Editing Ecotourism (section)

== Risks and benefits ==
[[File:Hülgevaatlus, postipaat Helge.JPG|thumb|[[Halichoerus grypus|Seal]] watching near Malusi Islands in [[Estonia]]]]
[[Image:Tarangire 2012 05 28 1837 (7468547974).jpg|thumb|Kikoti Safari Camp in [[Tarangire National Park]], Tanzania]]
Ecotourism is a sub-component of the field of [[sustainable tourism]]. Ecotourism must serve to maximize ecological benefits while contributing to the economic, social, and cultural wellbeing of communities living close to ecotourism venues.

Even while ecotourism is often presented as a responsible form of tourism, it nonetheless carries several risks. Potential ecological, economic, and sociocultural benefits associated with ecotourism are described below.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weaver |first=David |title=Ecotourism, 2nd Edition |publisher=Wiley |year=2008 |isbn=978-0470813041 |edition=2nd |pages=8 |language=English}}</ref>

=== Ecological risk ===

Ecotourism activities, or merely the presence of travelers in a particular region or location, may negatively impact the ecological integrity of [[protected area]]s.

=== Risks to local communities ===

Local communities may be negatively impacted by ecotourism. For example, as is the case with other forms of tourism, ecotourism may result in [[Impacts of tourism|friction]] between tourists and local community members, and may potentially increase the cost of rent, rates, and [[Impacts of tourism|property values]], thereby [[Social exclusion|marginalizing]] local community members.

=== Health risks ===

Ecotourism carries known health risks for tourists and local community members, along with wildlife and ecosystems. Travelers may bring [[pathogen]]s to ecologically sensitive areas, putting wildlife as well as local communities at risk. Ecotourism activities may also place travelers at risk of health problems or injuries.

=== Potential ecological benefits ===
Ecotourism may also have positive ecological consequences, and some of them are listed as follows:

==== Direct benefits ====

* Incentive to protect natural environments
* Incentive to rehabilitate modified environments and lands
* Provides funds to manage and expand protected areas
* Ecotourists assist with habitat maintenance and enhancement through their actions 
* Ecotourists serving as watchdogs or guardians who personally intervene in situations where the environment is perceived to be threatened
*The locals may also learn new skills from the ecotourists

==== Indirect benefits ====

* Exposure to ecotourism fosters a broader sense of [[environmentalism]]
* Communities experience changes in environmental attitude and behavior
* Areas protected for ecotourism provide environmental benefits
* It sharpens the future of well-being of the locals

=== Potential economic benefits ===
For some decision-makers, economic factors are more compelling than ecological factors in deciding how [[natural resource]]s should be used. Potential ecotourism economic benefits are presented below:

==== Direct benefits ====

* Generates revenue (related to visitor expenditures) and creates employment that is directly related to the sector 
* Provides economic opportunities for peripheral regions

==== Indirect benefits ====

* High multiplier effect and indirect revenue employment
* Supports cultural and [[heritage tourism]], sectors that are highly compatible with ecotourism.

=== Potential socio-cultural benefits ===
A holistic approach to ecotourism must promote socio-cultural as well as economic and ecological practices. The direct and indirect socio-cultural benefits are outlined as follows:

==== Direct and indirect benefits ====

* Foster community stability and well-being through economic benefits and local participation
* Aesthetic and spiritual benefits and enjoyment for locals and tourists
* Accessible to a broad spectrum of the population

When assessing the potential positive impacts of ecotourism, it is necessary to mention that ecotourism can have unintended negative effects as well. Negative impacts can be mitigated through regulations and [[Code of conduct|codes of conduct]] that effectively and persuasively impart messages about appropriate visitor behavior.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weaver |first=David |title=Ecotourism, 2nd edition |publisher=Wiley |year=2008 |isbn=978-0470813041 |edition=2nd |pages=124–130 |language=English}}</ref>