Geo 302 - 11.03.02 Tourism development trends Ecotourism Case from Costa Rica: Tortuguero, ”the ecotourism prototype” 11/26/2018
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… almost 400 million arrivals in 1999 International Tourist Arrivals by Region Of all international tourists in the world the majority travel to or within Europe. Together they generated almost 400 million arrivals in 1999. Americas is the second biggest region with 123 million international tourist arrivals in 1999, followed by East Asia and the Pacific with 97 million arrivals. Furthermore, Africa received 26.9 million international tourist arrivals in 1999, the Middle East 17.8 million and South Asia 5.7 million. Europe and the Americas are still the main tourist-receiving regions. But since other regions are growing at a faster pace, their respective shares in the world total show a declining tendency. In 1999 Europe accounted for 59 per cent and the Americas for 19 per cent. East Asia and the Pacific is the region which has most benefited from this transformation of the market. Historical data show that this region experienced the highest growth rate, having obtained a 15 per cent share of the world market in 1999. In1997 and 1998, however, arrivals in the region dropped slightly as a result of the financial crisis. Figures for 1999 show that recovery is already underway. … almost 400 million arrivals in 1999 11/26/2018
World Tourism Organization http://www.world-tourism.org/ 11/26/2018
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Tourism in Developing Countries The many kinds of tourism: “Sun & Sand” etc. (mass tourism) Nature Tourism Adventure Tourism of many kinds Cultural Tourism Green Tourism Responsible Tourism Sustainable Tourism Ecotourism (“ecology / ecological tourism”) = priority sector in very many developing countries 11/26/2018
Tourism in Developing Countries Tourisme & development, economic & local, systematic typologies: Individual, Mass tourism “Informal”, “Formal” or Unorganised, Organised Pioneer, ”Backpackers” = ”anti-tourists”….? “Sandal tourist” / “Bubble tourist” = ??? Typical turist destination development: TALC 11/26/2018
TALC - Tourist Area Life Cycle Model 11/26/2018
What is ecotourism? ”...While the details vary, most definitions of ecotourism boil down to a special form of tourism that meets three criteria: 1) it provides for conservation measures 2) it includes meaningful community participation and 3) it is profitable and can sustain itself. …. ” 11/26/2018
What is ecotourism? Strictly defined "ecotourism" is relatively low-impact group travel packages or tours to destinations in nature; "adventure travel" may be individuals or groups engaged in a consumer activity associated with the outdoors: not necessarily environmentally sensitive or ecologically sound. One might speak of "true ecotourism" or "false ecotourism" ("greenwashing"). 11/26/2018
What is ecotourism? ”Sustainable tourism”: the most all-encompassing term for the cultural, environmental... and fiscal, responsibility of the tourism industry as a whole. Sustainable tourism would therefore include true ecotourism and responsible adventure travel. ”Responsible tourism”: Originally used by social activists often without a nature component entirely… . 11/26/2018
World Tourism Organization "Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems." (WTO) 11/26/2018
What is ecotourism? ”Greenwashing" in tourism: falsification of objective requirements for environmental conservation, ecological sustainability, and/or socio-cultural responsibility. 11/26/2018
Ecotourism Professionals working within the field of ecotourism generally agree that it is characterized by: Travel to a natural area. Travel that supports the conservation of biodiversity. Travel that brings benefits to local host communities. Travel that leads to greater understanding of the natural or cultural environment visited. 11/26/2018
Ecotourism Including these four components in a travel package significantly restricts the number of products that can genuinely be labelled ecotourism. Many confuse the term with nature tourism or adventure travel, but they are not the same. Rather, ecotourism is one niche market within the larger, and rapidly expanding, nature tourism market. By our estimates, nature-based tourism now comprises 20 per cent of the world travel market, and ecotourism 7 per cent. 11/26/2018
What is ecotourism? Different perspectives: Ecotourism as ideology / ethics: tourists suppliers Ecotourism as (government) development strategy: resource mangement sustainable development Ecotourism as marketing strategy: opportunistic ”greenwashing”…? 11/26/2018
International Year of Ecotourism http://www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE-Main-Menu.htm 11/26/2018
Ecotourism: Principles, Practices and Policies for Sustainability http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ UNEP Publication Ecotourism: Principles, Practices and Policies for Sustainability 11/26/2018
WTO-UNEP CONCEPT PAPER - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ECOTOURISM 2002: While there is not a universal definition for ecotourism, its general characteristics can be summarised as follows: 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 natural areas 2. It contains educational and interpretation features 3. It is generally, but not exclusively organised for small groups by specialised and small, locally owned businesses. ….. 11/26/2018
WTO-UNEP CONCEPT PAPER - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ECOTOURISM 2002: 3. …. Foreign operators of varying sizes also organise, operate and/or market ecotourism tours, generally for small groups. 4. It minimises negative impacts upon the natural and socio-cultural environment 5. It supports the protection of natural areas by • generating economic benefits for host communities, organisations and authorities managing natural areas with conservation purposes, • providing alternative employment and income opportunities for local communities, • increasing awareness towards the conservation of natural and cultural assets, both among locals and tourists. 11/26/2018
WTO-UNEP CONCEPT PAPER - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ECOTOURISM 2002: Over the years, it has also become clear that some concerns still need to be wholly addressed in ecotourism, such as: • land tenure and control of the ecotourism development process by host communities, • efficiency and fairness of the current concept of protected areas for protection of biological and cultural diversity • the need for additional precautions and monitoring when operating in especially sensitive areas • indigenous and traditional rights in areas suitable for ecotourism development, 11/26/2018
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Tortuguero Conservation Area 11/26/2018
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Tortuguero 11/26/2018
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Tourists - Researchers - Environmentalists OUTSIDE WORLD (US, World Market, Debt Crisis, “Brundtland”) Government Migration - Commuting External Owners TORTUGUERO: NAT. RESOURCES LOCAL COMM. “Caribb.” or “Tico”? “Commons” Subsistence Comm. Co-op. Local Market Private Import Export Tourists - Researchers - Environmentalists
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