POINT OF VIEW
TRAVELERS -- Purchase guidebooks
and patronize websites that pay attention to environmental concerns.
If you patronize a hotel or agency which you think does a good
job, let people know! Write a letter to the editor of the website
or guidebook you use. Unsolicited, independent affirmations
are a valuable resource when it comes to spreading the word
about what works.
Last but not least, travelers interested in ecotourism should
request pertinent information from national tourism ministries
(see index).
Don't ask just to ask, but if you are planning a trip, ask for
tips.
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT -- Develop certification from the
ground up. Educate travelers with an interest in environmental
issues and ecotourism. Assist authors and publishers of leading
guidebooks
and websites.
TOURISM OPERATORS -- Travelers are impressed by information
regarding health and safety. If your operator and staff are
certified, educate your clients. Certification of skills such
as first aid, wilderness emergency medicine, diving are not
only useful but can save lives.
DONORS -- Make the process transparent from public bidding
to evaluation. Conduct a public inventory of programs in the
field. Some countries, such as Brazil, have competing certification
programs because donors failed to make public inquiries from
the start.
EVERYONE -- The best way to improve standards
is by announcing them in public.Outbound operators should announce
the minimum standards they require of local providers. Event
organizers should announce the minimum requirements of what
they sought in a conference city or hotel. Travelers can let
others know if they feel their trip met their expectations.
CONCLUSION
If formal ecotourism certification is to be relevant it must
be inclusive and transparent at every stage of the process.
It ought to grow slowly, starting with improving information
and communication among a diverse group of players.
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