What is responsible for tourism?<\/strong><\/h3>\nFirst though, a quick word on what responsible tourism is! Also known as sustainable tourism, it\u2019s a practice of visiting somewhere as a tourist and not only making a positive contribution to the environment but in that place\u2019s society and economy too. It may involve food and shopping at artisan businesses, staying in eco-lodges, or hiring local guides. There are many ways you can practice responsible tourism, and we\u2019re going to talk about some of its effect below.<\/p>\n
How does responsible tourism positively affect Indonesia?<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ecolodgesindonesia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20180830_092211-300x225.jpg\")
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Photo : The tree planting activities<\/span><\/p>\nIndonesia is one of the top two countries in the world when it comes to biodiversity and cultural diversity<\/a> (the other is Brazil). There are so many untouched areas yet to be explored. However, it\u2019s thought that in a country that covers just over 1% of the world\u2019s surface, it contains more than a fifth of the world\u2019s species birds and amphibians, a quarter of the fish, and 15% of insects. It\u2019s vital that visitors to Indonesia engage with responsible and sustainable tourism to protect the rich diversity of the archipelago!<\/p>\nHere are just some of the ways that responsible tourism affects Indonesia\u2019s economy, culture, and people.<\/p>\n
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1. An increase in cultural and historical heritage<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt\u2019s a common misconception that responsible tourism is traveling in a way that protects the environment. Of course, that\u2019s one of the aspects of it, but there\u2019s are more than two sides to this particular coin. Historical and cultural heritage is an important part of ecotourism. It means that host communities are able to maintain ancient practices, for example, ancient traditions like Balinese dance.<\/p>\n
Ecotourism means that indigenous groups can maintain their own heritage, language, and customs. It may seem like a small thing, but buying local handicrafts as souvenirs, taking tours with local guides, and watching performances of cultural events helps to preserve communities and their traditions.<\/p>\n
This also increases intercultural tolerance and is the first step to reducing poverty. In a country with so many different indigenous groups and languages, the importance of this cannot be underestimated.<\/p>\n
![\"Caci](\"https:\/\/ecolodgesindonesia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/YAYAT-FAHRY-CACI-DANCE-low.jpg\")
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Photo : The Traditional Caci Dance – Flores<\/span><\/p>\n2. Opens jobs up to communities<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhen you get to an ecotourism lodge, you might think that the staffs are at their full-time jobs. And sometimes, that certainly is the case. However, it\u2019s just as common to find that your guide or your housekeeper has a second or even third job as a bus driver, a vet, or even a lawyer!<\/p>\n
Employing local people at lodges is the best way to go as these people often know the areas better than anyone else, but they also understand the areas around them and the best ways to protect that particular environment.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re planning on booking a trip with Ecolodges Indonesia, you\u2019ll be happy to know that all the guides are given full training and are becoming renowned further afield for their abilities. Not only does this make your experience better, but it also opens up opportunities for the guides and their families<\/a>.<\/p>\nAlso, by paying those who live in communities a fair wage, it means that the subsequent generations have the best start in life and can focus on their education, rather than getting a job at a young age which will inhibit their future prospects.<\/p>\n
![\"Local](\"https:\/\/ecolodgesindonesia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Staff-Kelimutu-Eco-Lodge-1024x733.jpg\")
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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Photo : Our local staff at Kelimutu Ecolodge<\/span><\/p>\n3. Helps both local and national economies<\/strong><\/h3>\nEcotourism occupies a part in the tourism sector that has increased in recent years. The trend means that this is not only good for the villages and reserves where ecotourism takes place, but on a national level too. The more growth in ecotourism, the better for tourism overall in that country. There\u2019s less strain on natural resources while Indonesia doesn\u2019t need to depend on foreign income.<\/p>\n
Also, tourism taxes and income are major contributors in the field of the business meaning that the Indonesian economy is stronger overall. Although, that probably won\u2019t be at the forefront of your mind as you\u2019re enjoying a Komodo dragon tour or an elephant safari park!<\/p>\n
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4. Maintains ecosystems<\/strong><\/h3>\nOne of the most important aspects of ecotourism is to support wildlife. Unfortunately, there are many endangered animals living in the archipelago, but ecotourism gives tourists a chance to see them in their natural habitat while ensuring that they\u2019ll live on for future generations to come and visit too!<\/p>\n
For example, Indonesia is home to the largest (and one of the rarest) lizards in the world, the Komodo Dragon. Komodo National Park was created in 1980 and in 1991, UNESCO recognised the park as a world heritage site. These initiatives, plus the rise of ecotourism have seen a reduction in poaching and unsustainable fishing practices around the islands and the surrounding National Park. Not only protecting the Komodo dragons but the coral reefs too.<\/p>\n
Eco Lodges Indonesia offers lodges in Borneo, West Papua, and the Afrak Mountains to name just a few. The lodges use proven techniques to educate and engage communities in sustainability to maintain the ecosystems for future generations, and to protect the species which call these areas home.<\/p>\n
![\"Komodo](\"https:\/\/ecolodgesindonesia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Trans-flores-header-1024x362.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Photo : The famous Komodo Dragon of The Komodo Island<\/span><\/p>\nNow that you know the benefits of travelling responsibly\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\nIf you want to travel to Indonesia and travel in a way that positively impacts the country, that\u2019s great! And to find some of the most environmentally friendly accommodation there, as well as tours in Indonesia, check out Ecolodges Indonesia<\/a>. Not only can they help you find the perfect place to stay, they\u2019ll help you plan your trip in a responsible and positive way. They may even assist you with finding the best wild orangutan tours or bird watching tours!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
Photo : The tree planting activities<\/span><\/p>\n Indonesia is one of the top two countries in the world when it comes to biodiversity and cultural diversity<\/a> (the other is Brazil). There are so many untouched areas yet to be explored. However, it\u2019s thought that in a country that covers just over 1% of the world\u2019s surface, it contains more than a fifth of the world\u2019s species birds and amphibians, a quarter of the fish, and 15% of insects. It\u2019s vital that visitors to Indonesia engage with responsible and sustainable tourism to protect the rich diversity of the archipelago!<\/p>\n Here are just some of the ways that responsible tourism affects Indonesia\u2019s economy, culture, and people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s a common misconception that responsible tourism is traveling in a way that protects the environment. Of course, that\u2019s one of the aspects of it, but there\u2019s are more than two sides to this particular coin. Historical and cultural heritage is an important part of ecotourism. It means that host communities are able to maintain ancient practices, for example, ancient traditions like Balinese dance.<\/p>\n Ecotourism means that indigenous groups can maintain their own heritage, language, and customs. It may seem like a small thing, but buying local handicrafts as souvenirs, taking tours with local guides, and watching performances of cultural events helps to preserve communities and their traditions.<\/p>\n This also increases intercultural tolerance and is the first step to reducing poverty. In a country with so many different indigenous groups and languages, the importance of this cannot be underestimated.<\/p>\n Photo : The Traditional Caci Dance – Flores<\/span><\/p>\n When you get to an ecotourism lodge, you might think that the staffs are at their full-time jobs. And sometimes, that certainly is the case. However, it\u2019s just as common to find that your guide or your housekeeper has a second or even third job as a bus driver, a vet, or even a lawyer!<\/p>\n Employing local people at lodges is the best way to go as these people often know the areas better than anyone else, but they also understand the areas around them and the best ways to protect that particular environment.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning on booking a trip with Ecolodges Indonesia, you\u2019ll be happy to know that all the guides are given full training and are becoming renowned further afield for their abilities. Not only does this make your experience better, but it also opens up opportunities for the guides and their families<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also, by paying those who live in communities a fair wage, it means that the subsequent generations have the best start in life and can focus on their education, rather than getting a job at a young age which will inhibit their future prospects.<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Photo : Our local staff at Kelimutu Ecolodge<\/span><\/p>\n Ecotourism occupies a part in the tourism sector that has increased in recent years. The trend means that this is not only good for the villages and reserves where ecotourism takes place, but on a national level too. The more growth in ecotourism, the better for tourism overall in that country. There\u2019s less strain on natural resources while Indonesia doesn\u2019t need to depend on foreign income.<\/p>\n Also, tourism taxes and income are major contributors in the field of the business meaning that the Indonesian economy is stronger overall. Although, that probably won\u2019t be at the forefront of your mind as you\u2019re enjoying a Komodo dragon tour or an elephant safari park!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the most important aspects of ecotourism is to support wildlife. Unfortunately, there are many endangered animals living in the archipelago, but ecotourism gives tourists a chance to see them in their natural habitat while ensuring that they\u2019ll live on for future generations to come and visit too!<\/p>\n For example, Indonesia is home to the largest (and one of the rarest) lizards in the world, the Komodo Dragon. Komodo National Park was created in 1980 and in 1991, UNESCO recognised the park as a world heritage site. These initiatives, plus the rise of ecotourism have seen a reduction in poaching and unsustainable fishing practices around the islands and the surrounding National Park. Not only protecting the Komodo dragons but the coral reefs too.<\/p>\n Eco Lodges Indonesia offers lodges in Borneo, West Papua, and the Afrak Mountains to name just a few. The lodges use proven techniques to educate and engage communities in sustainability to maintain the ecosystems for future generations, and to protect the species which call these areas home.<\/p>\n Photo : The famous Komodo Dragon of The Komodo Island<\/span><\/p>\n Now that you know the benefits of travelling responsibly\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n If you want to travel to Indonesia and travel in a way that positively impacts the country, that\u2019s great! And to find some of the most environmentally friendly accommodation there, as well as tours in Indonesia, check out Ecolodges Indonesia<\/a>. Not only can they help you find the perfect place to stay, they\u2019ll help you plan your trip in a responsible and positive way. They may even assist you with finding the best wild orangutan tours or bird watching tours!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"1. An increase in cultural and historical heritage<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n2. Opens jobs up to communities<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n3. Helps both local and national economies<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Maintains ecosystems<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n