Eco-tourism Has Its Own Costs

The Canadian coastal village of Tofino has turned to eco-tourism to save the village. But there are severe impacts as well.

1 minute read

February 8, 2002, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"Tofino, an engraved pocket watch of a village, sits halfway up the Pacific side of Vancouver Island, sheltering a mere 1,500 souls among cloud-soaked woods. These Canadians host nearly a million eco-tourists a year, which is a greater tidal shift than occurs in the Bay of Fundy. Under their breath, the locals refer to the tourists as "gorbies." Most of the gorbies are from the United States. These North Americans share the geography uneasily."

Thanks to New Times LA Newsletter

Read the full story: Heads in the Sand

Thursday, February 7, 2002 in New Times-LA

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