vEcotourism
What is vEcotourism? vEcotourism, also known as virtual ecotourism, is an interactive journey of discovery of wildlife, habitats, human culture and conservation projects. Its two main goals are: (i) education/outreach and (ii) alternative income generation for local communities. vEcotours are presented in real-time by live tour-guides. vEcotourists, logged into the tour over the internet, have the opportunity to ask questions during the tour, and thus help direct it.
Why is it needed? Conservation concerns are mounting throughout the world as biodiversity is lost and natural habitats are converted to agriculture, industry and other development. Lack of financial alternatives is one reason for this widespread conversion. Ecotourism (not vEcotourism) has been widely heralded as a means to provide an income in a way that encourages protection of biodiversity. However, even Ecotourism done sensitively, has disadvantages including: high carbon footprint, wildlife disturbance, potential for disease introduction, and development of roads and other infrastructure. Furthermore, many people are unable to afford the high price of Ecotourism, or are too old, young, or otherwise unable, or unwilling, to travel.
That said, many people are curious to learn more about the natural world, and to contribute to its care and conservation. vEcotourism offers a way to connect with people and wildlife in their natural habitats and to learn firsthand about complex human-wildlife issues. It also incorporates a potentially sustainable financial model that provides incentives for conservation projects, maintenance of intact habitats for wildlife and landscape management approaches that benefit both humans and biodiversity.
How does it work? vEcotourism connects a tour-guide with people on the tour via a cell-phone in the field, a computer server, and internet browsers. A host mediates the connection and, based on what the tour-guide is describing, transmits to the vEcotourists’ webpage pre-recorded photographs, audio files, and video clips. The host also transmits to the tour-guide questions from vEco-tourists, patches in to the live audio broadcast additional people (such as researchers or other specialists) as appropriate to the tour, and updates the vEcotourists’ map of the area as the tour progresses.
The host, and server, can be anywhere in the world, as can the vEcotourists. All that is required is a high-speed internet connection. The set-up is scaleable so that individual partner conservation projects can independently develop, provide material for, and host their own tours via the vEcotourism server.
It is hoped that through their connections with the wildlife and people involved in conservation projects on the ground, vEcotourists will be inspired to contribute financially and in other ways.
The History and Future of vEcotourism Chimp-n-Sea Wildlife Conservation Fund's co-founder Mark Laxer conceived of vEcotourism and, over the last decade, has been developing the vEcotourism concept and software to make vEcotours a reality. Mr Laxer, Chief Technology Officer at a software company, has transferred the intellectual property of his invention to Chimp-n-Sea.
Chimp-n-Sea continues to refine, and add features to, the vEcotourism system. Chimp-n-Sea is exploring a variety of potential business models for the application of vEcotourism and seeks to leverage the idea, through partnership with existing wildlife conservation projects, around the world.
Contact Chimp-n-Sea if you would like to experience a vEcotour or if you would like to help support the vEcotourism project. Funds and volunteers are needed!