Defining Ecotourism

Alan A. LewDept. of Geography, Planning & Recreation

Northern Arizona University

http://AlanLew.com

Source: http://Slideshare.net/alew

All photos in this file © Alan A Lew

Defining EcotourismOUTLINE

1. Greening of Consumers2. Definitions of Ecotourism

• Asian Examples3. Ecotour Operator Survey4. Conclusions

• Challenges• Market

THEMES

1. Definitions and Practices of Ecotourism• Are Culture Based and Bound

2. The Form and Nature of Ecotourism • Represents the Cutting Edge of a Country’s

Environmental Ethic

Growth in Green & Eco-Blogosphere Growth in Online Discussions of Sustainable Development

50% more discussion at end of 2007 than at start

Global Warming - main focus at start of year

Personal Actions - main focus at end of year

Recycling, Minimizing packaging, Carpooling

Links between Personal Health & Environmental Wellness

– Pollution, toxins and sustainable agriculture

Green BoomersForty million Green boomers in US

(13.3% of US population; 2007 survey by Focalyst)

More Demanding of Product + Service Quality

More Critical of Advertising

more likely to believe there is not much truth in advertising

wish advertising included more real product information

more brand loyal than other boomers across all product categories

Mature boomers more likely to be “green.”

more aware of their legacy and leaving a positive mark on the world

Other findings from Focalyst:

Green boomers are watching less television

spend more time with print media

Boomers with annual incomes of less than $50,000 are more “green” than boomers with incomes of over $150,000

Ecotourism - Popular & Industry Definitions

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES):Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

Green Globe 21 International and Ecotourism Australia: Ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

Martha Honey - Ecotourism and Sustainable Development (book)

Ecotourism is travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strive to be low impact and (usually) small scale. It helps educate the traveler; provides funds for conservation; directly benefits the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; and fosters respect for different cultures and for human rights (Honey, 1999, p. 25)

Thailand’s First Ecotourism & Adventure Travel Show30 May - 2 June 2002

Ecotourism & Adventure Tourism Productscamping, trekking, diving accessories & apparelboat & water sports gear, beachwear hotels, resorts, eco-lodges & homestay destinationsecotourism & adventure tour packagesfitness, health & spa centersnutrition products & travel gear

Over 50,000 visitorstour operatorshotels & resortstourism-related public & private agenciesThai travelers

especially university & high school studentsinternational visitors foreign expatriates residing in Thailand

Ecotourism: An Academic DefinitionDavid Fennell (1999 p.43) – Definition based on a reviewing 15 definitions:

Ecotourism is a sustainable form of natural resource-based tourism that focuses primarily on experiencing and learning about nature, and which is ethically managed to be low-impact, non-consumptive, and locally oriented (control, benefits, and scale). It typically occurs in natural areas, and should contribute to the conservation or preservation of such areas.

13 Principles - ranked by frequency:

Interest in nature

Contributes to conservation

Reliance on parks & protected areas

Benefits local people / long-term benefits

Education and study

Low impact/non-consumptive

7. Ethics/responsibility

8. Management

9. Sustainable

10. Enjoyment &

appreciation

11. Culture

12. Adventure

13. Small scale

Education & Commodification

Definition Problems

…of the 25 government tourism agencies that chose to define "ecotourism," 21 chose to create their own definition… (Mader 2004)

Ecotourism eludes firm definition because it is a complex notion which ambitiously attempts to:

describe an activity,

set forth a philosophy ,and

espouse a model of development.

(Simmons 1999; Ziffer 1989)

Ecotourism Continuums1. Relative Ecotourism -&- Absolute/Pure Ecotourism (Shore 2004)

Relative: Overall Impact is Environmentally Sound

Though some individual components may not be

Absolute: All Components are Environmentally Sound

2. Nature/Adventure Tourism -&- Sustainable DevelopmentEarliest known Definition of Ecotourism

“…traveling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated areas with the specific objective of studying, admiring, and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas.” (Lascurain, 1991)

Sustainable Tourism Definition:“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present [in particular the essential needs of the worlds poor] without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland, 1987)

Domestic / Mass Ecotourism in Asia

David Weaver

Three Established Mass Ecotourism Regions / Themes

1) Blossom and Waterfall Region • Japan & South Korea• Nature

2) Rainforest and Reef Region • Indonesia & Malaysia• Sustainable Development

3) Mountain Trekking Region• Himalayas & Northern Thailand (& Laos)• Adventure (trekking)

Ecotourism in ChinaEcotourism = “sheng tai nu you”

= “Tourism that does not exploit or harm the environment, ecology or society”

Ecotourism in China

Mostly used as a marketing tool to earn income to support nature reserve management (Han and Ren 2001)

= Nature Tourism

– Includes Mass Tourism, Adventure Tourism, …

Lack of ecotourism education or guidelines among

Nature reserve managers

Traveling public

Lack of research & understanding on nature reserve ecology

Lack of uniform nature reserve management practices & training

Reflects China’s

Long isolation from rest of the world

Emphasis on market solutions to common pool resources

SW China Ecotourism

Yunnan’s Stone Forest

Yunnan Culture

Ecotourism in Southeast Asia

Malaysia

A leader in national park and nature reserve management

Focus on Natural Ecosystem Management

Combined with ecotourism principles

– Taman Negara National Park (West Malaysia)

– Sarawak and Sabah on Borneo (East Malaysia)

Benefitted from Malaysia’s growing middle class

Indonesia

Most popular ecotour destination until 1997 political crisis

Focus on Ecotourism to replace agriculture & fishing in nature reserves

Pro-poor economic development

– Initial success has struggles in recent years

Major problems with illegal logging and burning of rainforests to clear land

Indonesia

Iban / DayakCultural Ecotourism in Sarawak,Malaysia

PATA Ecotourism

Borneo Orangutan

Survey of Ecotourism Companies

Survey of North American Tour Companies

with Ecotours to the Asia-Pacific (excluding SW Asia)

Absolute / Pure Ecotourism

Ecotourism to Asia grew 20% a year

in the 1990s - prior to 1997

Top Destinations

#1 = Indonesia

#2 = Countries bordering the Himalayas

Secondary ecotour destinations

Established destinations: China & Thailand

Emerging destinations: Indochina & Central Asia

Where Asia Ecotours Went (prior to 1997) Country # Tour % of all Tour or Region Companies Companies• Indonesia 16 40.0• India 13 32.5• Australia 12 30.0• Nepal 12 30.0• Bhutan 10 25.0• New Zealand 8 20.0• Tibet 8 20.0• China 7 17.5• Thailand 7 17.5• Burma 5 12.5• Cambodia 5 12.5• Laos 5 12.5• Pakistan 5 12.5• Malaysia 4 10.0• Papua New Guinea 4 10.0• Russian Far East 4 10.0• Vietnam 4 10.0• Central Asia 3 7.5 Uzbekistan, Kyrgistan• Japan 3 7.5• Mongolia 3 7.5• Sikkim 3 7.5• Philippines 2 5.0

Types of EcotoursNATURE (22 respondents)

81.2% Asia Pacific / 18.2% North America

Wildlife (5), Nature (4), Natural history (3),Jungles / Rainforests (2), Science-based nature tours (2), Fossil expeditions, National Park's, Nature reserves, Orangutans, Ornithology, Village wildlife conservation, Zoos

CULTURE (14 respondents)57.1% Asia Pacific / 42.9% North America based

Culture (6), Agriculture, Anthropology, Countryside tours, Culture exchanges, Ethnic area lodge, Food, Local guides, Sustainable technology

ADVENTURE (4 respondents)0% Asia Pacific / 100% North America based

Soft adventure (2), Adventure, Hard adventure, Outdoor adventure

» N = 31 respondents

Ecotour ActivitiesPHYSICAL-LAND (15 respondents)

60% - Asia Pacific / 40% - North America based companiesTrekking (7), Walking (3), Cycling/Mountain Biking (2), Backpacking, Bush Walking, Day hiking, Physical activity

PHYSICAL-WATER (6 respondents)

50% Asia Pacific / 50% North America basedBoat rides, Diving, Rafting, Sailing, Sea Kayaking, Whitewater

EDUCATION / OTHER (11 respondents)

42.9% Asia Pacific / 57.1% North America basedEducational (3), Guest scholar/teachers/experts (3), Animal riding safaris (2), Bird watching (2), Local educational programs, Photo-taking safaris, Study tours

– N = 31 respondents

Ecotourism Management Policies1. Use guides native to visited area * 31 77.5%2. Have an education program for local guides 26 65.0%3. Provide a pre-arrival information packet 24 60.0%4. Providing a % of tour profits to local org.s 19 47.5%5. Participate in local cleanup programs 17 42.5%6. Pack-it-out requirements 15 37.5%7. Other activities to support sustainable dev. ** 16 40.0%

N = 40 respondents* 67% use local guides exclusively** Other Activities:

1. "Donations:" Generous donations to local charities; Funds for conservation & research (2); Land purchases for conservation; Sponsor Village Folk Theatre; Support clinic, school and religious organizations; Support local environmental groups

2. "Education:" Environmental education kits; Quality environmental education; Scholarships; Post-trip mailings; Teach adult education class in ecotourism; Up to 70 pages long pre-arrival packets; Support village libraries; Environmental reading library

3. "Services:" Provide medical services; Lobby government to protect rainforest; Tree planting (2); Peer exchanges; Support orphanages

4. "Economic Development:" Use of all reusable materials; Support ecovillages; Encourage eco-purchases; Support local handicrafts; Invest in eco-lodges; Support indigenous tourism projects

Other Ecotour CharacteristicsExtra Cost of Conducting Eco-sensitive Tours

High: 40.0 % of Tour Price Mean: 11.1 Low: 0.0

Willingness of Participants to Donate Money to Local Environmental and Social Causes

Very willing 38.9%Somewhat willing 55.6Not Interested or willing 5.6

Management of Tourist Behaviour- We strictly enforce sensitive Behaviour on our tours 42.9%- We explain proper behaviour, but leave it up to the individual 33.3- We only explain proper behaviour in the most sensitive place 11.9- We seldom ever direct tourists in how to behave 11.9

Comments:Our travellers typically already know how to behaveWe talk to individuals privately if there is a problem with their behaviourOur policies vary based upon the destinationOur operators are responsible for establishing proper behaviourWe don't accept participants who will not behavePolicies vary depending on the place

N = 42 respondents

Tour Group Size Smallest Average Largest

Group Group Group

Mean 4.5 11.4 24.7Median 2 8 15Range 1 - 22 3 - 60 4 - 125

Do you intentionally limit tour group sizes? Yes 34 (81%) No 8 (19%)

If yes, what is your size limit? Mean: 14.9 Median: 14.5 Range: 6 - 40

Reasons Limiting Tour Group Size – p.1

IMPACTS:1. Impacts are greater with more than 16 persons2. To reduce/lessen impact/damage (7)3. To ensure sustainable impact4. To minimize cultural concerns/impacts (3)5. Prevent negative impacts on culturally sensitive areas6. To minimize environmental impacts (3)7. To ensure privacy8. Lower impact from camping9. We will limit tour size to one person to some pristine environments to

lessen environmental and animal damage

SERVICE:1. Guides are unable to have personal contact and control the situation

with more than 17 persons2. More than eight is a mob3. Ease of handling/controlling smaller groups (2)4. Some private groups may exceed our maximum5. Logistics of moving too large a group in the destination region6. Manageable, yet profitable, size7. We break our larger groups into smaller groups of four to five persons

each for daily activities

Reasons Limiting Tour Group Size – p.2

CAPACITY:1. Due to the carrying capacity of the product (2)2. Safety and the ability to airlift out of National Parks and mountains by

helicopter if the weather turns bad3. Our maximum size depends on the itinerary4. Depending on the destination, group sizes may be limited to as little as

two persons5. Based on capacity of lodges/We are able to use smaller lodges (2)6. Allows use of smaller vehicles to get to more remote places

EXPERIENCE:1. To render more in-depth insight and equal service

to each client2. To ensure a quality experience (4)3. To enhance enjoyment of the environment and activities4. Smaller size results in a more genuine experience5. Better group rapport/dynamics (2)6. Increased opportunity to interact with locals /

cross-cultural experience (2)7. Provide more personal contact/attention (3)

Conclusions: Asia – Tourism Challenges

Asia Pacific Economic CooperationAPEC - Government representatives

Leading Tourism ProblemsEnvironmental PollutionAir Traffic CongestionOvercrowding at Major Attractions

Private Sector respondents to same surveyLeading Tourism Problems

Excessive Controls over the use of Sensitive Natural AreasConflicts between Tour Operators and Natural Resource Managers

Exploitation vs. Conservation IssuesThe ‘Sustainable’ ‘Development’ Paradox

Conclusions - Ecotourism Market

Relatively Small, Niche MarketMay be good for the environment,

But may not meet economic needs of the community

Variety of ObjectivesEducation - Public relationsFinancial support for organizations

nature and cultural conservationMarketing tool for

up-market touristsconservation oriented consumers

Continuums of Definitions and UsesPart Ecotourism to All EcotourismNature Based Tourism to Sustainable Development

Ecotourism & Mass Tourism

How to Make Mass TourismSocially ResponsibleEnvironmentally Sustainable

Ecotourists & Mass TouristsBoth Can Be:

Green & Sustainable– at ecotourism sites

Hedonist & Exploitative– at other mass tourism sites

“Greenwashing” Tours & Attractions / Eco-piratesSelling un-green products as green or eco

Ecotourism & Political Economy

Ecotourism: Relies on the Mass Tourism Infrastructure

Airlines, Automobiles, Hotels, Imported Foods

Similar carbon Footprint

Maintains Dependency & Neocolonial Power Relationships

Between Developed Center & Developing Periphery

Exists in larger context of Global & Local - Politics & Economic InterestsDifferent Stakeholders Co-opt “Ecotourism”

Government (local, national, supranational)Business Interests - NGOsResidents/Hosts - Tourists/Guests

Defining EcotourismOUTLINE

1. Examples of Ecotourism2. Definitions of Ecotourism

• Asian Context3. Ecotour Operator Survey4. Conclusions

• Challenges• Market

THEMES

1. Definitions and Practices of Ecotourism• Are Culture Based and Bound

2. The Form and Nature of Ecotourism • Represents the Cutting Edge of a Country’s

Environmental Ethic