Eco Tourism in southern VN

What do you mean by "eco-tourism" exactly?

JJack, as I understand it from the below description. I imagine it goes by different names, in different places...

As the new millennium unfolds, we are becoming increasingly aware of the finite, interconnected and precious nature of our planet home. Likewise, tourism is becoming an increasingly popular expression of this awareness. With advances in transportation and information technology, ever more remote areas of the earth are coming within reach of the traveler. In fact, tourism is now the world's largest industry, with nature tourism the fastest growing segment.
In response to this increasing appreciation of nature experiences, a new travel ethic has arisen which is now called ecotourism. This term has become increasingly popular in both conservation and travel circles, but what exactly does it mean?
The Nature Conservancy has joined the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in adopting the following definition of ecotourism:
"Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples."
Most tourism in natural areas today is not ecotourism and is not therefore, sustainable. Ecotourism can be distinguished from nature tourism by its emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility and active community participation. Specifically, ecotourism possesses the following characteristics:
· Conscientious, low-impact visitor behavior
· Sensitivity towards, and appreciation of, local cultures and biodiversity
· Support for local conservation efforts
· Sustainable benefits to local communities
· Local participation in decision-making
· Educational components for both the traveler and local communities
It is becoming evident that increased tourism to sensitive natural areas in the absence of appropriate planning and management can become a threat to the integrity of both ecosystems and local cultures. Increasing numbers of visitors to ecologically sensitive areas can lead to significant environmental degradation. Likewise, local communities and indigenous cultures can be harmed in numerous ways by an influx of foreign visitors and wealth. Additionally, fluctuations in climate, currency exchange rates, and political and social conditions can make over-dependence upon tourism a risky business.
However, this same growth creates significant opportunities for both conservation and local community benefit. Ecotourism can provide much needed revenues for the protection of national parks and other natural areas, revenues that might not be available from other sources. Additionally, ecotourism can provide a viable economic development alternative for local communities with few other income-generating options. Moreover, ecotourism can increase the level of education and activism among travelers, making them more enthusiastic and effective agents of conservation
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short and succinct - StraignnoChaser makes a good point.

Now that being said, there is never a shortage of tour operators and other entrepenours that are happy to cash in on whatever the lastest buzzwords are in the west. In Thailand they moved very quickly to set up yoga retreats and places where you can alternately starve yourself and then squirt coffee up your bum, all in the name of good health (yeah I know, it's ridiculous. The Thais are pissing themselves laughing at the gullible idiots that flock to those places). Vietnam will not be too far behind. So in short, as long as there is a way to make some quick money by promoting "ecotourism" you can bet there will be people scrambling to do so.

Eco what? If you can walk to VN then you can call it eco- whatever. as soon as you broad your car, bus, ship or the worst of airplane than take that stupid "Eco' out.

I think some people here have missed the point about "ecotourism". It is about responsibly looking after our planet so that those who come after us can enjoy the things which we enjoyed. Plenty of people on here have said how they have been disappointed with some places that they have gone back to after many years have passed because of the change to the natural environment of the place.
We are all tourists of this planet and we should try and leave it in the same condition as we found it. I know that is virtually impossible however if we think and act sensibly as we travel the planet and treat it with respect then that maybe all that we can do.
Cheers

To give you an idea of how some people just dont respect their planet. A couple of days ago on my way to the movies I had seen a small group of school children sitting around a park bench drinking soft drink and eating chips etc.
Came out of the movies a few hours later and went past the same spot to see that the kids had gone and left their rubbish just scattered on the ground around the bench and the rubbish bin was, at the most, just three metres away. Now how is our planet going to be in one hundred years time if we all treat it like that! It is times like this when killing kids should be legal.(that was a joke)!

Let's see. Does that mean you guys are going to spend your time in Vietnam picking up trash? Don't you think it's a little condescending to think that the poor Vietnamese (or whoever) need your help in educating everyone there about the environment? Of course it makes you feel good, and just a little superior to others who just don't get it.

I dont think that at all wildbill34. What is wrong in leaving the place better than or the same environmentally as you found it? Being superior has nothing to do with it - being responsible has though!

Norm, I see what you saw (post #7) frighteningly on an almost daily basis in Japan. What little nature we have on this small island is getting filled with litter. Anyone see the CNN short on alpinist/climber Noguchi, who has gone on trips to Everest and has picked up tons of garbage from the mountain? He is now working on Mt Fuji, an enormous garbage receptacle. I think we need to practice responsible tourism when traveling anywhere, whether it be to Disnleyland or Swaziland...