Read the passage given below.
The UN’s 2017 International Year tells that sustainable tourism is an important tool for development, most importantly in poor communities and countries. Today sustainability – environmental, social, and economic – is increasingly recognised as the benchmark for all tourism business. As noted by the UN World Tourism Organisation, 57% of international tourist arrivals will be in emerging economies, by 2030. The various ‘Tourism Terms’ are defined as follows:
| CATEGORY |
DEFINITION |
| Ecotourism |
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, socially and economically sustains the well-being of local people, and creates knowledge and understanding through interpretation and education of all involved (including staff, travelers, and community residents).4 |
| Ethical Tourism |
Tourism in a destination where ethical issues are the key driver, e.g, social injustice, human rights, animal welfare, or the environment.5 |
| Geotourism |
Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and well-being of its residents.6 |
| Pro-Poor Tourism |
Tourism that results in increased net benefit for the poor people in a destination.7 |
| Responsible Tourism |
Tourism that maximizes the benefits to local communities, minimizes negative social or environmental impacts, and helps local people conserve fragile cultures and habitats or species.8 |
| Sustainable Tourism |
Tourism that leads to the management of all resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life-support systems.9 |
Based on data collected by a survey by Travel Bureau, the following market profile of an ecotourist was constructed: -
Age: 35 - 54 years old, although age varied with activity and other factors such as cost.
Gender: 50% female and 50% male, although clear differences based on activity were found.
Education: 82% were college graduates, a shift in interest in ecotourism from those who have high levels of education to those with less education was also found, indicating an expansion into mainstream markets.
Household composition: No major differences were found between general tourists and experienced ecotourists**
Party composition: A majority (60%) of experienced ecotourism respondents stated they prefer to travel as a couple, with only 15% stating they preferred to travel with their families, and 13% preferring to travel alone. (** experienced ecotourists = Tourists that had been on at least one “ecotourism” oriented trip.)
Trip duration: The largest group of experienced ecotourists- (50%) preferred trips lasting 8-14 days.
Expenditure: Experienced ecotourists were willing to spend more than general tourists, the largest group (26%) .
Important elements of trip: Experienced ecotourists top three responses were: (a) wilderness setting, (b) wildlife viewing, (c) hiking/trekking.
Motivations for taking next trip: Experienced ecotourists top two responses were (a) enjoy scenery/nature, (b) new experiences/places.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage attempt this questions from the given follow.
i. In the line “……recognised as the benchmark”, the word “benchmark” DOES NOT refer to
a) a basis for something.
b) the criterion required.
c) the ability to launch something new.
d) a standard point of reference.
ii. The World Tourism Organisation of the UN, in an observation, shared that
a) emerging economies of the world will gain 57% of their annual profits from International tourists.
b) countries with upcoming economies shall see maximum tourist footfall from all over the world in the next decade.
c) a large number of international tourists in 2030 will be from developing countries.
d) barely any tourist in the next decade shall travel from an economically strong nation to a weak one.
iii. One of the elements that is important to ecotourists on trip is
a) wild and untouched surroundings.
b) cultural exchange.
c) car and bus rides.
d) fully furnished flats.
iv. Choose the option that lists the correct answers for the following:
1. Asha Mathew, an NRI, loves animals and wishes to travel to places that safeguard their rights and inculcate awareness of their rights. What kind of tourist is she?
2. Gurdeep Singh from UK is an environmental scientist and has always chosen to travel to places that are examples of a symbiotic relationship between man and nature. What kind of tourist is he?
a) (1) is an ecotourist and (2) is a geotourist
b) (1) is an ethical tourist and (2) is a geotourist
c) (1) is a sustainable tourist and (2) is a pro-poor tourist
d) (1) is a geotourist and (2) is a responsible tourist
v. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the inherent qualities of geotourism.
1. showcases adventure sports
2. promotes landscape appreciations
3. promises luxurious travel
4. includes being environmentally responsible
5. believes in commercializing forests
6. initiates donations for the underprivileged
a) 1 &2
b) 5&6
c) 2&4
d) 3&5
vi. In the market profile of an ecotourist, the information on gender indicates that
a) female ecotourists were more than the male ecotourists.
b) the activity preferences were varied in females and males.
c) the choice of things to do on a trip were quite similar for both the genders.
d) male ecotourists were frequent travellers.
