"Our economy is our coastal ecotourism"?

Some of you may have noticed "Ecotourism" was embedded in the interview with the newly hired (5/24) Chamber of Commerce CEO Courtney Conlon http://www.mercurynews.com/pacifica/ci_15112535 .

Ecotourism, Huh?

During their tenure, city council in their usual stealth-to-the-public manner has transitioned our "city economic plan" from "our economy is our environment" to "our economy is recreation", now it seems to be "our economy is coastside eco-tourism". How about "our economy is nothing and getting worse" brought to you by 8 years city council, who could have turned this city around, but instead chose to drive it into a ditch.

Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce is also touting "ecotourism" as a viable "economic plan". Well here it is http://www.halfmoonbaychamber.org/visiting_hmb/ecotourism.html .

Compare to the current Pacifica Chamber website http://www.pacificachamber.com/ . Really think this is economic solution for a city?

What is Ecotourism? http://www.nature.org/aboutus/travel/ecotourism/about/

"Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples," accepted definition form the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Note: "Low visitor impact." Not much money in that one unless you're the safari vendor or rural exhibit destination or guide.

And http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism

Ecotourism' (also known as ecological tourism) is responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale. It purports to educate the traveler; provide funds for conservation; directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; and foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Eco tourism is held as important by those who participate in it so that future generations may experience aspects of the environment relatively untouched by human intervention. Most serious studies of ecotourism including several university programs now use this as the working definition.

Note: "Fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas". Ecotourism does not produce much tax revenue.

Posted by Kathy Meeh