Ecotourism and Its Benefits - Term Paper Example

Ecotourism Introduction Tourism is one of the fastest emergent industries in the world and the key source offoreign exchange revenues for several developing countries. The growing economic significance of tourism has captured the interest of many states. In 2011, global traveler arrivals increased by 4.6%, where overall arrivals increased from 940 million in 2010 to 983 million in 2011. It is quite obvious that international growth of tourism poses a considerable risk to biological and cultural diversity (Tribe 2012, p. 51). Ecotourism is described as a form of nature-based tourism in the market and various organizations perceive it as an outstanding instrument of promoting sustainable growth in developing nations. Ecotourism is environmentally accountable visitation and travel to comparatively undisturbed natural regions, with an aim of enjoying and appreciating nature and any supplementary historical and present cultural features, which promotes conservation, has low harmful tourist impact, and provides for constructively vigorous socio-economic participation of local residents. Ecotourism seeks, in all scenarios, to attain sustainable growth. However, all tourism activities should aim to attain sustainable development (Mowforth & Munt, 2003, p. 85). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development The number of tourist destinations has been increasing at a high rate thus opening up and increasing investment in tourism development. This has turned tourism as a major driver of socio-economic development through export earnings, the creation of employment opportunities, the development of enterprises and infrastructure development. Sustainable development describes the development that satisfies the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of forthcoming generations to meet their own requirements. Social sustainability, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability are three significant features of sustainable development (Tribe, 2012, p. 54). Environmental sustainability is referred as preservation of life sustaining structures. An ecological, sustainable system ought to sustain a steady resource base avoiding over exploitation and draining resources. This involves preservation of ambiance stability, biodiversity, and other ecology functions that are not categorized as economic resources. Economic sustainability is concerned with the conservation of economic capital. An economic, sustainable system ought to have the capacity of generating services and goods on a long lasting basis. Social sustainability refers to conservation of social capital. A system that is socially sustainable ought to achieve parity in opportunity and allocation, adequate provision of social amenities, and political involvement and accountability (Tribe, 2012, p. 56). As Tribe (2012, p. 60) notes, sustainable progress and ecotourism are entwined philosophies. Sustainable tourism concept encompasses ecotourism and mass tourism. Sustainable tourism demonstrates the association of sustainable growth and ecotourism. Various organizations have proposed set principles for sustainable sightseeing and ecotourism. The following are the standards of sustainable tourism; first is utilizing resources sustainably. This emphasizes on the significance of preservation and sustainable utilization of natural, cultural and social factors in sustaining enduring business. Reducing waste and over consumption; reduction of waste and over consumption avoids the expenditures of restoring lasting environmental destruction and contributes to the quality of sightseeing. Sustaining biodiversity; preserving and promoting social, natural diversity is vital for lasting sustainable sightseeing and creates a resilient foundation for the industry. Integrating sightseeing into planning; tourism development that is integrated into local and national, tactical planning framework and which undertakes ecological impact evaluations increases the continuing feasibility of tourism. Sustaining local economies; sightseeing that supports a wide variety of domestic economic activities and which considers ecological values and expenditures, thus protecting these economies and averts ecological destruction. Involving domestic communities; full participation of local communities in the sightseeing sector benefits the community, environment and enhances the quality of the sightseeing project (Tribe, 2012, p. 62). Consulting of all stakeholders; consultation among the sightseeing industry and local residents’ institutions and organizations is vital in ensuring strong relations and resolve prospective conflicts of attention. Training employees; workers training that combine sustainable sightseeing into work practices and recruitment of employees at all levels enhance the quality of the sightseeing product (Fennel, 2008, p. 37). Marketing sightseeing responsibly; marketing that offers travelers with full and accountable information augments respect for cultural, social and natural surroundings of destination regions and improves client satisfaction. Undertaking research; continuing research and monitoring by the stakeholders in the tourism sector using effectual data collection and analysis is vital in assisting to solve troubles and bring advantages to destinations, clients and the industry. Ecotourism is a toll of ensuring sustainable tourism. There are some components of ecotourism. Ecotourism contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and maintains the welfare of the local individuals (Pearce & Butler, 2002, p. 110). As Duffy (2002, p. 101) notes, ecotourism includes a learning experience and entails responsible conduct on the part of the sightseeing industry and tourists. Ecotourism is delivered principally to small clusters by small scale businesses and requires lowest feasible utilization of non-renewable resources. Ecotourism emphasizes local involvement, possession and business opportunities, especially for rural individuals. Ecotourism’s perceived prospective as an outstanding instrument for sustainable growth is the principal reason why emergent states are currently embracing it and encompassing it in their preservation and economic progress strategies. Advantages of Ecotourism Benefits to Local Communities Ecotourism businesses are planned and administered at a local level. Members of the public are engaged in all phases of the process empowering the local individuals while encouraging tourists to their regions. The ventures create employment opportunities locally, reducing the need for young individuals to move to cities in search of employment. The employment opportunities created include working as guides, providing accommodation and food, selling crafts, or participation in cultural performances among others. For example, throughout Costa Rica several ecotourism activities take place within communities, which are either within or neighboring parks and other safeguarded areas. This implies that the safeguarded areas and parks are strongly linked to the livelihoods of individuals living near these regions (Wearing & Neil, 2012, p. 87). Ecotourism assists the development of a region by involvement of local individuals in accommodating travels and acting as guides. For example, in Uganda, many locals increase their income by working as field employees in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In several scenarios, local residents work as affiliates with Ecotourism organizations. Ecotourism improves the living standards of the local population through enhanced facilities such as health facilities, new roads, clean and safe water sources and electricity (Sofield, 2003, p. 335). Small scale ecotourism ventures are comparatively inexpensive to set up, and systems such as I-to-I volunteering offer volunteer employees who assist in making these ventures viable through the provision of practical skills and knowledge. This implies that ecotourism provides a long lasting solution to poverty as compared to charitable aid to the poor. Environmental Preservation Tourism assists in encouraging the preservation of natural resources and wildlife since these resources are regarded as sightseeing assets. Ecotourism facilitates the creation of a superior appreciation of globe’s natural resources such as coral reefs, wildlife and landscapes. This arouses a desire to preserve the natural surroundings through the establishment of marine parks, national parks and wildlife preserves. Financial support for preservation is generated by travels through sources such as camping fees, park entrance fees, safari tours and local taxes (Barrow 2006, p. 341). Ecotourism may also help in the fight to preserve the ecosystems of developing nations through offering alternative sources of jobs, thus limiting the destruction caused by the land clearance for agricultural activities and over-fishing. Ecotourism has increased the attention of most stakeholders in the tourism industry and the fundamental principles, and excellent practices of ecotourism are spreading at a higher rate. Major global hotel chains, attraction providers and tour operators, are beginning to espouse ecologically accountable practices such as use of renewable sources of power, water preservation schemes, recycling, and safe disposal of waste (Harrison 2001, p. 65). Cultural Conservation Ecotourism tourists have a greater interaction with local individuals as compared to traditional travels who hardly venture outside their westernized lodges. Ecotourists are frequently motivated by an opportunity to experience domestic culture that may have a constructive and affirming result on that culture. Home stays and lodges established for eco-tourists permit visitors to experience local customs and lifestyles and this attention helps the preservation of the area’s heritage. Disappearing crafts are being revived, and conventional ceremonies, festivals and art forms comprising music and dance are sustained. Interchanges between guests and hosts create a superior cultural understanding and may also increase international awareness of issues such as individual rights abuses and poverty (Timothy, 2009, p. 14). Human rights As Sharpley and Telfer (2008, p. 38) note, ecotourism may assist elevate awareness about social and political issues in developing economies. Traditionally, mass sightseeing has assisted to support undemocratic and corrupt regimes, but ecotourism funds are channeled directly to local residents instead of government coffers. As tourists witness the poverty and oppression that several developing and less developed countries undergo, it develops an escalating international pressure for governments of developed countries to act on individual rights issues. Negative Aspects of Ecotourism Influx of eco-tourists may degrade the natural surroundings through over utilization and pollution. Sightseeing poses a risk to region’s cultural and natural resources such as beaches, water supply, coral reefs and heritage locations through over utilization. Tourism increases pollution through littering, traffic emissions, noise and augmented sewage production (Hawkins & Middlet 1998, p. 127). A study of a national park in Costa Rica established that wild monkeys started feeding on garbage comprising of food and litter left behind by eco-tourists. The behavior of tourists may have harmful result on the quality of life of the local residents. For example, prostitution, congestion, alcohol and drug problems and augmented crime levels may occur. Ecotourism may infringe the rights of the locals by displacing them from their land for the construction of facilities to support ecotourism. Interaction of local individuals and visitors may result to an attrition of conventional values and cultures (Butcher 2007, p. 74). As Wahab & Pigram (1997, p.42) note, successful ecotourism depends on establishing a fundamental infrastructure, such as hotels, tourist centers and roads. This infrastructural development is financed by tax revenues collected by the government. In developing countries, employment opportunities created by ecotourism are frequently seasonal and poorly remunerated. Sightseeing may push the prices of property and the cost of services and products. Funds generated by ecotourism may not always benefit the local residents as some funds may leak out to enormous global firms such as lodge chains. Regions that are heavily dependent on ecotourism may be adversely influenced by events such as natural disasters, terrorism and economic recession. Tourism industry is characterized with seasons; there are seasons of high tourist arrivals and low tourist arrivals. Ecotourism may limit the growth prediction for local residents. There are individuals who believe that ecotourism focuses more on preserving the natural resources, thus destroying the capability of the local individuals to develop sustainably and raise their living standards (Goeldner & Ritchie 2009, p. 402). Conclusion Ecotourism is an outstanding instrument for sustainable growth, especially in developing and less developed countries. The perceived potential of ecotourism as an outstanding tool for sustainable progress has encouraged developing countries to ingrate it in the economic progress and preservation strategies. Ecotourism has various social, environmental and economic benefits. However, if poorly designed and executed, ecotourism may result to environmental and social disasters. Therefore, an integrated and balanced approach, instituted on the guiding standards of sustainable growth, is imperative to maximize the gains and reduce the detrimental impacts of ecotourism in developing countries such as Costa Rica. 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