Sustainable tourism Learning Quest: Define

Scenario Reading about the hill tribe people, newly discovered animals and ancient ruins has excited your 'family' about visiting Laos. You all want something slightly different in a holiday but you all want to make sure you contribute to the local economy and do not offend people or damage the environment. In this Global Learning Quest, you will take on the roles of members of a ‘family’ who are planning a trip to Laos. You will select a tour package that most interests your family and meets environmental, cultural and economic guidelines for sustainable tourism. You will learn about ecotourism and investigate the packages available so you can answer the global question: Which is the best ecotourism package for our family to visit Laos? Background The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic ( Laos) has a rich cultural heritage with many ethnic traditions. Its mountainous terrain and dense jungles are home to many birds and animals. Laos has some interesting ancient attractions, including the mysterious Plain of Jars, and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the ancient city of Luang Prabang and the pre-Angkorian Vat Phou temple complex. Landlocked and isolated, Laos is a poor country with limited infrastructure but is rapidly changing as the government promotes ecotourism as a means of earning much-needed income. Guidelines for tourism development have been developed to ensure that local people benefit and the environment remains unharmed. Perspectives on the Global Question Team roles Form a ‘family' group. Take on the roles of children and parents and consider the following questions to help you decide which tour package will suit your ‘family' best: What do you think is important in a holiday (eg resting, visiting historic sites, being active, getting to know local people, having a good time)? How much money and time do you have?