University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

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Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature Community-based ecotourism (CBE) has been widely introduced and implemented around the world. It promotes both the quality of human life and conservation of resources (Ruth et al., 1998; Scheyvens, 1999; WWF, 2001). This is a form of tourism that meets some criteria of ecotourism. The local community has substantial control over, and involvement in its developed and management, and the major proportion of the benefits remain within the community (WWF, 2001). Local communities join in partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private tour companies to plan tourism strategies and develop new attraction for tourists. Local hosts gain much more control over how tourism affects their communities (Amanda, 2001). Communities are generally aware of the fact that ecotourism will not replace their traditional economic activities. But they often feel that it has the potential to generate additional incomes for them (Ruth et al., 1998). Therefore, these pressures which threaten to destroy natural resources, especially the natural habitats, in the local communities would be reduced. In other words, it would play a role in conservation. In Nepal, CBE made changes in local attitudes toward wildlife conservation, including endangered species and habitat conservation and increase benefits for the local people (Marnie, et. al., 1998). In New Zealand, Maori communities are using ecotourism as a means of sustainable utilising physical resources at their disposal in a way, which can provide employment options (Scheyvens, 1999). In the Amazon, income flows from ecotourism made local communities raise their environmental awareness and gave incentives for a “new” use of traditional resources (Sven, 2000). However, many small scale CBEs have failed because of lack of market assessment, organisation, quality and promotion (WWF, 2001). CBE therefore should be linked with other segments of tourism. It can be integrated with other 34
Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature sectors in order to get to know the market better, upgrade knowledge in tourist operation and management. In Namibia, CBE provides a linkage between communities with outside agencies and operators. Local communities are assistance through training, business advice, marketing, advocacy and funding. In addition, a central booking and information system has also been established. Finally, the ecotourism project in Namibia shows that wildlife numbers, including black rhino and elephant, have increased significantly since the community approach have been adopted (WWF, 2001). In participatory democracy theory, it has also been mentioned that: "the more individuals participate the better able they become to do so" (Diduck 1999). Amanda (2001) has also argued that if ecotourism industry were to provide the right inputs, such as “a participatory approach” then the negative impacts of tourism on the local hosts could be reduced. Anthropologists have discussed the role of local participation in the planning and management of protected areas. They strongly claim that without the consent of the local communities, protected areas could not be managed effectively (Benjamin & Brush, 1996). Again, Scheyvens (1999) has emphasised the empowerment of local communities in decision-making in ecotourism projects. It includes economic empowerment, psychological empowerment, social empowerment, and political empowerment. In addition, through tourism activities, visitors learn not only much from nature, human culture etc. but they also contribute in conserving protected areas (Megan). It includes helping protected areas generate revenue, direct corporate donations and researches, mount-advertisement etc. and sometimes gives very good comments on how to improve the ecotourism in detail. 35
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