Eco-Tourism

- Aritro DasguptaEco-Tourism1Relevant QuotesBeing the best kept secret is not a good strategy when you are in the tourism industry- David KenneyThe average tourist wants to go places where there are no tourists- Sam Ewing2

33Origins of EcotourismConventional tourism poses a lot of threats to environment & societyTo increase commercial viability, tourism firms violate environmental & societal norms at will Leads to multi fold problems- environmental, social, cultural, safety & even economicThese problems took time to be identified as that can only be done over a period of time when impacts start showing4Origins of EcotourismDeveloping nations with a large number of people below poverty line & with a heavy reliance towards tourism for foreign exchange, worst hitEducated people presently are very conscious about environment due to increased awareness on topics like global warming, climate change, sustainable development, carbon footprint etc.So need was felt for an alternate mode of tourism which does not cause undue harm to environment5EvolutionUp to the 1980s various terms were in popular use to denote alternate tourism- wildlife tourism, jungle tourism, sustainable tourism etc. Eco-tourism was one among half a dozen odd such termsIt was Mexican environmentalist- Hector Ceballos Lascurain-who popularized the termEco-tourism over a period of time attained a totally different meaning to the other terms 6EvolutionGlobe 90 Conference in 1990 laid emphasis on sustainable tourismWorld Tourism Organization (representing governments), World Travel & Tourism Council (representing private players) & the Earth Council (representing NGOs) established Agenda 21- towards environmentally sustainable tourism 7Definition & MeaningEcotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (Mass) tourismIt has various criteria, following each of which is necessary for the operators to be accredited as an ecotourism ventureShould have multiple benefits Triple Bottom Line concept 8Target Benefits of Eco-tourism EnvironmentalSocialEconomicEducational 9EnvironmentalMinimum environmental damageOff limit to plastic bagsNo noise pollution zones; music from instruments allowed only up to minimum permissible limitsWaste water treatmentFeeding or teasing of wild animals (monkeys) strictly prohibitedUse of renewable, clean forms of energy like wind or solar energyLimited use of lights, dinner often under candlelight10EnvironmentalLimited number of vehicles & operators allowed for safari in the jungleLimited honking of horns by those vehicles once inside jungleSome non-permanent structures constructed for tourists accommodation to merge with the ambience, & not create contrast with surrounding forestBasic accommodation; comforts to be provided but no excess electronics like TVs Use of wireless for communication so telephone towers need not be constructed 11SocialLocal empowermentRevenue generation via tourism venture to remain in the areaEmployment opportunities for the local peopleIndigenous technologyEncouragement of local industryRemoval of taboos & discriminatory practices among people through exposure to touristsDue to employment opportunities, anti-social activities like poaching are curbed 12EconomicHuge economic potential as educated people looking for alternate, more peaceful forms of tourismRates much higher to discourage mass tourism, thus profit margins higherIn the guise of simplicity & earthiness, fixed costs are often lower. eg: lower use of electricity, fixed food options, locally sourced material, local employees (no need to recruit substantial number of hotel professionals), simple room structures etc. 13EconomicMany indirect benefits as conservation leads to better forests, which leads to better capture of fresh water & protection against natural calamitiesConservation can also provide international reward points; form of niche tourism gives better opportunities for international recognition so greater chances of foreign exchange14EducationalTourist must derive some learning; eco-tourism not just for funTourist must go back home with the confidence & assurance of having experienced wildlife & local culture in its true formSensitization on socio-environmental issues 15Ecotourism SpectrumSupply Factors: nature & resilience of resources- cultural or local community preferences & types of accommodationDemand Factors: types of activities & experiences- degree of interest in natural or cultural resources & degree of physical effort16Continuum of Ecotourism Paradigms

17Tourism Venn

1818Ecotourism PrinciplesMinimizes negative impacts to the environment & local peopleIncreases the awareness & understanding of an areas natural & cultural systems & subsequent involvement of visitors in issues affecting those systemsMaximizes early & long-term participation of local people in the decision making process that determines the kind & amount of tourism that should occur 19Ecotourism PrinciplesContributes to conservation & management of legally protected & other natural areasDirects economic & other benefits to local people that complement rather than overwhelm or replace traditional practices (farming, fishing, local systems etc.)Provides special opportunity to local people & nature tourism employees & learn more about the wonders that other visitors come to see20

2112 Pillars of Sustainability

Source: UNEP & WTO 200522APPA Framework23Method of creating & finalizing eco-tourism destinationsAppreciative Participatory Planning & Action (APPA)Contains 4 components (4 Ds):DiscoverDreamDesignDeliverDevelopment of APPA24Developed by Mountain InstituteDeveloped the general management concept of Participatory Learning & Action (PLA) into the ecotourism concept of APPAEmpowers all stakeholders & participantsPromotes policies & activities based upon capacities, skills & assets of participants & environments which are creative & innovativeUnderlying Philosophy25If you look for problems you will find them; or conversely if you look for successes you will find more successes.If you have faith in your vision or ideas for the future, and these are believable, then you will be able to achieve success (substantial progress) without waiting for government or an outside donor to take you there.Problem Solving Approaches

26Problem Solving Approaches

27Discover28Collective identification & valuing of good things about a community as assetsNatural features, resources and attributes, such as mountains, forests, landscapeCultural sites, traditions, and history, including festivals, local food and dress, legendsLocation and proximity to other tourism sites, building upon regional assetsAccessibility: distance from main cities, air service, road conditions, telephone service

Discover29Popularity or fame of tourism assets: national or international recognitionPeople skills/knowledge, technology: local knowledge of plants and animalsLocal institutions, their capabilities and alliances: effective community mobilizationAccess to financial assistance: availability of credit, joint investment potential

Dream30Collectively visualize how their community can develop and benefitDefine what the community sees as the desirable form and characteristics of Community-Based Tourism in the futureBuild upon the tourism assets and strengths identified in DiscoveryGive clear and positive direction to the development of a community tourism plan

Dream Questions31what types of visitors are comingwhat they are attracted toWhen are they comingwhat they are doingwhere they are stayingwho is hosting or guiding them who else is benefiting from their visithow the attractions are managed and maintainedDesign32Assess the products of the Dream phase against the objectives of Community-based Tourism, and eliminate those that do not meet these objectivesSelection of the most viable products or sets of productsStrategy development for Community-based Tourism through an assessment of factors that contribute to successFormulation of action plan(s) for Community-based TourismMonitoring and Evaluation designDesign- Key Points33The value of prioritization (based on key objectives of community-based tourism) and the role of eliminationWhat information do we have, do we need more information, on what, how do we collect this information Analyzing information in designing tourism activities assessing the factors that will help lead to successful Community-based TourismGenerating action plans, identifying responsibilities and resourcesDeliver34Relevance significance with respect to specific needs and issuesEffectiveness performance in relation to objectivesEfficiency rate and cost at which activities lead to resultsImpact relevant ecological, economic, social political consequencesSustainability continuation of impacts after external support is withdrawnThank You35