HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 263: Model Answer

Question: What is green tourism? Why is it so important? ( 8 marks/ 120 words)

Answer.

Green tourism stands for small-scale tourism which involves visiting natural areas while minimising environmental impacts. In a nutshell, this type of tourism tries to both minimise and reverse the negative effects of travel. These include: overcrowding, the destruction of heritage and the environment, globalisation, detrimental social change and many others.

Green tourism has been used interchangeably with such concepts as ecotourism, nature tourism, responsible tourism and rural tourism. Moreover, international organizations have defined the notion in line with the concept of sustainable tourism, which also considers other dimensions than environmental protection.

The green tourism is very important for sustainable development of the local tourism in the following ways:

Firstly, green tourism supports local communities. Particularly, responsible tourism generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry.

Secondly, sustainable tourism has a lower ecological impact.
On the one hand, part of green tourism is eating local produce and food from local businesses. On the other, importing food comes at a huge cost – economically and environmentally.
By eating locally, you not only save many emissions but you will also find that the food is better. In particular, the ingredients are fresher, the locals know how to prepare them, and you will probably get to taste something brand new that will intrigue you.

Thirdly, green tourism provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues.

Finally, an opportunity to learn through meaningful connections with local people and to get a better understanding of local cultural, as well as social and environmental issues.