An eco tourism holiday is also designed so that the visitor able to educate himself or herself about the environment as well as to collect some funds to preserve the protected areas so that it will be kept on the good condition. The other more indirect affect of conducting the eco tourism is to benefit the economic development and political environment of the local communities. The other and more important advantage of the conduction of eco tourism holiday is that the local communities as well as the visitor can learn to respect each other culture and human rights. The eco tourism is considered a good way of learning of the future generation so that they are able to respect the environment that they have nowadays and learn not to waste and not to damage the environment in the future.

Though a huge revenue earner for a lot of countries, regular forms of tourism also causes much harm to tourist centers.  This includes exploitation of poor people, pollution, rise in prices, adverse impact on culture and minimal benefits to the local population (as most of the profits are appropriated by tour operators and hotels). An example is the popular tourist resort of Kovalam, in Southern India. This is a beautiful stretch of beach attracting a lot of foreign and domestic tourists, and a big revenue earner for the state tourism department. However a lot of poor people including women and children are exploited in the name of attracting tourists. A lot of unscrupulous people have also set up fake Ayurvedic massage centers near the beach, exploiting the fame of this traditional form of treatment.

This is where eco tourism can lend a helping hand. Not only would it be a source of income for the local population, tourists can positively contribute towards the maintenance and development of the places they visit. For local transport, you may choose from walking, cycling or public transport instead of using cars. Taking care not to litter, and not to damage the environment in any way by removing stones or plucking flowers and plants are also part of this movement. Learning a few important words in the local language would help easier communication with the local population. It is very useful to read and get more information about the culture and tradition of the people so that it is easier to understand and communicate with them.

In the state of Karnataka, where I stay, some of centers being developed for eco tourism include the national parks of Bandipur and Nagarhole and the hill station of Coorg. In my home state of Kerala, national parks including the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary and the Silent Valley Forest, back waters in Alleppey and the Munnar high ranges are ideal spots. As most of these places attract a large number of regular tourists, too, it would only take a little effort to convince likely tourists to try this alternative.

If you are planning to go on an eco tourism holiday, however, it is advisable to check the credentials of the tour operator and the place to be visited. Due to the popularity of the concept, a lot of tour operators and businessmen try to cash in on the concept by organizing fake eco tourism ventures with scant regard for the preservation or protection of the site or benefit for the local people. By simply building a multi-storied hotel nearby natural surroundings, some operators advertise their business as eco tourism. A little bit of back ground check can eliminate these risks.

Considering the negative effects of  the present  form of  tourism on the environment as well as the local population and the numerous ways in which eco tourism can be beneficial to all concerned, you may consider going on an eco tourism holiday the next time.

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