Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) (http://www.ecotourismconference.org/) presentation by Director, Spirit of Japan Travel, presented in September 2011. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (http://www.ecotourism.org), the ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.

1. This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry. Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism ESTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESTC.Tourism The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.orgemail info@ecotourism.org | tel +1 202 506 5033

2. Surf Tourism and Rural Communities in Nicaragua Lindsay Usher & Deb KerstetterPenn State University

3. Background Who am I? Why Nicaragua?

4. Surf Tourism Viable option for sustainable tourism. Popular in Central America. Nicaragua is growing as a surf tourism destination.

5. In many places it is dominated by foreign interests. Residents must receive benefits that will improve their quality of life. What is surf tourism doing for residents in Las Salinas and what role, if any, do they have in it?

6. http://www.nicaraguasurfmaps.com/index.htm

7. Las Salinas 2.5 hours from Managua Indigenous community Home to 260 families Nearest community to Playa Guasacate

8. Previous economy was salt fields and agriculture.

9. Tourism, specifically surf tourism, has grown in the last 10-15 years.

10. Data Collection 3 weeks in Las Salinas with a host family 27 interviews with 13 men & 14 women Asked about: health, jobs, social relations, nature and religion; positive and negative aspects of tourism development; and, who had more power and influence in tourism development?

11. Findings Four major findings…

12. Tourism contributes to jobsand prosperity! “With tourism, has come employment for us, as I said previously, before…here in the community, the work that was the most here…was agriculture and the salt cultivation” - Eduardo “I think it has given much work and the community has prospered much with this” - Wilfredo “The gringos, the investors began to come and buy and buy, the money was moving, more movement of money was seen, they started building” – Pablo

13. Foreigners contribute to well-being! “…There are American gringos that come here to this place and give help, for example, to the school” – Ana “…Right now there is a help of the Americans, I think they are…yes, they are doctors that have come to help” – Eloisa “…Now, Las Salinas has a water pump, that was assistance of other countries…it was not of the community” – Maria

14. Tourism produces negative outcomes. “…Because with their lands, they were working, they were planting, they were cultivating, but since tourism came, many Americans bought lands, and now all the lands where they used to plant, now are houses” – Julio “They have come to make conflict with the community” - Pablo

15. “Some yes, they prohibit you…that you enter there. For me, for me, for me, this is not right. We all have the right to the sea for me.” – Eloisa “…I saw [drugs] when the tourists started coming, I saw the young people also make friends with them, that was when it started, these things. And it affected the health of the youth!” – Antonio

16. Local Nicaraguan business owners recognize foreign dominance. “They have more knowledge of the area of tourism…They know the customs of the tourists that visit us better” – Jorge “The foreigner, then, what they do is put their business on the internet, they put it there” - Tomasa “They do packages” - Pedro

17. So did residents! 15 out of 20 people said that foreigners had more influence than the community did in tourism development “Because they have more money” - Alejandro

18. Discussion: The positives… Tourism benefits the community and diversifies the economy. Many residents feel connected to tourism and express positive feelings about it. Residents recognize that foreigners bring aid and projects to the community that positively impact well-being.

19. Discussion: The negatives… Beach access, land rights, drugs and theft… Many residents do not feel they have much of a voice in tourism development. Foreigners have the majority of businesses due to… money technical expertise

20. Suggestions for developing a sustainable tourism product! Management Have foreign owners attend community meetings and get to know the community before building. Educate guests about projects with local community. Train foreign staff in sustainable practices.

21. Social/economic benefits Give residents a voice in tourism development. Pay fair prices for land. Provide residents with access to the beach. Promote residents to management positions. Offer technical assistance and training to residents and business owners.

22. Culture Teach residents about surfing, not drugs.

23. Environmental Partner with the community board on trash management initiatives. Do not allow dumping from boats. Partner with community on tree projects.

24. Thank You! Questions?