Does anyone think ecotourism benefits the environment?

Question

Does anyone think ecotourism benefits the environment?

Answer 1

I find this a facsinating question.  I always felt a bit uncomfortable with it.  I think that some Ecotourists probably do more good than bad, but there is always the trade-off between the resources it takes to get to the place and stay there (jet fuel, gasoline, food, water, etc) and the actual good they do when they are there.  It seems to me that I would be more useful doing environmental projects in my own town.  I doubt there is a place on Earth that doesn't need attention of some sort.

Answer 2

Yes, I think ecotourism benefits the environment but not directly.  Unfortunately, we don't spend enough resources to maintain our dwindling environmental resources and have to depend on the financial resources generated by tourism to exotic and threatened natural environments.