Course Title: Ecotourism Course Code: (TM371) Lecture:2 Lecture Number:2

Lecture :TitleEcotourism Management Considerations

Learning Objectives The student will be able to know : Ecotourism management considerations: 1 . Impacts perspective. 2 . Practitioner’s perspectives.

Ecotourism Management Considerations Lecture 2 Ecotourism Management Considerations

Contents: Ecotourism management considerations: 1 . Impacts perspective. 2 . Practitioner’s perspectives.

Ecotourism management considerations: Impacts perspective Governments and non-governmental organizations around the world are developing and promoting ecotourism in protected areas to benefit local communities and to help preserve the environment and different ecosystems . One of the most important aspects of ecotourism is the involvement of the local community

Ecotourism management considerations: Impacts perspective (continued) To reinforce the positive impacts of ecotourism, it is necessary for the inhabitants to be integrated in the planning and development of ecotourism projects at an early stage.

Ecotourism management considerations: Impacts perspective (continued) Evaluation of the knowledge of ecotourism impacts can be considered by understanding the host community’s sensitivity of the positive and negative environmental, economical and social impacts of ecotourism

Ecotourism management considerations: Impacts perspective (continued) The objectives of the community organization programme was to develop social, economic and conservation projects, not necessarily to inform locals concerning the positive and negative impacts that might occur.

Ecotourism management considerations: Impacts perspective (continued) Community programs are beneficial for increasing the awareness of ecotourism development and should be encouraged in any community that is planning to develop ecotourism.

Ecotourism management considerations: Impacts perspective (continued) When identifying and analyzing the different impacts that ecotourism can have on a society, either positive or negative, three characteristics are acknowledged: economic, environmental and social

Economic impacts : The impacts of ecotourism on any economic activity, can be classified into three categories: direct, indirect and induced: Direct impacts: are those arising directly from tourist spending Indirect impacts: are those such as when a restaurant is purchasing supplies in order to cater to tourists

Economic impacts (continued) Induced impacts: are those such as when an employee who works in a restaurant buys goods and services from wages earned One main advantage of ecotourism is that expenditure by ecotourists is in general, greater than that of the average of tourist.

Economic impacts (continued) Ecotourism can play an important role in remote regions where development is slow to progress. The revenue that is gained can be used for various development projects, infrastructure, and to ensure long-term sustainability of local areas.

Economic impacts (continued) Due to the fact that visitor numbers are usually very low in ecotourism resorts or lodges, operators need to be careful not to become involved in the financial gain of the business

Environmental impacts: The environment is the natural asset that ecotourism thrives on: if it is not developed and managed properly ecotourism can result in negative environmental impacts which would undermine the whole concept of sustainability

Environmental impacts (continued) The timing and duration of an eotourist’s visit to a sensitive area, and the nature of use impact relationships, implies that ecotourism can be very challenging to environmental resources systems Environmentally, ecotourism is anticipated to offer motivation and incentives for reservation of natural areas and regions.

Environmental impacts (continued) The positive impacts that are expected to arise from ecotourism come in both financial and physical form. Negative impacts include damage to plants, forest clearance, soil compaction, pollution (water, noise and air) and marine resource destruction such as coral damage and over-fishing .

Social impacts: Social impacts occur everywhere when people from different cultures and societies meet and especially when tourism development takes place, it becomes more noticeable. To benefit local communities and be socially sustainable, ecotourism must foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation

Social impacts: (continued) There are different factors that influence the socio-cultural impacts of ecotourism, enclosing the following: Scale of development, this concerns the number of tourists with relation to the host population. When tourists arrive at host destination, they bring with them different beliefs, values and behaviors that will influence the contact they have with the host population.

Social impacts: (continued) Positive impacts: new facilities and services become accessible to the host populations, the generations of unique jobs which require the expertise of local people and resources and funds to reestablish local arts, traditions and cultural activities.

Social impacts: (continued) Negative socio-cultural impacts: change in value systems, tradition life styles, family relationships and individual behavior.

Ecotourism management considerations: a practitioner’s perspective: The ecotourism organizations and operators play a key role in following the set standards that have been established by various organizations, such as the international ecotourism society based in Vermont, USA and governments around the world.

Ecotourism management considerations: a practitioner’s perspective: (continued) The usage of an environmental impact assessment can have several different objectives: in determining the impact on a specific ecology or a single species, financial implications, should something become damaged, comparing different sites for development or elevate the profile of environmental issues,

Ecotourism management considerations: a practitioner’s perspective: (continued) Code of practice for ecotourism operators (role of ecotourism in society): Strengthen the conservation effort for and enhance the natural integrity of the places visited. Be efficient in the use of natural resources (water, energy) Respect the sensitivities of the other cultures. Develop a recycling program. Employ tour guides well versed in and respectful of local cultures and environments. Never intentionally disturb or encourage the disturbance of wildlife or wildlife habitats.

Ecotourism management considerations: a practitioner’s perspective: (continued) Providing specific guidelines for both the organization and visitors, such as the code of practice drawn up in Australia, will help reduce any negative impacts that might occur. By adhering to different standards that have been developed, such as carrying capacity, codes of best practice and visitors activity management process, the natural and cultural heritage can be protected.

Ecotourism management considerations: a practitioner’s perspective: (continued) The more involved the local community become in the organization the more beneficial the tourism development will become for them. it is vital that the impact of visitors, socially, environmentally and economically, is monitored and evaluated in order to minimize and overcome it.

Reference planet.botany.uwc.ac.za/.../Lectures/Chapter%2015%20-%20Ecotourism..