1. Ecotourism - Theory and Practice
Mr. Cheng Wing Ming, Clement
Tour
(Jointly organized by Department of Chinese History, Department of Geography, Green Club, )

2. Play a game first

3. Outline Tourism industry What is ecotourism?
Why ecotourism in Hong Kong?
Potentials
Constraints
Ecotourism Planning
Conclusion

4. Tourism Industry Planet’s biggest industry
Annual turnover HK$31 trillion
An economy second in the world after USA
Globe’s biggest employer, 10% of the workforce

5. Tourism Industry in Hong Kong
9th top tourism earner in the world (WTO 1999)
Tourists spent HK$53 billion in (HKTA 1999)
Highest tourism receipts and arrivals in East Asia / Pacific region in 1997 (excluding China)

6. Tourism Industry in Hong Kong (cont’d)
--- Visitor Distribution in

7. Tourism Industry in Hong Kong (cont’d)
--- Tourists’ perception of Hong Kong ---
Source: Vinci Li (2000)

8. What is ecotourism?
Ceballos-Lascusain (1987) “Travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific objectives of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in the areas……while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources financially beneficial to local citizens.”

9. What is ecotourism? (cont’d)
Australian Commonwealth Department of Tourism (2010) “Nature-based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural and cultural environment and ecologically sustainable management of natural areas.”

10. Components of ecotourism
Nature-based component
Environmentally-educative component
Sustainable management
Ecotourism ethics
Economic benefits

11. Nature-based component
Wildlife including species, habitat, landscape, scenery and water features
Camping, hiking, picnicking
Nature-based tourism not necessarily ecotourism
Leaving nothing but footprints and taking nothing but photos

12. Environmentally-educative component
Enhance knowledge and foster positive attitudes of participants towards environmental conservation (Bottill and Pearce 1995)
Management strategy (Orams 1995)
Behaviour
lifestyle
change
Enjoyment
satisfaction
Increasing success
of strategy

13. Sustainable management
Green tag vs environmental disruption
Ecotourism market vs nature-based and educative dimensions
Sustainable tourism not necessarily ecotourism
Green management measures (minimize fuel and energy consumption, effective waste disposal, waste recycling, educational, minimize impacts, etc.)
Ecologically sensitive, economically viable, culturally appropriate (Wall 1997)

14. Ecotourism ethics Ecotourists vs mass tourists
Shallow ecotourism vs deep ecotourism
Ecotourists are motivated individuals with specific values, attitudes and behaviour towards nature
Foster a positive attitude towards natural environment
Active
Passive
Increasing success
of strategy
Actions that can
enhance ecosystem
health
Minimize
disturbance
to environment

15. Ecotourism Today Buzzword Utopia in the tourism domain
Fastest-growing sector of tourism industry, swelling by 20% a year
Growing fastest in developing countries with “natural wonders”
“Dyed-green” package trips

16. Why ecotourism in Hong Kong?
Earth Summit on Environment in 1992
Decline in tourists ,408,000 visitors ,575,000 visitors
Development of new tourist attractions (Disneyland Theme Park, Lantau Cable Car, Wetland Park, etc.)
Lack of an interpretative dimension in our country parks
Concerted effort of HKTB, AFCD, NGOs and tourist agencies

17. Group Discussion
Does Hong Kong possess enough tourist attraction to develop ecotourism?

18. Potentials (nature-based perspective)
Country Parks

19. Potentials (nature-based perspective)
Country Parks

20. Potentials (nature-based perspective)
White dolphin watching

21. Potentials (nature-based perspective)
Nature Walks

22. Potentials (nature-based perspective)
Marine Parks

23. Potentials (nature-based perspective)
Mai Po Nature Reserve

24. Potentials (nature-based perspective)
Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve

25. Constraints (Stakeholders’ perspective)
Hong Kong Tourism Board(HKTB)
Advisory body without statutory power
Specializes in marketing approach instead of proactive and sustainable management tactics
Need of a new government department for tourism (or restructuring)
Emphasize on the development of mainland market

26. Constraints (Stakeholders’ perspective) (cont’d)
AFCD and EPD Specialized and technical knowledge Limited by resources

27. Constraints (Stakeholders’ perspective) (cont’d)
Tour operators General travel agencies (mass travelling package) One-person operation (e.g. guided nature walks or dolphin watching) Can they co-exist? Accreditation / Certification system of tour guide (English vs knowledge on hiking, responsibility, taboos, first aid, etc.)

28. Constraints (Stakeholders’ perspective) (cont’d)
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Countryside Heritage Society of Hong Kong, WWF, Green Power, FOE, Hong Kong Marine Conservation Society
--- Profound knowledge and expertise in nature
--- Advisory role, yet not influential (e.g. KCR railway project at Long Valley) Lack of coordination and commitment
--- Bottom-up approach problem

29. Constraints (Stakeholders’ perspective) (cont’d)
Tourists Social attributes, travel experiences, environmental values and future travel preferences (Higgins 1996) visitor information centers in town
--- Pamphlets in Chinese less emphasis on ecotourism

30. Ecotourism Planning
Objectives or themes (bird watching, jungle excursion, adventure sport, etc.)
Target tourists (age, educational levels, income groups, occupations, country or origins)
Format (safari, leisure tour, guided, duration)
Recruitment and training of tour guides
Site selection (criteria, uniqueness, resistance to impact, reversibility)

31. Ecotourism Planning (cont’d)
Baseline data of site (monitor changes)
Management plan for site complete with different threshold levels / carrying capacity
Promotion
Law and enforcement
Periodic monitoring and evaluation

34. 若爾大草原

36. 黃龍

37. 四姑娘山

38. 米亞爾及桃坪羌寨

39. Evaluation of your choice to study Ecotourism
In terms of nature base Excellent
Things to consider:
cultural heritage
different stakeholders
the other three components of ecotourism??

40. Conclusion Brand new concept characterized by misconceptions
Starting point of development
Impossible to follow overseas scenario?
Government department to oversee planning and implementation
Package to include facilities, opportunities and professional services
Targeted at tourists and local people

41. --- The End ---
Thank you!