Sustainable tourism glossary
The values of Morpho Evasions and how we view and practice tourism.
We strive to practice responsible tourism and make sure that our service providers are in the same line of thought and action as we are. To give you a more concrete idea of the actions we take, and the way we think about tourism and the impact of our agency in Costa Rica, we'd like to explain a few terms in more detail. In this age of climate change and greenwashing, ecotourism and its synonyms (sustainable tourism, rural tourism, solidarity tourism, cultural tourism, etc.) can sometimes be misused, which is why we'd like to present our critical view of tourism, so that you have all the information you need when planning your trip.
The notion of ecotourism emerged in 1980 as a response to the tensions between tourism development and environmental degradation. Marie Lequin (2002) notes that studies on ecotourism have shown that tourists who engage in these practices show great interest in visiting natural areas that have been little disturbed by human action. There is a "moral valorization of 'wild' nature that is intrinsically linked to its rarity" (Lequin, 2002: 41). Several ecotourism values are promoted by public policies, tour operators and also NGOs, such as traveling to still-preserved natural areas, controlling one's impact on one's passage (building environmental awareness) and returning economic benefits to local communities and environmental conservation (Léonard, 2019: 413).
In the 1990s, sustainable development became the new way of doing tourism. In 1987, the Brundtland Report was written, Our Common Futureby the UN World Commission on Environment and Development. For the first time, this report uses the expression sustainable development and served as the basis for the Earth Summit in 1992.
Despite this new way of doing and looking at tourism, a development paradigm persists, because humans and nature are seen as capitalizable resources, giving nature an economic value (Léonard, 2019: 412). Sustainability is therefore not neutral, but firmly attached to the concept of governance, as it implies cooperation between the state and the private sector. Sustainability" does not mean protecting nature, but rather human survival, which in turn depends on the sustainability of resources to guarantee the development of the current economic system. Conceptualizing sustainable development in this way puts these practices into perspective with a neoliberal capitalist model based on the bequest of state governance to NGOs and the private sector by privatizing natural resources (Léonard, 2019: 412). The introduction of such practices then mutes the ways of life and knowledge of local communities and indigenous peoples to establish the Western single-mindedness of environmental protection.
The question then arises: sustainable tourism, yes, but for whom? Sustainability serves the interests of Western governments and countries, as the practice becomes a new commodity in the capitalist economy. This neoliberal model imposes a new mode of tourism development and monopolizes economic capital. So, yes, tourism is an activity that fosters regional development, but it also maintains capitalism on a global scale, thanks to the flow of money, people and goods (Marin, etc.). al. 2020 : 234). Tourism, born in the context of the development of capitalism and industrial societies, is thus associated with a practice of modernity par excellence. Sustainable development also promotes the notion of the essential needs of host communities. The aim would be to develop economically while respecting these needs. The Brundtland Report defines it as "economic development that meets the needs of each generation, beginning with those of the poorest, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Brundtland, 1987: 24). Despite this, we have to admit that this notion can be used to justify projects that are ultimately unsustainable.
Morpho is therefore aware of these economic, cultural and social factors affecting the global tourism industry, and has decided to act in favor of responsible tourism, in harmony with local communities and respectful of the environment.
Responsible travel offers an enriching and meaningful way to explore the world while contributing to its preservation. Through our committed partners, we invite you to enjoy authentic, sustainable travel experiences that leave a positive imprint on the destinations you visit.
To learn more about our vision of tourism, we've compiled a glossary of concepts that we think are relevant to keep in mind when traveling to Costa Rica.
Glossary :
Anthropocentrism:
Anthropocentrism is a way of looking at the world that places humans at the center of everything, and sees nature as a resource to be exploited to meet human needs. The value placed on natural elements is based solely on their usefulness to human beings. This has led to a number of environmental problems (pollution, resource depletion, loss of biodiversity, etc.). Environmental ethics, which is divided into two branches (biocentrism and ecocentrism), instead recognizes the role of each of these elements in the functioning of ecosystems. Biocentrism and ecocentrism propose a paradigm shift, an alternative vision in which all living beings (animals, insects and plants) have an intrinsic value that human beings should appreciate and respect (Asselin, 2021).
Carbon footprint :
A carbon footprint is an inventory of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted or captured by the activities of an organization, territory or individual over the course of a year. Measured in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq.), it enables a company to accurately assess its direct and indirect emissions. This inventory can then be used to design and implement an action plan to reduce emissions. In general, this is the first step in diagnosing a company's carbon footprint. The strength of a carbon footprint is that it enables you to prioritize reduction actions where the impact is greatest on the emissions over which you have control (which may differ according to the type of organization and the type of activity). It can also be used to determine the quantities of emissions that need to be offset to achieve carbon neutrality (Asselin, 2021).
Biodiversity :
Biodiversity refers to the variety of all life on Earth, in all its forms and functions. It refers to all living beings on land, sea and water (plants, bacteria, fungi and animals) and the ecosystems in which they live. It also represents the interactions that species have with each other and with their environment. Biodiversity plays an essential role in sustaining life on Earth, providing oxygen, drinking water and food, and contributing to human well-being. In addition to supplying raw materials and energy, its ecological benefits are numerous: climate regulation, carbon dioxide capture, water and air purification, pollination, erosion stabilization, soil fertilization, pharmacopoeia, etc. These services rendered by nature are invaluable and must be recognized so that they can be protected (Asselin, 2021).
Native communities :
Indigenous communities are social groups made up of the native inhabitants of a place. In the case of Costa Rica, they are those who were present before the arrival of Spanish colonization in the 16th century. There are over 104,000 indigenous people in Costa Rica, divided into eight communities: the Bribris, Cabécares, Malekus, Choroteas, Huetares, Ngabes, Bruncas and Terrabas. They share twenty-four territories in the country. Any indigenous tourism development project must be desired and driven by the host community, in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which encourages their full participation in all matters affecting them. We collaborate with a number of indigenous groups, such as the Malekus community, who have set up a project to introduce travellers to their way of living and seeing the world. For example, in the "Maleku learning tour", visitors can learn more about the community's cultural practices and language.
Carbon offsetting :
Carbon offsetting in tourism refers to a strategy aimed at reducing or offsetting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with tourist travel. The aim is to minimize the carbon footprint of travel by neutralizing the CO2 emissions generated by transportation, accommodation, activities and other aspects of the trip. The greenhouse gas emissions associated with a particular trip can be calculated; this includes emissions from flights, car journeys, accommodation, tourist activities and so on. To this end, we are able to offer you responsible travel packages in which we have calculated all the CO2 produced and how to offset its effects. For example, a round-trip flight from Paris Charles-de-Gaulle to San José Juan Santa Maria generates 3,626 tonnes of CO2 for 2 passengers. The cost of offsetting was thus integrated into the trip, i.e. 27.20 USD. In addition, 1% of the total cost of the trip is reinvested in social and environmental actions. Thanks to this, in 2023 we were able to finance a boat engine so that the fishing community on the island of Chira in the Nicoya Peninsula could move efficiently to clean up the waste dumped in the sea.
Responsible consumption :
Responsible consumption is similar to responsible sourcing, except that it refers to the choices made by consumers rather than those made by organizations. For the consumer, it means taking into account sustainable development criteria rather than simply value for money when making purchasing decisions. Responsible consumption is therefore respectful of the environment, beneficial to the local economy, good for health, and positive for society today and for future generations (Asselin, 2021). For our part, we promote responsible consumption by offering our future travelers accommodations and activities that take into account their social and environmental impact.
Cosmovision :
The term cosmovision is used mainly in Latin America to describe a community's way of perceiving and interpreting the world and its cultural practices. It is a vision of the universe that encompasses beliefs, values, traditions and myths. Cosmovision goes beyond mere sensory perception to include metaphysical, spiritual and philosophical aspects. It influences the way people in a given culture understand their place in the universe, their relationships with other living beings, nature and the sacred, as well as their understanding of time, space and reality. In many indigenous communities, cosmovision is often closely linked to the relationship with nature and the environment, and to ritual and ceremonial practices aimed at maintaining harmony and balance with the universe. Cosmovision is not static, and can evolve over time in response to social, cultural, environmental and historical changes.
Defolklorization :
Defolklorization is a cultural and social movement that seeks to restore the integrity of a specific community's cultural traditions, beliefs and practices, rejecting the distortions and superficial representations that have been created by outside influences. This often involves a return to the true essence of the culture, with an emphasis on understanding and respecting the values, customs and knowledge that have been passed down. Defolklorization aims to counter cultural appropriation, which is often characterized by the selective, decontextualized use of cultural elements by people outside the community of origin, without recognition or respect for their deeper meaning. By reaffirming cultural roots and giving a voice back to community members, defolklorization seeks to restore dignity and cultural sovereignty, while promoting the preservation and revitalization of threatened cultural traditions. We make a point of ensuring that our providers do not participate in any kind of cultural appropriation, and we support indigenous communities in their defolklorization process.
Tourist destination :
A tourist destination is a physical space, whether or not defined by administrative and/or analytical criteria, in which visitors can spend the night. It is the grouping (in the same place) of products/services and activities/experiences along the tourism value chain. A destination brings together different players and can be networked to form larger destinations. The destination's image and identity are intangible characteristics that can influence its competitiveness on the market (UN Tourism, 2008).
Political ecology:
This current, in which Morpho is situated, is characterized by a desire to articulate environmental, political and social issues (Foyer & Dumoulin, 2013: 94). Political ecology (Blaikie, 1999) thus refers to a broad social and political movement for environmental justice, stronger in Latin America than on other continents (Martinez Alier, 2015: 68).
Coastal erosion :
Coastal erosion is a natural phenomenon characterized by the gradual loss of material from beaches, dunes and cliffs. This slow, gradual process leads to a retreat of the coastline and a lowering of beaches, which can pose a risk to homes and infrastructures located near the coast. Coastal erosion is caused by the combined action of several factors, both natural and man-made, acting on different scales of time and space. Natural factors include topography, bathymetry, geology and coast type, as well as hydrodynamic (tide, swell, currents, wave energy) and meteorological (wind, precipitation, temperature) parameters. However, coastal erosion is often exacerbated by anthropogenic factors, in addition to natural ones. For accumulation coasts, this can include sediment extraction from dunes, beaches and foreshore, the construction of dams on rivers that reduce sediment supply, and coastal development that disrupts natural longshore drift or blocks sediment exchange between foreshore, beach and dune. For ablation coasts, this can include land artificialisation, which accentuates runoff and weakens cliffs, as well as coastline protection structures, which can accentuate end effects and accelerate the lowering of the rocky platform or cliff foot accumulation. In short, coastal erosion is a complex phenomenon resulting from the interaction of multiple natural and man-made factors. It is therefore important to take all these factors into account in order to understand and prevent the risks associated with coastal erosion.
That's why we also take this parameter into account when selecting accommodation, so as to measure the durability of the structure. Obviously, the geomorphological study of each site is not within our remit or competence, but we do have a visual approach to the impacts caused by certain coastal structures.
Extractivism :
Extractivism is a mechanism that involves the exploitation of natural resources and raw materials with disastrous consequences for both the environment and workers. Puerto Rican decolonial sociologist Ramón Grosfoguel (2015) points out that extractivism has consequences not only for ecological destruction, but also for the level of violence that translates into the displacement of communities and their territories. For this researcher, extractivism in Latin America dates back to the period of European colonial expansion, in 1492, with the emergence of the capitalist system, which consists of the accumulation of wealth, both tangible and intangible. This parallel between colonialism and capitalism enables us to understand extractivism as a mechanism of colonial and neo-colonial plunder and appropriation. Ramón Grosfoguel goes so far as to suggest that extractivism is not limited to the extraction of minerals or oil, but that we can also find agrarian, forestry and even fisheries extractivism.
Tourism extractivism :
Tourism extractivism refers to a practice in the tourism industry where destinations are intensively exploited to extract economic resources, usually to the detriment of the environment, local communities and regional culture. This can manifest itself in the overuse of natural resources, excessive exploitation of tourist sites, environmental degradation, exploitation of local populations without fair benefits, and excessive commodification of local culture. Tourism extractivism focuses primarily on the short-term exploitation of tourism resources without adequate consideration for their long-term preservation. To counteract this phenomenon, we give priority to small and medium-sized local businesses and short circuits in our tourism product offerings.
Cultural extractivism:
Cultural extractivism implies cultural dispossession, just as direct extractivism implies dispossession of natural resources. The aim is, once again, to accumulate as much capital as possible in order to achieve a high economic return. In tourism, cultural extractivism is intrinsically linked to the cultural appropriation we are fighting against.
Greenwashing :
This consists in putting forward ecological arguments in order to forge an eco-responsible image with the public, when the reality does not correspond, or insufficiently corresponds, to the explicit or implicit content of the messages broadcast.
Impact :
The terms "repercussion" and "impact" are synonyms; "impact" being widely used, but sometimes considered an Anglicism. These terms refer to the positive and negative effects of an organization's activities, judged by reference to what society or the environment would have been without them. Impacts may be intentional or unintentional, have short-term or long-term effects, or be irreversible. For example, the creation of a natural protected area open to recreational tourism activities may have positive impacts on the health and employment opportunities of the local community, but may have some negative impacts on the flora and fauna if visitor numbers are high and poorly directed (Asselin, 2021). To control our impact and that of our travelers, we ensure quality control with our service providers to make sure that the way we work is in line with the social and environmental values of the communities we collaborate with.
Tangible and intangible cultural heritage :
Cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, refers to all the cultural goods and traditions inherited from the past and considered to be of significant value to a community, society or nation. They encompass a wide range of elements, including historical monuments, archaeological sites, art objects, cultural practices, traditional skills, mythological stories, dances, music, festivals and many other cultural events. Costa Rica's tangible cultural heritage includes pre-Columbian archaeological sites, Spanish colonial buildings, historic churches, ancient bridges, traditional houses, museums, historical archives, memorials and collections of indigenous arts and crafts. Costa Rica also possesses a rich intangible cultural heritage, such as culinary traditions, festivals, traditional dances, indigenous beliefs and languages, and other forms of cultural expression that are an integral part of the country's national identity and cultural diversity. Our agency is committed to promoting these different heritages. The use of the term matrimoine aims to balance historical and cultural representation by highlighting women's contributions in various fields, such as art, literature, science, politics and other aspects of society. It's a way of recognizing and valuing the history and influence of women in the development of human civilization and cultures.
Anthropogenic pressure :
Anthropogenic pressure refers to all the actions and influences exerted by man on the natural environment. These pressures are often the result of human activities such as urbanization, industrialization, intensive agriculture, deforestation, pollution, over-consumption of natural resources or human-induced climate change. The impact of anthropogenic pressure can be negative, with serious consequences for natural ecosystems, biodiversity, water resources, air quality, climate, and ultimately human health. It's for these reasons that we do our utmost to offer destinations that are off the beaten track, so as not to overcrowd sites already in great demand.
Responsible service providers :
These accommodations or activities not only respect traditional standards of sustainability, such as waste and energy management, and the provision of low environmental impact infrastructure, but also highlight local people's knowledge of the fauna, flora, cultures and lifestyles of the surrounding communities. What's more, part of the profits can be reinvested in responsible projects within the community or in favour of nature conservation.
Rural suppliers :
Rural providers adopt the same principles as responsible providers, but by being located in rural areas, the economic spin-offs from their activities directly benefit families in these communities, as the owners of these establishments are all natives of the area in which they work.
Responsible tourism:
Responsible tourism highlights the traditions and identity of communities by promoting the use of regional and organic products, as well as highlighting local cultures. This tourism approach fosters family development by offering visitors an authentic experience in contact with nature and indigenous societies. In addition, great importance is attached to minimizing the negative impact on the host country's natural and cultural resources.
Rural tourism :
Rural tourism is a type of tourist activity in which the visitor's experience mobilizes a wide range of products generally related to nature activities, agriculture, culture and rural lifestyles, sport fishing and excursions.
Rural tourism activities take place in non-urban (rural) environments and have the following characteristics:
- low population density
- landscapes and land used mainly for agriculture and forestry
- traditional social structures and lifestyles.
(UN Tourism, 2008).
Responsible travel :
Responsible travellers are aware of the impact of their travels on the environment and on the local communities they visit. They act to minimize negative effects while maximizing positive benefits, and take steps to reduce their ecological footprint when traveling. This may include choosing modes of transport with low environmental impact, reducing consumption of natural resources such as water and energy, and minimizing waste production. It promotes the local economy by choosing to spend its money on locally-run businesses and initiatives rather than international chains. This can include buying local products, using guides and services provided by residents, and staying in locally-owned accommodation. Before each trip with Morpho, we send our future visitors a charter of good conduct to help them adopt responsible practices during their vacation.
Bibliography :
Asselin, C., Domergue, N., F. Kingston, A., Renaud, L. and Turner G. (2021). Lexique du Tourisme durable du Québec, Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec.
URL : https://tourismedurable.quebec/lexique/
Blaikie, P. (1999). A review of political ecology: Issues, epistemology and analytical narratives. Zeitschrift fur Wirtschaftsgeographie, volume 43(3- 4), 131-147.
Brundtland, G.H. (1987) Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. Geneva, UN-Dokument A/42/427.
http://www.un-documents.net/ocf-ov.htm
Foyer, J. and Dumoulin Kervran, D. (2013). Mexican social environmentalism: an endemic version of political ecology. Ecology & politics, volume 46, 83-94.
URL: https://www.cairn.info/revue-ecologie-et-politique-2013-1-page-83.htm
Grosfoguel, R. (2015). Del extractivismo económico al extractivismo epistémico y ontológico. Revista Internacional de Comunicación y Desarrollo, volume 4, 33-45.
Martínez, Alier, J. (2004). El ecologismo de los pobres, conflicos ambientales y lenguajes de valoración. Editions Icaria, Antrazyt, ecologismo.
Lequin, M. (2002). Ecotourism: the experience of nature-culture interaction. Te oros, volume 21(3), 38-42.
DOI : 10.7202/1072501ar
Léonard, N. (2019). Sustainable development, green economy and neocolonial practice:ecotourism in Costa Rica. Insurgencia: revista de direitos e movimentos sociais, volume5 (1), 408-433.
DOI : 10.26512/insurgencia.v5i1.28
Marin Marin, A. I., Palafox, Munoz, A. V. and Zizumbo, L. (2020). Colonización turística de Quintana Roo, México: entre la apropiación de la naturaleza y el territorio. Boletín Geocrítica Latinoamericana (5), 232-251.
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11799/109838
UN Tourism, (2008). Glossary, United Nations Tourism Measurement Standards.
URL: https://www.unwto.org/fr/glossaire-de-tourisme
