Describe and theorise how ecological tourism has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. The essay length is 3,500 words.
2. The essay question has to be ONE of the questions on the VLE.
3. The essay reading needs to be sourced ONLY from the recommended reading on the SO52092A VLE and or the readings referenced on the lecture slides. DO NOT include material that is not on the SO52092A e-reading list.
4.  reading based essay

– Observations of a Pandemic Flâneuse: Behaviour Change and Adapting Public Space in Birmingham, United Kingdom
Andrea I. Frank https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02513625.2020.1906048

– Leisure Sciences
An Interdisciplinary Journal https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ulsc20

– Citizenship and leisure in pandemic times
Danilo Santos de Miranda https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16078055.2020.1828785

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

Title: The Response of Ecological Tourism to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on various sectors, including the tourism industry. Within this context, ecological tourism, also known as eco-tourism, has faced numerous challenges and had to adapt to the changing circumstances. This essay aims to explore and theorize how ecological tourism has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing upon relevant readings from the SO52092A VLE and lecture slides.

Body:

Shift Towards Local and Nature-Based Tourism:
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to travel restrictions and a heightened awareness of health and safety concerns. As a result, there has been a significant shift towards local and nature-based tourism within the realm of ecological tourism. People are increasingly exploring nearby natural attractions, such as national parks, hiking trails, and wildlife sanctuaries, to satisfy their desire for travel while minimizing exposure to crowded urban areas.

Emphasis on Sustainable Practices:
Ecological tourism has always been centered around sustainability and conservation. However, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of sustainable practices even further. Tourism operators have had to reassess their operations and implement measures to reduce their carbon footprint, promote responsible tourism, and support local communities. This includes initiatives like waste management, energy conservation, and supporting local businesses.

Implementation of Health and Safety Protocols:
To ensure the safety of both tourists and staff, ecological tourism providers have implemented comprehensive health and safety protocols in response to the pandemic. These protocols include enhanced cleaning and sanitation measures, social distancing guidelines, mandatory mask-wearing, and capacity limitations. By prioritizing the health and well-being of visitors, ecological tourism aims to rebuild trust and confidence in travel during these uncertain times.

Utilization of Digital Technologies:
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies across various industries, including tourism. Ecological tourism has embraced this trend by utilizing digital platforms for marketing, booking, and providing virtual experiences. Virtual tours and online workshops allow tourists to engage with nature and learn about conservation efforts from the comfort of their homes, thereby promoting eco-consciousness even when physical travel is limited.

Community Engagement and Support:
Ecological tourism has recognized the importance of community engagement and support during the pandemic. To mitigate the economic impact on local communities heavily reliant on tourism, initiatives such as community-based tourism projects and capacity building programs have been implemented. These efforts aim to empower local communities, preserve cultural heritage, and foster sustainable development while attracting responsible tourists.

Conclusion:
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for the ecological tourism sector. However, it has also provided an opportunity for reflection and adaptation. The response of ecological tourism to the pandemic has been characterized by a shift towards local and nature-based tourism, an emphasis on sustainable practices, the implementation of health and safety protocols, the utilization of digital technologies, and increased community engagement and support. Through these responses, ecological tourism strives to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic while promoting sustainability, conservation, and responsible travel practices.

This question has been answered.

Get Answer