The following blog is an aspect of a continuing series. We will add id
eas and information throughout our journey. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS TOPIC SO THAT WE CAN DO RESEARCH…FOR YOU!!!
By: Emily (Tierra entre de los ojos)
9/23/10
KEY WORDS: ecotourism, eco-tourist, tourist, La Hesperia, Ecuador, economy
Paraphrased from wikipedia.org, ecotourism or ecological tourism is based on a paired gain:
1) tourists learn about ecosystems around the world and how to maintain their purity, and
2) eco-touristic venues are found in countries that greatly need the economic circulation provided by the tourism itself. Thus, the concept of ecotourism began with the intention of teaching people about beautiful places, biodiversity, and so much more the world has to offer. The hope is that we may care more for the planet while at the same time bringing a bit of prosperity to places people may not visit otherwise. Most ecotourism involves volunteer opportunities, which
allow people to gain a greater appreciation for their surroundings.
How do we, and how does La Hesperia tie into ecotourism?Well frankly, we are tourists. We are volunteering in a foreign environment and learning about conservation in another culture. In doing so, we gain a strong connection
to the land and the vast and beautiful biodiversity of La
Hesperia’s cloud forest. Likewise, La Hesperia is a site of ecotourism, attracting people from around the globe to the exotic Andesand instigating economic circulation throughout Ecuador.
What does La Hesperia offer the tourist?
Currently, volunteers at the cloud forest reserve participate in a variety of activities: planting trees deep in the forest, harvesting crops on the farm, researching a variety of topics, and working with children in the recently founded La Hesperia Montessori school. Volunteers are provided three meals a day (very good food and huge portions to fill your belly after a hard days work), as well as a bed in the “casa de voluntarios,” which accommodates up to 30 volunteers.
Currently, volunteers at the cloud forest reserve participate in a variety of activities: planting trees deep in the forest, harvesting crops on the farm, researching a variety of topics, and working with children in the recently founded La Hesperia Montessori school. Volunteers are provided three meals a day (very good food and huge portions to fill your belly after a hard days work), as well as a bed in the “casa de voluntarios,” which accommodates up to 30 volunteers.
How do tourists support the conservation efforts at La Hesperia and the economy of Ecuador?
In four parts:
1) Each volunteer pays a $20/day fee that covers his/her food, worker salaries, and reserve maintenance.
2) Every day, volunteers work a total of 6 ½ hours on a combination of the above tasks.
3) Monday through Thursday morning, one volunteer takes the mule, carrying the daily load of milk, 1 km down an extremely steep hill into the town of La Esperie.
Once there, that volunteer recovers a list of items from his/her pocket. The list consists of items such as soda, Oreos, chocolate, and any other provisions the other volunteers may want/need. The bill usually amounts to $15. La Esperie benefits from the economic circulation this process initiates.4) Most weekends, volunteers travel throughout Ecuador. From surfing at the coast in Canoa to climbing active volcanoes like Cotopaxi to bathing in the hot springs and viewing the magnificent waterfalls in Baños and so much more, volunteers spend money far and wide; thus, continuing economic circulation.
Please read Kether’s blog about “Gallo de la Peña,” a bird that is hoped to bring more tourism to the forest.
Please read and respond to our questions. We are currently working on a video about La Hesperia, the activities here, our experience, and ecotourism
. We will put this video up along with responses to your discussion in the following weeks. In the meantime, we would like your thoughts regarding ecotourism.
1) What are the pros and cons of ecotourism?
2) What do you think about the exchange between what La Hesperia offers the tourist and what the tourist gives back to La Hesperia and the economy of Ecuador?
3) Considering this blog and others, what do you think of the projects La Hesperia offers? Which aspect of the projects offered is the most interesting to you and why?
4) Do you have any ideas about how La Hesperia could produce a greater income?
5) Considering Rayna’s blog from last week, do you have any ideas about how the community and La Hesperia could come to a better understanding?
6) How do you think the community could be involved more wit
1) What are the pros and cons of ecotourism?
2) What do you think about the exchange between what La Hesperia offers the tourist and what the tourist gives back to La Hesperia and the economy of Ecuador?
3) Considering this blog and others, what do you think of the projects La Hesperia offers? Which aspect of the projects offered is the most interesting to you and why?
4) Do you have any ideas about how La Hesperia could produce a greater income?
5) Considering Rayna’s blog from last week, do you have any ideas about how the community and La Hesperia could come to a better understanding?
6) How do you think the community could be involved more wit
h La Hesperia?
7) Do you think it is important to travel as an eco-tourist? If so, why?
8) If you were volunteering at La Hesperia do you think it would be important to travel on the weekends? If so, why?
9) Would you volunteer at La Hesperia if you had the opp
7) Do you think it is important to travel as an eco-tourist? If so, why?
8) If you were volunteering at La Hesperia do you think it would be important to travel on the weekends? If so, why?
9) Would you volunteer at La Hesperia if you had the opp
ortunity? If so, why?
Ecotourism has been very popular amongst traveler's. By adopting ecotourism, you are not only helping the environment but also the destination itself. In such travels, the visitors are expected to clean up the mess before leaving and hence natural habitat is kept undisturbed.
ReplyDeleteBenefits of ecotourism
We think that eco-tourism is a good idea. But, it will only work if people are willing to take the chance to go to La Hesperia and help out. we think that some of the pros of eco-tourism are:
ReplyDelete-it helps the economy
-it keeps people active and learning
-people get good accommodations for a little bit of money, if they are willing to volunteer
-it helps the local environment because it promotes awareness and education about why we need to preserve these beautiful places
We would be willing to go to La Hesperia to volunteer. This seems like a good opportunity to get a cultural education, help the community, mutual understanding, learn Spanish and help the economy grow.
Overall, we support eco-tourism. But, people need to be careful about the way they use it. We want to make sure the environments are protected.
Thanks,
Lindsey's LIT workshop (Rose, Julia, Parker, Tori, Joe, Amanda, Claudia, Joe, Alan, Hugo, Zach, Rylee, Daniel, Liam and Ryder)
We would like to volunteer in La Hesperia if we had the chance. It sounds like a very beautiful place. We can just imagine what a cloud forest would look like. We are sad about what is happening & would like to help.
ReplyDeleteWe would think it would be fun to volunteer in a place as wonderful as a cloud forest. It would be great to wander and explore the country. We would enjoy traveling to different parts of the country shopping and increasing their economy.
Aaron, Mrs. Dobson and Nick
The Edge Academy
The pros and cons of ecotourism are that it raises money for people. It is great that it gives people a new experince of the world from a different point of view. Is ecotourism ever bad? Is it a problem to have so many extra visitors to the cloud forest? Do they wear out the trails or hurt the environment?
ReplyDeleteBonnie and Otis, The Edge Academy
I would volunteer if I had the chance! I would love to see a cloud forest and it would be cool to be a part of an experience that allows me to work to make a change for somebody.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends went to South America to zipline over a cloud forest. That sounded cool- perhaps that would be a tourist attraction they can add to help bring in more money.
Erin, The Edge Academy
To help bring more money people there could charge more for different or more luxuries while they visit there. Perhaps they could also give their volunteers smaller portions of food!
Gio and Aidan, The Edge Academy
It would be great to volunteer at La Hasperia. I would feel really great because I would get to help people who have less then I do. Just seeing their smiles would make me feel great inside. It would also be a great experience. I would love to learn more about the people there and their ecosystem. It must be fun to meet new people as you learn about their environment!
Brittany, Hollie and Emme, The Edge Academy
Ecotourism sounds great in so many ways- it helps with natural disasters and helps makes peoples lives easier by providing them with a better economy, and creating solutions to problems like habitat destruction.
Isaac, The Edge Academy
Ecotourism is a good thing. It is great that it is able to bring additional money into poorer places and helps conserve and improve the environment. I am wondering if a lot of people are not interested in participating in ecotourism? It sounds like a lot of work and is very different from the restful vacations we enjoy now. I personally think it woudl be very fun and would love to do it!
Stephan, The Edge Academy
I would volunteer if I had the chance It sounds like a beautiful place. And it sound likes a cool expeirence to work to make a change for somebody
ReplyDelete-gabby :)
very interesting pictures
ReplyDelete