3.3.1 Ecotourism (Sustainable tourism)

Question 1

Eco-tourism

Answer 1

• a form of sustainable tourism that often takes place in natural areas which are scenic and allows for tourists to experience nature.
• aims to conserve the natural environment while benefiting the local community, thus ensuring environmental, economic and social sustainability.
• often involves many stakeholders depending on the projects undertaken.
• ecotourism experiences can vary over a spectrum (Hard ecotourism ➡️ Soft ecotourism)

Question 2

Strategies to achieve eco-tourism

Answer 2

1. Educate and increase tourist’s appreciation of nature:
   - Tours take place within natural areas for tourists to experience and interact with nature.
   - This increases tourists’ knowledge and appreciation of nature, which encourages tourists to take action to conserve and minimise damage to the environment.
   - This ensures environmental sustainability.
   ———
2. Place measures to minimise negative impacts on environment:
   - Tourism revenue is channelled into the conservation of the natural environment such as by hiring local park rangers.
   - Park rangers ensure laws set up to protect the environment are adhered to.
   - Damage to the environment is minimised, ensuring environmental sustainability.

Question 3

Example of Eco-tourism

Answer 3

• The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador attract many tourists for their unique flora and fauna.
• To conserve this unique biodiversity, 97% of the islands’ total area was declared a national park, with only 3% for humans to live on.
• Authorities implemented some rules and regulations to protect the environment, such as:
  1. Only a limited number of visitors is allowed in the park on any given day to minimise disturbances to the wildlife.
  2. Tourists are required to pay an entrance fee of USD$100 when visiting the park, and the revenue earned is used to fund conservation projects.
  3. Tourists are not allowed to explore the islands on their own. A guide, who educates tourists, is required at each site.
• Locals are also involved in the ecotourism industry by offering day tours and homestays to small groups of tourists.

Question 4

Hard eco-tourism

Answer 4

Hard Ecotourism:
- stronger commitment to environmental conservation
- smaller no of tourists
- few to no services provided
- experience is physically more challenging
- supplied by specialist tour operators in the form of niche travel or tourists making their own travel arrangements
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Example:
- A study found that hard ecotourists in the Galapagos Islands have a higher preference for challenging activities such as camping and hiking.
- Often, they plan their own tour schedule with an accompanying guide.
- Their accommodation includes staying in locals’ homes.

Question 5

Soft ecotourism

Answer 5

• moderate commitment to environmental conservation
• large no of tourists
• services are often provided
• experience is physically more comfortable
• supplies by mass-market tour operators
  ———
  Example:
• Soft ecotourists in the Galapagos Islands have a higher preference for less challenging activities such as guided trail walks.
• Many often rely on travel agencies to plan their entire tour schedule.
• Many prefer to stay in high-quality accommodation including yachts and cruises.

Question 6

Limitations of Ecotourism

Answer 6

1. Uncertainty over the continuity of efforts in conserving nature.
2. Uncertainty over involving local communities.

Question 7

Uncertainty over continuity of efforts in conserving nature

Answer 7

• Ecotourism does not work when ecotours are overwhelmingly popular with tourists.
• The presence of many tourists interacting with nature may destroy the very environment they seek to protect.
• There may be a strong desire to earn profits from ecotourism which may lead to some aims of ecotourism being compromised, and nature may not be conserved.
  ———
  Example:
• In the Galapagos Islands, where ecotourism is practised, the large increase in the number of tourists has resulted in erosion along some trails, and also caused disturbance to wildlife and plants.
• Oil spills from many boats have resulted in serious water pollution.

Question 8

Uncertainty over involving local communities

Answer 8

• Demand for manpower to meet the needs of tourists may cause some tourism-related businesses to hire non-locals.
• This is especially so when locals are not sufficiently equipped with the skills and knowledge required, and authorities or businesses do not put in place measures to train locals.
• Hence, the benefits to local communities are not maximised.
  ———
  Example:
• In Kufri, India, it was found that economic leakages occur when locals do not have the necessary skills, resulting in jobs going to non-locals.