Republic of the Philippines

BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY

City of Malolos, Bulacan
Tel/Fax (044) 791-0153

ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION
IN TOURISM
MODULE

Nelidiza Rodas-Arceta, MBA, CGSP

Niño Angelo D. Hilario, MSHRM
Gennalyn Manuel
Melody T. Sanchez
Lea Rose O. Vizcarrra, MSHTM

1|P age
 UNIT 2: EMERGING MARKET

Lessons:

1. The Environmental Movements

2. The Ecotourism Market, Motivation, Attitudes and Behavior

Unit Learning Objectives:

1. To critically review definitions and operationalization of the ecotourism market.

2. To analyze and create an understanding of who are ecotourists, including their
motivation for travel, attitude and behavior.

Duration:
 6 hours

Pre-test

Answer the following questions:

1. As a tourist traveling to natural attractions, what would be your expectations of the

destination to be visited?

2. What are your preferences in choosing a natural attraction for travel?

3. What can be your goal or objectives in visiting a natural park?

Activity:

Below are a list of natural attractions in the Philippines, kindly answer if you will be
motivated to visit the place, consider or not at all.

2|P age
 NATURAL YES MAYBE NO
ATTRACTION
Mt. Makiling
National Park

Hundred
Islands
National Park

Ninoy Aquino
Parks and
Wildlife

Biak Na Bato
National Park

Mt. Arayat
National Park

Lesson Proper:

ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS

Tourists of ecotourism have often environmental tendency and can play an

important role in refining and protecting environment, and also developing the
environmental culture among the people.
It is with ecotourism that helps in the conservation of the environment, and
involves interpretation and sustains the well-being of the local people thus it is defined
as a Responsible travel to natural areas. Basically Ecotourism is a sustainable tourism
where focus is on minimizing negative impacts while learning more about the
environment and in a way contributing to environmental protection.
The rising consciousness about global warming by the tourist is one of the
biggest drivers for the market growth. Traveling to the new places or unexplored places
offer a chance to socialize with the locals as people need a change from the stressful
routine. Travel to natural places provides an opportunity to indulge in adventurous
activities. Activities in marine, national parks with biodiversity, local cultures of the
people are the main attractions in the ecotourism market.

3|P age
 Global Ecotourism Market can be divided into; the product type, the application,
the key regions and the key companies. The product can be divided into Accessory,
Very Motivated, Not Motivated, Partially Motivated and Accidental type of tourists.
Ecotourism basically helps create environmental awareness, provides financial
benefits, respects local culture, supports human rights and democratic movements,
empowerment for local people and Provides direct financial benefits for conservation.

ECOTOURISM MARKET, MOTIVATION, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR

A new group of tourist has emerged, those who are wanting a different kind of
activities, experiences and approaches to tourism from the industry: ‘these are the
ecotourists – people who require environmentally compatible recreational
opportunities, where nature rather than humanity predominates ‘.
Ecotourists are not for traditional tourism, they are in pursuit of knowledge and
authentic experiences. Their interest is more on visiting wilderness, attracted to national
parks, and fascinated with tropical forests, and in after viewing birds, mammals, close
encounter with flora and fauna.
These type of tourists wants an experience of new lifestyles and come across
people with similar interests. They want to spend their money by contributing toward
conservation and benefiting the local economy.
Ecotourists can be generally characterized as having higher than average
incomes, largely holding tertiary qualifications and there tend to be more female
ecotourists than men.
According to the International Ecotourism Society, ecotourists are experienced
travelers who are more likely to have a college/university degree and have a higher
income bracket.
Ecotourists are expecting discovery and enlightenment from their ecotourism
experience. Personal growth in emotional, spiritual, as well as intellectual terms, appear
to be expected outcomes from ecotourism travel for the majority of these travelers.

Types of Ecotourist

1. Soft Ecotourists

1. They prefer experiences that are less taxing and supported by accommodation,
eating, parking lots and other services.

4|P age
 2. They prefer travel arrangements made through travel agencies and tour operators.

2. Hard Ecotourists

1. They prefer physically active and challenging experience that involves a close
encounter or contact with nature and those that do not require on-site services.
2. They prefer creating their own travel schedules and specialized trips that require
enough time to reach choice of undisturbed natural venues.

HARD ECOTOURIST SOFT ECOTOURIST

TEnhancive sustainability Steady state sustainability

H
E Moderate or superficial environmental
Strong environment
commitment
E
CSpecialized trips Multi-purpose trips
O
T
Long trips Short trips
O
U
RSmall groups Larger groups
I
SDeep interaction with nature Shallow interaction with nature
M
Emphasis on personal experience Emphasis on meditation
S
PMake own travel arrangements Rely on travel agents and tour operators
E
C
TPhysical challenge Physical comfort
R
UNo service expected Services expected
M
– Motivation, Attitude and Behavior

HARD – Active and Deep SOFT – Passive and Shallow

Strong environmental commitment Moderate or superficial environmental

commitment
Enhancive sustainability Steady state sustainability

5|P age
Specialized trips Multi-purpose trips
Long trips Short trips
Small groups Larger groups
Physically active Physically passive
Physical challenge Physical comfort
No services expected Services expected
Deep interaction with nature Shallow interaction with nature
Emphasis on personal experience Emphasis on mediation
Make own travel arrangements Rely on travel agents and tour operators

Self CHECK - UNIT 2:

Answer the following questions, by using your understanding of the lesson as basis for
your answers.

 Choose one topic from this unit that made an impact to your understanding of the
tourism industry, make a summary and explan the topic chosen based on the
lesson.

 How do you think this unit chapter has helped you improve your knowledge about
the tourism industry?

 What specific learning you got from this unit chapter that will help you in your future
career in the industry?

References:
BOOKS:
6|P age
R. Dowling (2002), Ecotourism. Pearson Education Limited, Romeo D. Lim, DBA
Rajput, Y. (2018). Global Tourism Sustainable Tourism and Eco-Tourism. New Delhi:
Random PUblications.
Ricaforte, B. R. (2016). Ecotourism An Inquiry-Based Learning Approach.
Mandaluyong: Anvil Publishing.
David Weaver, Ecotourism, Second Edition, reprint published 2012
Coccosis, H. Sustainable Tourism, Publications, 2007
Marc Mancini, Introduction to Travel and Tourism, published Thomas Del Mar, 2006

ONLINE RESOURCES:
https://www.bookbub.com/books/conservation-by-paul-jepson-and-richard-j-ladle
https://www.bookbub.com/books/wildlife-habitat-conservation-by-michael-morrison-and-
heather-a-mathewson
https://www.bookbub.com/books/marine-conservation-biology-by-marine-conservation-
biology-institute-staff
https://www.bookbub.com/books/ecotourism-and-sustainable-development-by-patrick-
m-condon-and-martha-honey

7|P age
8|P age