March 1st is National Ecotourism Day in Brazil
National Ecotourism Day was celebrated by the Trocano Araretama project on March 1st. The project team celebrated the day at the CETI José Holanda Cavalcante school. Ecotourism specialist Socorro Paiva joined the team on this day. Socorro gave a lecture for the students, sharing her expertise and knowledge of the subject.
Students learn about Ecotourism
School Manager Max Colares and his team welcomed the Trocano project at the event. It was a morning of discovery with the 3rd year students and they were all pleased to participate.
The event also gave the Trocano team the opportunity to disseminate information about the Trocano project. The team discussed the actions that the project is implementing within the municipality.
Following the lecture, there was a quiz which all the students participated in, with great excitement and much interaction. 28 students took part in the quiz and the 3 top scoring participants were awarded gift kits from the Trocano Araretama Project.
What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism is tourist activities focused on purposeful contact with nature, respecting the environment, and encouraging nature conservation.
Sustainable tourism emphasizes responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local communities, and offers meaningful experiences to visitors. This type of tourism involves activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, and cultural immersion that minimize the impact on the environment and promote the protection of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Ecotourism benefits the environment in several ways.
Firstly, it promotes the conservation of natural resources and habitats by raising awareness and funds for environmental protection.
Secondly, ecotourism can provide economic benefits to local communities that rely on natural resources. By providing job opportunities in tourism and supporting local businesses, ecotourism can provide an alternative to activities such as logging or mining that may harm the environment.
Thirdly, ecotourism can facilitate scientific research and education about the environment. For example, tourists can participate in wildlife surveys or attend educational talks by local experts, providing valuable data and insights for conservation efforts.
By promoting responsible travel and supporting sustainable practices, ecotourism can help preserve natural resources and promote the well-being of both the environment and local communities.