Edwards Magazine
Edwards Magazine

 

Getting Back to Nature: Ecotourism as a Vacation Theme

Jennifer Roma

 

 

 

It’s summertime, also known as vacation time to many.

Some people dream about going to Vegas to spend their nights gambling and being surrounded by too many people making too much noise, accentuated by too many lights…in my humble opinion.

Others might go to exotic locations to spend lazy days by the pool, taking in the sunshine and maybe a few daiquiris along the way. Still others plan vacations around theatre shows, concerts, sports games, or roller coasters.

While most of the above vacations may certainly have their time and place, they are generally not my first choice for a relaxing vacation. (Well, except for roller coasters – I love a good thrill ride!)

My ideal vacation involves peace, solitude, nature, and exercise.

Ecotourism, as defined by The International Ecotourism Society, is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."  In other words, getting back to nature.

For anyone who is now thinking that they have to portage a canoe up 500 miles of raging rapid waters, hike for 5 days out in the bush, and settle on some remote, grizzly-inhabited island with an expensive camera and lots of bug repellent to get the ideal eco-tourist experience…think again.

You don’t even have to focus your entire vacation on this type of excursion – there may be room for getting back to nature and a great day at that shopping mall all in the same getaway! (Incidentally, surveys of travellers have shown that this “multiactivity” type of vacation is highly valued.)

Eco-tourism opportunities are all around us. If you have a national or provincial park nearby, this is a great place to start.  National and provincial parks usually have a host of activities to educate young and old alike about wildlife, habitat, and outdoor recreation in their little “neck of the woods” (I couldn’t pass that one up!).

In a joint US-Canada study of North American ecotourism markets, researchers found that the most important parts of a trip, amongst both general travellers and avid ecotourists, were:

 

  • Wilderness setting
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Hiking/trekking
  • Visiting a national park/other protected area

 

Are you wondering where to vacation yet this summer?

In 2004, the National Geographic Traveler Magazine rated 5 Canadian destinations as top ecotourism spots. Coast to coast, they were:

 

  • Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
  • Rocky Mountain parks
  • Quebec City
  • Quebec Laurentian Highlands
  • The BC/Alaska Inside Passage

 

However, it isn’t necessary to get caught up in big vacations far away, or even across Canada. Think about ways you can enjoy natural areas and conserve the environment right in your own backyard this summer.

Stumped? Here are some more ideas:

 

  • Rent a canoe/kayak for a day from a local outfitter
  • Take a walk on a woodland trail
  • Take in some of the interpretation programs at your nearest national park
  • Bird watching
  • Wildlife photography
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Back-country camping
  • Hiking/trekking
  • Fishing
  • Visit a local garden or nursery that specializes in native trees, plants, and shrubs
  • Horseback riding

 

I hope some of you will consider ecotourism opportunities this season. If you get the bug you will soon find out that opportunities exist year-round.

Enjoy and may good weather and effective bug repellent be with you!

For more information:

 

Other articles by Jennifer Roma

 

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