Phase 2: Assessment - (PDF, 101 mb) - USAID

Meeting the Global Challenge of Community Participation in Ecotourism:
Case Studies and Lessons from Ecuador
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................ 5
Report Methods and Objectives.......................................................................... 5
Global Ecotourism Development Issues............................................................. 7
Rapid Growth of Unplanned Tourism ............................................................. 7
Rapidly Emerging Role Of Indigenous Communities in Ecotourism ............. 8
The Battle over Unsustainable Uses of Biodiverse Resources ........................ 8
NGO Role in Ecotourism Development .......................................................... 9
Ecuador as an Ecotourism Destination ............................................................... 10
Linking Conservation to Ecotourism Development in Ecuador......................... 11
Ecuadorean Community Participation Case Studies .......................................... 13
Kapawi............................................................................................................. 13
Zabalo .............................................................................................................. 15
Siecoya............................................................................................................. 17
Quehueri’ono................................................................................................... 18
Observations of Coastal Ecotourism Projects.................................................. 19
National Forum Results ..................................................................................... 20
Final Issues and Recommendations.................................................................... 22
Understanding Community Capabilities and Providing Infrastructure ........... 22
Recommendations......................................................................................... 22
Training ........................................................................................................... 23
Recommendations......................................................................................... 23
Optimal Community Business Structures........................................................ 24
Recommendations......................................................................................... 24
Linkages to the Global Marketplace................................................................ 24
Recommendations......................................................................................... 25
Market Data ..................................................................................................... 26
Recommendations......................................................................................... 26
Expertise in Community Development............................................................ 26
Recommendations......................................................................................... 27
Conflicting Land-use Strategies ...................................................................... 27
Recommendations......................................................................................... 28
Conclusion.......................................................................................................... 28
Literature Cited................................................................................................... 31
The Nature Conservancy 3