Does Eco-Tourism Have An Image Problem?

Does Eco-Tourism Have An Image Problem?

Thursday, June 02, 2005 at 14:57

An owner of an outdoor getaway near Preeceville is worried about the perceptions some people have about eco-tourism.

David Weiman runs Sawyer Lake Adventures, which offers horseback riding, canoeing, hiking and sled dog expeditions to tourists.

Weiman considers his operation an eco-tourism destination, but believes that handle is getting a bad rap these days.

He says eco-tourism operators are reluctant to use that label or join the provincial association because that body has a reputation of being too environment-friendly at the expense of the client’s experience.

Weiman, who’s a past-president of the eco-tourism association, says that’s an unfair categorization since outlets are still allowed some form of environmental consumption, such as shore lunches.

Weiman says a strong provincial association would go a long way in helping individual operators.

He also says there’s only seven accredited eco-tourism operators in Saskatchewan right now, but feels there could be much more.