School Activity
From the week of March 9, 1998

Ecotourism: The Great Debate

Background: Before beginning this activity have the students read the topic essays for the week of March 9, 1998. (A Good Word for Ecotourism by Marisa Bueno and Ecotourism may not be the answer to our problems! by Susan Howell)

Objective: Students will define ecotourism, be able to distinguish between actions that are harmful and beneficial to the environment, and make personal judgments about the advantages and disadvantages of ecotourism.

Time: Ideally this activity should take place over three 45-minute class periods.

Materials: encyclopedias, magazines, and other research materials

Activity: Have a discussion with your class about the controversial topic of Ecotourism. What is it? How do they feel about it? What are the pros and cons? How does it help the environment? How does it endanger the environment? How will it affect the rainforest in Australia? The Great Barrier Reef? Students should be able to form their own opinion about ecotourism based on the information from the essays. If more information is needed about ecotourism move to A, if students are able to form an opinion move to B.

A: If more information is needed divide the students into groups of two or four to research ecotourism. Have them look for information on research done by scientists, information about National Parks, protected areas and developed areas, deforestation, travel information, etc. and any information that would give them better insight into what ecotourism is and how it affects the environment.

B: Divide the students into groups according to their opinion of ecotourism or into groups of four to six depending on class size. The groups should be able to discuss the aspects of ecotourism and perform research if necessary. Have the students discuss the prospect of ecotourism in Australia. Is it beneficial for the rainforest? Are there any other alternatives? If so, what are they? How will communities and people influence the decisions? How will it affect the plants in the area? How will it affect the animals? Each group should make a list of the positive and negative aspects they discover. Have students create a poster or brochure reflecting the conclusions they made together. Bring the class back together. Each group will make a presentation using their poster or brochure. Wrap up the debate with information about communities and countries and how they might decide whether ecotourism should be a part of their lives.

Extension: Hold a contest for students to design a brochure for an ecotourism travel agency. Each brochure should highlight what the traveler might see during their visit. Brochures should include useful information about the area/country tourists will visit and ways that the environment might benefit from nature-based tourism.