November 2008
Kunu is the first project in the country to embrace ‘Geotourism’ and aim to be entirely carbon-neutral.
Sierra Leoneans love to use and abuse words of whose meanings they have only the faintest understanding. It is common to hear people talk about being ‘Environmentally Friendly’ as they drive their 6 cylinder Toyota Amazon Cruisers, or talk about ‘Eco-Tourism’ as they build more and more carbon-producing concrete hotels on the beaches and islands of Sierra Leone.
Then again, our country is not alone in indulging in, by turns, ignorance, indifference, then hypocrisy over the use of such terminology. It is all too easy for governments, tour operators and hotels to jump on the latest band-wagon of ‘Eco-tourism’. But those in the know already disregard much of this insincere rhetoric as ‘Greenwash’ and certainly Kunu joins those that prefer to describe their approach as one of ‘Geotourism’ or the simple, direct and all embracing ‘Responsible Tourism’. But how can we all work together towards national or global strategies or solutions if we don’t even know what each of us is talking about?.
For example, how many of the terms highlighted above can you correctly define? Well, worry no more, for in an attempt to educate everyone, the National Geographic Adventure Blog has published a useful list of these terms and their definitions, such as:-
Ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that protects nature and sustains the well being of local peoples.”
Sustainable tourism goes further than ecotourism by combining natural resource preservation with environmentally-friendly operations and cultural preservation. Think carbon-neutral hotels that use solar and wind power.
Geotourism, according to National Geographic “merges the concepts of both ecotourism and sustainable tourism and directs them to focus on the geographical character of a destination—its environment, aesthetics, culture, heritage and local residents.”
Voluntourism is when you spend the majority of your vacation in service to the local residents and/or environment.
Agrotourism offers travelers the chance to live on a working farm and take part in cultural and educational programs while there, thus fostering a stronger appreciation for farming and the Earth.
Responsible Travel can mean any and all of the above. It refers to any travel experience where a traveler leaves a positive impact, not a negative one, on the people and places they visit.
Greenwashing is the term used to describe a business or industry that claims to be eco-friendly when really they are not.
Now you know!
However, there is much more to learn and a list with fuller details of these and other definitions is available at National Geographic Adventure Blog.
Let’s all educate ourselves so that next time, when we speak, we will all know what we are talking about!
