Welcome to class of

Ecotourism and Medical Tourismin Emerging Markets

byDr. Satyendra Singh

University of WinnipegCanada

www.uwinnipeg.ca/~ssingh5

Honk Kong attracted 28m international tourist in 2014

London attracted 18m tourists (2 largest attraction in the world)

Tourist arrival in Cuba, 2010

Darbandsar, Iran…

Darbandsar, Iran

Why Study Tourism?• Attain peace and prosperity

– Freedom to travel, low passport control– EC (WWII), USSR, China (1978), Cuba, S. Africa (2004)

• Promotes understanding and trust– When travel get info about personality, beliefs,

aspirations, perspective, culture, politics… • Economic development very imp for EMs

– Creates jobs, foreign exchange, face-to-face contacts • Significant demand and consistent growth

– 500m int’l travelers, 10% of world’s GDP, $3 Trillion– Low-cost air travel, trading blocks, less barrier

Why is Tourism Important now?• Need for exchanging ideas and exploration

– Environmentalists, developers, economists, movie producers, political leaders, professors…need to travel

• Need for cutting cost on defense– Cannot spend 15% of GDP on defense (USA used to),

and yet meet the need of domestic needs. – USA 1945 40% of world’s Economy. 1990 only

20%• Cannot remain in isolation need to share culture

– Isolation breeds distrust, uncompetitive climate• Tourism makes it possible to maintain Ecosystem

– Set aside land parks, reserve, sanctuary, trees (God)…– Indigenous people/dance/music/artifacts/heritage sites…

Other Definitions of Ecotourism

• Travelling to undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas to study, admire, enjoy scenery, animals,

• Tourism activities in harmony with nature opposite of mass tourism

• Benefits to indigenous people• Conserves environment, sustains the local people• Conserves ecosystem and host communities• Foster respect for different culture & human rights

UN, EM and Ecotourism• Several international agencies promote ecotourism

– UN Global Environment Facility (GEF) funds for environment-related projects, particularly in EMs

• 500 projects in 120 countries Worth > $2 billion– USAID (US Agency for International Aids)

• >100 projects worth > $2 billion

• In fact, most Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP) for emerging markets contain an ecotourism component

• Also called Staff Monitored Program

Types of Ecotourism

• Non-consumptive ecotourism– Ecotourism does not consume natural resources

• Tanzania (Serengeti) to observe Zebra• Nepal to climb mountain• Belize (Community Baboon sanctuary) to see monkeys

• Consumptive ecotourism– Ecotourism is based on renewal resources (debatable)

• Shooting elephants, rhinoceroses and antelope• $20,000 to shoot a single elephant in Zimbabwe• Leads to substantial revenue, and has minimal adverse impact

on local populations

Convention on International Trade in EndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

www.cites.org

Examples of Ecotourism in EM• Uganda Bwindi forest gorilla reserve

– $145/person for one hr of viewing gorilla– 100% of its capacity $400,000 annually

• Nepal Annapurna conservation area– Ecotourists lodges for trekkers– $12/person $500,000 annually

• Bolivia Chalalan ecolodge Madidi national park– Accomodates 24 visitors in hatch-roof cabins, local built

• Costa Rica Monteverde cloud forest reserve– Located in Tilaran mountains flora and fauna

• Cuba La Moka (UNESCO protected site)– Bioreserve harmony between people and nature

Creativeeg UN World

heritage status

Revenues and Pitfalls• Revenues

– Ecotourists are from developed countries– Willing to spend large sum of money to view abundant

and unique natural resources• Kenya (Masai Mara) $100,000 per month Entry fee $20 for

foreigners and $3 for Kenyans• S. Africa (Dukuduku community) $300,000 annually By

selling traditional Zulu baskets and sleeping mats• Cuba (La Moka) ecotourist resort $200/day room

• Pitfalls– Ecotourism can be problematic if not managed properly

• Ecotourism uproots native people from their normal habits of farming, hunting, mining, and forestry

• Income does not trickle-down to locals• 50% of the income goes to airline, hotels, tour operators

Benefits of Ecotourism• Economic

– Direct revenue from ecotourists!– Direct employment– Ecotourists may patronize for add-ons culture show

• Environmental– Incentive to protect environment commitment ↑– Ecotourists assist in habitat enhancement

• Excessive tipping, donations, policing, maintenance

• Socio-cultural– Good public relations face-to-face contacts– Aesthetic/spiritual benefits– Fosters environment awareness among ecotourists and

local population slash and burn agriculture Finland

Costs of Ecotourism• Economic

– Start up expenses• Acquisition of land/infrastructure, establishment of protected areas

– Ongoing expenses• Maintenance of infrastructure, promotion, wages

– Revenues Uncertain due to its nature

• Environmental– Environmental capacity is limited Rapid growth – Difficult in indentifying, measuring, monitoring impact of

ecotourism• Socio-cultural

– Intrusion upon local isolated areas– Displacement of local cultures by parks– Erosion of local control foreign experts!

Travel abroad to obtain medical services

Why do Countries Participate?• Increase GDP

• Upgrade medical facilities

• Create jobs

• Can create more tourism

• International relations

What do Countries get?• Revenues can be reinvested to make medicine

affordable to citizens

• Upgraded facilities

• Different impacts depending upon the country’s policies

• Need to assure own citizens receive benefits

What do patients get?• 1st class service at 3rd world price

• Not affordable in home country

• Desire privacy

• Avoid long waiting lines

• Can be more luxurious

Medical Tourism• Argentina (cosmetic)• Brazil (cosmetics/plastic)• Cuba (all)• Costa Rica (cosmetic)• Hungary (surgery)• India (all)• Malaysia (cardiovascular, dental, eye)• Mexico (obesity, dental)• Panama (dental, eye)• Philippines (all – hospitals at beaches)• S. Africa (all)• Thailand (obesity, alternative medicine, gender alignment)

Singapore (all)• China (modern and traditional treatments)