58 B1+ | 6. Klasse | READING | Nature and the environment itinerary has little negative effect on the local culture, environment and economy, and keep group sizes small. SAJ and the Rainforest Alliance (RA) have now established a successful partnership to promote tourism operations that are part of the RA’s Best Management Practices in the Sustainable Tourism Programme. The RA gathers and distributes information about current tourism market conditions and trends and creates commercial alliances that support owners of sustainable tourism businesses. One of SAJ’s most recent volunteer projects is at a conservation and ecotourism lodge in the remote mountainous cloud forests of the Choco-Andean region of north-western Ecuador. This area is a global ‘hotspot’ in terms of biodiversity, with over 1,500 species of tropical plants such as orchids. Over 390 species of birds and a variety of other exotic animals, including the Andean spectacled bear, which is on the verge of dying out, make up the unique wildlife native to this area. The lodge was first formed as an agricultural cooperative over 35 years ago, with the primary objective of providing lands for local farming families who otherwise had no means of living off the land through growing crops or raising cattle. Over the years, it became increasingly obvious that the remote mountains of the cloud forests were ill suited for agriculture and more valuable if left intact. The lodge is now entirely dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of these natural resources. Ecotourism has been developed as a means of providing a sustainable income to locals, who, in return, are responsible for funding the protection of the forest. The locals are eager to welcome visitors from other parts of the world and let them experience not only the beauty of their cloud forest and its diverse wildlife, but also their lively folk music, enthusiasm for nature and joyful outlook on life. Volunteers work alongside members of the local community, which allows plenty of opportunities to make new friends, get in touch with the Ecuadorian culture, and improve their Spanish while learning about the region’s cloud forest and helping to conserve it. 0 Which expression tells us that the terms ‘ecotourism’ and ‘sustainable tourism’ are frequently used in the travel sector? buzzwords 1 Despite their claims, what do many tour operators fail to practise? 2 Based on good practice in the ecotourism industry, what should local people be included in? 3 What kind of accommodation does SAJ use for people who travel with them? (Give one answer.) 4 What’s the aim of the SAJ and RA? 5 Which endangered species can be found in the cloud forests of north-western Ecuador? 6 Which aspect of their culture are the locals in the Choco-Andean region keen to share with tourists? (Give one answer.) Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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