For seven of the species, ecotourism led to conservation gains. However, that means for two others, the overall impact of ecotourism was negative. Does this make logical sense? Of course. Different environments, different species, different outcomes. But it means ecotourism is not the silver bullet or the great panacea that will save all endangered species and ecosystems everywhere. However, I will still pursue it in my current job and in the future as a valuable potential solution to environmental degradation plus as a traveler myself!

Used as a tool in the ecology toolbox, ecotourism can connect people with wildlife and ecosystems they have never experienced, while providing sustainable livelihoods to local populations. Skip to content. Necessary Necessary. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.

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Others Others. Achieving sustainable tourism—defined here as tourism that is ecologically benign, economically feasible and socially acceptable—is thus contingent on environmental protection and reconciling tourism activities with local socio-economic values Brown et al.

Three systems of sustainability in ecotourism development According to Wall ; Alexander and Whitehouse ; Jiang These criteria include quantification of environmental performance for most of the key environmental indicators. Review of criteria, procedures and legal framework for ecotourism in Europe. According to Rome ; Ecotourism is one strategy for supporting conservation and providing income for communities in and around protected areas.

It can contribute to economic development and conservation of protected areas by: a generating revenues that can be used to sustainably manage protected areas, b providing local employment and c inculcating a sense of community ownership. However, without careful planning and management that balance ecological, social, and economic objectives, it may lead to environmental damage. Furthermore, envisioned as a positive approach towards sustainable development, unplanned or poorly planned and implemented tourism can have serious negative effects, offsetting the benefits it was designed to provide.

Even the potential local benefits of ecotourism can lead to environmental damage to a protected area. The core set of eight principles are that ecotourism product should: The Green Globe 21 International Ecotourism Standard , Focus on giving visitors the opportunity to personally and directly experience nature Natural Area Focus ;. Provide opportunities to experience nature in ways that lead to greater understanding, appreciation and enjoyment Interpretation ;.

Represent best practice for environmentally sustainable tourism Environmental Sustainability Practice ;. Be marketed and promoted honestly and accurately so that realistic expectations are formed Responsible Marketing.

One of the most influential ecotourism documents, the Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism , produced after the World Ecotourism Summit during the International Year of Ecotourism, recognized that not only does ecotourism embrace the principles of sustainable tourism but it also embodies the following specific principles: 1 contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage; 2 includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, and contributes to their well-being; 3 interprets the natural and cultural heritage to visitors; 4 encourages independent travelers, as well as organized tours for small size groups.

Ecotourism include local communities in the activities of planning, development and operation, and it contributes to. Ecotourism involves complete and interesting explanations for visitors, regarding the natural and cultural resources. According to Ramwell and Henry point out four basic principles of sustainable development and sustainable ecotourism tourism development Yogi, So both sustainable tourism and sustainable development focuses on the same key issues of ecology, society, and a systemic process of development that is guided by strategic planning Yogi, More tranquil, natural and original spaces are preferred to ordinary tourism centers.

Likewise, individuals have begun to prefer activities, which they can particularly perform in naturel and culturel areas and with which they can learn original cultural values and be within the nature, instead of sea-sand-sun tourism.

Ecotourism has increased very quickly in recent years especially in developing countries. These are highlighted in Table 6 and pertain to economic aspects, impacts on culture, environmental concerns and development.

In the Tourism Strategy of Turkey and the Ninth Development Plan , it is aimed to utilize natural, cultural, historical and geographical values of Turkey based on conservation-use balance, to increase the share of Turkey from tourism and to promote the attractiveness of regions via alternative tourism types like ecotourism Tourism Strategy of Turkey , ; Ninth Development Plan, Ecotourism is implemented differently around the world, and the impacts on native cultures vary similarly.

It is universal that tourism is a crucial industry to provide economic support to developing countries. An international pact in designated the tourism industry as the paramount economic growth strategy within Central America Moreno, Walking, camping, boating, hunting, sight-seeing, swimming, cultural activities, observing wildlife and nature, skiing, visiting historical places, and horse riding among.

The general trend in ecotourism is to increase experiences by encouraging activities such as long-distance walking, camping, boating, hunting, sight-seeing, swimming, cultural activities, bicycling, observing wildlife and nature, skiing, visiting historical places, and horse riding among others.

Generally, instructive activities, for example, wildlife observation, participation in festivals, cultural activities and nature landscapes, attract most attention. Activities like hiking, outdoor sports, picnic, paragliding arranged according to different areas of interest influence the preferences of many visitors Kiper, ; Cengiz, According to Soykan, for Europeans rural roads are natural and cultural heritages.

This is because they have natural, economic and cultural identities. Some give us opportunity to familiarize with local planting patterns by passing through agricultural lands, some lie among virgin natural areas with beautiful views e.

Therefore, in many countries in Europe specifically Austria, Switzerland and France, which have mountainous areas long distance trekking is well-organized Kiper, In order for ecotourism to have a sustainable development, the analyses for determining land use suitabilities gain importance. It and other similar methods set standards or ranges of acceptable change and describe a methodology for determining these standards, measuring impacts and identifying management strategies for controlling negative impacts.

They include ve includeIn recent years resources assessments have adopted oppottunity spectrum methods. Opportunty spectrum this group includes Fagence, ; Rome, ;.

The ECOS model Table 7 has been developed especially to cope with the peculiar needs of planning for ecotourism the capture of ecolpgical base-line data is the important first step. Attractiveness indices to differentiate according to uniqueness, international drawing power, primacy-a measure of comparative attraction.

Resource status to differentiate according to the degree of disturbance of the natural resource, and any circumstance which might impede its sustainability or cause its attractiveness to be forfeited —a form of carrying capacity assesment. This data is then assessed or measured in terms of the capacity to be used in ecotourism, with the assessment focusing on eight important factors:. Studies for determining the suitabilities for use of a land for ecotourism will also determine the development of the land in the following years and the sustainability of its resource values.

In the eco-tourism plans, diversifying economic and ecologic activities by starting and developing organized eco-tourism practice, enhancing the life quality of the locals with the economic gains provided by eco-tourism, increasing the participation of habitat conservation, improving environmental conscious, conserving natural, cultural and historical landscape values and passing them onto the next generation and popularizing ecotourism planning with the support and participation of responsible and related organizations should be aimed.

Good planning of natural and cultural elements that create resources for eco-tourism activities and their management will make important contributions to the local public. While envisioned as a positive approach towards sustainable development, unplanned or poorly planned and implemented tourism can have serious negative effects on the environment and on communities, offsetting the benefits it was designed to provide.

In order to anticipate negative impacts and to prevent or mitigate them, ecotourism impacts monitoring is required. Various tendencies also occur in the understanding of tourism upon changing living conditions. Main purpose is not only ensuring the socio-economic development but also the protection of natural and cultural landscape values to ensure awareness of nature conservation on the other hand.

Ecotourism should be seen in direct relation to nature conservation protected areas , with preservation of the authentic and involving local communities in all stages of the process. Development process is a lengthy process, which requires a sustained effort from all those involved but can bring major benefits in the long term, contribute directly to the creation of "sustainable existing 'target area Roxana, Ecotourism is a form of tourism developed in natural areas, whose goal is to acknowledge and to appreciate nature and local culture, which includes conservation measures and ensures an active involvement, generating benefits for the local population;.

Ecotourism clothes the sustainable tourism principles, but differs from it by aspects related to local community issues, interpretation for visitors to a particular destination, the number of visitors;.

Tourism has a complex impact on the environment, but it is also generating both cost and benefits;. Ecotourism contributes to increased revenues from tourism, but also to the positive social effects;.

Worldwide, there are a large number of natural areas associated with a specific cultural diversity, resulting in particular through the perpetuation of the long traditions and customs;.

Tourists have a certain responsibility towards the destination visited and the environment by their choice itself, behavior and activities performed in that space, and therefore it is important to be informed about the quality and sensitivity of destinations. These principles should be envisaged both for lovers of this form of tourism and service providers of such eco-touristic products.

Basic purposes of ecotourism are to preserve and utilize natural and cultural resources in a sustainable way and to enable economic development of local people. In order to achieve these, a participative tourism planning is required Kiper, Essential elements for ecotourism in community setting. Now that ecotourism has reached such stature, it is especially important to scrutinize its effectiveness as a strategy for sustainable development, and search for ways to improve policies and practices.

Clearly ecotourism is not a universal remedy; but its potential to promote sustainable development deserves considerable attention. Therefore, in order to provide sustainability in the ecotourism, it is necessary to know environmental, social and economical effects of ecotourism activities and to consider these effects during the planning. Tourism planning purposes this. There is a need to implement development plans and manage natural resources in a way that ensures ecological and environmental integrity.

Environmental education and interpretation is the key to creating an enjoyable and meaningful ecotourism experience, and is one of the key points of differentiation between ecotourism and other tourism products. Successful interpretive components of ecotourism products will foster appreciation and support for conservation efforts, local communities and culture.

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Edited by Murat Ozyavuz. We are IntechOpen, the world's leading publisher of Open Access books. Built by scientists, for scientists. Our readership spans scientists, professors, researchers, librarians, and students, as well as business professionals. Downloaded: Introduction Ecotourism is a sub-component of the field of sustainable tourism.

In this section, the subjects below will be discussed. Introduction What is ecotourism and its types? What is sustainable development? Ecotourism and environmental, social and economic impacts Ecotourism and sustainable development relationship Ecotourism — examples of implementation Conclusion. Ceballos Lascurain Joshi, Ecotourism is defined as travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with specific objective of studying, admiring and enjoying scenery and its wild animals and plants as well as existing.

Conservation International Ziffer, A form of tourism inspired primarily by the natural history of an area, including its indigenous cultures. The ecotourist visits relatively undeveloped areas in the spirit of appreciation, participation and sensitivity.

The ecotourist practices a non-consumptive use of wildlife and natural resources and contributes to the visited areas through labor or financial means aimed at directly benefiting the conservation of the site and the economic well-being of the local residents. The National Ecotourism Strategy QuickStart Guide to a Tourism Business, Ecotourism is nature based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable.

McCormick, Purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people World Conservation Union Brandon, Environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations.

Honey, 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.

Table 1. Definitions of ecotourism. Characteristics of mass tourism. Characteristics of ecotourism Large groups of visitors Small groups of visitors Urban Rural Touristic general marketing activities Eco-marketing activities.

Table 2. Element Examples of risks from tourism activities Ecosystems The construction of accommodation, visitor centres, infrastructure, and other services has a direct impact on the environment, from vegetation removal, animal disturbance elimination of habitats, impacts on drainage etc.

Wildlife habitat may be significantly changed travel routes, hunting areas, breeding areas, etc. Soils Soil compaction can occur in certain well-used areas.

Soil removal and erosion also occurs, and may continue after the disturbance is gone Vegetation Concentrated use around facilities has a negative effect on vegetation. Transportation may have direct negative impacts on the environment e. Fire frequency may change due to tourists and park tourism management. Water Increased demands for fresh water.

Disposal of sewage or litter in rivers, lakes or oceans. Release of oil and fuel from ships and smaller craft. Propeller-driven watercraft may affect certain aquatic plants and species. Air Motorised transportation may cause pollution from emissions from plane, train, ship or automobile. Wildlife Hunting and fishing may change population dynamics.

Hunters and fishers may demand the introduction of foreign species, and increased populations of target animals. Impacts occur on insects and small invertebrates, from effect of transportation, introduced species, etc Disturbance by visitors can occur for all species, including that are not attracting visitors. Disturbance can be of several kinds: noise, visual or harassing behaviour.

The impact can last beyond the time of initial contact e. Marine mammals may be hurt or killed by boat impacts or propeller cuts. Habituation to humans can cause changed wildlife behaviour, uch as approaching people for food. Table 3. Using resources sustainably The conservation and sustainable use of resources -natural, social, cultural, -- is crucial and makes long-term business sense Using resources sustainably: 2.