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Course Title: ecotourismCourse Code:TM371

Week Number:2

Lecture:1

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Lecture TitleEcotourism: Conceptual Definitions and

Components

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Learning Objectives

The student will be able to define ecotourism and to know the components of ecotourism .

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Contents:

Conceptual definitions of ecotourism Components of ecotourism :

1-The natural– based components

2-Sustainability components

3-Educational components

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Conceptual definition of ecotourism:

Ecotourism was first defined: ‘traveling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific objective of studying, admiring, and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas’

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Conceptual definition of ecotourism (Continued)

Unlike tourism definitions, there is no one established conceptual and technical definition of ecotourism.

Ecotourism can be said to be that which occurs in natural settings (protected and non protected) with an attempt to increase benefits to the economy, society and environment through sustainable educational practices from locals to tourists and vice versa.

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Some Conceptual definitions of ecotourism (Continued)

ecotourism is 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 wild life 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 .

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Some Conceptual definitions of ecotourism (Continued)

Ecotourism is a nature tourism that contributes to conservation, through generating funds for protected areas, creating employment, opportunity for local

communities and offering environmental education

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Components of ecotourism

Eco tourism tends to have three main components:

1- natural– based

2- sustainable

3- educational

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Components of ecotourism :

1-The natural– based component :

As ecotourism initially developed in tropical regions, the natural-based experiences have been seen to take place in a protected areas, which is an area dedicated primarily to the protection and enjoyment of natural or cultural heritage, to maintenance of biodiversity and or maintenance of ecological life-support services .

A part from protected areas, other attractions include national parks, wildlife and biological reserves, coastal and marine areas, which are simultaneously used by both natural-based tourists and ecotourists.

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Natural– based tourism contain three main components:

First the natural of experience which is nature dependent, containing attributes such as intensity of interaction with nature and social sensitivity .

Second the style of this experience, where different product elements such as willingness to pay , group size, type and length of stay are considered to be of significance.

Third the location of the natural-based tourist experience such as accessibility, ownership of location and fragility of the resources used

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Activities of ecotourism in a natural setting :

The activities of natural-based tourism can be distinguished into three main categories :

Activities dependent on nature (e.g bird watching)

Activities enhanced by nature (e.g camping)

Activities where the natural setting is incidental (e.g swimming)

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Activities of ecotourism in a natural setting (continued)

For generalized types of recreation activity : kinetic, situation based, harvest based and substitution based. It was claimed, that because ecotourism would discourage a consumption use of natural resources, the harvest-based experience doesn’t apply to activities such as

hunting and the collection of flora and fauna.

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The other three forms can be included in ecotourism activities:

Kinetic experiences were non-mechanically powered activities such as hiking, driving, swimming.

Situation-based experiences entail a strong association with the destination as unique characteristics .

A substitution or aesthetic experience includes observation of natural phenomena, for example bird watching.

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2-Sustainability component :

One of the significant aspects of ecotourism is sustainability . sustainable development as growth that brings benefits to people today without damaging

resources or prospects for future generations.

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Sustainability component (continued)

Sustainable management concerns resource management. It recognizes that the world’s resources are limited and they are being used up everyday without consideration of replenishing or protecting them.

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Sustainability component (continued)

Planning for sustainability regarding the tourism sector involves not only the host community but also the government on both regional and national levels.

The concept of sustainability is closely interlinked with the theory of carrying capacity. This related to predetermined limits to development, population pressure and infrastructure in a particular areas. Three main areas are subject to these limits are the environment, the society and the economy .

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Sustainability component (continued)

In environmental settings, the concept applies to the maximum number of people who can utilize a location without an unacceptable decline in the quality of the experience gained by visitors .

A primary means of maintaining sustainability is by limiting tourist numbers and therefore the possibility for environmental degradation.

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Host Community :

One of the most vital elements of ecotourism is the involvement of the host community. this involvement should be in a direct form, such as share of the revenue generated, employment and most importantly, control in

development and implementation of ecotourism.

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Host Community (continued)

Part of the involvement of the local population can come in the form of empowerment of community is given the responsibility to make decision or at least to be part of the decision-making process

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Host Community (continued)

By having local involvement: the economy of the host community thrives as well. The multiplier effect increases through improved employment and higher earning of the local population. Import leakages decline and revenue earned by expatriate workers also diminish

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Host Community (continued)

The provision of local guides has a number of benefits for the local community, negative impacts on the environment are reduced, environmental awareness of the local community is increased and of course it

provides employment for the population.

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3-Educational components :

Ecotourism appeals to people who wish to interact with the environment and to varying degrees, develop their knowledge, comprehension and appreciation of it.

The aim of ecotourism is to educate the visitor about the value of natural environments

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Educational components (continued)

This type of information can be provided during and after the event in the form of brochures, videos, local guides and through walk and talk .Prior to the trip information can be made available to the ecotourist regarding the special concerns for that particular destination

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Educational components (continued)

Ecotourism is primarily concerned with an individual search for learning and for the associated personal development and no specific level of social contact is required to make experience worthwhile.

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Educational components (continued)

In the desire to understand and appreciate the natural attraction of a destination lies a desire to ensure that those attractions are not destroyed but sustained for future visitors .

Who would be ecotourists: 3 market segments?

1 ） Socially Aware Segment aged between 35 and 49 the most educated of all the groups employed as upmarket professionals taking a thoughtful and strategic approach to life being politically and socially active and environmentally

aware

2 。 Visible Achiever Segment aged between 35 and 49 working in upmarket professional positions seeking recognition, status and evidence of success (e.g. cars,

houses, expensive and unusual holidays)

3. Young Optimists Segment

aged between 18 and 24 being the active, trendy, outgoing student

generation being trend setters, ambitious and career

oriented being interested in adventure based tours,

always collecting new experiences, ideas and relationships

being often the children of the Visible Achievers or Socially Aware segments.

In general, some distinct characteristics of an Eco-tourist can be identified as the following

Age largest group: around age of 20-40 a second large group: 55 years and older

Education and Income more educated than other tourists, with an

interest in learning about the environment earning higher incomes

Seasonality general tourists - favour definite seasons at

most destinations eco-tourists tend to travel all year round and

are not as seasonally biased

Environmental Behaviour more likely to be involved in pro-environmental behavior at

home

recycling household waste purchasing green products

many of them belong to conservation organizations, but are not necessarily active in them

having a more intellectual interest in the environment rather than hands-on experience

Accommodation Preferences More interested in specialist accommodation in a natural

setting than traditional star-rated hotels

farmstays bed and breakfasts private cottages