Research And Describe How The Internet Impacts On Ecotourism (Essay Sample)

The Implications of the Internet on Ecotourism
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Ecotourism refers to the practice of visiting fragile habitats with the aim of promoting the conservation of endangered species and cultural heritages (Buckley, 2009, p. 3). The Internet has a direct impact on ecotourism by acting as a marketing platform for natural habitats. Specifically, it helps in increasing online visibility for ecotourism and attracting more visitors. However, although the Internet positively contributes to ecotourism by increasing awareness among consumers, it also has a negative implication by transforming ecotourism into a business model.
The Internet’s vast reach provides a perfect platform for marketing and promoting local ecotourism centers. It provides a means for reaching environmentally conscious tourists who are willing to use the travel experience as an opportunity to promote environmental conservation and sustainability (Lai & Scott, 2005, p. 146). For instance, Rwanda’s ecotourism sector has benefited from the Internet by using social media platforms to market gorilla trek safaris, which help to protect the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Eastern Congo (Foster & Graham, 2014). In this regard, the Internet can play a positive role by acting as a marketing tool to popularize ecotourism.
At the same time, the Internet can potentially result in adverse effects on ecotourism by promoting environmental pollution, such as through air transport. As demand for ecotourism increases, its commercial value will outweigh its conservation interests, and in the process lose its distinction from conventional tourism. It is for this reason that ecotourism has been labeled an oxymoron because its practice is not only a business model, but also indirectly promotes environmental degradation (Weaver, 2001, p. 521. For instance, eco-tourists use air transport to reach their destinations, thereby contributing to global warming and use of fossil fuels.
In conclusion, ecotourism refers to the practice of touring natural habitats with the aim of promoting environmental conservation. The Internet has both positive and negative implications on ecotourism. While it promotes ecotourism through online marketing, the Internet also contributes to the transformation of ecotourism into commercial tourism by increasing the use o...