INTRODUCTION TO

ECOTOURISM

Prepared By:
Ma'am L
 TOURISM according to UNWTO

Activities

Outside the usual environment

Not more than one consecutive year

Leisure, Business and other purposes

 ECO + TOURISM

Linked to the ecological concept in allusion to

ecologically sustainable

Also has an economic development dimension,

a dimension of special interest for the private
sector (Higham, 2007)
 ECOTOURISM according to Weaver
-involves travel to relatively undisturbed or
uncontaminated natural areas with the specific
objective of STUDYING, ADMIRING, and
ENJOYING the scenery and its wild plants and
animals, as well as any existing CULTURAL
ASPECTS found in these areas.
 PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
1.It must be CONSISTENT with a positive
environmental ethic, fostering preferred
behavior.
2.It does not DENIGRATE the resource. There is
no erosion of RESOURCE INTEGRITY.
3.It concentrate on INTRINSIC rather than
EXTRINSIC values.
 PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
4. It is BIOCENTRIC rather than HOMOCENTRIC in
philosophy.
5. Ecotourism must BENEFIT the resource.
6. There is, in ecotourism, an expectation of
GRATIFICATION measured in APPRECIATION
and EDUCATION.
 PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
7. It is FIRST-HAND experience with the natural
environment.
8. There are high COGNITIVE and AFFECTIVE
dimensions to the experience, requiring a high
level of preparation from both LEADERS and
PARTICIPANTS.
 PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
Ecotourism also embraces the following
principles which distinguish it from the wider
concept of sustainable tourism:

Contributes activity to the conservation of

natural and cultural heritage.

Includes local and indigenous communities in

planning, development and operation,
contributing to their well being
 PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
Ecotourism also embraces the following
principles which distinguish it from the wider
concept of sustainable tourism:

Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of

the destination to the visitor.

Lends itself to independent travellers, as well

as to organized tours for small size groups.
 ECOTOURISM has the following
characteristics (Honey, 2008)
1. Involves travel to natural destinations
2. Minimizes impact
3. Builds environmental awareness
4. Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
5. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
6. Respects local culture
7. Supports human rights and democratic movements
 ADVANTAGES OF ECOTOURISM

Provides economic benefits for local

people and can provide revenue for
conservation projects.

It tends to be quite small scale and

carefully managed.
 ADVANTAGES OF ECOTOURISM

It raise awareness of issues amongst tourists

because of their first-hand experience of the
issues in the field.

It involves tourists who are well aware of the

potential dangers of tourism and at least
should behave more sensitively than many
other tourists.
 DISADVANTAGES OF ECOTOURISM

ECOTOURISM or EGO-TOURISM?

Today's ecotourism, tomorrow's mass tourism?

The ecotourist 'locusts'!

No hiding place from the ecotourist!

Ecotourism is more then just wildlife.

Patronizing indigenous people

 WHO ARE ECOTOURISTS?
(Honey, 2008)

Better informed

More experienced

More adventuresome travelers than the

conventional tourist

Tend to seek wide-ranging activities and multi-

destination vacations and tend to prefer
modest, intimate accommodations
 WHO ARE ECOTOURISTS?
(Honey, 2008)

Prefer tourist facilities that profess

conservation goals, offer remote settings and
wildlife viewing, and provide opportunities to
visit national parks or protected areas.

Many are former backpackers and are

knowledgeable about the logistics of travel,
developing countries and conservation.
 WHO ARE ECOTOURISTS?
(FENNEL, 2008)

Do-it-yourself tourists

Ecotourists on tours

School groups or scientific groups

 ECOTOURIST
(4 Basic Types)

1. Hardcore nature tourists

2. Dedicated nature tourists
3. Mainstream nature tourists
4. Casual nature tourists