|
Last Updated
|
Crossing the Atlantic: Ecotourism in South Africa and Mexico
by Gerhard Buttner
|
 |
|
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA -- There is a visible
unease among the zebras on the savannah. The game-tracker-guide
points towards a noticeably calmer herd on the left. He whispers
"we can move closer, because the wind is not behind us for
that group'. Suddenly he lifts his hand gesturing silence... Listen,
do you hear the branches breaking in the distance? There are elephants
beyond the zebras in the bush'
CELESTÚN, YUCATAN, MEXICO -- As the boat turns the corner
of one of the lush mangrove islands, thousands of brilliantly colored
Caribbean Flamingos appear feeding and resting in the shallow water.
Skillfully the guide turns off his engine and lets the boat drift
nearer without overly alerting the feeding birds. As the first awe
passes, the guide points towards a distinct birdcall 'Can you hear
the osprey? And those American White Pelicans migrate all the way
from Canada to spend the winter here'
|
 |
|
South
Africa and Mexico
might seem worlds apart, yet as Gerhard Buttner has observed, there
are many similarities, opportunities and challenges.
The ecotourist plays a key role in this exchange.
If done in a non-patronising way tourists can share information
from other locations. Local ecotourist projects have much to learn
from similar endeavors across the globe. The Web is particularly
useful and Planeta.com proudly presents Crossing the Atlantic.
|
 |
AUTHOR
Gerhard Buttner has
worked as geographer, tourist guide and ecotourism consultant and
occasional freelance writer in South Africa, England and Mexico.
He tries to be an ecotourist (in various countries) as often as
possible and lives in Oaxaca,
Mexico.
|
EDUCATION
Learning never ends. See if one of our workshops is right for you. |
|
|
|
|
