Tourism has often been a problem and annoyance for environmentalists, as they sometimes do not pay attention to the environment around them, leaving trash and trampling over sensitive natural environments. The tourism industry is centered around consumerism, a major worry for environmentalists trying to reduce wasteful consumption.
A study published by the University of Georgia actually encourages the opposite. Bynum Boley, assistant professor at the UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry, suggests that environmentalists look towards ecotourism to protect natural environments. Ecotourism encourages visitors to learn about the ecosystem and invest more money into protecting those habitats.
For more information about this study: Ecotourism, Natural Resource Conservation Proposed As Allies to Protect Natural Landscapes
