Tourism no fun?"Ecotourism" is an emerging sector of the economy fuelled by people's demand to vacation in mother nature's lush bosom, as opposed to the paved plains and faux tropicana of theme parks. Usually featuring talks and educational sessions, eco-tours are also perfect for environmentalists-turned-entrepreneurs, who make political statements through their businesses: preserving the environment, they argue, has economic benefits of its own. The problem is, who wants to take a wilderness tour guided by some preachy, humourless militant activist? Christian Huot of ASEED (Action for Solidarity, Equity, Environment and Development), which is organizing a seven-day cycling trip from Montreal to Quebec City, says it's a common but unfounded question. "We don't give sermons, we try to breathe some life into people's surroundings," Huot says, noting that people are constantly taking in scenery without knowing a single thing about it.
Huot says this is particularly true of the Montreal-Quebec City trip. "People take the 20 or the 40 all the time, but really they see nothing." ASEED's "Seven Days on Two Wheels" leaves Montreal August 23. Cost: $130; $100 for students. Info: 398-8969. Philip Preville
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