course title: ecotourism course code: (tm371) lecture:2 lecture number:2

Course Title: Ecotourism

Course Code: (TM371)

Lecture:2

Lecture Number:2

Lecture :TitleEcotourism Management Considerations

Learning Objectives

The student will be able to know :

Ecotourism management considerations:

1 . Impacts perspective.

2 . Practitioner’s perspectives.

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Lecture 2

Ecotourism Management Considerations

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Contents:

Ecotourism management considerations:

1 . Impacts perspective.

2 . Practitioner’s perspectives.

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Ecotourism management considerations:Impacts perspective

Governments and non-governmental organizations around the world are developing and promoting ecotourism in protected areas to benefit local communities and to help preserve the environment and different ecosystems .

One of the most important aspects of ecotourism is the involvement of the local

community

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Ecotourism management considerations:Impacts perspective (continued)

To reinforce the positive impacts of ecotourism, it is necessary for the inhabitants to be integrated in the planning and development of ecotourism projects at an early stage.

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Evaluation of the knowledge of ecotourism impacts can be considered by understanding the host community’s sensitivity of the positive and negative environmental, economical and social impacts of ecotourism

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The objectives of the community organization programme was to develop social, economic and conservation projects, not necessarily to inform locals concerning the positive and negative impacts that might occur.

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Community programs are beneficial for increasing the awareness of ecotourism development and should be encouraged in any community that is planning to develop ecotourism.

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When identifying and analyzing the different impacts that ecotourism can have on a society, either positive or negative, three characteristics are acknowledged: economic, environmental and social

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Economic impacts :

The impacts of ecotourism on any economic activity, can be classified into three categories: direct, indirect and induced:

Direct impacts: are those arising directly from tourist spending

Indirect impacts: are those such as when a restaurant is purchasing supplies in order to

cater to tourists

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Economic impacts (continued)

Induced impacts: are those such as when an employee who works in a restaurant buys goods and services from wages earned

One main advantage of ecotourism is that expenditure by ecotourists is in general, greater than that of the average of tourist.

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Ecotourism can play an important role in remote regions where development is slow to progress. The revenue that is gained can be used for various development projects, infrastructure, and to ensure long-term sustainability of local areas.

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Due to the fact that visitor numbers are usually very low in ecotourism resorts or lodges, operators need to be careful not to become

involved in the financial gain of the business

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Environmental impacts:

The environment is the natural asset that ecotourism thrives on: if it is not developed and managed properly ecotourism can result in negative environmental impacts which would undermine the whole concept of sustainability

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Environmental impacts (continued)

The timing and duration of an eotourist’s visit to a sensitive area, and the nature of use impact relationships, implies that ecotourism can be very challenging to environmental resources systems

Environmentally, ecotourism is anticipated to offer motivation and incentives for reservation

of natural areas and regions.

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Environmental impacts (continued)

The positive impacts that are expected to arise from ecotourism come in both financial and physical form.

Negative impacts include damage to plants, forest clearance, soil compaction, pollution (water, noise and air) and marine resource destruction such as coral damage and over-fishing .

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Social impacts:

Social impacts occur everywhere when people from different cultures and societies meet and especially when tourism development takes place, it becomes more noticeable.

To benefit local communities and be socially sustainable, ecotourism must foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation

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Social impacts: (continued)

There are different factors that influence the socio-cultural impacts of ecotourism, enclosing the following:

Scale of development, this concerns the number of tourists with relation to the host population. When tourists arrive at host destination, they bring with them different beliefs, values and behaviors that will influence the contact they have with the host population.

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Positive impacts: new facilities and services become accessible to the host populations, the generations of unique jobs which require the expertise of local people and resources and funds to reestablish local arts, traditions and cultural activities.

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Negative socio-cultural impacts: change in value systems, tradition life styles, family relationships and individual behavior.

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Ecotourism management considerations: a practitioner’s perspective:

The ecotourism organizations and operators play a key role in following the set standards that have been established by various organizations, such as the international ecotourism society based in Vermont, USA and governments around the world.

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Ecotourism management considerations: a practitioner’s perspective: (continued)

The usage of an environmental impact assessment can have several different objectives: in determining the impact on a specific ecology or a single species, financial implications, should something become damaged, comparing different sites for development or elevate the profile of environmental issues,

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Code of practice for ecotourism operators (role of ecotourism in society):

Strengthen the conservation effort for and enhance the natural integrity of the places visited.Be efficient in the use of natural resources (water, energy)Respect the sensitivities of the other cultures.Develop a recycling program.Employ tour guides well versed in and respectful of

local cultures and environments.Never intentionally disturb or encourage the disturbance of wildlife or wildlife habitats.

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Providing specific guidelines for both the organization and visitors, such as the code of practice drawn up in Australia, will help reduce any negative impacts that might occur.

By adhering to different standards that have been developed, such as carrying capacity, codes of best practice and visitors activity management process, the natural and cultural heritage can be protected.

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The more involved the local community become in the organization the more beneficial the tourism development will become for them.

it is vital that the impact of visitors, socially, environmentally and economically, is monitored and evaluated in order to minimize and overcome it.

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Things that make ecotourism more sustainable

Be informative as possible

Support integrity of place

Ensure that benefits flow to local residents

Conserves resources

Respect local culture and tradition

Not abuse the product

For quality, not quantity

To give unforgettable experiences

Offer a “romantic” experience

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM?WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM?

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The principles of Sustainable Ecotourism are that:

All resources should be respected and every effort must be made to use them sparingly

Education and training of all parties concerned - local communities, the Ecotourists, government and industry - is key to success

Participation by the Ecotourist should be encouraged at all levels and in all sectors

Value adding by all parties and at all levels is essential for success

Partnerships between all parties involved in the venture should be promoted

Ethical and moral attitudes, and responsibility towards the natural and cultural environment, should be promoted by all concerned with the operation

The long term benefits of the resource, to the local community, and to the operation must be enshrined

THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISMTHE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM

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The main advantages of Ecotourism are:

Source of foreign exchange

Better form of land use than most agricultural pursuits.

Economic development

‘Industry without chimneys’

Peace industry

Promote business partnerships

ADVANTAGES OF ECOTOURISMADVANTAGES OF ECOTOURISM

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respect the frailty of the earth

The leave only footprints, take only photographs!

educate themselves

encourage local conservation efforts

respect the privacy and dignity of others

not buy products made from endangered plants or animals

always follow and keep to designated trails, do not disturb animals, plants or the natural environment

learn about and support conservation-oriented programmes and organisations

Whenever possible walk or use environmentally sound methods of transportation

Patronise those (hotels, airlines, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators, suppliers, etc.) who use energy sparingly

Encourage organisations to subscribe and adhere to environmental guidelines

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF ECOTHE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF ECO--TRAVELTRAVEL

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The Ecotourist should check the following procedures and practices:

Research their destination before leaving

Show respect for the people and area

Get some background on your tour operator

Be aware of your impact on the area

Know where your money goes

Employment practice

Make others aware

Buy carefully

Support a conservation agency

Question your lifestyle

ASSESSING TOUR OPERATORSASSESSING TOUR OPERATORS

Reference

planet.botany.uwc.ac.za/.../Lectures/Chapter%2015%20-%20Ecotourism..

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course title: ecotourism course code: (tm371) lecture:2 lecture number:2

Documents

positive impacts of

economic impacts

negative impacts

indirect impacts

different impacts

induced impacts

social slide

ecotourism course code