Ecotourism

Ecotourism is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features - both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations.
(Ceballos-Lascurain, Tourism, Ecotourism and Protected Areas, IUCN, 1996).

"How do you define ecotourism?" is one of the most frequently asked questions at the Oso. My response is that "Ecotourism" is no big deal, it is just a fancy new word used to describe what guides and tour operators should have always been doing. Over half a century ago, my parents took me to go to the beech woods, swamps, and streams in Ohio, they taught me to leave these sacred places as undisturbed as possible by our visit. They, and their friends, intrigued me with stories of human and natural history, they taught respect for the beliefs and cultures of other people, and conservation of areas in danger.

Here at the Oso, we follow the teaching of my parents regarding both the environment and our neighbors. Clients and local people have shared a wealth of knowledge with us, knowledge we can now pass on to our guests. Tarahumara friends have made us feel part of their community by inviting us to their religious and traditional fiestas, to fainas (cooperative work parties followed by a meal and tesgüino)They have sat long hours, alongside their adobe homes, quietly telling of their lives. Perhaps more importantly, they made us fiesteros in charge of their fiestas. Christmas eve over a hundred Tarahumara gather at the Oso to celebrate with traditional dancing and other activities. They construct a small altar in our lobby, cook over a campfire in the patio, and invite guests to join in their unique celebration of Christmas.

At the Oso, we don't just talk about ecotourism, to us it is a way of life. It is highly rewarding when guests tell us that they like our approach and are staying with us because of it. Recently, other hotels have taken our information and even painted "Ecotourism" on the back of their vehicles. We welcome this trend and are delighted to be the leaders in a new movement within the Copper Canyon region.

It has been said that if someone really loves an area, they will refrain from visiting it so that it may be protected. We don't feel quite that strongly but we do what we can to promote the type of tourism we feel appropriate to the Copper Canyon region. We also work to involve others in our activities so that the "trickle down" effect benefits as many people as possible in our area.

Controlled tourism can be the savior of the Copper Canyon! We welcome your comments and suggestions.