Tourism - [CASE STUDY] Ecotourism

Question 1

What is the example used for Ecotourism?

Answer 1

Lushoto, Tanzania.

Question 2

How must an Ecotourism resort think about regarding Waste Management?

Answer 2

Any of the following:

• Normal waste treatment services are not available as a majority of hotels and lodges are in remote locations.
• Waste is often used in compost.
• Non-degradable waste is often returned to Nairobi, where it is recycled by larger manufacturers.
• Interest in constructed wetlands for recyling wastewater.
• Many camps and lodges are starting to use biodegradable “green detergents” to avoid water pollution.

Question 3

How must an Ecotourism resort think about Water conservation?

Answer 3

Any of the following:

• Water is very scarce in remote areas.
• Guests are encouraged to reuse towels and minimise their water use.
• Lodges are introducing low-pressure showers.
• Lodges are promoting the use of recycled (rain)water.
• Lodges are restricting water pumping to certain times of day.

Question 4

How must an Ecotourism resort think about Energy Management?

Answer 4

Any of the following:

• Many lodges are investing in alternate energy sources such as Solar Panels (The preferred option).
• Electricity and water heating often powered via renewable sources.
• Recycling of organic waste is used as an alternate fuel source as part of an effort to save the remaining forests.
• Many lodges and camps encouraging tree growth and woodlots, both as a sustainable source of firewood and for the protection of catchment areas.

Question 5

How must an Ecotourism resort think about Avoiding conflicts between Humans and Waterfalls?

Answer 5

• Protected areas are being fenced off to encourage community tourism enterprises and to offer compensation to pastoralists whose livestock are killed and farmers whose crops were destroyed by wild animals.
• Local events to raise money for such initiatives.

Question 6

Describe the Ecotourism project.

Answer 6

• The project is run by local people with the support of a Dutch non-governmental organisation and the Tanzanian Tourist Board.
• It is sensitive to the local environment and cultures.
• It benefits local communities by helping to improve living standards and services such as health care and education.
• The organisers hope that the local people will see the benefits of ecotourism and get involved.

Question 7

Describe the Ecotourism tours.

Answer 7

• They allow tourists to experience the local culture.
• They allow tourists to enjoy the local environment.
• They typically last 3-4 days and are mainly between October and August.
• Visitors stay in guest houses owned by local people, and contribute a fee which goes towards village development projects.

Question 8

Describe the successes of the Ecotourism project.

Answer 8

• 14 local guides are employed.
• Communties have benefitted from funding for village projects.
• Communities benefitted from selling goods at local market.
• Forest fee for conservation protects the forest, which is a main attraction for visitors.
• Many routes available and are known by local people, so none are overused.
• Financial support from Friends of Usambara Society and a Dutch NGO.
• Has educational objectives.
• Environmentally, economically and culturally sustainable.
• Uses local resources where possible.
• Culturally sensitive.
• Benefits and involves local people.
• Small scale.

Question 9

Describe the problem regarding the Ecotourism project.

Answer 9

• It is seasonal and tourist numbers vary month to month from 70-80 in December-January and 300+ in July and August.