ECO-TOURISM - ALTERNATIVE TO MASS TOURISM

PLITVICKA JEZERA, Dec 14 (Hina) - Destruction and degradation of the nature is the consequence of current forms of the so-called mass tourism and this is why such tourism needs an alternative - eco- tourism, Croatia's Assistant Minister for Environmental Protection Ivan Martinic said at the end of the first day of an international conference on eco-tourism and sustainable tourism development, which is being held at the Plitvice Lakes national park. Eco-tourism will revive local communities and areas, says Martinic, who claims that by using the natural features of every Croatian region to the utmost it would be possible to develop a well thought-out eco-tourism activity which would yield economic benefits only in the long run. So far, only non-governmental organisations, in cooperation with local communities and experts, have been able to create eco-tourist programmes which the classic form of tourism could offer, he said. The island of Cres was mentioned at the conference as an example of eco-tourism. Martin Schneider-Jacoby, an expert on eco-tourism from Germany, said Croatia still did not have environmental programmes on certain animal species and plants and protected areas to offer on the market. Discussions about rural tourism have just begun in Croatia and interest in the urban surroundings and national parks has been slowly increasing, he said. (hina) rml