Transcript ECOTOURISM HOLIDAYS - Abingdon School Study Site

ECOTOURISM
WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?
Ecotourism is the travel to natural areas
that conserve the environment and
improve the well being of the local
people
 This means that those that implement
and participate in ecotourism activities
should follow the following principles:
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Minimise impact
Build environmental and cultural awareness and
respect
Provide positive experiences for both visitors and
hosts
Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
Provide financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
Raise sensitivity to host countries political,
environmental and social climate
Support international human rights and labour
agreements
CLAYOQUOT SOUND, Canada –
an example of ecotourism
Clayoquot Sound
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Snuggled up against the shore of Quait
Bay in world-renowned Clayoquot
Sound, Vancouver Island, the 16-room
floating resort is an ultra-luxurious
wilderness getaway. Embraced by vast
tracts of old-growth in one of the world's
only remaining temperate rainforests,
this wilderness spa for the soul includes
three private lakes, a natural waterfallfed pool, and two spectacular resort
properties
Natural amenities include ancient forest
cathedrals, magnificent stands of 1,000
year-old cedars, miles of walking
trails, moss carpeted thickets, pristine
lakes, miles of majestic coastline,
abundant wildlife, and water so clean
you can see tomorrow
PROTECTED AREAS
FACTS ABOUT CLAYOQUOT
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Clayoquot Wilderness Resort was founded in 1997
Location = West coast of Vancouver Island, Canada
Total area of reserve = 350,000 ha
Parks and protected areas within reserve = 110,000 ha
Land portion = 265,000 ha (8%) is Vancouver Island, remaining
92% consists of ocean – narrow inlets from the Pacific
There are 5 villages in Clayoquot Sound
Population = 7,848
It is one of the best intact examples of a temperate rainforest left on
earth
9 of the reserve’s forested valleys, (1,000 ha) remain untouched by
logging and other industrial development
Trees can live to 2,000 years old and can measure 18.3 metres in
circumference
MORE FACTS
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Clayoquot is off the power grid and is nourished by the land and
sea
2/3 is logging, 1/3 is protected
No more logging in the area until a comprehensive ecological
assessment has been completed – i.e. saving the area for tourism
The island occupies a straight line distance along the coast of
90km
“Clayoquot” comes from Tla-o-qui-aht, the name of one of the
First Nations tribes who live there
The spectacular scenery attracts about one million tourists each
year
Only 5,000 ecotourists go on the First Nations ‘all inclusive’
Package Tour and year
BENFITS OF ECOTOURISM
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Employment opportunities for locals e.g. tour
guides around Clayoquot Sound
More environmental protection due to increased
awareness of nature and organised routes →
only small areas are affected
Increased community spirit due to cooperation
Better economy due to the income from wealthy
tourists (if the tourists pay $200 a day, it would
generate $2 million a year)
Ecotourism in the area totals 60% → good news
for the environment
PROBLEMS OF ECOTOURISM
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No new resource management of planning bodies
associated with the reserve so the diverse range of
ecosystems (rainforest, lakes, alpine peaks, coasts,
beaches, estuaries and mudflats) are being
threatened
36,287 kilograms of contaminated farmed salmon
has reached markets in the US, China and Japan
Salmon and sablefish in open cages in the sea is
extremely unsustainable
Past activities such as settlement, agriculture and
dams have left the rainforest in desperate need of a
helping hand
Species have been left threatened, other
endangered, and some salmon runs on the verge of
extinction
SOLUTIONS
BEFORE – stream filled with wood debris
which blocks salmon from spawning.
Flooding is also a problem.
AFTER – stream is restored with banks
stabilised, pools protected and gravel beds
established.
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Friends of Clayoquot Sound have done more
than blockade logging roads in their efforts
to save the ancient rainforest
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Over the last 2 years, the local
environmental group have mounted a forest
watch programme
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Promoting more environmentally friendly
fish farming such as integrated aquaculture,
polyculture and shellfish farming
FUTURE/CURRENT PROJECTS
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Salmon habitat restoration projects
on the ‘Kennedy Flats’ area between
Ucluelet and Tofino since 1994
Watershed is 12,937 ha (129.4 km2)
At the beginning of restoration, the
salmon returns for Kennedy flats
were less than 10,000 adult salmon
$122,000 granted by the Pacific
Salmon Commission
This plan is comprehensive, holistic
and coordinated to restore both the
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Now, 40-50,000 adult salmon return
to spawn
WHY IS IT ECOTOURISM?
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Originally a fishing industry, Clayoquot now
receives 750,000 tourists per year
It offers organised ecotourism guides for
environmentally friendly activities such a
kayaking, where the tourists are taught about
different bird species
Mere Island’s main attraction is its rainforest
The ‘Big Cedar Trail’ is an educational tour
teaching visitors about the history of the island
and tree species
In order to make the forest sustainable, the 2
mile route is marked by yellow ribbons,
wooden walkways (board walks and stairs)
have been built to prevent footpath erosion and
assist hikers
On Flores Island, an ambitious trail-building
project in under way to complete the Heritage
Trail (accessible by kayak, water taxi or
floatplane)
WHY IS IT ECOTOURISM?
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All aspects of operations are low impact
Comprehensive recycling governs food and beverage service
Gravity-fed turbines generate fuel-less electricity & hot
water
Toilets compost waste materials into organic matter
All marine and land adventures are non-intrusive and
conservancy driven
Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts work hand-in-hand with the
Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation people as well as local, regional
and federal governments in developing a sustainable and
environmentally friendly program that benefits all
RESORTS
on
Clayoquot
Sound
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16 guests rooms
Views from private decks
Library lounge
Fireside bars
Fitness facilities
WHAT’S ON OFFER AT THE
RESORTS?
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Guided marine adventures by sea kayak or canoe
Guided equestrian activities
Hot Springs Cove day treks
Fresh and salt water fishing
Whale and bear watching
Hiking the endless miles of the forest trails and abandoned
roads
Conservancy activities:
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Salmon habitat
Bear mapping
Raptor rehabilitation
Whale acoustics
Marine inventory
TYPICAL RATES
Eco Adventure Packages
Quait Bay, Floating Resort
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1 week in April, May, October or November - $5,040 ea
1 week in June July, August, September - $7,560 ea
Combination getaway Package
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I week in June, July, August, September - $8,500 ea