Course Title: Ecotourism Course Code: (TM371) LECTURE :4

1. Course Title: Ecotourism Course Code: (TM371) LECTURE :4

2. Lecture TITLE :Visitor impact management

3. Learning Objectives • The student will be able to know : 1 . The green tourist 2 . Agenda 21 and sustainable development in tourism

4. Contents: • Green tourist • Agenda 21 and sustainable development in tourism

5. Green tourist: • Yet there appears little evidence of the rise of this tourist market as a real force in the tourism market. • The fact that the market is divided into groups which vary from being very dark green to not green at all.

6. Green tourist (continued) • There is little evidence that tourists are : • Switching from the use of private cars to public transport for their holiday trips. • Demonstrating against the environmental impacts of new theme parks. • Insisting that hotels recycle their waste

7. Green tourist (continued) • However on closer examination it appears to be more about the vested interest of these consumers in the environment as a key determinant in the quality of their holiday experience, than their concern with the environmental impacts on tourism in general. • In some of the more recently economically developed regions of the world. Even a modest level of concern appears to be largely absent.

8. Green tourist (continued) • So far we have focused on the green tourist who one would expect to be concerned with purely environmental issues • There is even less evidence of the existence of sustainable tourist who is also concerned about the long-term social and economic aspects of tourism.

9. What are they looking for? Ecotourists generally seek out travel experiences that involve: Areas or attractions of natural beauty. Small group sizes and away from crowds.

10. Interaction with other people who are preferably like minded and compatible. Some level of interaction with the environment Some degree of information and learning. Fun and enjoyment.

11. BTR’s suggests that there are 3 broadecotourism market segments. These are:: Impulse: Characterised by nature based day trips away from the main tourist destinations and mainly booked locally by domestic and international tourists

12. Active: characterized by younger and middle aged professionals who generally book in advance. There is a skew to domestic tourists although there could well be the potential for growth through international marketing, infrastructure and product development.

13. Personalised: Essentially older professionals (or retired) who expect to be well looked after by the operator. This segment is skewed to international tourists who book overnight ecotours before arriving .

14. Agenda 21 and sustainable development in tourism • Agenda 21 is a global action plan endorsed by the 1992 Rio Summit in Brazil and ‘reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSfl heldin Johannesburg, South Africa’ (United Nations Division for Sustainable Development website 2007) in 2002. It sets out the priorities for sustainable development into the twenty- first century. Stancliffc (1995) provides the following summary of the points of relevance in Agenda 21 for the tourism industry:

15. Agenda 21 and sustainable development in tourism(continued) • Agenda 21 impinges on tourism in two ways. First, tourism is specifically mentioned as offering sustainable development potential to certain communities, particularly in fragile environments. Second, tourism will be affected by Agenda 21’s programme of action because its many impacts may be altered by the legal framework, policies and management practices under which it operates. Among other priorities given in Agenda 21, governments are urged to: • improve and reorientate pricing and subsidy policies in issues related to tourism ;

16. Agenda 21 and sustainable development in tourism(continued) • diversify mountain economies by creating and strengthening tourism; • provide mechanisms to preserve threatened areas that could protect wildlife, conserve biological diversity or serve as national parks; • promote environmentally sound leisure and tourism activities, building on the current programme of the World Tourism Organization.

17. Agenda 21 and sustainable development in tourism(continued) • Business and industry, including transnational corporations, are urged to: • adopt. . . codes of conduct promoting best environmental practice; • ensure responsible and ethical management of products and processes; • increase self-regulation.

18. Purpose of Eco-tourism Develop a thoughtful and informed relationship with the creation Learn good stewardship and management of the creation Respond to become an ethical traveler in the creation

19. How to be an Ethical Traveler Journey with an open mind Accept with grace and gratitude the diversity I encounter Revere and protect the natural creation which sustains all life Respect and thank my hosts for their welcome Travel as a 'guest' and not a 'customer' whose demands should be met

20. Offer my hand of friendship to everyone I meet Support the locally owned infrastructure that is environmentally sound hotels, restaurants, retail equipment, grocery stores, etc.

21. Appreciate all cultures I discover and respect local norms dress, language, music and family values Be sensitive to the impacts of my travels on the local environment wildlife, firewood, fuel, litter, water, garbage

22. Be sensitive to the impacts of my travels on local traditions hunting, fishing, dance, local rituals Encourage others to travel the world in peace with a servants attitude

23. Eco Tourism at the National Level Benefits : Economic justification to protect areas National economy Foreign currency Add-on feature Improve Infrastructure

24. Eco Tourism at the National Level Drawbacks: Unstable source of income Political instability Weather (seasonally) Exchange rates fluctuate Tourism destroys tourism Leakage

25. Eco-tourism at the Park Level Benefits Revenue for programs Volunteer efforts Attract donations from special interest groups Career opportunities

26. Drawbacks Ecological stress Carrying capacity Damage to park in vandalism litter, fires, noise, feeding of animals, souvenir collection, sewage, animal behavior

27. http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/css287/EcotourismAusBrief.pdf