What in the World Can eco-tourism ever really be eco?
Aug 14, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Graihagh Jackson, a BBC journalist and the voice behind The Climate Question podcast, delves into the complexities of eco-tourism. She highlights Costa Rica as a model of sustainable travel yet raises questions about the true eco-friendliness of tourism itself. The talk explores the carbon footprint linked to air travel, the paradox of tourism's benefits versus its environmental toll, and the prevalence of greenwashing. Graihagh urges for practices that genuinely support both local communities and the planet.
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Broader Definition Of Ecotourism
- Ecotourism is formally defined as responsible, purposeful travel that supports local livelihoods while conserving the environment.
- Graihagh Jackson notes it must include social and economic benefits, not just environmental claims.
Sundarbans Wildlife Trip Example
- Graihagh Jackson spent weeks in the Sundarbans visiting mangroves and paying local guides to see wildlife like tigers and birds.
- She frames these local-guided wildlife visits as examples people often call ecotourism.
Tourism Can Rewire Local Economies
- Paying park fees and hiring former poachers as rangers can shift destructive livelihoods into conservation roles.
- Jackson highlights local food sourcing and low-energy accommodation as part of an eco package.