Nature
& Ecotourism
Roger Merchant, Extension Educator
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
Nature tourism is travel to a destination for the primary purpose
of enjoying and experiencing nature. Ecotourism, a form of nature
tourism, is responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the
environment, promotes conservation of nature, and benefits community
well being.
What is it about?
- Being outdoors, appreciating nature
- Leaving behind life's demands and pressures
- Experiencing the wonder, beauty and solitude of nature
- Exploring nature, quietly, by land and by water
- Seeing something new, learning from nature
- Leave-No-Trace conservation of the natural environment
- Benefiting local communities and entrepreneurs
Who might like it?
People who
- are of all ages, primarily 25 to 54
- live in urban and suburban regions
- are educated and earn $60,000+ per year
- travel as couples, one-third with children
- travel in the summer, up to 160 miles away
- like active participation with nature
How can a community-county participate
with this?
- Develop partnerships among public-private-nonprofit organizations
- Inventory ecotourism assets locally and regionally
- Evaluate assets: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
- Address ecotourism limits: how much is too much?
- Decide how to share, market, manage and protect nature assets
- Develop a marketing plan, link to county and region
- Promote Leave-No-Trace ethics in nature by all parties
- Assure ongoing management for quality and sustainability
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