IS ECO-TOURISM EXACTLY WHAT BRITISH WILDLIFE NEEDS?

The State Of Nature Report 2016 indicates that the UK has been losing large amounts of nature since the 60s. The report, which is backed by acclaimed naturalist David Attenborough, highlights the need for increased conservation efforts in order to save the future of British wildlife. 

One of the ways in which this problem can be tackled is by vouching for conservation projects such as eco-holidays. The concept of eco-tourism has already gained much popularity in many countries outside of the UK, having grown increasingly in the last 30 years. 

Discovery Communications Inc., for example, has recently begun plans to build a $1 billion ecotourism park in Costa Rica. The North American company will make use of its well-known brands - Discovery Channel, Discovery Science and Animal Planet - to promote the launch of the park: Discovery Costa Rica, which is set to open at the end of 2020.

Yet eco-tourism’s typical consumer tends to come from developed countries such as the UK, who thanks to the availability of cheap air travel can now reach all parts of the world at an affordable price. So why is the environmentally-conscious millennial opting to fly elsewhere rather than experience the British wildlife it has at its doorstep?

Andy Jefferies, founder of eco-holiday organiser Wild Days Conservation, said: 

“It’s very clear that the Springwatch generation want to do something useful to help nature but are struggling to find UK holidays that make a positive contribution to conservation. ‘This is exactly what I’ve been looking for’ is typical feedback we get from the people taking part in our eco holidays.”

“Development of high quality ecotourism in the UK is long-overdue; the need is greater than ever and conditions are ripe right now. Eco-tourism in Britain is ready to move from niche to mainstream and in the process make a real difference to our environment.”

Source: Huffington Post

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