Ecotourism is an increasingly emerging segment of the tourism industry which incorporates ideals from Nature Tourism, Cultural Tourism and Rural Tourism, with the addition of an emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility and active community involvement. Although there is no set principles guiding Ecotourism businesses in British Columbia or Canada, Mount Moresby Adventure Camp has researched and assembled definitions and guiding principles from internationally recognized NGOs. These principles have been tailored to reflect the unique challenges faced running an Ecotourism business on Haida Gwaii.
The following two definitions have been integral in developing our guiding principles to business practice. This first is from The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and states:
“Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people.” (TIES, 1990)
The other has been adopted by both the Nature Conservancy and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and states:
“[Ecotourism] is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features – both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations.” (IUCN, 1996)
The following ecotourism guidelines have been developed by the Mount Moresby Adventure Camp Society and influence and direct our business practices. This is a living document and is therefore open to change to improve our business operations.
- Minimize the impact on the natural environment by both MMAC as a whole and by visitors while on our trips and their own future trips.
- All trips include an interpretive/ educational component.
- Stress local participation, planning, employment and partnerships.
- Build environmental and cultural awareness, appreciation and respect.
- Support local conservation efforts.
- Offer small group trips.
- Strive for the lowest possible consumption of non-renewable resources.
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
