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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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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EcotourismEcotourism
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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Ecotourism as a market segmentEcotourism as a market segment
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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Ecotourism as a market segmentEcotourism as a market segment
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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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism
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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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism
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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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism
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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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism
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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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism
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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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism
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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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism
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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Roots of ecotourismRoots of ecotourism
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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Principles of ecotourismPrinciples of ecotourism
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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Principles of ecotourismPrinciples of ecotourism
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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Principles of ecotourismPrinciples of ecotourism
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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Principles of ecotourismPrinciples of ecotourism
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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Principles of ecotourismPrinciples of ecotourism
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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Principles of ecotourismPrinciples of ecotourism
and blending with the natural and culturaland blending with the natural and cultural
environment.environment.