2. CHAPTER 1
Criteria and Context

3. Discuss the evolution of ecotourism through four tourism ‘platforms’
Learning Objectives
Discuss the evolution of ecotourism through four tourism ‘platforms’
Evaluate the diversity of ecotourism definitions
Describe and critically discuss the four core ecotourism criteria
Explain the challenges associated with the concept of ‘sustainability’

4. Distinguish between minimalist and comprehensive ecotourism
Learning Objectives
Distinguish between minimalist and comprehensive ecotourism
Describe the relationship between ecotourism and related activities such as nature-based tourism, wildlife tourism, adventure tourism, alternative tourism and sustainable tourism
Explain how ecotourism is related to disassociated activities such as 3S tourism and mass tourism

5. Emergence of Ecotourism
Jafari’s four platforms
Advocacy (1950s – 1960s)
Cautionary (1970s)
Adaptancy (1980s)
Ecotourism’s origin as a nature-based form of ‘Alternative Tourism’
Knowledge-based (1990s – 2000s)
Emergence of ‘sustainable development’ and ‘sustainable tourism’
= possibility of ‘mass ecotourism’

6. Definitions Numerous definitions since the mid-1980s
Descriptive and prescriptive components, for example:
Valentine (1992)
Scace, Grifone and Usher (1992)
Fennell (1999)
Blamey (2001)
Quebec Declaration (2001)

7. Ecotourism as a form of tourism
Criteria
Ecotourism as a form of tourism

8. Basis in nature Elemental approach = charismatic megafauna
Criteria
Basis in nature
Elemental approach = charismatic megafauna
Holistic approach = ecosystem emphasis
Associated cultural component
No undisturbed ‘natural’ environments
Indigenous people; fuzzy culture/nature distinction

9. Learning Interactional continuum: formal and informal
Criteria
Learning
Interactional continuum: formal and informal
Motivational continuum: deep and shallow
Interpretation
revelation of relationships and meaning
off-site and on-site
facets of effective interpretation: non-academic, enjoyable, relevant, well-organised, themed

10. Sustainability Weak sustainability (more anthropocentric)
Criteria
Sustainability
Weak sustainability (more anthropocentric)
Strong sustainability (more biocentric)
Environmental and sociocultural
Status quo vs. enhancement sustainability

11. Sustainability Monitoring and implementation issues
Criteria
Sustainability
Monitoring and implementation issues
indirect and induced effects
unpredictable cause and effect relationships
which indicators, what thresholds and benchmarks?
effects of external environments
political realities
Imperative or appearance?

12. Focuses the importance of customer satisfaction to lead to:
Criteria
Financial viability
Sustainability is essentially irrelevant if the operation is not also financially viable
Focuses the importance of customer satisfaction to lead to:
Repeat patronage
Word-of-mouth advertising

13. Textbook definition of ecotourism
Criteria
Textbook definition of ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that fosters learning experiences and appreciation of the natural environment, or some component thereof, within its associated cultural context. It is managed in accordance with industry best practice to attain environmentally and socio-culturally sustainable outcomes as well as financial viability.

14. Minimilist and comprehensive ecotourism Minimilist
Criteria
Minimilist and comprehensive ecotourism
Minimilist
elemental approach
shallow learning
status quo, site-specific sustainability
Comprehensive
holistic approach
deep learning
enhancement, global sustainability

15. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
Nature-based tourism

16. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
Wildlife tourism

17. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
Cultural tourism

18. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
Adventure tourism

19. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
Hybrids

20. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
3S tourism
Marine activities (SCUBA diving, snorkelling, etc)
Current trend away from spearfishing towards passive viewing of marine life

21. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
Alternative tourism and mass tourism

22. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
Sustainable tourism

23. Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
Consumptive and non-consumptive tourism
All tourism activities have a consumptive and non-consumptive element
Preference for term ‘extractive’ tourism

24. Types of ecotourism activity

25. Types of ecotourism activity
The optimal
ecotourism
cycle