Global ecotourism factsheet
TIES Global Ecotourism Fact Sheet
Importance to Tourism in Developing Countries
Tourism is principle “export” (foreign exchange earner) for 83% of developing countries, and the leading export for 1/3 of poorest countries.
For the world’s 40 poorest countries, tourism is the second most important source of foreigner exchange after oil.
Over last decade, tourism has been “the only large sector of international trade in services where poor countries have consistently posted a surplus.”
International tourism in developing countries is increasing by 9.5% a year compared to 4.5% worldwide
Tourism”appears to be one of the few economic sectors able to guide a number of developing countries to higher levels of prosperity and to leave behind their least-developed country status.”
Negative Impacts of Tourism
There are 109 countries with coral reefs. In 90 of them, reefs are being damaged by cruise ship anchors and sewage, by tourists breaking off chunks of corals, and b commercial harvesting for sale to tourist.
Cruise ships in the Caribbean are estimated to produce more than 70,000 tons of waste each year.
An average 18-hole golf course soaks up at least 525,000 gallons of water a day – enough to supply irrigation needs of 100 Malaysian farmers.
ECOTOURISM
Responsible travel to natural areas that conservers the environment and improves the welfare of local people (TIES, 1990)
Profile of Ecotourists in Europe
Experienced Travelers
Higher Education
Higher income bracket
Age: middle-age to elderly
Opinion leaders
Ask and tell their friends and colleagues about trip
Are the most important source of trip information
Typology of Tourism
1. Adventure Tourism – a form of nature-based tourism that incorporates an element of risk, higher levels of physical exertion, and the need for specialized skill.
2. Ecotourism – responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.
3. Geotourism – tourism that
Importance to Tourism in Developing Countries
Tourism is principle “export” (foreign exchange earner) for 83% of developing countries, and the leading export for 1/3 of poorest countries.
For the world’s 40 poorest countries, tourism is the second most important source of foreigner exchange after oil.
Over last decade, tourism has been “the only large sector of international trade in services where poor countries have consistently posted a surplus.”
International tourism in developing countries is increasing by 9.5% a year compared to 4.5% worldwide
Tourism”appears to be one of the few economic sectors able to guide a number of developing countries to higher levels of prosperity and to leave behind their least-developed country status.”
Negative Impacts of Tourism
There are 109 countries with coral reefs. In 90 of them, reefs are being damaged by cruise ship anchors and sewage, by tourists breaking off chunks of corals, and b commercial harvesting for sale to tourist.
Cruise ships in the Caribbean are estimated to produce more than 70,000 tons of waste each year.
An average 18-hole golf course soaks up at least 525,000 gallons of water a day – enough to supply irrigation needs of 100 Malaysian farmers.
ECOTOURISM
Responsible travel to natural areas that conservers the environment and improves the welfare of local people (TIES, 1990)
Profile of Ecotourists in Europe
Experienced Travelers
Higher Education
Higher income bracket
Age: middle-age to elderly
Opinion leaders
Ask and tell their friends and colleagues about trip
Are the most important source of trip information
Typology of Tourism
1. Adventure Tourism – a form of nature-based tourism that incorporates an element of risk, higher levels of physical exertion, and the need for specialized skill.
2. Ecotourism – responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.
3. Geotourism – tourism that