Page 111 - Specialised First Foreign Language 1

between the locals and the tourists may cause a gradual

shift in culture.

2. Degradation of the Ecosystem May Still Occur

Ecotourism’s main aim is to preserve the environment,

but unfortunately, it is often a challenge in itself.

Ecotourism takes tourists to new places, and in some

cases ecosystems that are relatively untouched by

humans.

The interaction between the new environment and the

tourists could disrupt it. For instance, the humans could

scare off prey, disrupting a predator’s hunting patterns.

It could also result in a higher demand for resources

such as food and water, stressing the environment to

accommodate more people. Increased foot traffic has

also been associated with the possibility of damage to

plant life and soil quality.

3. Travel Could Disrupt the Environment

To visit exotic places, people have to travel, either by

air, cars, or boats. Such mediums generate huge

111