Concept of Ecotourism and Implementation of the Principles of Ecotourism in the UK - Essay Example

Ecotourism is an ecologically sustainable, socially responsible, natural resource based phenomenon that preserves the environment, takes care of the community, and focuses on educational aspects of nature so as to provide a sustainable approach for development (WTO 2002). This research explores the concept of ecotourism and provides an assessment of whether the principles of ecotourism have been implemented in the UK. While considering a number of other parks it focuses mainly on Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PNCB) which is located in Wales. The principles of ecotourism as laid down by … have been used as the basis of assessment and the non-compliance with any one of these principles is suggestive of failure. The rationale for the research lies in its interest to the wider community. PNCB in Wales was chosen because of its location and because of the suitability of Wales generally as an ecotourism destination. The collection of data was done by means of survey questionnaires which were done face to face, by telephone interviews and emailed questionnaire. The methodology was both qualitative and quantitative as both served to reinforce and strengthen the other. The findings revealed that even though the visitors to the park were impressed with the scenic beauty and would recommended it as an ecotourism site there were still shortcomings that needed to be addressed. PNCP which was used to test the principles was weak in a number of respects. The management was not able to control the traffic through the park as it is an open area. The full cooperation of the community with the NPA is necessary to facilitate the implementation of the principles of ecotourism. The decision to conserve energy and preserve the environment is currently left to the locals who do not place major importance on the issue at this time. Conclusions, Implications and Recommendations In concluding it is clear from the findings that there is no standard definition for ecotourism. However, the principles have provided sufficient guidelines to indicate that ecotourism principles have not been fully implemented at PNCP. The park is affected by increased tourist visitation with over 4.2 million visitors per year. This problem concurs with Weaver’s (2001) and Butler’s (1991) finding that increased tourist visitation is one of the most persistent problems facing parks and protected areas in the UK. The authorities are unable to control the entrance to the park because it is an open area. There is no real possibility of keeping anybody out. How do you limit the number of visitors in an open area? An additional problem faced in terms of minimising the negative impacts is the fact that ninety nine per cent (99%) of the park is in private hands. This problem may seem irresolvable. However, there is always a way. It simply means that the several owners would have to cooperate in order to facilitate the security of the park for it to implement this particular aspect of the principles of ecotourism. Establishing this principle is and will continue to be the real challenge for PNCP under the existing conditions. This principle, however, may not seem suitable based on the issues on the ground (Diamantis 2004). While people cannot be forced to practice preservation and conservation in terms of the use of energy, recycling and proper disposal of waste, educating them will take some time. It has to start in the schools and other institutions which can help in a positive way. Young children can teach their parents and older siblings a lot. They are the standard bearers of the future. The older folks are already set in their ways and may not think that these efforts will impact their well being in any major way. They are taken up with the daily problems in the economy. However, there are still ways that can be used to get them involved in energy conservation and preservation of the environment. The other major institutions such as the church and local clubs can be used as a means of getting the locals to comply with guidelines. They have to be made to think it is important and that time is of the essence. The principle of promoting responsible business by working cooperatively with the local community to meet their needs has not borne much fruit. NPA has tried to get the locals to practice some farming but these opportunities have not been fully taken up. They are mainly concerned with the direct benefits they can derive through employment and the spin offs from tourism in the area. A major problem is that at least three of the principles are so intertwined that it is almost impossible for PNCP to attain the level required. There can be no visitor management plan if the park is opened and not centrally controlled. How can you plan for something that you have no control over? Local participation in planning is a major problem that the authorities face. The park provides satisfaction and positive experiences for visitors and guests. It also provides direct financial and economic benefits for local communities and local businesses. However, it does not provide financial benefits for preservation and conservation. Even though the locals are encouraged to recycle and to properly dispose of waste it is left to them as their personal responsibility. In promoting preservation and conservation it has to be constantly riveted in the minds of the locals as to its importance. The areas around the park can be split into groups and the locals rewarded for efforts of conservation and preservation. They (the locals) will then be the ones encouraging each other and not the authorities. They will then have more reasons to work towards conserving and preserving the environment. People do not like to think that they are being forced to do something. It needs to be seen as a natural part of living. On the point of relying on infrastructure that has been developed in harmony with the environment and ensuring that the development of tourism does not exceed the environmental and social limits of acceptable change; it is essentially a tough principle. The development of tourism has already exceeded its environmental limits with an average of 11,500 visitors passing through PNCP on a daily basis. This is a general problem as the other Parks though not open see high levels of tourists and other visitors on a daily basis. This problem may be solved by having set hours of visitation and setting daily limits, which is suggestive of turning away visitors once the daily limit has been reached. Another way is to still accommodate visitors as they come but not allowing them to stay for long periods. The problem here is: what length of time is considered reasonable? This principle is closely tied to the principle of managing natural and protected areas with emphasis on the needs for tourism zoning system and visitor management plan and monitoring programs. The same questions and implementation problems apply to this principle which shows how deeply intertwined these principles are. These principles are also closely connected to the principle of minimising negative impacts on environment and culture by the use of appropriate techniques such as carrying capacity and limitation of visitors to sensitive areas. While one can limit visitors to sensitive areas the park is open and the problem and difficult questions remain to be answered. A committee needs to be set up to look specifically at how the principles of ecotourism can be attained in the Parks especially PNCP. The committee will have to focus on how to work around the problem of multiple ownership of PNCP. Also of importance is getting the locals truly involved in promoting the preservation and conservation of the environment. The locals need to be made aware as to which practices are considered environmentally friendly and which are not. A timeline has to be set and the order in which the changes will be made needs to be outlined. The committee members should come from the community, NPA, PNCP, and from local groups that seek to promote the preservation and conservation of nature and the environment. Regular meetings should be held in order to determine the stage and progress of implementation. It is good to take it a step at a time and to look at aspects of the principles that apply to more than one issue. The success of this will depend on urgency with which the matter is perceived by the major actors. Read More