2. Tourism Market

3. “Official Definition of Ecotourism:
“Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural
areas which conserves the environment and
improves the welfare of local people.”
- TIES 1990

4. UN, EM and Ecotourism
• Several international agencies promote
ecotourism
– UN Global Environment Facility (GEF)  funds for
environment-related projects, particularly in EMs
• 500 projects in 120 countries  Worth > $2 billion
– USAID (US Agency for International Aids)
• 100 projects worth > $2 billion

5. • Revenues
– Ecotourists are from developed countries
– Willing to spend large sum of money to view abundant and
unique natural resources
• Kenya (Masai Mara)  $100,000 per month  Entry fee $20 for
foreigners and $3 for Kenyans
• S. Africa (Dukuduku community)  $300,000 annually  By
selling traditional Zulu baskets and sleeping mats
• Cuba (La Moka)  ecotourist resort  $200/day room
• Pitfalls
– Ecotourism can be problematic if not managed properly
• Ecotourism uproots native people from their normal habits of
farming, hunting, mining, and forestry
• Income does not trickle-down to locals
• 50% of the income goes to airline, hotels, tour operators
Revenues and Pitfalls

7. • Economic
– Direct revenue from ecotourists!
– Direct employment
– Ecotourists may patronize for add-ons  culture show
• Environmental
– Incentive to protect environment  commitment ↑
– Ecotourists assist in habitat enhancement
• Excessive tipping, donations, policing, maintenance
• Socio-cultural
– Good public relations  face-to-face contacts
– Aesthetic/spiritual benefits
– Fosters environment awareness among ecotourists and local
population  slash and burn agriculture  Finland
Benefits of Ecotourism

8. Costs of Ecotourism
• Economic
– Start up expenses
• Acquisition of land/infrastructure, establishment of protected areas
– Ongoing expenses
• Maintenance of infrastructure, promotion, wages
– Revenues  Uncertain due to its nature
• Environmental
– Environmental capacity is limited  Rapid growth
– Difficult in indentifying, measuring, monitoring impact of
ecotourism
• Socio-cultural
– Intrusion upon local isolated areas
– Displacement of local cultures by parks
– Erosion of local control  foreign experts!