Ecotourism Notes

Geography Notes: Topic 1 – Ecotourism

Nature of Ecotourism:
Ecotourism can be defined as: ‘Tourism in remote or natural areas that aims to enhance knowledge and appreciation of the natural environment and cultural heritage without damaging the environment or the experiences for others.’ 1. Nature based – primarily the environment is the ‘drawcard; and the activities are based primarily around the environment. Activities include: * Bushwalking * Whale watching * Swimming with dolphins * Sightseeing over Antarctica * Any activity that revolves around the natural environment
Cultures that have existed as part of the environment may also be part of ecotourism. 2. Educational – By gaining a greater knowledge, understanding or simply an appreciation of the natural environment. E.g. Forests in which they walk, and learn about the animals which are endangered, how to manage and protect the environment, and therefore leaves with a greater appreciation and understanding of the environment. 3. Sustainability – an activity that is not going to harm or change the environment and may in fact enhance/better manage or conserve the natural world. E.g. boardwalks, environmentally friendly technology such as solar heating and minimal water treatment through the use of dry loos. 4. Small scale – to minimise the impact on the environment and to ensure a unique environmental experience often eco tourist activities are small scale. E.g. accommodation might be limited to a few huts or lodges allowing for a greater appreciation of the natural world, extremes of climate, fragile environments and remoteness also dictate small scale.
Spatial Distribution: Ecotourism is ubiquitous. This mean it can occur anywhere, it is not restricted.
It can occur in the most inhospitable and remote areas of the world. However, the more accessible and temperate climates are most popular.
Factors explaining the nature, spatial patterns and future directions of Ecotourism
Biophysical
Ecotourism enjoys a wide variety of biophysical conditions and environments and extends from such diverse biophysical environments as Antarctica with its polar conditions to the warm tropical environments such as Pacific Islands and PNG. * Warm climates attract tourists – tropical areas * Scenic values eg mountains * Varity of flora and fauna * Few diseases and pests * Stable atmosphere systems e.g. no cyclones * Few unpredictable events. E.g. bushfires
Ecological Factors: * Protects the environment * Creates employment * Generates income from wild and natural areas * May replace exhaustive resource use
Economic Factors: * Overtime the cost of travel has been reduced; which has enabled more people to enter the tourist market * As ecotourism is a growth industry (9% per year) it has attracted more operators into the market * The increased use and availability of credit (e.g. Visa, Mastercard) has allowed for a ‘consume now and pay later’ attitude. * The use of credit cards has made travel safer. People do not have to carry large amounts of money on them. * Growth of income in the developed world has allowed more people to enter the tourist market * There is an increasing range of Eco tourist activities (increase competition, lower prices) aimed at a variety of incomes. This has allowed all socioeconomic groups to become ecotourists. * Exchange rate – a good exchange rate may influence where tourists travel to
Social / Cultural Factors Affecting Ecotourism * Increased participation of women in the workforce. Two incomes, fewer children enable people to travel more frequently * Increasing life expectancy means there is a growing proportion of the population in the retirement age – they have accumulated savings, good health and a new found freedom! This age group substantially boosts ecotourism * There is a growing group of DINKS who travel frequently for business and return for pleasure. They do not have family ties that could restrict their travel. * Some cultures encourage travel as a part of person’s broader education. Students at secondary and tertiary levels are traveling in record numbers – exchange programs, school excursions. * Increased leisure time has resulted in the ability to pursue interests. This has provided a niche market for ecotourism. * Other factors: improved working conditions, including annual holidays, holiday pay and long service leave. * Media – promoting travel destinations. Programs such as ‘Great Outdoors’ and ‘Getaway’
Political Factors Affecting Ecotourism * Tourism is a major source of foreign exchange for many countries. without Governments people won’t travel * Money brought into the country is spent and respent – this is known as the multiplier effect and contributes to economic growth * Governments have a great influence on the economic climate in which ecotourism operates. If your country doesn’t have law and order, no one will want to go there. This can greatly impact on the volume of tourists seeking out a holiday experience in a particular country or location. * Governments largely determine the expenditure on infrastructure which travellers utilise – roads, railways, airports. (without infrastructure people won’t encouraged to go there) * Political factors directly influence the business side of tourism through * Labour regulations * Taxation policies * Level of foreign investment * Visitor entry requirements * Land zoning * War and political upheavel can directly influence the volume of tourism in a country or region * Governments can influence tourist numbers through marketing tourist destinations. For example: The Australian Tourist Commission: conducts marketing campaigns overseas, and researches new and existing markets for inbound tourists * The formation of Political Parties such as ‘The Greens’ can have a great influence in Political decisions made by Governments.
Organisational Factors Affecting Ecotourism * Accreditation and Certification programs – encourages and promotes ecotourism to ecotourists * Global ecotourism conference reviews and celebrates the achievements in the ecotourism field, as well as assessing challenges facing the industry.
Technological Factors Affecting Ecotourism * Computers: * Booking via computers is: Fast, efficient, user friendly, anywhere in world, cheap, up to date information. * Payment on credit systems access through computers is: Safe, reliable, secure, automatic currency exchanges, global acceptance * Monitoring environmental change: water quality, animal tracking and numbers, aerial photographs * Transport * Faster planes reduced time travel making more remote locations more accessible * Larger planes reduces cost of travel * Efficient people luggage handling at airports * Use of helicopters for remote, difficult access locations * Building: ecofriendly means environmentally friendly accommodation * Development of steel fabricating reducing the need for wood * Housing design to blend into the environment – minimal impact construction * Energy efficient resorts – solar/wind * Biocycle sewage systems * Environmentally friendly toilets: no water, no release to environmentally sensitive areas, e.g. rivers, wetlands * Outdoor equipment * Development of Gortex fabric –durable and waterproof * Use of stainless steel and other light weight material such as carbon fire, aluminium * Comfort sleeping – Thermarest inflatable lilo * Dehydrated food which is edible * Hand held GPS locational systems * Polar fleece for warmth * Substantial research in all outdoor gear * Information * Internet access * Television programmes e.g. Getaway * Fax information sheets * Video documentaries * Telephone * Satellite communications e.g. weather information * Medical Technology * The risk of infection has been reduced greatly by:
Medical Improvements * Immunisations * Improved standard of living throughout the world * Vaccinations for travellers * Water purification tablets and systems * Can repellents * spraying wetlands with insecticides to reduce the spread of malaria
Impacts of Ecotourism
Examine the impacts of an economic activity on a global scale
Intro – include definition Positive Impacts | Negative Impacts | Environment: * fauna and flora – enhanced through restoration of areas * providing alternate forms of income * revenue gained from ecotourism may be reinvested to help maintain sustainable, long term use and protection of the environment | Environment: * when the carrying capacity of the land is exceeded by the number of visitors the degradation of the environment can result * development of infrastructure, the environment is often affected e.g. mangrove removal for the development of coastal areas * ecotourism also contributes to the pollution of water and air | Economic Impacts: * foreign exchange * major source of revenue assisting countries with development processes * provides jobs, and stimulates the economy through the ‘multiplier effect’ – money being circulated through the economy * people develop new skills * foreign investment (tax) | Economic Impacts: * much tourist related employment is unskilled, seasonal, part time, poorly paid * economic resources are spent on providing facilities and infrastructure for tourists not locals * profits can leak overseas * industry is sensitive to changes in the global economy | Social Impacts: * infrastructure developments benefits local people * increased access to services in rural areas and remote areas * development of community initiatives e.g. Bamboo Orchestra in Ghana * increased tourism may lead to the preservation of local customs and heritage due to increased local and international awareness of the importance of architectural and heritage sites * craft and art industries may develop to reinforce local cultural identity e.g. Masi of Kenya * improved standard of living | Social Impacts: * culture contact and cultural integration may change local cultures and traditions * local people may be excluded from conservation areas – these areas have been ‘locked up’ for the benefit of tourists * inflated prices reduce the spending power of the population, which impacts their quality of life * Increased land values results in the local population not being able to compete. As a result they lose their land and environment * Commercialisation of culture * Increased crime rates as crime is increasingly directed at tourists * Alienation and resentment. The contrasts between the local population and the tourists can be very great | | |
Management Strategies: * Broad walks protecting existing environment * Signage and education informs people * Technology minimises ecological foot print pole frame construction, dry looks * Organisations to minimise impacts * Small scale – impacts are reduced * Minimise impact through education * Improving existing environments without impacts * Environments are enhanced through research
Examples of Eco tourist Resorts:

Kingfisher Bay Resort: Fraser Island: Example of large scale resort
Nature based: * Self-guided walking tracks * Building is designed to blend into the environment and harmonise. * Ranged guided walks * Animals, e.g. bats * Built in tree line/ colours are natural * Activities are based on the immediate environment, trees, marine, and sand dunes.
Educational Element: * Appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage through education activities * Work experience * Camps and excursion * Research on the bats * Aboriginal elder * Ranged guided walks * Junior ranger program
Sustainable:
* Energy saving features * Nature convection currents instead of air conditioning * Monitoring program * Boardwalks * Recycling * Waste management programs * Dual flushing * A lot of planning so there was minimal impact on the area.
Ecocamp Patagonia: Nature/Culturally based * National park * Camping * Domes are designed to create minimum environmental impact * Mountain formations * Volcanoes * Expansive ice fields * Ancient forests * Glaciers * Lakes * Rivers * Fauna including: flamingos, condors, foxes and pumas.
Culture based: * EcoCamp is a tribute to the ancient Kaweskar dwellings and way of life and the essence of their dome homes has been kept by maintaining a simple nomadic design in the midst of natural surroundings.
Educational:
* Guided treks * Wildlife excursions * Wildlife safari * Traveller handbook in all domes
Sustainable:
* Innovative use of green technology * Leaders in environmentally responsible travel to areas of fragile natural resources * Minimise the footprint of every visitor through the development strategy and implementation of green technology * Guides ensure no rubbish is left on treks * Composting chambers collect waste from toilets * Energy comes from solar panels and a micro hydro turbine * Dome interiors are designed with renewable materials and are connected by raised walkways to minimise terrain and fauna disruption * Domes are heated by a wood stove
Small Scale * Owned by a small group of locals
Discovery Eco tours NT
Nature Based * Bushwalking, natural environment and culture
Educational
* Guided tours by scientist, researching turtles – lifestyle and habit, education about native plants, cultural experience
Sustainable
* Put money back on research * Camping * Minimal impact * What they take in they take out * 10% of gross revenue back into research * Small scale
Bellinger Walks Qld
Nature Based * Wilderness walk, camping, river gorge, food from the environment
Educational
* Guided tour
Sustainable
* Environmentally friendly * Nothing is touched or disturbed * Clean * Small scale * Purest form of eco tourism
Clayoquot Sound in Canada * Guided tours * Sustainable - pristine environment * Someone educating you * Natued based * Kayaks to get there * Whatever they take they have to leave with * Hiking * Board walks
Earthwatch In Mexico * Nature based * Tourists are learning, research skills * Activity is sustainable * Trying to increase sustainability * Small scale * Basic accommodation * Non profit organisation * Focuses on plant and animals around the world * Allows people to come to their program and help out * Sophisticated example of ecotourism Heron Island in Australia * Large scale * Coral reef walk – understanding of the reef environment, species, management of the area * Garbage is returned to the mainland for recycling – not disposed on the island * Sewage is passed through treatment stages where it is finally turned into fresh water – recycled through toilet system * Nature based
Ghana – West Africa * Home of national park * Rainforest reuses everything that falls to the ground – nutrients are recycled * 269 bird species, butterfly species * Canopy walkway – not degrading the land * Design is to minimise tourists impact on the park * Ecotourism is a new source of income * Foreign exchange * Brings economic benefits – 50, 000 pounds in revenue * Guides * Hunting is banned * Forest is being protected meaning nothing to do, no income, resulting to crime * Playing instruments for tourists to make money (bamboo orchestra) * Sharing of culture awareness – sharing to other people of the world * Funds have helped build a school * Employs more than 2000 locals, great economic benefits * Roads poor quality, little infrastructure * Infrastructure increases when tourism increases