Homework Directions:

1. Read both passages and code for pieces of

evidence that eco-tourism is helpful AND
pieces of evidence that eco-tourism isnt
helpful to the environment.
2. Summarize at least 3 chunks from each
passage (2 sentences each)
3. Write a claim without using 2nd person or
personal pronouns (I, you, we)
*You can complete this assignment on notebook
paper.

Writing Prompt:
Eco-tourism is growing in popularity around the
world. After reading Riding the Waves with
Whales and The Impact of Eco-Tourism think
about the effects of eco- tourism.
Write an argumentative essay in which you take a
position on whether or not eco-tourism is more
harmful then helpful. Use information presented in
the passages to support your points. Make sure to
include information from all the passages in your
essay.

PASSAGE SET: Eco-Tourism Pros and Cons

Source 1: Riding the Waves with Whales by Michael Karis
1

Would you rather sit in the library reading a book about whales or board a small boat,
cruise out to the middle of the ocean, and witness whales and other marine life in their
natural habitat? Odds are good that you picked whale watching. The popularity of whalewatching cruises has spread across the globe. Over 50 countries in the world offer whalewatching excursions. Although many people disagree, there is little doubt that the many
benefits of whale-watching cruises outweigh any minor drawbacks.

Many countries rely on eco-tourism for part of their annual income. Eco-tourism refers to
visitors who travel to see and learn something unique about the land or its wildlife. Whale
watching is one successful example of eco-tourism. The state of Hawaii alone welcomes a
million visitors a year and earns $80 million annually from whale watching. Not so long
ago, many countries earned a great deal of money through whalingthe catching and
killing of whales for profit. Today, those countries earn far more from whale-watching
cruises than they ever did from whaling. And the best part is that the whales are kept alive
rather than hunted for profit.

Whale watching also provides people with a unique educational experience. Tourists,
including students, have the chance to see whales in their natural habitat. They can
observe how the whales interact and communicate with each other. Whale watchers also
learn the migratory patterns of whales. Whale-watching cruises are designed to take place
during whale migration. This guarantees that tourists will see whales on their trip. So
instead of reading a science textbook about whale migration, students can see and learn
about whale migration in person!

Some say its not right to disrupt whales in their natural habitat even though there are
local rules and national laws that protect whales and other marine life. Not everyone

follows the laws. The Marine Mammals Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act are
U.S. laws include guidelines to try to protect whales. For example, whale-watching cruises
may not go within 1,000 feet of a whale. Some local rules require boats to reduce speed
and noise. Boats are also forbidden to go between whales in a group. Tour operators must
obey these laws and rules in order to stay in business.
5

Its true that whales face an increasing number of environmental threats, including
pollution from boats. This pollution can be harmful. However, whale-watching cruises and
the people who run them do far more to support marine life than to harm it. Whale
watching promotes an appreciation for oceans and conservation issues. Many tourists who
see whales in their natural habitat discover a new respect for these incredible mammals.
This often inspires people to participate in conservation efforts that protect marine life.

More importantly, some whale-watching cruise companies also collect research for
scientists while they are out on the ocean. Information they have collected has helped
scientists to identify different whale species in a given area, as well as to identify specific
whales and keep a history of each whale in order to learn more about the species as a
whole.

All-in-all, whale watching is beneficial to both humans and whales. Eco-tourism supports
many economies and ensures that whales are saved from being hunted. Tourists learn
more about whales, marine life, and ocean habitats in a unique way. Some may even be
inspired to get involved in conservation issues. And some whale-watching cruise
companies support scientists by collecting data on whales. So whale-watching cruises are
a valuable experience for the tourists on deck, the tour organizers, and the scientific
community. For the whales, its all a part of a regular day at sea.

Source 2: The Impact of Eco-Tourism

8

Eco-tourism is defined as tourism that sends people to mostly untouched parts of the
world and that is sensitive to the impact to nature caused by humans. Eco-tourism is an
attempt to allow tourism that does not damage nature or traditional culture. It is an idea
that has lots of appeal. People with money can now visit natural habitats with feeling
guilty. They can see wonderful things and feel at the same time that their money is
helping the local environment and the native people.

Since the 1980s the eco-tourism division has grown and grown. It is the fastest growing
type of tourism growing at a yearly rate of between 10% 15%. Eco-tourism is one of the
few elements of the world economy that continues to be profitable even when most other
businesses and industries are not.

10

If done correctly, eco-tourism has several advantages. It is more concerned with the
environment and does encourage building developers to build with more consideration for
the natural environment. This means that more natural habitat is preserved and that the
resources for building come from sustainable sources.

11

Another advantage is that eco-tourism provides an income for local inhabitants in

an area. The local people can then generate money from showing tourists around a jungle,

lake, prairie etc. then it is much better than killing elephants for their ivory or capturing
gorillas to sell on the black market. Additionally, showing people a rainforest rather than
cutting down the forest is a good compromise if the forest is preserved.
12

People in the developed world through eco-tourism get to experience places of

great natural importance as well as interact with local and native people. This contact will
benefit both parties, allowing for better understanding of the issues other cultures face. It
also helps with overcoming prejudices.

13

It is felt by some environmentalists that there should be some parts of the world
that are off bounds for any tourists. Any human activity can often damage the eco
system and disrupt the routine of the animals.

14

Although scuba divers try to be careful, any tourist scuba business is going to have
a negative impact on fragile coral marine environments. Although, people walking
carefully through the forest might not do much harm, building their outdoor lodging hotels
does.

15

A good example of this is the safari business in Africa. Tour jeeps going across the
savannah scare off the animals that the lions rely on catching. The result is that lions can
no longer hunt in parts of Africa during the morning when the tour jeeps are out. They
have to wait until the hottest part of the day to hunt. This is negatively affecting lion
populations across the savannahs.

16

Additionally, the Masai people in Kenya, Africa have been moved out of their
traditional lands because of the separation of National Parks for eco-tourism. They had to
re-settle on land next to the reserves. Much of the best land on the reserves has gone to
non-local people and eco-tourist operators.

17

Another issue for the Masai and other native people is that they have become
tourist attractions that are expected to pose for the cameras and perform dances etc. for
money. Not only is this extremely demeaning and humiliating, but it is discouraging the
Masai and other native people from following their traditional life styles, including wearing
their traditional clothing. Without meaning to, the tourists are destroying the culture that
they are, in fact, paying to preserve.