EcotourismEcotourism

Badema DizdarBadema Dizdar

References:References:

Peter Sjøholt: Peter Sjøholt: Eco-tourism and local development. Conceptual Eco-tourism and local development. Conceptual and theoretical framework and problems in implementation. and theoretical framework and problems in implementation. Empirical evidence from Costa Rica and EcuadorEmpirical evidence from Costa Rica and Ecuador

What is tourism?What is tourism?

””travel outside one’s home place with travel outside one’s home place with purpose of gaining new experience”purpose of gaining new experience”

Smitt (1977): ”the tourist as a leisured Smitt (1977): ”the tourist as a leisured person who voluntarily visits a place away person who voluntarily visits a place away from home for the purpose of experiencing a from home for the purpose of experiencing a change”change”

Some basic facts about tourismSome basic facts about tourism

Broad classification of tourists:Broad classification of tourists:- Tourist mainly seeking recreationTourist mainly seeking recreation- Culturally attached travellersCulturally attached travellers- Environmentally conscious holidaymakersEnvironmentally conscious holidaymakers

Some basic facts about tourismSome basic facts about tourism

We have growing share of nature tourism We have growing share of nature tourism world-wide:world-wide:

1990: 20%1990: 20%

1995: 40-45%1995: 40-45%

But only 17% of nature tourism can be But only 17% of nature tourism can be classified as eco-tourismclassified as eco-tourism

EcotourismEcotourism

TIES defines ecotourism as TIES defines ecotourism as "responsible "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of environment and sustains the well-being of local people." local people."

What is ecotourism?What is ecotourism?While there is not a universal definition for ecotourism, its general characteristics can be While there is not a universal definition for ecotourism, its general characteristics can be

summarized as follows (WTO definition):summarized as follows (WTO definition):

1. All nature-based forms of tourism in which the main motivation of the tourists is the 1. All nature-based forms of tourism in which the main motivation of the tourists is the observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in natural areasnatural areas

2. It contains educational and interpretation features2. It contains educational and interpretation features

3. It is generally, but not exclusively organized for small groups by specialized and small, 3. It is generally, but not exclusively organized for small groups by specialized and small, locally owned businesses. Foreign operators of varying sizes also organize, operate locally owned businesses. Foreign operators of varying sizes also organize, operate and/or market ecotourism tours, generally for small groups.and/or market ecotourism tours, generally for small groups.

4. It minimizes negative impacts upon the natural and socio-cultural environment4. It minimizes negative impacts upon the natural and socio-cultural environment

5. It supports the protection of natural areas by5. It supports the protection of natural areas by• generating economic benefits for host communities, organizations and authorities • generating economic benefits for host communities, organizations and authorities managing natural areas with conservation purposes, managing natural areas with conservation purposes, • providing alternative employment and income opportunities for local communities, • providing alternative employment and income opportunities for local communities, • increasing awareness towards the conservation of natural and cultural assets, both • increasing awareness towards the conservation of natural and cultural assets, both among locals and tourists.among locals and tourists.

About ecotourismAbout ecotourism

Over the years, it has also become clear that some concerns Over the years, it has also become clear that some concerns still need to be wholly addressed in ecotourism, such as:still need to be wholly addressed in ecotourism, such as:

- land tenure and control of the ecotourism development land tenure and control of the ecotourism development process by host communities,process by host communities,

- efficiency and fairness of the current concept of protected efficiency and fairness of the current concept of protected areas for protection of biological and cultural diversityareas for protection of biological and cultural diversity

- the need for additional precautions and monitoring when the need for additional precautions and monitoring when operating in especially sensitive areasoperating in especially sensitive areas

- indigenous and traditional rights in areas suitable for indigenous and traditional rights in areas suitable for ecotourism development ecotourism development

(source: WTO)(source: WTO)

About ecotourismAbout ecotourism

Ecotourism involves a lot of participants, Ecotourism involves a lot of participants, often with conflicting interests: stakeholders, often with conflicting interests: stakeholders, rural development agents, the tourism rural development agents, the tourism industry, government, local population, industry, government, local population, different organizations and institutionsdifferent organizations and institutions

Trends: eco-tourists are people with real Trends: eco-tourists are people with real motivation of protecting environment and motivation of protecting environment and cultureculture

Implementation problemsImplementation problems Capacity problemsCapacity problems

– Environmental, economic, social and cultural Environmental, economic, social and cultural carrying capacitycarrying capacity

Infrastructures problemsInfrastructures problems– Communications, lines and networksCommunications, lines and networks

Viable eco-tourism: regulated, carefully Viable eco-tourism: regulated, carefully managed and controlled? Or market forces?managed and controlled? Or market forces?

Conflict between economically sustainable Conflict between economically sustainable and environmentally sustainableand environmentally sustainable

Costa Rica: characteristicsCosta Rica: characteristics

Small native population and their cultureSmall native population and their culture Deforestation, national parks and reservesDeforestation, national parks and reserves Environmental varietyEnvironmental variety Biodiversity both in flora and fauna: 5% of Biodiversity both in flora and fauna: 5% of

planet’s species (insect fauna)planet’s species (insect fauna)

Cost Rica: eco-tourismCost Rica: eco-tourism

Boost in mid 1980sBoost in mid 1980s High grow rateHigh grow rate 1996: 12 % of population working in activities linked to the 1996: 12 % of population working in activities linked to the

tourism clusterstourism clusters International interestsInternational interests Local entrepreneursLocal entrepreneurs Geographical concentration: 40% of the tourism capacity Geographical concentration: 40% of the tourism capacity

is around San Josèis around San Josè

Cost Rica: eco-tourismCost Rica: eco-tourism

No spatial policyNo spatial policy Income distributionIncome distribution Reserves and indigenous populationReserves and indigenous population Small-scale businesses and eco-tourismSmall-scale businesses and eco-tourism Conclusion: general lack of social and Conclusion: general lack of social and

territorial perspectiveterritorial perspective But: long term sustainable benefits to the But: long term sustainable benefits to the

countrycountry

Internet sourcesInternet sources

http://www.ecotourism.org/http://www.ecotourism.org/ http://www.world-tourism.org/http://www.world-tourism.org/ http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/iye.htmhttp://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/iye.htm. . http://www.eduweb.com/ecotourism/eco1.htmlhttp://www.eduweb.com/ecotourism/eco1.html http://www.tourism-costarica.com/tourism-costaricacom/html/index.htmhttp://www.tourism-costarica.com/tourism-costaricacom/html/index.htm

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