1. Sustainable Ecotourism in Costa Rica and the United States
Roslyn Albee, Carl Carnagey, and Neysa Daquilante
Neysa

2. After This Presentation You Should Be Able To:
Understand what ecotourism is, its importance, and what impacts may result in Costa Rica and the U.S.
Describe activities that make up ecotourism in Costa Rica and the U.S. and how they may differ
Analyze if an ecotourism activity or operation is sustainable and identify ways to increase sustainability of ecotourism operations in the future
Know how to properly choose a sustainable ecotourism company when traveling in the U.S. and abroad
Neysa Presentation Objectives
The most important objectives include knowing what ecotourism is and how activities vary around the world and how to analyze an ecotourism company as a traveler to decide if it is sustainable or not and what qualities designate this title.

3. Importance of Ecotourism
Ecological:
build environmental awareness
waste production
Economical:
provides source of income for businesses and local community
incentive for conserving and enhancing environment
Social:
build cultural awareness and respect
Neysa
b) Ecologically
i) Ecologically ecotourism can be a double edged sword if not done with some care. The waste created by the tourist whom have come to help solve a problem or just enjoy what nature has to offer is sometimes more harmful than the tourists presence is helpful. Keeping a clear picture of the scope of one’s impact while participating in ecotourism is important.
c) Economically
i) Ecotourism is an increasing industry providing a source of income for tour companies that have developed or adopted ecotourism as both a marketing strategy and way of doing business. This brings much needed external income into all economies having the largest impact on the global south.
d) Socially
i) Ecotourism is a mixed bag; socially due to the varied method used by ecotourism companies and their participants. In some cases the social impacts are tremendous and helpful and other times they are not considered by the company or the ecotourist

4. What Is Ecotourism?
Goal is to unite conservation, communities, and sustainable travel
Tourism to places having unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the environment being a primary concern
Neysa
The International Ecotourism Society
Sustainable Travel International

5. Activities in Costa Rica and the U.S.
Local environment
Sea turtles and sustainable theme parks
Emphasis on helping local communities
U.S.:
Viewing of untouched/unexploited landscapes
Alaska to the Rockies
Individual or small group experiences
Neysa
b) How they differ
i) The single largest difference seen when considering ecotourism in the United States versus Costa Rica is the lack of emphasis on socially impacting tours. In Costa Rican literature there are many examples of tours that have the express purpose of improving a community or region where as all of the American tours center on the experience of an untouched wilderness.
pic:
The Huffington Post outlines 9 types of ecotourism opportunities in the U.S.
a few opportunities include:
volunteer at a wildlife refuge or animal shelter
stay at an eco-resort or eco-hotel, many are LEED certified or have the Green Seal of green building materials
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WOOF) allows people to volunteer in exchange for food and board-builds relationships with farmers
visit a national park
Another lower impact way to travel is do hostels when ecotourism isn’t an option

6. Economic Impacts Negative:
Growing industry with potentially accumulating negative impacts
Positive:
Creates jobs
Provides needed external capital to locations lacking industry
Can be used to market a vacation company or particular get away
Neysa
If an ecotourism company acts in a sustainable way, the positive impacts can outweigh the negative impacts set forth on the environment.
an explanation of how marketing the eco-friendly tourism draws in customers who want to feel good about themselves and is a competitive advantage.

7. Ecological Effects
Can help to keep otherwise vulnerable ecosystems intact and productive
The impact of the tourist can be negative with too much waste being created.
Choose your tour company carefully
Carl
In reference to choosing ones company carefully we will discus the fact that some tour companies brand themselves as ecotourism vendors but are actually just using the concept for marketing and don’t consider the ecological impacts of their tours at all.

8. Social Impact
Ecotourism is a mixed bag; socially do to the varied method used by ecotourism companies and their participants.
Can be very helpful to an ecosystem when tour companies act responsibly
Carl

9. Themes of Ecotourism in the U.S
Focused on viewing untouched wilderness
not usually action oriented
individual or small group
Carl

10. Themes of Ecotourism in Costa-Rica
Hands on
Community minded with positive social impact
larger groups often accomplish more
Carl
Hands on
Educating tourists about the importance of these ecosystems, what the animals are, etc
Community Supported
Jobs
Health Care
Adding additional protected land through investing profits into conservation

11. What Makes an Ecotourism Company Sustainable?
Economical:
balance between citizens long term economic needs and short term goals of the business
Ecological:
reinvestment of profits into conservation
increasing biodiversity
reduction of solid waste over time
Social:
evidence of thriving local culture
effective planning
Carl
Sustainable Travel International identifies key aspects of a sustainable ecotourism company

12. Ecological Sustainability
What are the impacts to the environment?
Does it benefit the land by keeping it protected: lodging, amenities, etc?
What habitats and endangered species are being affected?
Carl
some questions for consumers to ask when evaluating companies based on level of sustainability: add additional questions to be asked based on time

13. Economic Sustainability
Does it make the rich richer or help everyone within the community?
What services are benefiting (restaurants, lodging, etc)?
Does the money spent on ecotourism stay in the country and locally?
Roslyn
For every dollar generated by ecotourism how much of it stays in Costa Rica and how much economic value does that bring to the local community
When locals have money from ecotourism they are then able to spend money locally creating an upward spiral for all

14. Social Sustainability
Does it affect indigenous people of the host country?
Does the culture accept and educate others?
Are the ecotourism organizations sensitive to make sure locals are being respected?
Roslyn
Are the people employed
How is local access to basic needs (food, water, shelter, health care, etc)
Do Costa Ricans like the foreigners visiting and are both parties respectful along with learning from each other.
Questions to think about when planning your trip

15. Certification in Sustainable Tourism
“aims to differentiate tourism businesses based on the degree to which they comply with a sustainable model of natural, cultural, and social resource management”
5 levels of certification
Roslyn
Allows you to make an easier and educated decision on what businesses are the most sustainable

16. How to Pick the Right Tour
Does it meet your trip goals?
Uses local resources and employees
Balance impacts
Roslyn:
Balancing conservation, profits, and locals. Is it fun for those experiencing it?
Is the experience going to be one they recommend to others?

17. Ecotourism Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPq80Ehb_OU Roslyn
If there is extra time this ecotourism video with the opinions of Costa Rican

18. Websites with Additional Information
nature/index.html
Roslyn:
Additional Resources
Questions