Current Trends in Ecotourism - Literature review Example

Current Trends/Happenings in Ecotourism Tourism is one of the key economic sector in world, itaccounts for over 8% of total employment. Ecotourism activities have long term socio- economic impacts on the tourism industry and community where it is practiced. I t has employment impacts which goes beyond employment creation but also indirect source of income from it in retail services, restaurants and hotels. Its impacts in the tourism industry can be classified in terms of monetary benefits and economic development in general (Mak,2007). Ecotourism also has appositive impacts to the environment. Introduction Ecotourism entails responsible travel to natural areas that improves environmental conservation as swell as well-being of local people. It is mainly about bringing communities together, uniting conservation and sustainable travel. Ecotourism has six principles that it focuses on; minimizing impact, building cultural and environmental respect and awareness, providing both visitors and hosts positive experiences, providing direct financial benefits for conservation and raising sensitivity to host countries’ environmental, political and social climate. According to world travel and tourism council, tourism is an important sector in the world’s economy. It contributes 10 percent of the world’s gross domestic product and nearly 8 percent of employment worldwide. Although agriculture which has variety like flower cultivation, macadamia nuts and papaya, manganese nodule mining and film production have extended global economic base tourism still plays a major role. In 2010, approximately 145,235 jobs which are 17.4% of employment total were in tourism sector. Hence, it is the biggest creator of jobs amongst all other major economic sectors. Tourism is associated with many social and economic benefits, especially in developing countries as well as rural areas. However, tourism can be sustainable if only it is managed carefully, so as to avoid the potential negative effects from being more that benefits In the article, the Concept of Ecotourism: Evolution and Trends by Dimitrios Diamantiso outlines the evolution and trends in ecotourism. It states that, ecotourism as a term emerges in the late 1980s. This was as a result of the world’s acknowledged and reaction to sustainable practices and global ecological practices. It notes that demand for ecotourism was contributed by increased awareness to minimize the antagonistic impact of tourism on the environment and natural based elements of holiday activities. Furthermore, this demand was promoted by solid evidence that they were a shift from mass tourism by consumers towards a more individualistic and enriching experience. Moreover, the operations of ecotourism are associated with alternative tourism forms and the tourism products brought forth from these segments. The focus was mainly concerns on the ecotourism large volume demand generated both from the consumers and stakeholders. This article mainly focuses on evaluating the definitional perspective of ecotourism. This is through two broad schools of though; first, local issues raising issues concerning ecotourism impact. Secondly thematic studies, which illustrate issues regarding planning and development especially, where themethodological issues are focused on. In the journal of ecotourism, Ecotourism as a threatening process for wild orchids, human activities threaten. Furthermore, nature-based tourism which is ecotourism is contributing to the decline of some wild orchid populations. Moreover, this has not been discussed in most tourism literature. Therefore, in this journal they provide a scoping assessment to establish that ecotourism contributes to the loss of some wild orchids through direct collecting, trampling and habitat clearance, and/or indirectly through increasing the impact of other threats such as pathogens, weeds and climate change using data threatened orchids in Australia (Rattana, et al 2013). Global estimates reveal that 32% of visitors in New Zealand and Australia search for wild plants, scenery and wildlife as part of their trip. Furthermore, 80% of tourists in Africa say wildlife is the primary motivational attribute. In North America, 69%-88% travelers from European and Japanese considers bird-watching and wildlife to be the most attributes of their visits. Moreover, 50%-79% of Latin American visitors advocates visits to protected areas, thereby their destination is chosen by considering this factor. Consequently, it is claimed that over 100 million people in America participate in activities related to wildlife activities; viewing wildlife 76.5 million and 24.7 million bird-watching. Furthermore, ecotourism has contributed about $20 billion in economic activities which has a 30% growth per year. This studies also showed that, natural and wildlife setting accounted for a total 20%-40% of international tourism receipts, this has a an estimated 20- 50% increase annually. However, this statistical facts have note been matched with commonly acceptable data, further, there is a growing concern that this segment accounts for a significant proportion of world travel (Taylor, et al, 2012). According to Hawaii tourism authority, Hawaii ecotourism directly affect tourism and hotel enterprises industries. Reports from Hawaii tourism authority show increase in industries such as hotel enterprises due to ecotourism increase. In 1980 the hotel enterprises generated about 24% of gross state product, this percentage kept increasing. In 1990 it generate 43% of gross state product. Generally, Ecotourism has a positive impact to hotel enterprises thus affecting tourism industry in general as it attracts investors. These investors mainly invest in hotel enterprises because the number of visitors in Hawaii keeps increasing as years come by. In 2011, hotel enterprises in Hawaii generated $2.87billion, an increase since 2007 of more than 12% annual revenue. Consequently, this number is expected to increase with the increased interest with ecotourism in the area (hawaiitourismauthority.org). The authors’ of ecotourism at a crossroads: the case of Costa Rica, assess development of ecotourism in Costa Rica. They suggest that traditional approaches to tourist segmentation may not be applicable for long. Recently, visitors’ needs and motivation has changed more rapidly than previous decades. As the country progresses toward big mass culture, it will be essential for government and stakeholders in the ecotourism (Lumsdon, et al, 2008) Ecotourism is beneficial to the environment and tourism industry as a whole. Normally, ecotourism has three principals impacts; environmental, economic and socio-cultural. Moreover, efforts put in managing tourism will determine both the extent of positive and negative effects of ecotourism to an economy especially tourism industry. (Mak, 2007). As evident even from the ecotourism definition, its descriptive components include the natural environment as an attraction. Moreover, components prescribed in ecotourism components involve visitation impacts on the natural environment. Although, ecotourism has both positive and negative environmental impacts, the positive impacts overweigh the negatives impacts. One of the benefits is felt as some tours involve in cleaning trails or undertaking rehabilitation work. Furthermore, ecotourism can indirectly generate positive impacts by raising economic and politic al support for conservation and management of natural areas. Moreover, some argue that ecotourists are prompt to preserve the environment, therefore, it is expected that they will generate little or no negative impacts to the environmental. This is because; ecotourists in my cases go to environmentally fragile areas, such as alpine and arid areas; this visitation mostly take place during sensitive periods, like; during breeding or hatching periods and, eventually, visitation by ecotourists may lead to mass tourism at the site. For instance; in a place like Philippines ecotourism promotes measures of conservation as it educates visitors about the local issues with regard to environmental conservation. Furthermore, it has encouraged meaningful community involvement between locals in relation to tourism activities. Moreover, ecotourism is profitable and sustains itself since it improves living standards of poor people especially in rural areas. Moreover, ecotourism in significant in the tourism industry as it works to reduce the adverse effects of what traditional tourism has done to the natural environment. It promotes recycling, energy efficiency and the efficient use and reuse of water. Since ecotourism entails recreational and educational travel, which are entirely based on natural attraction it is a good means advancing economic, social and environmental objectives in many countries. This is especially in the developing countries. Furthermore, ecotourism offers new opportunities especially for small-enterprises investments thus increases the national stake in conserving and protecting biological resources. Consequently, in order to give a positive effect of ecotourism, positive environmental and economic tools require policies that bring responsible nature tourism development. Moreover, it needs broad based and active local participation in its gains and conservation of 3rd world biological inheritance (Rattana, et al, 2013). Tourism in general is demanding in the infrastructure sector. For ecotourism to impact the environment and tourism industry positively, the government has to work harder, use a lot of revenue to ensure good environment for visitors. The need for improved infrastructure and better security will result to government straining to meet them. Job creation by travel and tourism industry is often poorly paying and seasonal. At the same time it affects the market prices, it pushes cost of goods and property up, and this is a disadvantage to the population. Therefore, ecotourism is much help as it is mainly undertaken to meet the needs of the local communities. Tourism and hospitality industry is one of the main factors that influence global economy. The tourism industry is compared with other key economic sectors in the world such as; exports, output, consumption, household, visitor spending and number of employees. Moreover, ecotourism plays a crucial role in keeping the tourism industry produce to its maximum. However, ecotourism effect on tourism industry fluctuates with increase and decrease of visitor expenditure. Travel industry is responsible for goods transportation which is used by visitors. (Sharma, 2005). Ecotourism brings in foreign exchange; international tourists change their currency into local currency to be able to pay for their experience. Therefore, the host country gets foreign exchange to spend on its expenses such as educational and medical facilities. This brings in revenue to the local community thus it increases the income in the tourism Ecotourism creates jobs, that is through direct and indirectly employment within the tourism industry. Indirect employment is in sectors like transport and retail. When employed individuals spend their wages and salaries on goods and services, it leads to more jobs creation. This is referred but economist as multiplier effect. Furthermore, the tourism industry also provides population with opportunities, business enterprises that are particularly important in communities in rural areas. The government also generates extra revenue from taxes collected from hotels and airports as a result of ecotourism. Ecotourism in some instances entails nature that is endangered and in protected areas. Furthermore, activities of ecotourism provide incentives from various forums to protect this environment both formally and informally. This is a great help in ensuring such endangered ecosystem are protected and preserved for future research and education. Moreover, as a fastest-growing sector of the tourism industry ecotourism offers tourism companies and Third World destinations alike the prospect of capitalizing on the comparative advantage of these nations in terms of unspoiled natural environments. This destinations benefit from such development benefits more in terms of local investment, small-scale with less adverse impacts. Conclusion In conclusion, Ecotourism is beneficial to the environment and tourism industry. Tourism is one of the biggest industries in the world; it affects the economy, environment, jobs and the travel industry. Ecotourism impacts both to the environmental and people at large is important and should be considered in regional, state and community development planning. Furthermore, other than just environmental benefits ecotourism without a doubt provides substantial economic benefits to any country or locality especially if it visitor number is steady. Ecotourism plays a significant role in the tourism industry. Lastly, ecotourism has an impact on natural ecosystems, but more importantly, it gives a way to encourage conservation in ecologically fragile regions (Rattana et al, 2013). References "Home - Hawaii Tourism Authority." Home - Hawaii Tourism Authority. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 April. 2013. . Lumsdon, L.M.; Swift, J.S. (2008) Ecotourism at a crossroads: The case of Costa Rica. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. v. 6, no. 2 p. 155-172. 1998. Mak, James. (2007) Tourism and the economy: understanding the economics of tourism. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press,. Print. Pp 12 Rattana, J. K., Maira, H. L., & Eaglesa, P. F. (2013). Volunteer tourism: its role in creating conservation awareness. Journal of Ecotourism, 11(1), 1-15. Sharma, K. K. (2005) Tourism and development. New Delhi: Sarup & Sons,. Print. Pp129 Taylor and Francis, (2012)Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management .Journal of Ecotourism. 13(4) Read More