The Power and Problems of Eco-Tourism
Eco-tourism gained its popularity over the past two decades. At its core, eco-tourism promotes sustainable travel practices that benefit local communities and protect the environment. However, like any significant trend, it is vital to analyze its impact and understand both its merits (好处) and potential shortcomings.
Eco-tourism emerged as a response to the damaging effects of mass tourism. Coastal towns were being transformed into commercial centers, but the luxury resorts rarely invested back into the community. Over time, ecosystems suffered, local cultures were overshadowed, and the very essence of these destinations was at risk. On the other hand, eco-tourism focuses on smaller groups, environmental education, and local engagement.
One of the primary merits of eco-tourism is its emphasis on environmental conservation. It helps protect endangered species and reforest areas affected by deforestation. Take the mountain gorillas of Rwanda for instance, tourism income has played a crucial role in their conservation efforts, bringing them back from the edge of extinction.
Furthermore, eco-tourism often ensures that local communities benefit economically. Instead of leaving profits to international corporations, the income often stays within the community. Local artisans, guides, and service providers receive a more significant piece of the pie, ensuring that tourism acts as a tool for socio-economic growth.
Yet, eco-tourism is not without its problems. The term “eco-tourism” is sometimes misused or overused. Some businesses might claim themselves as “eco-friendly” purely as a marketing strategy, without truly making sustainable practices.
In conclusion, eco-tourism represents a significant change towards more sustainable travel, placing emphasis on the environment and local communities. However, as with any major movement, it’s essential to approach it with a critical eye. By doing so, we can ensure that our passion for travelling doesn’t come at the cost of our planet or its inhabitants, but rather enriches both the traveler and the destination.
1. How has eco-tourism impacted the mountain gorillas of Rwanda?2. What are the merits of eco-tourism?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Eco-tourism places emphasis on the environment and local communities, ensuring that our passion for travelling comes at the cost of our planet and its inhabitants.
4. Do you believe eco-tourism is a sustainable way to promote tourism without causing harm? Why or why not? (In about 40 words)
Best App for Route Planning
Ever wonder how delivery drivers manage to hit so many different places in a relatively short amount of time? It’s because they’re using an app like Road Warrior to plan their routes to be as efficient as possible. However, while many other route planning apps only take things like traffic into account, Road Warrior includes lots of other time-sucking details. The subscription (订购) options start at $10 per month.
Best App for Gas PricesGas prices have been something of a catastrophe (灾难) recently, so travelers are naturally focused on finding the lowest rates whenever possible. Gas Buddy is one of the most popular apps for locating affordable gas, especially on long road trips. Simply enter the starting point and destination, and then watch as all of the cheapest gas prices along your route appear suddenly. Like many apps, there is a free version (版本), as well as a premium (额外) option with added features.
Best App for Planning SightseeingFor people who aren’t totally focused on getting from point A to point B in the fastest time possible, the Road Trippers app is a must-have. Users can plan their trip from start to finish with as many as 150 waypoints/stops when using the premium version of the app, which costs $29.99 per year. It won’t let you miss the famous sights along the way. It estimates fuel costs, allows for RV drivers to customize (定制) routes friendly to their particular vehicle and lets the user cooperate with friends who are also on the road.
Best App for Family Games and EntertainmentSure you could listen to music or watch movies, but sometimes it’s fun to throw it way back with classic travel games. The Plates Family Travel app is a modernized version of the classic license plate (车牌) game. There’s also a map feature that shows you exactly where you saw all the license plates on your road trip. This app is available for Apple or Google devices for free.
1. Which app can help you save time?| A．Gas Buddy. | B．Road Warrior. |
| C．Road Trippers. | D．Plates Family Travel. |
| A．Those who like playing games. | B．Those who need license plates. |
| C．Those who prefer an unusual route. | D．Those who care about gas prices. |
| A．It is available for free. | B．It provides the shortest route. |
| C．It recommends tourist attractions. | D．It helps its users to make friends. |
3 . Not too hot, not too cold. Spring is the perfect time to visit Europe for ideal weather. The best European countries to visit in the spring include: France, Netherlands, Slovakia, Romania, Czech Republic and so on.
France
One of the most tourist-packed countries in Europe, France offers lesser crowds and more excellent weather during the spring months. Just outside of Paris are the impressive castles and country houses of Sceaux, where the cherry blossom can easily be seen in spring.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is well-known for its vast fields of flowers, making spring a perfect time for a Dutch holiday. The tulip fields in the Noordoostpolder are a must, as well as flower fields in Flevoland and Kop van Noord-Holland. In Veluwe National Park, tourists will be rewarded with the sight of red deer eating grass. A trip to the Netherlands would, of course, be incomplete without a visit to Amsterdam. The lesser crowds and lovely weather of spring make it the perfect time to explore Amsterdam’s canals.
Slovakia
Slovakia is a wonderfully diverse country with rich cultural history and awe-inspiring natural sites. Slovak Paradise is a natural park that offers 19 nature reserves and over 350 caves. Due to its hot summers and cold winters, spring is a perfect time to explore all that Slovakia has to offer.
Romania
Romania hosts a variety of great cultural sites and lively cities, especially attractive during spring months. The Statue of King Decebalus, a 141-foot-high upper part of Decebalus carved into the side of a rock, is a wonderful attraction. Brașov Old Town is one of Europe’s most charming destinations for those looking to escape the capital city of Bucharest.
Czech Republic
Due to its impossibly preserved Gothic architecture, Prague is widely regarded as the most impressive city in Europe. As such, summertime will be characterized with crowds that can ruin the romance with which you should experience Prague. May in the Czech Republic offers perfect not-too-hot, not-too-cold weather. This makes for ideal conditions to cross Charles Bridge and tour Prague Castle.
1. If one wants to appreciate flowers, he will most probably go to ______.| A．France | B．Netherlands | C．Romania | D．Czech Republic |
| A．France and Romania | B．Romania and Slovakia |
| C．Slovakia and Czech Republic | D．France and Czech Republic |
| A．They are packed with more crowds in spring than in other seasons. |
| B．Tourists can travel in ships when visiting Romania and Netherlands. |
| C．Travellers can catch sight of and feed wild animals in these countries. |
| D．Slovakia is an amazing place where tourists can enjoy natural beauty. |
4 . For many travelers these days, finding a way to make travel more meaningful has become a top priority. They are increasingly pursuing journeys that include time to volunteer, work on a conservation project, protect endangered animals or to do other activities that allow for giving back while exploring a new part of the world. Here are some opportunities that combine travel with doing good deeds.
The Azores
The trips offer the opportunity to work on carefully selected projects alongside famous scientists while also enjoying encounters with some of the world’s most fascinating sea creatures in water. It allows participants to join a research team in the Azores that s studying the animals to support future conservation of the species. Advanced diving experience is required.
Red Sea, Egypt
Combining an opportunity for world-class diving with being part of an important research effort conducted by Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association. The seven-night trip includes learning how to gather water data with state -of- the -art scientific equipment and conducting onboard and underwater experiments.
Australia
Explore Queensland, Australia, while also supporting a registered charity that rescues farm animals from abuse, neglect, and situations where they’re in danger. Participants help with daily cleaning of barns (牲口圈) and cages. feeding, health checks, light repair, monitoring animals’ movements, and intensive care of ill, old and baby animals. The experience includes free accommodations with Wi Fi and a swimming pool.
Romania
Work with bears at Romania’s largest bear sanctuary (庇护所), a place that was created as a heaven for bears that have been abused. Located in the Carpathian Mountains, the sanctuary needs volunteers to help with preparing food, monitoring animal well-being and leading conservation tours. The sanctuary is home to 84 bears, with 20 more due to be rescued.
1. What do the first two trips have in common?| A．Both involve underwater activities. |
| B．Both provide free accommodations. |
| C．Both require advanced diving experience. |
| D．Both teach how to use scientific equipment. |
| A．The Azores. | B．Red Sea. | C．Australia. | D．Romania. |
| A．They have no food. | B．They are badly treated. |
| C．They should be monitored. | D．They need to live in mountains. |
5 . Iceland has long been identified as having unique environments. Here you can walk and swim between tectonic (地壳构造的) plates, bath in geothermal waters, and experience the wild landscapes. Furthermore, these unique environments have attracted the space-science community to use Iceland as one of its test sites for missions travelling to Mars (火星).
DAY 1
Arrive in Reykjavik.
After check-in, you will visit the geothermal pools of the Blue Lagoon to relax after your flight, before returning to your hotel to freshen up. You will then head to the Aurora Basecamp Observatory, where you will be able to see the northern lights recreated indoors. In the evening, space expert Niamh Shaw will give the first of two talks on our attempt to establish bases on other planets.
DAY 2
After breakfast, you will set out on special vehicles towards Þingvellir National Park, a registered UNESCO world heritage (遗产) site accompanied by Niamh. Here, you will have the opportunity to do something that you can’t do anywhere else, the opportunity to swim between the tectonic plates. In the evening, you will enjoy a second talk from Niamh.
DAY 3
Today you begin your journey towards the 2020 NASA test site, where the NASA SAND_E Mars Rover is being tested. NASA scientists will be on hand to explain the project, along with updates of the current Mars missions and the most recent findings.
DAY 4
In 2019, Iceland Space Agency hosted the ISAGEVR1 Expedition to Grimsvötn Volcano on top of the Vatnajökull Glacier (冰川) to field test the MS1 Mars Analog Spacesuit designed by the NASA/Johnson space centre. We will be working together with the agency to create a unique experience for you today on the glacier.
DAY 5
In the afternoon, you will reach the bridge between the continents, spanning a gap in between the two tectonic plates, on your way to Keflavik Airport and your evening flight home.
1. Who would be most interested in this travel arrangement to Iceland?| A．Fiction writers. |
| B．Space enthusiasts. |
| C．Wildlife protectors. |
| D．Professional swimmers. |
| A．Day 1 and Day 2. |
| B．Day 2 and Day 3. |
| C．Day 3 and Day 4. |
| D．Day 4 and Day 5. |
| A．“We hope to offer you a great opportunity to enjoy hiking.” |
| B．“We will let you explore how NASA is a part of everyday life.” |
| C．“We want to help you discover space science through the joy of travel.” |
| D．“We will provide you a chance to experience the culture near the Arctic Circle.” |
