Sustainable Tourism Ecotour

8/6/2019 Sustainable Tourism Ecotour

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Sustainable tourismSustainable tourismThe Concept of EcotourismThe Concept of Ecotourism

Lecture 2Lecture 2


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EcotourismEcotourism

Due to the various negative impacts ofDue to the various negative impacts ofmass tourism it has become necessarymass tourism it has become necessarythat nonthat non--traditional methods be applied totraditional methods be applied to

reduce these impacts.reduce these impacts. Industries must execute their activities in aIndustries must execute their activities in a

sustainable manner for the future of thesustainable manner for the future of the

planet.planet. Ecotourism has been growing rapidly overEcotourism has been growing rapidly over

the last decades.the last decades.


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Do you anyone that looks like this?


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Ecotourism is a growing niche marketEcotourism is a growing niche marketwithin the larger travel industry.within the larger travel industry.

It has the potential of being an importantIt has the potential of being an importantsustainable development tool.sustainable development tool.

With billions of dollars in annual sales,With billions of dollars in annual sales,ecotourism is a real industry that seeks toecotourism is a real industry that seeks to

take advantage of market trends.take advantage of market trends. It frequently operates quite differently fromIt frequently operates quite differently from

other segments of the industry, becauseother segments of the industry, becauseecotourism is defined by its sustainableecotourism is defined by its sustainable

development results.development results.


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Ecotourism has the potential to conserveEcotourism has the potential to conserve

natural areas, educate visitors aboutnatural areas, educate visitors about

sustainability and benefiting local people.sustainability and benefiting local people. Ecotourism has a unique role to play inEcotourism has a unique role to play in

educating travellers about the value of aeducating travellers about the value of a

healthy environment and the preservationhealthy environment and the preservation

of biodiversity.of biodiversity.

However, proper planning is necessary.However, proper planning is necessary.


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The principles behind ecotourism haveThe principles behind ecotourism have

helped set new standards for the tourismhelped set new standards for the tourism

industry, and these standards continue toindustry, and these standards continue to

evolve.evolve.

Many aspects still need to be addressedMany aspects still need to be addressed

during implementation.during implementation.

What is ecotourism?What is ecotourism?


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Ecotourism has been defined as form ofEcotourism has been defined as form of

naturenature--based tourism in the marketplace,based tourism in the marketplace,

but it has also been formulated andbut it has also been formulated and

studied as a sustainable development toolstudied as a sustainable development tool

by NGOs, developing experts andby NGOs, developing experts and

academics since 1990.academics since 1990.

The term ecotourism, therefore, refers onThe term ecotourism, therefore, refers onone hand to a concept under a set ofone hand to a concept under a set of

principles, and on the other hand to aprinciples, and on the other hand to a

specific market segment.specific market segment.


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The International Ecotourism SocietyThe International Ecotourism Society

(TIES) gave one of the earliest definitions:(TIES) gave one of the earliest definitions:

Ecotourism is responsible travel to naturalEcotourism is responsible travel to naturalareas that conserves the environment andareas that conserves the environment and

sustains the well being of the localsustains the well being of the local

people. (1991)people. (1991)

The World Conservation Union (1996)The World Conservation Union (1996)

gave this definition:gave this definition:


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Ecotourism is environmentallyEcotourism is environmentallyresponsible travel and visitation toresponsible travel and visitation torelatively undisturbed natural areas, inrelatively undisturbed natural areas, in

order to enjoy and appreciate nature (andorder to enjoy and appreciate nature (andany accompanying cultural featuresany accompanying cultural features bothbothpast and present) that promotespast and present) that promotesconservation, has low negative visitorconservation, has low negative visitorimpact, and provides for beneficially activeimpact, and provides for beneficially activesociosocio--economic involvement of the localeconomic involvement of the localpeople.people.


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Ecotourism is a subEcotourism is a sub--component of the fieldcomponent of the field

of sustainable tourism.of sustainable tourism.

Ecotourism is basically a sustainableEcotourism is basically a sustainableversion of nature tourism, while includingversion of nature tourism, while including

rural and cultural tourism elements.rural and cultural tourism elements.

Ecotourism aspires in all cases to achieveEcotourism aspires in all cases to achieve

sustainable development results.sustainable development results.


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However, all types of tourism should beHowever, all types of tourism should be

geared towards sustainable development.geared towards sustainable development.

This means that the planning andThis means that the planning anddevelopment of tourism infrastructure, itsdevelopment of tourism infrastructure, its

subsequent operation and also itssubsequent operation and also its

marketing should focus on environmental,marketing should focus on environmental,

social, cultural and economic sustainabilitysocial, cultural and economic sustainabilitycriteria.criteria.


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The strong orientation of the ecotourismThe strong orientation of the ecotourismfield toward the evolution of principles,field toward the evolution of principles,guidelines, and certification based onguidelines, and certification based on

sustainability standards gives it an unusualsustainability standards gives it an unusualposition in the field of tourism.position in the field of tourism.

Over the years discussions at variousOver the years discussions at various

conferences has lead to a generalconferences has lead to a generalconsensus on the components ofconsensus on the components ofecotourism.ecotourism.


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EcotourismEcotourism -- ComponentsComponents

Contributes to conservation of biologicalContributes to conservation of biological

diversitydiversity

Sustains the wellbeing of local peopleSustains the wellbeing of local people Includes and interpretation/learningIncludes and interpretation/learning

experienceexperience

Involves responsible action on the part ofInvolves responsible action on the part oftourists and the tourism industrytourists and the tourism industry

It is delivered mainly to small groups byIt is delivered mainly to small groups by

smallsmall--scale businesses.scale businesses.


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EcotourismEcotourism -- ComponentsComponents

Requires lowest possible consumption ofRequires lowest possible consumption of

nonnon--renewable resources.renewable resources.

Stresses local participation, ownership andStresses local participation, ownership andbusiness opportunities, particularly forbusiness opportunities, particularly for

rural people.rural people.


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Ecotourism as a market segmentEcotourism as a market segment

Ecotourism is a small but rapidly growingEcotourism is a small but rapidly growingindustry working within a niche market thatindustry working within a niche market thatis governed by market forces andis governed by market forces andregulations.regulations.

Ecotourism is primarily advertised asEcotourism is primarily advertised asbeing equivalent to nature tourism in thebeing equivalent to nature tourism in themarket place.market place.

There has been some confusion in theThere has been some confusion in themarketplace about the meaning ofmarketplace about the meaning ofecotourism as some places may haveecotourism as some places may havesocial and environmental policies whilesocial and environmental policies while

others do not.others do not.


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Tourism

Market

Cultural tou Rural

tourism

Nature

TourismSun and

beach tourism

Business

tourism

Ecotourism AdventureTourism


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Both adventure and ecotourism are shownBoth adventure and ecotourism are shownas subcomponents of nature tourism,as subcomponents of nature tourism,while ecotourism has stronger links to ruralwhile ecotourism has stronger links to rural

and cultural tourism than adventureand cultural tourism than adventuretourism.tourism.

In ecotourism the prime motivation is theIn ecotourism the prime motivation is theobservation and appreciation of naturalobservation and appreciation of naturalfeatures and related cultural assets,features and related cultural assets,whereas in adventure it is rather thewhereas in adventure it is rather thephysical exercise and challengingphysical exercise and challenging

situations in natural environmentssituations in natural environments


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From a functional viewpoint, ecotourism inFrom a functional viewpoint, ecotourism inthe marketplace is mostly individual orthe marketplace is mostly individual orsmallsmall--scale tourism (tour groups up to 25,scale tourism (tour groups up to 25,and hotels with less than 100 beds) that isand hotels with less than 100 beds) that is

operated by small and mediumoperated by small and medium--sizedsizedcompanies in natural areas.companies in natural areas.

It represents a segment of theIt represents a segment of themarketplace that concentrates on leadingmarketplace that concentrates on leadingand accommodating small groups inand accommodating small groups innatural areas in an educational mannernatural areas in an educational mannerusing interpretative materials and localusing interpretative materials and local

specialist guides.specialist guides.


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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism

With a history rooted in the conservationWith a history rooted in the conservation

movement, ecotourism has provided amovement, ecotourism has provided a

highly strategic source of revenue tohighly strategic source of revenue to

natural areas that need protection.natural areas that need protection.

Ecotourism began as an untested ideaEcotourism began as an untested idea

that many hoped could contribute to thethat many hoped could contribute to the

conservation of natural resourcesconservation of natural resourcesworldwide.worldwide.


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Research undertaken in Kenya in theResearch undertaken in Kenya in the

1970s (Thresher 1981) demonstrated that1970s (Thresher 1981) demonstrated that

the economic benefits of wildlife tourismthe economic benefits of wildlife tourism

far surpassed huntingfar surpassed hunting an activity thatan activity that

was banned in Kenya in 1977.was banned in Kenya in 1977.

In the early 1980s rain forests and coralIn the early 1980s rain forests and coral

reefs became the subject of bothreefs became the subject of bothinnumerable studies by biologistsinnumerable studies by biologists

interested in biodiversity and of a plethorainterested in biodiversity and of a plethora

of nature films.of nature films.


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This interest helped launch a wide varietyThis interest helped launch a wide varietyof local small businesses specializing inof local small businesses specializing inguiding scientists and filmmakers intoguiding scientists and filmmakers into

remote zones.remote zones.As these small businesses began toAs these small businesses began to

prosper in countries such as Costa Ricaprosper in countries such as Costa Ricaand Ecuador, a more formal industry soonand Ecuador, a more formal industry soonevolved to meet the needs of smallevolved to meet the needs of smalltourism groups that were primarilytourism groups that were primarilycomposed of birdwatchers and committedcomposed of birdwatchers and committed

naturalists.naturalists.


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In many areas of the world, pioneerIn many areas of the world, pioneer

entrepreneurs created special field visitsentrepreneurs created special field visits

and studies for adults travellers, studentsand studies for adults travellers, students

and volunteers.and volunteers.

International natureInternational nature--based businessesbased businesses

began to thrive in the 1980s with thebegan to thrive in the 1980s with the

growing interest in outdoor travel and thegrowing interest in outdoor travel and theenvironment, spurred by excellent newenvironment, spurred by excellent new

outdoor equipment for camping and hikingoutdoor equipment for camping and hiking

, and events such as Earth Day., and events such as Earth Day.


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These companies began to realize thatThese companies began to realize thatthey could take the initiative to conservethey could take the initiative to conservethe environment by sponsoring localthe environment by sponsoring local

conservation groups in the destinationsconservation groups in the destinationsthey visited or by fund raising for localthey visited or by fund raising for localcauses.causes.

They soon learned that training and hiringThey soon learned that training and hiringlocal people to run their businesses waslocal people to run their businesses wasthe best way to manage their operationsthe best way to manage their operationsand excellent way of creating benefits toand excellent way of creating benefits to

local people.local people.


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Ecotourism is a business and can beEcotourism is a business and can be

profitable, but it should be a responsibleprofitable, but it should be a responsible

business that aims to meet the higherbusiness that aims to meet the higher

social and environmental goals.social and environmental goals.

As such, ecotourism is highly dependentAs such, ecotourism is highly dependent

on the commitment of individual businesson the commitment of individual business

owners who must be willing to apply aowners who must be willing to apply aunique set of standards for their businessunique set of standards for their business

approachesapproaches standards that have onlystandards that have only

evolved in the last 10 yearsevolved in the last 10 years


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The fact that no international regulatoryThe fact that no international regulatorybody exists, and that standards in the fieldbody exists, and that standards in the fieldof ecotourism are quite difficult toof ecotourism are quite difficult to

measure, has allowed businesses andmeasure, has allowed businesses andgovernments to promote ecotourismgovernments to promote ecotourismwithout any oversight.without any oversight.

Ecotourism must be planned andEcotourism must be planned andmanaged to successfully offer its keymanaged to successfully offer its keysocial and environment objectives.social and environment objectives.


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This requires:This requires:

Specialized marketing to attract travelersSpecialized marketing to attract travelerswho are primarily interested in visitingwho are primarily interested in visitingnatural areas.natural areas.

Management skills that are particular toManagement skills that are particular tohandling visitors in protected naturalhandling visitors in protected natural

areas.areas.Guiding and interpretation services,Guiding and interpretation services,

preferably managed by local inhabitants,preferably managed by local inhabitants,that are focused on natural history andthat are focused on natural history and

sustainable development issues.sustainable development issues.


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Government policies that earmark feesGovernment policies that earmark feesfrom tourism to generate funds for bothfrom tourism to generate funds for bothconservation of wildlands and sustainableconservation of wildlands and sustainable

development of local communities anddevelopment of local communities andindigenous people.indigenous people.

Focused attention on local peoples, whoFocused attention on local peoples, whomust be given the right of prior informedmust be given the right of prior informedconsent, full participation and, if they soconsent, full participation and, if they sodecide, given the means and training todecide, given the means and training totake advantage of this sustainabletake advantage of this sustainable

development option.development option.


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Principles of EcotourismPrinciples of Ecotourism

Because ecotourism was just an ideaBecause ecotourism was just an ideamany businesses and governmentsmany businesses and governmentspromoted it without an understanding of itspromoted it without an understanding of its

most basic principles.most basic principles.Once principles are agreed upon,Once principles are agreed upon,

guidelines should be developed.guidelines should be developed.

Guidelines offer practical approaches toGuidelines offer practical approaches toachieving sustainable developmentachieving sustainable developmentresults.results.


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Principles of ecotourismPrinciples of ecotourism

As ecotourism guidelines are beingAs ecotourism guidelines are beingdeveloped, it is important to considerdeveloped, it is important to considersome issues that may not be fullysome issues that may not be fully

addressed by practitioners globally, suchaddressed by practitioners globally, suchas:as:--

The amount of control thatThe amount of control thattraditional/indigenous communities retaintraditional/indigenous communities retainwhen ecotourism is developed in a naturalwhen ecotourism is developed in a naturalarea that they manage or inhabit.area that they manage or inhabit.


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The efficiency and social fairness ofThe efficiency and social fairness ofcurrent concepts of protected area (whichcurrent concepts of protected area (whichare central to ecotourism) for longare central to ecotourism) for long--termterm

conservation of biological and culturalconservation of biological and culturaldiversity.diversity.

The risk that unregulated touristsThe risk that unregulated touristscontribute to lowering genetic capital andcontribute to lowering genetic capital andtraditional knowledge belonging totraditional knowledge belonging totraditional communities; i.e. biotraditional communities; i.e. bio--piracy.piracy.


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How to balance the needs of mediumHow to balance the needs of medium --

and largeand large scale investor, often outsidersscale investor, often outsiders

to local communities, with localto local communities, with local

expectations in participation with smallexpectations in participation with small

scale efforts for communityscale efforts for community basedbased

tourism.tourism.


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Minimize the negative impacts on natureMinimize the negative impacts on natureand culture that can damage theand culture that can damage thedestination.destination.

Educate the traveler on the importance ofEducate the traveler on the importance ofconservation.conservation.

Stress the importance of responsibleStress the importance of responsible

business, which works cooperatively withbusiness, which works cooperatively withlocal authorities and people to meet locallocal authorities and people to meet localneeds and deliver conservation benefits.needs and deliver conservation benefits.


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Direct revenues to conservation andDirect revenues to conservation and

management of natural and protectedmanagement of natural and protected

areas.areas.

Emphasize the need for regional tourismEmphasize the need for regional tourism

zoning and for visitor management planszoning and for visitor management plans

designed for either regions or naturaldesigned for either regions or natural

areas that are slated to become ecoareas that are slated to become eco--destinations.destinations.


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Emphasize use of environmental andEmphasize use of environmental andsocial basesocial base--line studies, as well as longline studies, as well as long--term monitoring programs, to assess andterm monitoring programs, to assess and

minimize impacts.minimize impacts. Strive to maximize economic benefit forStrive to maximize economic benefit for

the host country, local business andthe host country, local business andcommunities, particularly peoples living incommunities, particularly peoples living inand adjacent to natural and protectedand adjacent to natural and protectedareas.areas.


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Principles of EcotourismPrinciples of Ecotourism

Seek to ensure that tourism developmentSeek to ensure that tourism developmentdoes not exceed the social anddoes not exceed the social andenvironmental limits of acceptableenvironmental limits of acceptable

changes as determined by researchers inchanges as determined by researchers incooperation with local residents.cooperation with local residents.

Rely on infrastructure that has beenRely on infrastructure that has beendeveloped in harmony with thedeveloped in harmony with theenvironment, minimizing use of fossilenvironment, minimizing use of fossilfuels, conserving local plants and wildlife,fuels, conserving local plants and wildlife,


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and blending with the natural and culturaland blending with the natural and cultural

environment.environment.

Sustainable Tourism Ecotour

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