|
000202 Visit since
| Development of ecotourism products |
The yearning for a trip, a
myth, an adventure or an initiation to the unknown, that is what motivates the
traveler to leave his place of origin and head for a destination where he or she
may face the challenge or realize the dream proposed. Trips
undertaken by eco tourists have different objectives that may be categorized as
follows: · In Adventure Trips, the
goal is to take part in recreational activities that involve abilities associated
with challenges imposed by nature itself. · On
Sports Trips, the challenge implies a physical effort without competition and
the gratification comes from the visual beauty and the dose of adventure. ·
On Ecological journeys, the fundamental goal is the appreciation and knowledge
of nature (flora, fauna, natural phenomena) through direct contact with it. ·
Rural and Ethnic trips are where the idea is to interact with a rural or ethnic
community in the course of its social, cultural and productive expressions.  When
designing a trip for eco-tourists, various aspects are taken into consideration.
There may be travelers who, right in the middle of a quiet vacation in a traditional
tourist destination, become interested in trying a new experience. There are also
those travelers who will go to the other end of the world to do something they
love to do and which becomes a challenge if it is the first time, or a favorite
pastime when it is integrated into one's life.
Consequently,
when we design an eco-tourism product, we must first know the purpose of the trip
(the traveler's fundamental dream) and where we will turn it into reality, i.e.
the place, which could very well be anything from a nearby village up to the exploration
of a faraway country. Afterwards, we have to find out at what time of year we
can do it. This is because some activities are restricted in time due to the climate
and the seasonal nature of flora, fauna, ethnic, cultural, etc. events. We
also have to identify all the natural and cultural attractions related to the
objective of the trip in order to make the journey more interesting and sometimes
even magical.  Another
point to be determined in the design of the trip is the level of difficulty involved.
This is very important to select the participants adequately on the one hand,
and to know which techniques the guide should master on the other. The difficulty
of the journey depends to a great extent on the type of circuit we are designing.
This may be star-shaped, a straight crossing or a circular route. We also have
to establish what means of transportation we will be using.
Yet
another factor we determine is the number of people for which the trip is being
designed, always keeping in mind that overuse of the routes leads to their deterioration
or even destruction. We must avoid the "grazing" y tourists.  We
must also anticipate potentially risky situations. For example, if the weather
is not appropriate, if the tourist does not fit the profile required to accomplish
the tour or if the region we will be visiting poses some potential risks, it is
best to cancel the trip or modify it rather than continue on a program that could
lead to unfavorable consequences.
Obviously, we need
to have insurance coverage that will protect the tourists as well as the guide.
If we are dealing with an extreme sport, the tourist should be required to undergo
a medical exam prior to the trip and -if possible- take out his or her own insurance
coverage. The generation of solid waste (garbage) during
the trip is inevitable, so we must be responsible and see to it that we do not
soil a route which we are using. Nor should we take anything away from it like
"little souvenirs" that erode or depreciate it. It is much better to
take photos or videos to remember and share the experience we are living. The
Eco tourist must bring an economic benefit to the region he visits, for the conservation
of the natural resources or ethnic groups, thus we should take into account and
respect the customs of the locality in which we are developing the circuit, in
other words: "To Promote While Protecting."
Hasta la próxima, Isabel
Cárdenas Oteiza
AMTAVE
Pacific Zone Vice-President
openair@pvnet.com.mx
Cielo
Abierto Expeditions Archives
by date | 
Current
Weather Report
