Eco-Tourism: An Over View

  Reddy,
Dr.E.Sivanagi
Director, Dr.YSR.NITHM
 The Beginnings…….
• Canada offered ecotourism as early as 1973
• Romeril used the term ecotourism 1985
• Elizabeth Boo’s Eco-Tourism: The
Potentials and Pit Falls (1990) first book
on ecotourism which gave a definition
 Definition:
• Eco-Tourism is a form of tourism that fosters
learning experiences and appreciation of the
natural environment or some component
thereof, within its associated cultural context.
 Definitions of Tourism
• Tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling
to and staying in places outside their normal place of
residence for not more than one consecutive year &
not less than 24 hours for leisure, business and other
purpose not related to the exercise of an activity
remunerated form within the place visited ...

• The temporary movement of people to destinations

outside their normal places of work and residence, the
activities undertaken during their stay in those
destinations, and the facilities created to cater to their
needs.
 When we are Tourists?
• A tourist is one who travels away from home for a distance of at least
50 miles (one way) for business, pleasure, personal affairs, or any
other purpose except remunerated activity and stay their for at
least 24 hours.

• Time
– 24 hours = accommodations
• Distance
– 50 miles.
• Purpose
– Business, Pleasure, leisure, VF&R, etc.,

• Same-day visitors: "visitors who do not spend the night in a collective

or private accommodation in the place visited".
 Motivation for Travel

• Education & Culture

– To see how people in other countries live, work and play.

– To Enjoy scenic beauty and cultural sights
– To gain a better understanding of what goes on elsewhere.
– To understand special events/ festivals/ cultural
functions.

• Relaxation & Pleasure

– To get away form the routine of life.

– To have a good time away form home.
– To have a romantic or exotic experience
 Classification of Tourism
six distinct categories according to the
purpose of travel
1. Recreational: People want to relieve from the stress
2. of life eg: Hill Stations, Urban Entertainment Centers,
Picnic sports, Beaches etc.,

3. Cultural: Satisfies the cultural and intellectual curiosity

of the individual eg: Ancient monuments, places of
Historical and Religious importance, fairs and festivals.

4. Sports / Adventure: Trips taken by people with a

view to playing gold, skiing in the mountains or hiking,
Mountaineering, White water rafting, Rock climbing
etc.,
Classification of Tourism
4. Convention : It is becoming an increasingly important
component of travel. People travel within a country or
overseas to attend conventions relating to their business,
profession or interest.

5. Incentive : Holiday trips are offered as incentives by major

companies to dealers and salesmen who achieve high target
sales. This is a new and expanding phenomenon in tourism.
These are in lieu of cash incentives or gifts.

6. Health : People travel for medical treatment or visit places

where there are curative possibilities like hot springs, spas,
yoga, meditation centers, etc,
 Exploring Ecotourism:
The who, what, why, and how
ECOTOURISM DEFINITION
o Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the
environment and sustains the well being of the local
people”. The Ecotourism Society (1991 )

o Contributes actively to the conservation of natural and

cultural heritage,

o Includes local and indigenous communities in its planning,

development and operation, and contributing to their well-
being,

o Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the

destination to visitors,

o Lends itself better to independent travelers, as well as to

organized tours for small size groups.
 Defining the Eco-tourist

Adventurers? Families?

Foreign Visitors?
Domestic Visitors ?
Seniors ?
Bird Watchers?

Backpackers?
 Motivations for Eco-Tourists

oAchievement/Stimulation
• Enjoy Nature
oPhysical Rest
• Learn New Things
oTeach/Lead Others
oRisk Taking • Family Relations
oRisk Reduction • Reduce Tension
oMeet New People • Escape Physical Stress
oCreativity • Share Similar Values
oNostalgia • Independence
oAgreeable Temperatures
 Principles of Ecotourism
• Increases in the overall travel market.

• Growth in popularity of vacations to natural areas-particularly

dramatic growth rates to parks in developing countries.

• Massive dissatisfaction with the simplistic travel packages offered by

travel firms and facilities.

• Urgent need to generate funding and human resources for the

management of protected areas in ways that meet the needs of
local rural populations.

• Recognition of the importance of tourism within the field of

sustainable development.
 Principles of Ecotourism
• Emphasizes the need for planning and sustainable growth of
the tourism industry and seeks to ensure that tourism
development does not exceed the social and environmental
"carrying capacity.“

• Retains a higher percentage of revenues in the host country by

stressing the use of locally owned facilities and services.

• Increasingly relies on infrastructure that has been developed

sensitively in harmony with the environment: minimizing use of
fossil fuels, conserving local plant and wildlife and blending
with …
 Stakeholders

• Central / State Governments

• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Surrounding Communities
• Ecotourism Companies
• Development Agencies: such as World Bank
• Visitors: Foreign, domestic
• Nature: Endangered species/areas
 Eco-Tourism Mix
Local Ecotourism
people

en
on m
v ir Visitors
En
t

Source: Taylor Stein 2003

 Ecotourism Provides…
• Minimize environmental and social impacts

• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect

• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and the host

communities

• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation

• Encourage community participation

• Benefits to the nature based recreation products

• Benefits to the bio-diversity

• Benefits to the Eco-System

• Benefits to wildlife

• Benefits to forest Department & Tourism Department

What kinds of businesses fall into
the ecotourism category?
• Guided nature tours-
canoeing, hiking,
bird watching

• Cultural tours-
historical,
archeological

• Farms (Agri-Tourism)-
livestock, herbs, organic
 Who else benefits from eco-
tourists?
• Outfitters- birding store,
hiking gear, camping

• Restaurants- local cuisine

• Craft sales- pottery,

clothing, local artwork

• Bed and Breakfasts

• Others?
 From a functional viewpoint
ecotourism is:
• Mostly individual or small-scale tourism (tour groups <25 and
hotels with <100 beds

• Operated by small and medium sized companies in natural areas

• Concentrates on leading and accommodating small groups in

natural areas in an educational manner

• Eco-tourists are more likely to select from a range of intimate,

adventure-type accommodations such as cabins, lodges/inns,
camping, bed and breakfasts centers.

Source: United Nations Environment Programme 2006

 Profile of Eco-Tourists

• Age: 35-54 years old

• Gender: 50% female,

50% male

• Education: 82%
college grades
 Types of Benefits
• Personal
– Psychological
– Physiological
• Social
• Educational
• Economic
• Environmental &
• Ecological
 Personal ( psychological &
physiological)
• Mind could move to peace
• Experience the tranquility
• Improve my physical health
• Relaxation from busy world
• Enjoy the noise and smell of the nature
• Understand the natural world better
• Satisfaction of ego
• Observe the scenic beauty
• Develop my skills and ability
• Self discovery
 Sociological
• Compassion
• Share similar values
• Respect for other & nature
• Encourages the development of culture, crafts and arts.
• Increases the education level of local people.
• Encourages the people to learn the languages and Etiquette
towards the foreign tourists
• Improves intercultural understandings
• Empowerment of women and Weaker sections
• Increase of hygienic conditions
 Educational
• Out door education
• Nature awareness
• Environmental education
• Ethics
• Scientific
• Flora
• Fauna
• Research & Development
 Ecological
• Conservation of biosphere Reserves, protected areas
• Life support
• Un-disturbed Eco-System
• Conservation of endangered species
• Sustainable development
• Nature conservation
• Uninterrupted energy flow in food chain
• Maintaining biological diversity ( Species , Gene pool )
• Using resources sustainability
• Conservation of ocean reserves
 Economic
• Increase jobs for local communities
• Increase Income
• Encourage local manufacture of goods (sales of carvings, art,
handcraft, carvings, food, cultural activities, etc.)
• Obtains new markets and foreign exchanges
• Improves the living standards
• Generating local tax revenues
• Increasing funding for protected areas and local communities
• Stimulate new tourism enterprises
• Infrastructural development
 Impacts of Eco-Tourism
• To the natural resource.

• Problems to vegetative cover

• If maximum no of visitors visits burden of the natural area
increases
• Problems to animal behaviour
• Problems of vandalism
• Collection of rare plant species
• Pollution problems
• Water problems
 Impact on Community
o Conflicts with the foreign cultures

o Disturbance to community activates

o Increase demand to goods, services and facilities

o Commercialisation of local traditions and lose their integrity and

authenticity

o Demonstration effect,

o Interactivity conflict & Intra-activity conflict

 Minimization of Impacts
• Offer visitors the educational materials they need to learn
about the places and people to be visited and introduce the
importance of contributing to the conservation of places being
visited

• Educate visitors about the full range of natural and cultural

phenomenon to be observed.

• Provide general travel ethics addressing standards for

behavior in natural areas and with local cultures.

• Provide quality orientation and enough leaders to manage the

group according to the sensitivity of the environment visited.
 Planning for Eco-Tourism
• Take advantage of local materials, local craftspeople and artists
wherever possible
• Keep in mind that you are trying to minimize negative impacts
on environment, nature and culture
• Used naturally-felled trees or thatch whenever possible
• Construct paths or walkways that do not interfere with habitats
or lifestyle of local residents or wildlife.
• Don’t allow any automobiles.
• Consider use of passive or active solar or wind energy wherever
possible
• Design facilities to enhance natural vegetation and avoid
unnecessary consumption of energy
• Avoid using energy intensive products
 The “win-win” attribute of
Ecotourism
• Economic development of the area

• Enjoyment by the visitor

• Preservation of nature

• Empowering local communities

 Ecotourism is:
“Responsible travel to
Natural areas which
conserves the
Environment and
improves the
welfare of
local people.”
• According to its definition, ecotourism's
goals are:
• 1)      Conservation of natural and
cultural resources
• 2)      Improvement of local community
welfare (economically and culturally)
• 3)      Empowerment and enrichment of
tourist's experience
• 4)      Economical and business
profitability
Fall Forest
Jungle Tourism
Jungle Tourism
"Take nothing but pictures,
Kill nothing but time,
Bring nothing but memories,
Leave nothing but footprints."
(Rogelio C. Serrano)
Ethnic Tourism:Masai Tribe
Sherpas of Nepal
Sherpas
African Bushmen
Ethnic Tourism
WIKONDO dancers GUINIA
Basada Tribe Ethiopia
Thailand Hill Tribe
Australian Aboriginals
 Garden Tourism

1.Versaille Versailles, probably the world's most famous garden,

was built for Louis XIV and designed by André Le Nôtre.
1.The Garden of Cosmic Speculation Strange landforms abound in
Charles Jencks' Garden of Cosmic Speculation.

                                                                            
1.Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C. The Butchart Gardens at Todd
Inlet, which lie around 14 miles from Victoria B.C., covers more
than 55 acres of the 130 acre Butchart Estate.

                                                                            
1.Holland's Keukenhof Gardens A showpiece for Holland's unique
and beautiful tulips, the manicured landscapes of Keukenhof Gardens
abut the rainbow rows of blooming Tulips near Amsterdam.

                                                                            
1.Mirabell Garden in Salzburg The world-famous Mirabell
Gardens were built along a north-south axis and oriented towards the
Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Salzburger Dom cathedral.

                                                                            
1.Ryōan-ji Zen Garden in Kyoto, Japan In Kyoto's Ryōan-ji Zen
Garden, the empty space is implicitly structured, and is aligned with
the temple's architecture.

                                                                            
Drummond Castle Gardens,
Scotland
                                      
 4 legged tree

                                                                  
Nature Tourism
Spring photos of The
Northeast Kingdom

 
               
                                               
                                            

              
Green Tourism
Golf Tourism
Rural Tourism
Rural Tourism
Wild Life Tourism
                                  

    
Wine Tourism
Wine Tourism
Wine Festival
Napa Wine Train
 Ecotourism as a form of tourism:

•
 Basis in nature:
• Provides exposure to an entire ecosystem in
an undisturbed natural environment
Learning: Education, learning
and appreciation
 Nature-based tourism
• 3S Tourism (sea, sand, sun)
• Captive Tourism
extractive tourism
Cultural tourism: Angkor Wat ruins in
jungle
Adventure tourism:Risk,
Physical exertion, skills
• Hybrids (trekking, ACE tourism, NEAT,
activity: Swimming with a whale)
• 3S (sea, sand, sun) tourism
Trekking
ACE tourism
NEAT activity: (Swimming with a whale
shark)
3S (sea, sand, sun) tourism
 
 Types of ecotourism activity:

• Aboriginal Tourism
• Bird Watching
• Nature Photography
• Out-door education
• Out-door research
• Star gazing
• Whale watching
Aboriginal Tourism
Bird Watching
Nature Photography
 Out-door education

•
Out-door research
Star Gazing
Whale watching
Importance of public protected areas
as ecotourism venues:
Like the turtles of the Galapagos
National Park
Gaint redwoods
Marine protected areas: Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park
Santa Elena cloud forest reserve
La Selva Biological Station
Community baboon sanctuary
 Ecotourism as a business

•
 Business participants
• Private sector: Marine biologist/outdoor guide
• Local community: Local Tour Operators, Eco
Lodges (Eg.Kenya/Belize)
• Non-government organizations (NGOs):
Provide community based eco tourism business
• Public sector: Direct involvement of central govts
(China, Vietnam)
•  
Private sector: Marine biologist/
Outdoor guide
 Local community:
• Local Tour Operators
Eco Lodges (Kenya)
Eco Lodges (Eg. Belize)
Non-government organizations
(NGOs):
• Provide community based eco tourism
business
Public sector: Direct involvement of central
govts (China, Vietnam)
 
 Business sectors
• Guidebooks and supplies: The lonely planet series
• Travel agencies: The Australian Harvey World Travels
Promotion for Kingfisher Bay
• Tour wholesalers and operators: International Trips
Programmes
• Accommodation: Eco-lodges (Foot Prints International,
Africa)
• Mediating attractions: Cable Walks, Tree top walks
• Product interpretation: Self help guides
• Off-site interpretation: Brochures / Internet
• On-site interpretation: Car tours / Commentaries
Guidebooks and supplies: The lonely
planet series
 Travel agencies: The Australian Harvey
World Travels Promotion for Kingfisher Bay
 Tour wholesalers and operators:
International Trips Program of TNC
Accommodation: Eco-lodges (Foot
Prints International, Africa)
Ecoresort complex: couran cove
resort,gold coast
Mediating attractions: Cable Ways,
Tree top walks
Tree top walks in walpole-nornalup national park
Valley of the Gaints
Marine tours, Atlantis, Hawaii
View tower
Tree top walks
Product interpretation: Self help
guides
 Off-site(pre experience)
interpretation: Brochures / Internet
On-site interpretation: Car tours /
Commentaries
 Qwality systems:Professionalism: Best
practices standards in environmental conduct
and product delivery
Recreational hunting: National
Parks in Tanzania
Recreational fishing: Ningaloo Marine
Park in West Australia
 
 Other resource stakeholders
• Agriculture
• Forestry and logging
Agriculture
Forestry and logging
 Ecotourism organizations:
• International / National / Regional / Local
NGO’s (33 as on 2005)
The International Ecotourism Society
(TIES): 1990
• Educate, train, awareness, motivate donars
Ecotourism Association of
Australia: 1991
 Other national organizations:
• Japan Eco-Tourism society 1998
 Sub-national organizations:
• Toledo Ecotourism Association
• Toledo District, Belize South- East
 Selected environments and
activities

• Whale watching: 30 countries – Australians

whale protection ACT (1980)
• Location and magnitude: Canada, Mexico,
Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Australia
Whale watching: 30 countries – Australians
whale protection ACT (1980)
 Location and magnitude:
• Canada
Location and magnitude: Mexico
Location and magnitude: Brazil,
Location and magnitude:
Argentina,
Location and magnitude: Spain
 Location and magnitude: Australia
• Whale watching in Harvey Bay,
Queensland
Antarctica and Arctic Ice covered water –
polar – ship and air based tourism
 
 Education and research:

• Knowledge – skill and attitudes

• (Charles Sturt University,NSW)
 Universities: Courses
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Eco-Tourism)
Bachelor of Technology (Eco-Tourism)
•
 IN THE FIELD:
• Combining the classroom and the field at
Flinders University,Adelaide,SA
Positive & Negative Impacts of Eco-
Tourism
• Environmental : Positive
• Incentive to protect & Manage Natural
Environments
• Economic Impacts: Generation of Revenue
& Employment support for cultural &
Heritage Tourism
Key Objectives of Eco-Tourism Plan

• Environmental Protection & Management

• Industry Development
• Infrastructure Development
• Community Development
Thank you for your time.