Tourists to the Everglades National Park learn about American Crocodiles while on a boat tour. Photo by Todd Pierson
Ecotourism is tourism which is planned and carried out in a manner which protects natural and human resources, promotes conservation by producing economic benefits, protects habitat, and generally provides a basis for the protection of biodiversity. Ecotourism, particularly nature-based tourism, is one of the fastest growing segments of tourism; visitors marvel at some of the most sensitive and protected areas in the world. And it can have both positive and negative impacts on remaining natural areas. As part of this market, herpetological tourism has grown more than 400% over the past 5 years alone.
The SSAR is concerned that ecotourism be planned and carried out in a sustainable and responsible fashion. Herpetological tours, whether for scientific research or simply photography and observation, should follow sound conservation practices under the auspices of the regulations of the host governments.