Ecotourism

ECOTOURISM
HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF ECOTOURISM

1970: The concepts and practice of ecotourism started to evolve alongside the
emergence of ecological conservationist concepts and efforts.
1980: The global movement for environmental protection and sustainable use of
natural resources emerged as potent force as the intensified economic activities and
rapid population growth aggravated the already precarious state of the world’s
natural environment.
1980-1990: A period marked by the mainstreaming of sustainable development into
development literature and practice.
DEFINITION
According to Ceballos-Lascurain
“Ecotourism is travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated areas
with the specific objective of studying, and enjoying the scenery, its wild plants
and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations found in these
areas."
According to The Ecotourism Society
‘‘purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and the natural
history of the environment; taking care not to alter the integrity of the
ecosystem; producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of
the natural resources beneficial to the local people (Epler Wood et al., 1991,
75)’’.
The WTO and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) defines
ecotourism as...
"...activities that involve traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with
the specific objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its
wild plants and animals,a s well as any existing cultural aspects found in
those areas."
From Conservation International
"...responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and
contributes to the livelihood of local people."
De Kadt and Wallace's Definition
"should only be used to indicate a tourism, which besides being interested in
nature, is also respectful of indigenous cultures and needs, has a lower
impact on the environment, requires less infrastructure development than
traditional forms of tourism, and is committed to providing benefits to local
people."
DENR-DOT Definition from the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 98-02
"low impact, environmentally-sound and community-participatory tourism
activity in a given natural environment that concerns the conservation of bio-
physical and cultural diversity, promotes environmental understanding and
education, and yields socio-economic benefits to the concerned community."
(Fig. 1). Ecotourism is viewed as a means of protecting natural areas through the
generation of revenues, environmental education and the involvement of local
people (in both decisions regarding appropriate developments and associated
benefits). In such ways, both conservation and development will be promoted in a
sustainable form (all malleable and contested concepts).
WHAT ECOTOURISM DOES?

While providing an enjoyable experience in nature, the fundamental functions of
ecotourism are protection of natural areas, production of revenue, education and
local participation and capacity building (Pedersen, 1991). Each of these functions is
basic to the overall success of ecotourism and, together, they can lead to the
fulfilment of more specific objectives (Table 1). These objectives are intertwined
because success or failure to achieve one objective may influence the success or
capacity to achieve others. If all of the objectives are met, then ecotourism will have
contributed to the resolution of many of the conflicts associated with tensions
between resource exploitation and resource conservation. Furthermore, it is implied
that true ecotourism can be a sustainable, benefiting from natural resources which
can continue to be enjoyed and ‘‘used’’ for generations to come (Fig. 1).
ECOTOURISM INTERRELATIONSHIPS
The framework presented in Fig. 2 implies that tourism, much like any industry
striving to be sustainable, should be considered in the contexts of both the natural
environment and the aspirations of local communities. Although simple, the
framework emphasizes the significance of fostering positive links between people,
natural resources or biodiversity and tourism. The strength or weakness of any one
link has implications for other links. Theoretically, the qualities that emerge from
application of the framework (e.g., local empowerment, environmental stewardship,
intercultural appreciation) make the ecotourism paradigm ‘‘whole’’ greater than the
sum of its parts. An examination of the relationships that exist, or have the potential
to exist, between local communities, natural resource or biodiversity and tourism
may be a good starting point from which to evaluate an ecotourism site, using a list
of relevant indicators informed by consultation with stakeholders (Wallace & Pierce,
1996).
PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM (Honey, 2008)

1. Travel to natural destinations.
2. Minimizes impact. This includes minimizing the impact of development and
tourist activity by choosing appropriate building materials, renewable energy
sources, visitor management strategies, monitoring techniques and
conservation plans.
3. Builds environmental awareness. This includes educational and
interpretational material for visitors, educational training for guides and
educating the greater public and surrounding community.
4. Provides direct financial benefit for conservation.
5. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people. This includes
employment of local people, using an all-inclusive stakeholder approach to
planning, management and policy development and fostering of partnerships.
6. Respects local culture.
7. Supports human rights and democratic movements. This principle is mostly
related to ecotourism ventures in developing nations. It attempts to draw
attention to political systems of the host countries and their people to foster an
international understanding of “peace, prosperity, and universal respect for
and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all” (WTO as
cited in Honey, 2008: 31).
________________________________________________________________
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Prepared for ELE-TM 108 Class A. Y 2022-2023

Romeo G. Caranguian, Jr. MSHM
St.Paul University Philippines

Ecotourism

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Ecotourism

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ECOTOURISM

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF ECOTOURISM

WHAT ECOTOURISM DOES?

PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM (Honey, 2008)

Do not remove this notice.

Prepared for ELE-TM 108 Class A. Y 2022-2023

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