These are reducing the extent of environmental effects of ecotourism, respecting host cultures, improving the benefits of local communities, and accelerating travellers’ satisfaction.

Hetzer identified four fundamental pillars that needed to be followed for a more form of responsible tourism

1. Minimum environmental impact 2. Minimum impact on- and maximum respect for host cultures 3. Maximum economic benefits to the host countries grassroots 4. Maximum ’recreational’ satisfaction to participating tourist

In 1978, __ worked on eco-development in Latin America, gives us another reference for ecotourism.

Miller

A document was also created on a set of road-based ‘eco-tours’ by Environment Canada from the __&__

mid-1970s to the early 1980s

A few developing countries realized why ecotourism is important and started sustainable tourism programs to conserve and develop our environment by the __

mid-1980s.

Ecotourism was first conceptualized in the early __ as a type of travel for people who wanted to learn about different and exotic environments without causing the environmental harm or damage associated with other forms of tourism.

1980s

was first conceptualized in the early 1980s as a type of travel for people who wanted to learn about different and exotic environments without causing the environmental harm or damage associated with other forms of tourism.

Ecotourism

Tourism to areas of ecological interest (typically exotic and often threatened natural environments), esp. to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife; spec. access to an endangered environment controlled so as to have the least possible adverse effect.”

ecotourism (dictionary 1982)

the first definition of ecotourism was given by __ in __

Ceballos-Lascurain in 1987

__ also adopts this particular stand in illustrating that the idea of ecotourism is in fact an old one, which manifested itself during the late1960s and early 1970s when researchers become concerned over the inappropriate use of natural resources.

Nelson (1994)

__found evidence of ‘Canadian Government ‘ ecotours’ which were operational during the mid- 1970s.

Fennell( 1998)

suggest that the majority of ecotourism definitions lie between the passive position and the active position

ORAMS (1995)

concentrates solely on ecotourism development, not enhancing the antagonistic impacts of the ecotourist’s need to be satisfied

passive position

actions of protecting the environment and the behavioral intentions of eco-tourists

active position

was first defined as “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. (CEBALLOS-LASCURAIN, 1987: 14)

Ecotourism

is a form of tourism inspired primarily by the natural history of an area, including its indigenous cultures.

Ecotourism

is a nature tourism that is focus on conservation, through generating funds for protected areas, creating employment opportunities for local communities, and offering environmental education.(BOO, 1991B:4)

Ecotourism

Nature based tourism that is focused on provisions of learning opportunities while providing local and regional benefits, while demonstrating environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability.(FORESTRY TASMANIA,1994)

Ecotourism

An __ experience is one in which an individual travels to a relatively undisturbed natural area that is more than 40 km from home, the primary intention being to study, admire, or appreciate the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas.

Ecotourism

is anyone who undertakes at least one ecotourism experience in a specified period of time.(BLAMEY, 1995)

ecotourist

is tourism and recreation that is both nature based and sustainable.( LINDBERG AND MACKERCHER, 1997)

Ecotourism

COMPONENTS OF ECOTOURISM

THE NATURAL-BASED COMPONENTS SUSTAINABILITY COMPONENT EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT

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. (IUCN, 1991 in Ceballos Lascurain, 1996:29)

NATURAL-BASED COMPONENTS

Apart 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 ecotourist.

NATURAL-BASED COMPONENTS

ACTIVITY OF ECOTOURISM IN A NATURAL SETTING (Valentine, 1992)

Activities dependent on nature Activities enhanced by nature Activities where the natural settings is incidental

is one of the significant aspects of ecoturism. In the late 1980s, through increase awareness of global environmental issues, sustainability began to emerge as a key component in the world, expanding not only to the tourism sector but also to all other sectors within the economy (ARCHER AND COOPER, 1994; GODFREY, 1996)

Sustainability component

growth that brings benefits to people today without damaging resources or prospects for future generations’ (WOOD, 2002). •

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

concerns resource management, it recognizes that the world resources are limited and they are being used up everyday without considerations of replenishing or protecting them (GODFREY,1996).

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

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

Sustainability component

The concept of __ is closely interlinked with the theory of carrying capacity. This relates to the predetermined limits to development, population pressure and infrastructure in a particular area.

sustainability

The concept of sustainability is closely interlinked with the theory of carrying capacity. This relates to the predetermined limits to development, population pressure and infrastructure in a particular area.

Sustainability component

3 MAIN AREAS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THESE LIMITS

• ENVIRONMENT • THE SOCIETY • The ECONOMY

Considering the fact that ecotourism seek to promote responsible travel, then education and interpretation have to be the foundation and this should aim to include the local community and both domestic and international travelers(ROSS AND WALL, 1999).

Educational component

__ aim is to educate the visitor about the value of natural environments (WEARING AND NEIL, 1999).

Ecotourism

The visitor will encounter different learning experiences during an ecotourism journey, the main focus is the natural environment but also, where indigenous people are involved, their tradition and culture will be part of the learning process (HAWKINS, 1994).

Educational component

One part of the learning process is to provide onsite educational programs at the destinations.

Educational component

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 the experience worthwhile’(EAGLES, 2001).

ECOTOURISM

Providing education and interpretation as a part of the experience makes the visitor aware of the environment and how their actions contribute to the conservation of the same. Read

The __ visits relatively undeveloped areas in the spirit of appreciation, participation and sensitivity.

Eco-tourist

The __ practices a non-consumptive use of wildlife and natural resources and contributes the visited area through labor and financial means aimed at directly benefiting the conservation of the site and the economic well being of the local residents.(ZIFFER, 1989)

Eco-tourist