Emergence of Ecotourism - Coursework Example

Ecotourism Name of the Student: Name of the Instructor: Name of the course: Code of the course: Submission date: Ecotourism Emergence of ecotourism It is an apparent fact that ecotourism has experienced extensive growth in the recent decades (Wood, 2002). This fact is also supported by Johnson (2008) who determined that ecotourism has evolved into becoming one of the most rapidly growing sections of the tourism industry at the global level. Different scholars have attributed this heightened attraction towards this form of tourism to its positive impacts on the conservation efforts as well as its progressive influences on local economies (Honey, 1999). Ecotourism has for a long time been referred to by diverse names, for instance, ‘alternative tourism’, ‘responsible tourism’ and ‘soft tourism’ among other titles. Nonetheless, despite the variation of names, it is evident that visitors for a long time have been natural areas under the impression of tourism and recreation. This has made some proponents question whether ecotourism is a new concept or an old undertaking (Wall, 1994). However, Diamantis (1999) cited that the concept of ecotourism emerged in the 1980s, a development which can be directly linked to the global reaction and realization of the fundamental need for tourism practices which are sustainable as well as other practices at the global platform. On the contrary, Higgins (1996) suggested that ecotourism was evident in the late 1970s, while Nelson (1994) cited that the idea of ecotourism was manifest during the late 1060s and early 1970s, an epoch which was characterized by increased concern over inappropriate utility of natural resources. Nonetheless, despite the perspective divergence in regard to the actual era when ecotourism emerged, it is apparent that it requires achieving elevated objectives if at all its viability is to be realized (Bagul, 2009). Nonetheless, the present paradigm shift among the consumers from mass tourism towards more inspirational and idiosyncratic tourist experiences exhibits a bright future for this form of tourism (Dowling, 1996). Current approaches to ecotourism development There are different approaches to ecotourism development albeit their variance in achieving the ideals of sustainable ecotourism development. One of the most rudimentary approaches to ecotourism development is the participatory planning approach which entails a greater deal of community participation in the planning and management processes. In this particular approach, there is heightened emphasis on the need to be sensitive about the impacts of ecotourism development on the natural environment. In addition, there is extensive recognition under this approach for the importance to harmoniously integrate the basic tenets of ecotourism with other modes of socio-economic development aimed at achieving sustainable benefits (Garrod, 2002). This approach is achieves the ideals of sustainable ecotourism development in the sense that in its basic idea of incorporating input from the community, it ensures that the ecotourism project considers the impacts of the project on the culture of the community as well as the environmental effects in aspects like pollution. In addition, the project is deemed to benefit from local knowledge about aspects like trends of natural living things, like animal migration as well as the socio-religious significance of some natural features. Thus, the general inclusion of the community in the planning and management of the project is integral in molding their sense of ownership to the project which will eventually result in its sustainability. This is based on the inference by Wall (1997) that for ecotourism to be sustainable, it ought to have economic viability, appropriate to local culture and also sensitive to the ecological set-up. The other approach is to ecotourism development is the formal planning approach which entails a greater emphasis on the possible benefits that ought to be realized from ecotourism development. In this case, formal planning plays a central role in curtailing the practical as well as the physical impediments to the process of ecotourism development(Garrod, 2002). In this latter approach, the level of achieving the ideals of sustainable ecotourism development is minimal based on the fact that the local community may feel that the project formulators are invading their private life, and can thus resist the implementation of the project. This can to a great extent threaten the sustainability of the project. Moreover, the external planners might unconsciously initiate a project which will pose great impacts on the local environment, due to the tendency of not consulting the local knowledge about the local environment dynamics. This culminates in non-achievement of the ideals of sustainable ecotourism development. Both of the above are the key approaches to ecotourism development although other approaches like the ecofeminist approach as raised by Swain and Swain (2004) which acknowledges the fundamental task/role played by females in the roles of providers as well as guests. Ecotourism developments/products Ecotourism is endowed with diverse products to tourism which have extensive significance to the local socio-cultural as well as economic well-being. This analysis will primarily focus on two case studies. Uluru (Ayres Rock) in Australia This site, which is located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has for a long time been linked with ecotourism in Australia as well as extensive cultural significance in the world. According to Bushel (2001), Uluru was the second site at the global level to be put in the world heritage list based on cultural implications. Nonetheless, ecotourism has tended to flourish in this area despite the conflict of interest between the locals (who are predominantly Aboriginal Torres Trait Islanders) and the foreigners. Bushel (2001) noted these ethical concerns by citing the recent temporary closure of the site to expound on the ethical dilemma of the instances under which the economics of tourism takes an antagonistic niche against the local people’s spiritual values. This is based on the fact that the Anangu, who are the local indigenous people in this region dislike the climbing activities of the visitors on this rock which has an inherent spiritual significance to them. Uluru has thus for a long time been a major ecotourism site in the region, attracting above 400,000 people annually with rock climbing being a popular undertaking of the tourists visiting this national park (Hueneke, 2006). Until recent interventions, large number of tourists had been visiting this rock, climbing it using a rope-and-pole path which is drilled on the side of the rock. As a result, the rock was becoming increasingly eroded due to the drilling and climbing activities to the discontent of the local people who attach massive spiritual significance to this rock as previously mentioned (BBC, 2012). It is imperative to briefly analyze the reason as to why climbing this rock has for long been appealing to tourists in order to gain an understanding of the ecotourism products embedded therein. Firstly, Hueneke (2006) noted that the most novel and fascinating rationale of visiting this rock emanates from its geographical niche. This is whereby it is a mountain in a desert, at the center of the continent. Thus, Digance (2003) cited that most of the international tourists expect that their eventual experiences in this site might be mystical, spiritual as well as enlightening. This fact is also supported by Brereton (1995) and Park (1994). In addition, climbing of sacred mountains has also been for a long time been perceived as robust way of completing pilgrimage around the globe (Marcus, 1991). In addition, Du Cros and Johnston (2002) cited that the tracks which were left by early explorers in the 19th C have found great popularity by tourists visiting the rock. This latter fact was also revealed by Morris (1982) andMcGrath (1991). Nonetheless, despite these diverse products that the tourists derive from visiting this rock, it is an apparent fact that their undertakings have for a long time departed from the basic ideals of ecotourism. Firstly, the climbing activities on this rock by tourists before the eventual prohibition were a great disregard of the cultural significance of this rock to the locals. This is whereby the rock has enormous spiritual significance to the Anangu people and they don’t climb it themselves (BBC, 2012). Secondly, there is limited involvement of the local people in the development and management of the infrastructure that sprouted out of the activities at this rock. This fact is epitomized by the Yulara/ Ayers Rock Resort which has been perceived by different scholars as a replication of the European settlement (Rowse, 1991). In this regard, there is bound to be limited economic benefits for the indigenous local people from such products that are generated out of the activities at this natural site. This reveals the departure from the basic ideals of ecotourism. Nonetheless, the legal recognition of the indigenous significance and ownership of the Anangu to this site in 1985 has provided a greater chance for the locals to engage themselves in the management of the site (Anon, 1985). In addition, the prohibition against climbing this rock and the eventual compliance by the tourists is projected to reclaim the cultural and spiritual significance of this rock to the local people. Angling (recreational fishing) in Alaska Angling (recreational fishing) has been cited as being a widely acclaimed and popular outdoor undertaking in North America. This is best epitomized whereby 29.4 million licenses for angling were issued with more than 34 million people participating in this activity in the USA in 2001 (Zwirn et. al, 2005). In Alaska, recreational fishing is an industry that contributes $ I billion per year. In addition, more than 11, 000 members of the Alaskan population are directly employed in offering support to the angling industry, majority of who come from regions which have poor job opportunities (Zwirn et. al, 2005). Recreational fishing in this region which is mostly predominantly conducted by tourists poses positive impacts on the local economy based on the fact that fish which are caught in angling activities might be worth 40 times more to the local economy when juxtaposed with the same fish harvested in the course of commercial undertakings (Hayden, 2000). Nonetheless, despite the economic benefits of this activity to the economic wellbeing of the wider Alaskan region, negative impacts have been pointed out which make the activity depart from the rudimentary ideals of ecotourism. Firstly, recreational fishing in regions which are characterized by vulnerable ecosystems like those in Alaska has been cited as posing detrimental ecological hazards. This is whereby majority of the ill-considered choices made by the tourism promoters in terms of use of energy and resources, transportation and lodging as well the general fishing techniques poses diabolical impacts on the ecosystem through overstretching the ecological resources of the water bodies in the region (Zwirn et. al, 2005). Secondly, recreational fishing in Alaska which is conducted in an uncontrolled manner poses a potential trend to overfishing in a similar way as commercial fishing. This fact is exemplified by Coleman et. al (2004) who revealed that 23% of the landings of ‘species of concern’ in the United States can be attributed to recreational fishing. However, the direct involvement of the local population in the recreational fishing ventures is an enormous step towards sustainable ecotourism. In this regard, the members of the Alaskan population who are employed in this industry as previously mentioned are likely to economically benefit from these activities. This concept forms the basic foundation of sustainability in ecotourism. In this regard, if recreational fishing in Alaska is conducted in consideration of other ideals of ecotourism, mostly with special attention to ecological concerns, angling can become a fundamental and primary source of economic benefits and socio-cultural based on its capacity and potential of tourism attraction. This could be an integral component towards pursuing sustainable development in the wider Alaskan region (Zwirn et. al, 2005). Nonetheless, this calls for a holistic approach whereby all the stakeholders in this particular industry are consulted in the formulation and implementation of policies affecting this particular industry. This will ensure that the economic benefits of recreational fishing are harmoniously aligned with the ecological implications of this activity in the region as well as the socio-cultural impacts. Thus, recreational fishing in Alaska partially adheres to ideals of sustainable ecotourism in terms of local participation in management and planning but is bound to depart from the economic sustainability in the long-term. Potential of ecotourism to deliver sustainable tourism development From the preceding discourse, it is apparent that ecotourism has a great potential of delivering sustainable tourism development. This is if at all the basic tenets if ideal ecotourism in regard to economic, socio-cultural as well as economic perspectives are entrenched in this activity around the globe (Simmons, 1999). Nonetheless, it is imperative to point out that there are some basic constraints that will present the greatest challenges in realizing the ideals of ecotourism. Firstly, there is bound to be limited compliance from the investors in this particular industry in regard to implementing policies aimed at minimizing the environmental impacts of ecotourism. This is whereby despite the fact that the on-site environmental impacts of ecotourism may be minimal, the en-route as well as the off-site effects of the ecotourism activities might be considerable. This is based on the fact that the large volumes of energy consumed in these undertakings have the potential of immensely contributing to climate change (Wall, 1997). Secondly, the reluctance of the law enforcement agencies in implementing policies directed towards addressing the increasing stress on the ecosystem can be detrimental to realizing the ideals of ecotourism. This is based on the potential reduction of the financial impacts of ecotourism activities in different region, for instance, in the Alaskan case previously analyzed. Thirdly, there is bound to be extensive politicization of the policy formulation process as politicians seek for a platform to popularize their agenda. Thus, the adopted policies might not reflect the socio-cultural tenets at the local set-up. Lastly, the possibility of resistance from the local population in different ecotourism sites might pose negative impacts on the sustainability of the established ecotourism projects. Against this backdrop, there are some feasible processes that can be utilized to surmount these challenges. This are best epitomized by a synergy of inputs from all the stakeholders in the environmental sector which will mean that the concerns of the investors, the local population as well as the ‘green’ movements are comprehensively addressed in the course of developing environmental policies. In addition, the firms ought to search for ‘cleaner production processes’. These approaches have in the past been highlighted by Hawkes and Williams (1993) as well as being the preference among firms and tourists in New Zealand (Pearson, 1997). In addition, the law enforcement process ought to be streamlined to encompass parties which are not directly linked to the economic benefits from the ecotourism activities. This will mean that they will be objective in the enforcement process which will culminate in effectiveness and coordination in this process. It is worth noting that the law enforcement process ought to be supervised by a national body which is primarily mandated with the role of overseeing the development and growth of sustainable ecotourism in different regions in the specific countries around the globe. Lastly, the down-up approach of establishing ecotourism projects ought to be utilized in order to encourage the input of the local population in the planning and management processes of these projects. This will minimize the level of resistance as the local population will feel included in the project which is key to the ideals of sustainable ecotourism. These interventions will be central in overcoming the impediments aforementioned in the preceding discourse. Conclusion From the above discussion, it appears that there is some sought of vagueness in regard to the actual time when ecotourism emerged with diverse scholars citing different epochs. However, it is evident that ecotourism as a component in the wider tourism industry has gained increased attention in the recent decades. There are several approaches to ecotourism development but the most predominant among them are the participatory planning approach and the formal planning approach.In addition, there is variance on the level of adherence to the ideals of ecotourism among different ecotourism development/products around the world, as exemplified by Uluru (Ayres Rock) in Australia and recreational fishing in Alaska. On the other hand, several constraints that will present the greatest challenges in realizing the ideals of ecotourism which can be surmounted using the interventions recommended in the preceding section. References Anon. 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