ECOTOURISM

Unit-3

Satish Kumar. J M.Sc, M.Tech, N.E.T,( Ph.D)

Recipient of 5 gold medals and cash award, 1st Rank
holder in M.Sc,, Distinction in M.Tech, Two times N.E.T
qualifed and Author
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environmental Sciences
JSS, Academy of Higher Research and Education
Mysore. Ph-9945390459
Unit – III: Ecotourism - History and Definition of Ecotourism, Soft
Tourism, Principles of Ecotourism, Facts and Critical Issues,
Stakeholders of Ecotourism, Ecotourism Economy and Activities,
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism, Tourism and Biodiversity.
Role Of National and International Agencies, The International
Ecotourist society (TIES).
• What is Ecotourism? Definition:
Ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local
people.”
• It is a type of tourism between seeing clean and relatively
undisturbed natural areas thought to be a low-impact and often small
alternative to standard commercial mass tourism.
• Its motivation resides in training the explorer to provide assets to
natural preservation for legitimately profit from the money-related
turn of events and political strengthening of nearby networks or to
encourage regard for various societies and human rights.
• History of Ecotourism:
• Helzer, in 1965 first used the term ecotourism. He described
four pillars of ecotourism or environment-friendly tourism. These
are reducing the extent of environmental effects of ecotourism,
respecting host cultures, improving the benefits of local
communities, and accelerating travellers’ satisfaction.
• In 1978, Miller worked on eco-development in Latin America,
gives us another reference for ecotourism.
• A document was also created on a set of road-based ‘eco-tours’ by
Environment Canada from the mid-1979s to the early 1980s.
• A few developing countries realized why ecotourism is important and
started sustainable tourism programs to conserve and develop our
environment by the mid-1980s.
• Also, the first definition of ecotourism was given by Ceballos-
Lascurain in 1987. According to him,
• “Travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas
with the specific objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the
scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing
cultural manifestation (both past and present) in these areas.”
Components of Ecotourism:
➢ It includes the following seven parts:
➢ It helps to conserve biodiversity: The major purpose of ecotourism is to protect our biodiversity from human interaction.
➢ Provides an understanding or educational experience: Like any other type of tourism, ecotourism also allows the tourists
or explorers to gain mass knowledge of cultures, processes, traditions, history, beauty, and other facts about the
destination they visit. However, unlike other types of tourism, ecotourism helps you learn the environmental aspects of
tourism, which ultimately makes them responsible for nature.
➢ Small groups can stand with their small businesses by ecotourism: It’s a great opportunity for local people to generate
some earning opportunities from the visitors and supply their warm hospitality. Further, some small businesses get some
chances to expand their business without harming nature.
➢ It does the welfare of local communities: Local communities get a great chance to interact with social events and teaching
these to the visitors. It creates some additional living opportunities for them.
➢ Give a chance to become a more responsible tourist: Eco-friendly tourism teaches you how to take care of and respect the
beauty of a destination. That ultimately helps us to be sensible and responsible human beings.
➢ It helps in sustainable development: Another component or principle of ecotourism is to diminish non-renewal resources
by either walking or using any other media of transportation. This takes us towards the fulfillment of our sustainable
development goals.
➢ Participation opportunity for rural people: In rural tourist destinations, the people nearby get the chance to teach about
different aspects of the type of tourism. It’s best for agro-tourism as they have the most experience and knowledge about
raising the crops and converting them into our regular usable food materials.
• Ecotourism Principles
There have been several attempts to codify how ecotourism should be practiced.
In 2008, author Martha Honey, co-founder of the Center for Responsible Travel, suggested
seven principles for ecotourists and ecotourism-based businesses. They are:
1.Travel to natural destinations
2.Minimize impact
3.Build environmental awareness
4.Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
5.Provide financial benefits and power for local people
6.Respect local culture
7.Support human rights and democratic movements
• Honey's principles are geared toward making ecotourism financially sustainable.
• Simply conserving the environment does not make ecotourism sustainable.
• It also must be financially profitable and benefit local communities. Otherwise, the appeal
of pristine nature will likely eventually yield to an expanding need for natural resources.
• In other words, ecotourism can hold urbanization and industrialization at bay so long as
it provides an alternate source of stable income for local people. This is why over half of
Honey's ecotourism principles directly pertain to people rather than nature.
• Types of Ecotourism
• There are two overarching types of ecotourism:
• Hard ecotourism and soft ecotourism.

• Soft ecotourism is typically the more accessible form of tourism. It requires

less physical exertion and less disconnect from civilization and is typically
accessed through an ecotourism-based business or a government agency.
• Soft ecotourism provides a relatively hassle-free chance to experience
nature. Soft ecotourism can be as simple as going for a stroll in your
nearest state park and watching the birds and plants.
• Hard ecotourism is, well, a little more hardcore.
• This is "roughing it"—getting stuck in a wild place, with or without the
guidance of an ecotour business or any of the services we usually rely
on in society.
• Hard ecotourism requires more self-reliance and physical fitness.
Think primitive camping deep within an unmonitored wilderness
area.
• Both soft and hard ecotourism revolve around traveling to natural
environments while limiting your environmental impact.
• One could argue that soft ecotourism is more economically and
culturally sustainable, but does not offer a truly "wild" experience as
hard ecotourism does.
• Challenges Facing Ecotourism
• 1. Threats to Indigenous Cultures
• An increase in the number of tourists can hamper the freedom of
cultural expression within the natives, making some of them feel
threatened.
• Also, most of the natives are largely seen as prop tour guides, making
them feel objectified, in addition to encouraging stereotypes. Also, a
continuous interaction between the locals and the tourists may cause
a gradual shift in culture.
2. Degradation of the Ecosystem May Still Occur:
• Ecotourism’s main aim is to preserve the environment, but unfortunately, it
is often a challenge in itself. Ecotourism takes tourists to new places, and in
some cases ecosystems that are relatively untouched by humans.

• The interaction between the new environment and the tourists could
disrupt it. For instance, the humans could scare off prey, disrupting a
predator’s hunting patterns.
• It could also result in a higher demand for resources such as food and
water, stressing the environment to accommodate more people. Increased
foot traffic according to USAToday has also been associated with the
possibility of damage to plant life and soil quality.
3. Travel Could Disrupt the Environment
• To visit exotic places, people have to travel, either by air, cars, or
boats. Such mediums generate huge amounts of pollution, affecting
the local environment, particularly in the form of noise pollution, air
pollution, and land pollution.
4. Possible Relocation of Locals as Ecotourism Inevitably Leads to
Development
• Ecotourism in a large scale means hotels will be built, especially when
the visitation areas become a big part of the travel industry. When
this happens, there will be expansions and sometimes, excavations
might occur.
• In such cases, the locals might be forced to move from their native
lands. For instance, about 70% of all national parks and game
reserves in East Africa, are on land that once belonged to the Maasai
people.
• The indigenous peoples were never compensated and the
employment opportunities that have arisen as a result, favor elites
instead of the native people.
5. Growing Number of Ecotourism Organizations Working For Profit
• Ecotourism is growing each year, meaning there are more firms and
organizations each year joining the ecotourism bandwagon in the
name of promoting sustainable tourism.
• Nonetheless, some of these organizations are only prioritizing on
making profits over preserving the ecosystems they tour. Some have
become negligent to the adherence of the eco-friendly policies,
enticing more tourists to spend money on the organization’s services
rather than on the tourist attraction sites.
Possible Solutions To Ecotourism
• 1. For Eco-travellers, Research More Before Engaging Ecotourism Agencies
or Organizations
• Before engaging an organization’s services, it is imperative to research if it
adheres to preserving and improving the local culture, community,
commerce and the conservation of the ecosystems.
• At the end of it all, the goal of ecotourism is for the environment and the
local community to benefit from both individual travelers and
organizational operations.
• If background checks reveal that an institution has prioritized profits over
the protection and the long-term sustainability of the environment, they
should be completely avoided.
2. Reduce Impacts on the Environment When Ecotourism Adventures

• Travelers should consider taking non-stop flights to use less fuel and
have fewer effects on the environment. Where possible, it is advisable
to walk, trek or hike while on foot, or use public transport instead of
renting cars.
• Also, renting non-motorized boats and vehicles as much as possible is
recommended. Great options can include riding on horses, camels or
even elephants, thereby witnessing the wildlife, and at the same time
reducing carbon footprints.
• 3. Eco-tourists and Travelers all Together Should Choose Organizations and
Programs That Educate and Primarily Aim to Enhance the Environment
• Before engaging any organization dedicated to ecotourism, it is advisable to
learn more or do some background check about them. Also, before
engaging in an ecotourism program, one needs to educate him or herself.
• 4. Be Part of the Solution
• When touring new ecosystems, it is possible to disrupt their lives. As much
as possible, avoid disrupting such life. Do not scare animals as it might
interfere with their daily lives or interrupt the intentions of another on the
same animal.
Tourism Stakeholders
• The tourism industry is one of the biggest industries in the world. This means that there are many individuals, groups and organisations who are involved at some level or another.

Stakeholders in tourism
• A visual depiction of the key stakeholders in the tourism industry

• As demonstrated in the diagram above, there are a number of key stakeholders who are commonly involved with the tourism industry. Through his work on the
stakeholders in tourism, Peter Burns has classified stakeholders according to the type of engagement that they have: External, secondary or primary.

• Government
• The Government plays in a key role in the tourism industry. Throughout the different levels of tourism policy and planning, the Government will dictate a variety of
rules, requirements and practices.

From visa policies to the maintenance of public infrastructure, most tourism business will operate closely with Government.

• Tourism organisations and operators

• There are a wide range of tourism organisations and operators.

• From travel agents and airlines through to DMOs (Destination Management Organisations) and travel bloggers, to restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions, all of
these organisations are key players in the tourism industry.

• Small and medium enterprises

• There are a wide range of businesses that are seen as stakeholders in tourism.

• These may be directly associated with travel and tourism, such as an airline.

• They may also be indirectly associated with tourism, such as a waste removal company (who deals with the waste created by tourism).
NGOs
• There are also many NGOs (non-governmental organisations) that are associated with the tourism industry.
• These might include charities or non-profit organisations. Examples include the Tourism Society and The
Travel Foundation.
Tourists
• Tourists are at the very heart of the tourism industry. Without tourists there would be no tourism!
Suppliers
• The tourism industry relies on a wide range of suppliers.
• From factories producing bedding used in hotels, to farmers growing the vegetables served in restaurants,
there are many suppliers who work either directly or indirectly with the tourism industry.
Employees
• One of the key stakeholders in tourism is the workforce.
• Some have argued that the travel and tourism industry employs more people, directly and indirectly, than
any other industry in the world (see my post on the economic impacts of tourism for more details).
• Employees in the tourism industry are commonly undertaking low-paid jobs in areas such as hospitality,
catering and customer service.
• Education
• The education sector is also a stakeholder in tourism.
• Many educational courses will involve visits to tourism areas to enhance the educational provision offered. For example a school history trip to the D-Day beaches in
France.
• Education is also offered to many employees who work in the tourism industry in the form of training.
• Utilities and infrastructure
• For the tourism industry to function, certain utilities and infrastructure is required.
• This means that the local power plant is a stakeholder in tourism, because it provides energy.
• It also means that the builders, road workers and engineers are stakeholders in tourism, because they provide and maintain the necessary infrastructure.
• Transport
• There is a strong relationship between transport and tourism.
• In fact, the very definition of tourism, prescribes that a person must travel away from the place that they live in order to be a tourist (although with the growth of virtual
tourism I would argue that there is a need to revise this widely used definition).
• As such, the method of transport between point A and point B is an integral part of the tourism system, thus making the transport providers (airlines, trains, taxi etc)
important stakeholders in tourism.

• Communities
• The final stakeholder in tourism that is worth mentioning is the community. In fact, many would argue that this is one of the most important stakeholders in tourism.
• In my post on the social impacts of tourism, I outline how important it is for tourism organisations to work with the local community and what the consequences can be if
tourism operators do not listen to the needs and requirements of the host community.
• Good tourism management often involves community-level briefings, consultations and ongoing communication in order to ensure that this important stakeholder is
empowered throughout the process of tourism development planning and operation.
• Ecotourism Economy and Activities:
• Tourism is important for any country’s economy development and progress. The
World Travel and Tourism
• Council reported that tourism generate about 16.91 lakh crore and contribute to
about 9.2% of India's Total Gross Domestic Product according to year 2018.
• And gave employment to about 42.673 million peoples. This sector isgrowing
rapidly worldwide and forecasted to increase at an annual growth rate of 6.9% to
32.05 lakh crore from the year 2028 and generates about 9% Gross Domestic
Product.
• The sustainable tourism is more responsible tourism because it provides jobs and
employment to people and income along with not harm environment in any way.
• Tourism is known by the government as a sector with high potential for
economic development and employment generation among peoples of any
country. International agencies like World Tourism Organization,have finds that
the India is having vast developmental potential of tourism particularly for the
developing nations.
• It is assumed that the nations like India and China have emerged as the
superpowers in world tourism by the years 2025
Ecotourism related organizations: History,
objectives and role of UNWTO, WTTC and TIES in
promoting ecotourism,
 UNWTO
• The United nations World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO)head quarter in Madrid Spain established in 1975
is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and
universally accessible tourism.
• It is the leading international organization in the field of tourism, which promotes tourism as a driver of
economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support
to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.
• The objectives of the UNWTO are to promote and develop sustainable tourism to contribute to economic
development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of,
human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
• UNWTO’s membership includes 160 countries, 6 Associate Members and over 500 Affiliate Members
representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.
The World Travel Tourism Council ( WTTC)
• The World Travel Tourism Council ( WTTC)(Headquarter is in London, United Kingdom) represents the Travel
Tourism private sector globally Members include over 200 CEOs, Chairpersons and Presidents of the world’s
leading Travel Tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries
• • WTTC works to raise awareness of Travel Tourism as one of the world’s largest economic sectors,
supporting one in 10 jobs (319 million) worldwide, and generating 10. 4 %of global GDP
• •For the past 30 years, WTTC has conducted research on the economic impact of Travel Tourism in 185
countries In 2018 the Travel Tourism sector experienced 3.9 %growth, outpacing that of the global economy
• 3.2% for the eighth consecutive year

• Objectives of WTTC

Freedom to Travel
Policies for Growth
Tourism for Tomorrow
International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

• The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is an American

organization dedicated to promoting ecotourism globally.
• The organization was founded in 1990 and contributed significantly
to the growth and development of ecotourism, providing guidelines,
technical assistance, training, research and publications.
• TIES' global network of ecotourism professionals and travelers, with
members in more than 190 countries, aim to use tourism as a tool for
conservation, protection of bio-cultural diversity and sustainable
community development.
• TIES mission-TIES promotes ecotourism – “responsible travel to
natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the
well-being of local people” – through membership services,
education and training, and global outreach and partnerships.