation of the world: Ecotourism allows the individual to travel while taking care of nature. It helps with the prevention of pollution and optimum usage of the natural resources provided to us. It also helps us to avoid excess energy consumption and promotes the usage of reusable goods. Single-use plastic bags, one-time-use plastic water bottles, etcetera are examples of non-reusable goods. Through these ways, people help in protecting and taking care of our mother nature.
2. Helping out the Locals: The localites are in search of a way of employment or money to fulfill their needs and wants. Through ecotourism they would get job opportunities, and means of earns. Also, their community would get more recognition from the outside world. The travelers would learn more about the culture, food, history, and geography of the place. They would get an in-depth view as well as a perception of the place, given by the locals. In this way, both parties would be benefited.
3. One-of-a-kind experience: Choosing ecotourism will leave you with an experience a person could hardly forget. The travel through the ocean or a forest, and the excitement while river-rafting or trekking, all could be an experience imprinted in your memory. The people from that particular place and the localites would be sharing the legends and the stories of the place, making it an even richer memory. You can tell your families and friends about your experience and encourage them to visit the place. The journey would end with new stories and legends to share with your family and friends as well as your knowledge of the place would increase along with the awareness of the individual about the eco-friendly choices he/she could have. 

Why should we choose ecotourism?

Ecotourism is not just traveling for pleasure but also for the sake of preserving the nature or world we live in.

In today’s time, the world is always in search of a way to do things quicker, and many times while searching for that answer, we forget that there are a lot of things in this world that can be best enjoyed while we are in a peaceful state of mind. Travel can be made even more enjoyable by making it eco-friendly. Through ecotourism we not only have fun, but we also help and protect the world when doing so.

Article by Preeti Rojan | Edited by Saumya Sharma