International
Year of
Ecotourism
About Ecotourism
- What is ecotourism?
- Ecotourism as a concept
- Ecotourism as a market segment
- Other useful web sites with information on ecotourism
Ecotourism is of special interest to UNEP for its relationship with conservation, sustainability, and biological diversity. As a development tool, ecotourism can advance the three basic goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity:
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conserve biological (and cultural) diversity, by strengthening protected area management systems (public or private) and increasing the value of sound ecosystems;
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promote the sustainable use of biodiversity, by generating income, jobs and business opportunities in ecotourism and related business networks, and
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share the benefits of ecotourism developments equitably with local communities and indigenous people, by obtaining their informed consent and full participation in planning and management of ecotourism businesses.
In the field, well-planned and managed ecotourism has proven to be one of the most effective tools for long-term conservation of biodiversity when the right circumstances (such as market feasibility, management capacity at local level, and clear and monitored links between ecotourism development and conservation) are present.
WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?
Ecotourism has been marketed as a form of nature-based tourism, but it has also been studied as a sustainable development tool by NGOs, development experts and academics since 1990. The term ecotourism, therefore, refers on one hand to a concept based on a set of principles, and on the other hand to a specific market segment. The International Ecotourism Society in 1991 produced one of the earliest definitions:
"Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people."
IUCN (now called the World Conservation Union) states in 1996 that ecotourism:
"...is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features - both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations."
Ecotourism as a concept
Ecotourism is a component of the field of sustainable tourism. Figure 1 offers a reflection of where ecotourism can be placed within the process of developing more sustainable forms of tourism.
Ecotourism aspires in all cases to achieve sustainable development results. However, it is important to stress that all tourism activities, be they geared to holidays, business, conferences, congresses or fairs, health, adventure or ecotourism, should aim to be sustainable. This means that the planning and development of tourism infrastructure, its subsequent operation, and its marketing should focus on environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability criteria.
The strong orientation of the ecotourism field toward principles, guidelines, and certification based on sustainability standards gives it an unusual position in the tourism field. In the years since the concept was first defined, a general consensus has formed on the basic elements of ecotourism:
- Contributes to conservation of biodiversity.
- Sustains the well being of local people.
- Includes an interpretation / learning experience.
- Involves responsible action on the part of tourists and the tourism industry.
- Is delivered primarily to small groups by small-scale businesses.
- Requires the lowest possible consumption of nonrenewable resources.
- Stresses local participation, ownership and business opportunities, particularly for rural people.
Ecotourism as a market segment
Ecotourism is a small but rapidly growing industry, a niche market that is governed by market forces and regulations. It is primarily advertised as a form of nature tourism. Some countries, companies and destinations have social and environmental policies and programs, while others do not. This has led to confusion worldwide about the meaning of the term ecotourism as it is applied in the marketplace. Further discussion of guidelines, accreditation systems, and sustainability criteria for the ecotourism industry can be found in UNEP's Ecotourism. Principles, Practices & Policies for Sustainability.
Figure 2 provides a reflection of how ecotourism fits into the larger tourism marketplace. Both adventure tourism and ecotourism are components of nature tourism, while ecotourism has stronger links to rural and cultural tourism than to adventure tourism. In ecotourism the prime motivation is generally the observation and appreciation of natural features and related cultural assets, whereas in adventure tourism it is physical exercise and challenging situations in natural environments.
From a functional viewpoint, ecotourism is mostly individual or small-scale tourism (tour groups up to 25, and hotels with fewer than 100 beds) that is operated by small- and medium-sized companies in natural areas. It concentrates on leading and accommodating small groups in natural areas in an educational manner through interpretive materials and local specialist guides.
In May 2000, as part of the side events on the 8th session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 8), a group of Indigenous Peoples Organizations, NGOs and other members of Civil Society provided a proposal on guidelines for ecotourism. Although the final result could not be incorporated into the official papers due to procedural aspects, UNEP recognizes its value as a statement of genuine concerns from primary stakeholders.
Ecotourism is sustainable tourism, which follows clear processes that:
Ensures prior informed participation of all stakeholders,
Ensures equal, effective and active participation of all stakeholders,
Acknowledges Indigenous Peoples communities' rights to say "no" to tourism development - and to be fully informed, effective and active participants in the development of tourism activities within the communities, lands, and territories, and
Promotes processes for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to control and maintain their resources.